Page 59 of Ruined Kingdom

I faded into the background of the room full of guests and staff, which was no easy feat in this everything but inconspicuous dress. After I was sure no one was looking at me, I made my way out of the room.

The moment I left, and the door closed behind me, sweet silence entered my ears.

I didn't realize how loud it had been in there until I wasn’t surrounded by the constant chattering and laughter anymore.

I can’t believe I made it out of there without alerting?—

Before I could even finish congratulating myself, I looked up to find one of the maids carrying another platter of food into the room.

She made direct eye contact with me, and I froze.

Oh no. I can forget ever hearing the end of it when Tieni finds out that I left the party.

She bowed her head to me, and when she brought her head back up, I could see her attempting to hide a humorous smile. Then she held her pointer finger up to her mouth in a hushing motion.

That was when I realized that she was saying my secret was safe with her.

I mouthed a thank you to her before I escaped into the only room I knew I would be safe in—the Library.

No one was going to come in here during a party.

I sneaked in, closed the door behind me, and settled into my favorite cozy chair. I sunk deeper, telling myself that I was only going to rest my feet and my eyes for a few minutes. I wasn’t even that tired…

My eyes snapped open, and I looked around in a panic to find that it was now nighttime.

Oh, Gods! I’m a dead woman!

I checked the clock on the wall to find that I had been asleep for four hours.

How did this happen?

I jumped out of the chair and fixed my dress before rushing toward the door.

“Leaving so soon?” A lyrical voice chuckled in a way that filled the room with its beautiful soul.

I stopped and turned slowly, looking around me in search of another person, but it was empty. “Hello?”

“I am glad to find you so well, my dearest Sophia,” the familiar voice filled the Library as a huge full moon appeared suddenly in what had been an empty night sky an instant ago.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was supposed to be the night of a new moon, not a full, shining giant one!

I knew then that it could only be one person.

A beam of moonlight flooded into the window, and Helene traveled through the glass, floating like a specter until her feet settled lightly on the floor right in front of me.

As many times as I've met with Helene now, she still never ceased to amaze me. Being in her presence always felt like the first time.

I panicked, realizing I was just staring at her like a fool. I quickly shot to my feet and bowed my head. “I’m sorry!”

“Rise, child. I’m not here to reprimand you.” She walked about the room slowly with a grace I could only dream of matching.

Her sharp heels clicked against the floor the same way a crystal glass sang when you ran your finger around it. Her dress was even more magnificent tonight. She was draped in the stars from the sky, trailing down her form before flying off back into the night sky.

“You look decidedly pale from the last time I saw you. Are you well?” She motioned her fingers so smoothly that it was as if she was playing an unseen harp.

“I’ve seen better days. That’s for sure.” I mumbled without thinking.

My grumbles were silenced as she reached for my face.

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