Page 14 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

When morning comes, I want to believe that the past few days were nothing more than a dream. To hope that maybe, when I open my eyes, I’ll be in my bed at home. That Father and Acantha will be downstairs, waiting for me to join them for breakfast.

I want to believe that. But the truth stops me.

Opening my eyes, I take a deep breath. I don’t move from bed, wishing I could go back to sleep and escape my reality.

Yet, time and time again, the gods show me their cruelty.

There’s a gentle knock at my door, and before I can respond, my ladies’ maids enter my chamber. I notice the cart with my dirty dishes from dinner is gone.

The first one inside pauses when she sees me still in bed, her eyes wide. “Have we woken you, miss?”

Sitting up, I flash her a polite smile. “Not at all.”

“Oh, good.” She relaxes, the tension leaving her face. She looks to be about my age, but her demeanor makes her seem much older. Then she smiles warmly, holding out a hand to help me up. “Good morning. You slept well, I hope?”

“As well as I could have,” I say with a snide tone, taking her hand. Standing, I brush my curls out of my face. “I’m Cryssa,” I tell her.

The servant bows. “Tiffy, my lady.”

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Tiffy.” And I mean it. I’ll need allies if I want to survive here.

Tiffy smiles again and tilts her head toward the washroom. “Come, let’s get you ready.”

“Ready for what?” I ask, but her hands are already on my arms, maneuvering me there.

“For the day, of course. You can’t very well stay in yesterday’s clothes, can you?”

My cheeks warm. At home, I wore the same two dresses. Sometimes for multiple days in a row. Clothes weren’t the priority. Not with mouths to feed.

I press my lips together.

I’m not at home anymore.

I’m at High Keep and I’m betrothed to the Crown Prince. Maybe now, appearances are a priority.

Not if I have anything to say about it.

I’m not staying here long enough to start caring about my appearance.

I nod to Tiffy, and that seems to satisfy her. The ladies’ maids wash my face, style my hair, and dress me.

“Will you take breakfast in here, miss?” Tiffy asks.

“Yes,” I shoot out. The Crown Prince may think he’s my betrothed, but I have no intention of going through with the marriage. And no desire to spend time with him.

Tiffy bows her head, and then leads my ladies’ maids out of my chamber.

Breakfast arrives not much longer after they leave, brought in on another rolling cart by more servants. Like they did with dinner last night, the servants leave me to my meal once they’ve asked if I need anything else. I decline and have my meal at the vanity table. So far, I’ve used it more for eating than for making myself look more appealing.

The breakfast assortment is just as tantalizing as last night’s dinner. Freshly baked pastries make my mouth water, topped with ripe berries, and chopped chocolate. There’s a fancy looking bowl cradling an egg-dish and a small plate of buttered toast. Instead of wine, there’s a small pitcher of some kind of fruit juice.

I pour some juice into the glass and sip it in between bites of pastries and eggs. Once I’m finished, I leave my empty dishes on the cart. I assume the servants will come for it like they did last night.

Lymseia’s words from yesterday ascend to the forefront of my mind.

“The main areas of the castle are free for you to explore.”

And explore I shall.

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