SAGE lost


    I count


    I walked towards the dining hall with heavy feet. This, among other things, is what I hate about this ce. eded to up my poker face in front of those people and pretend as if I was delighted to be in their presence. When in fact, I hate everything about this ce. t of how many times I have been letting out a loud sigh as I made my way to meet Her Majesty for breakfast. I left Titus in his room because I don''t like having breakfast with him, yet here I am on my way to another meal with someone I don''t like to meet "You''ll be fine, mydy." ra whispered in my ear as she tried to cheer me up.


    "I don''t I know how long I will be able to withstand being in this golforsaken ce," I replied. "ed toe up with a n in order for me to get out of here."


    T


    "Divorce is the only thing that will set you free, mydy


    "Do you think I haven''t thought about that? You have no idea how many times I have asked His Majesty to grant me divorce as soon as he stepped in front of our door?"


    "Then reject him," she suggested.


    I let out a frustrated sigh. "He won''t grant me a divorce. What makes you think he''ll ept my rejection? I can''t even


    leave me alone, let alone sever our bond."


    She blew out a heavy sigh of her own, crossing her arms as she leaned back against the dresser. "Yeah, you''re right. If he won''t even give you that, maybe the only option is to wait until he gets tired of you." Her


    Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I didn''t understand why, but the thought of him growing tired of me made my heart twist painfully in my chest. It was like a knife being slowly driven into my heart, and I hated myself for feeling that


    way


    I wanted to scoff, to brush off the idea that his indifference would hurt me, but I couldn''t. Instead, I stood there, staring at the floor, feeling the weight of her words settle like a heavy stone in my stomach.


    Why did the idea of him not wanting me anymore hurt so much? Shouldn''t I want him to stop and let me go? Shouldn''t I be relieved? But all I could feel was a deep, aching emptiness at the thought of him simply walking away.


    I remained silent, my footsteps heavy as we made our way through the pce corridors toward the dining hall. ra walked beside me, her presence steady, but her earlier words still echoed in my mind.


    Why


    did that hurt so much? The idea of Titus losing interest in me should''ve been a relief. After all, it would mean I''d finally be free of him. Yet, the thought gnawed at something deep inside me, a feeling I didn''t want to acknowledge. I clenched my jaw, pushing it aside. As we approached the massive doors of the dining hall, the faint sound ofughter and soft conversation drifted out, an unwee reminder that I wasn''t walking into a casual breakfast. The queen''s concubines were already gathered, and I had. no doubt I was walking into a room full of eyes that would judge my every move.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    The towering double doors were pushed open by the pce attendants, and I squared my shoulders, stepping inside. The grandeur of the dining hall hit me immediately-ornate chandeliers, gleaming marble floors, and a table that stretched longer than I cared to count. And at the head of it sat Her Majesty, the queen. I could feel the gazes of the other concubines flicker toward me as I entered. Some were merely curious, while others barely concealed their disdain. I met none of their eyes, my focus solely on the queen as I made my way toward my assigned seat.


    "Good morning, Lady Sage, the queen greeted, her voice smooth and almost sickeningly sweet.


    1 forced a smile, inclining my head in respect. "Good morning. Your Majesty


    As I sat down, the other concubines resumed their idle chatter, but I felt like an outsider. The tension between me and the queen was palpable, though it remained unspoken. I could senseher eyes on me, evaluating and waiting.


    1 kept my gaze forward, my hands folded neatly in myp, trying to maintain the calm I''d been perfecting ever since I arrived here. Inside, I was anything but calm


    +


    The queen''s voice cut through the air, pulling my attention back to her. "It seems, Lady Sage, that the charges against you. have been... conveniently dismissed."


    Though her tone remained calm, there was an unmistakable edge to it-a barely concealed disdain that made the hair on the back of my neck prickle. I could feel her eyes on me, cold and calcting, though she wore a mask of serenity.


    I lifted my gaze to meet hers, careful to keep my expression neutral "Yes, Your Majesty. I was informed the real culprit has been apprehended" The queen smiled, though it didn''t reach her eyes. "Oh, yeah. Of course. I heard it was your sister''s doing. How fortunate for you." Her words were like poison wrapped in silk, a subtle jab disguised as politeness. "I''m sure you must be relieved to return to the pce under such i favorable circumstances."


    I nodded, holding her gaze. "I am grateful for the opportunity to clear my name, Your Majesty."


    Her fingers tapped softly on the table, her smile still in ce, but I could feel the tension between us. It was obvious shel wasn''t happy about my return. Even though she looked calm. I could sense the hidden threat-the jealousy and bitterness she was trying hard to keep under wraps.


    The other concubines stayed quiet, watching closely, though I could sense their unease. They weren''t clueless-they felt the tension too.


    The queen wasn''t ready to drop the topic. "It''s interesting how things seem to work out when someone has the king''s favor.", she said, her eyes narrowing. "But remember, that favor doesn''t alwaysst."


    There it was the real threat. She was reminding me that even though Titus brought me back, my position wasn''t guaranteed. She saw me aspetition, even if she wouldn''t openly say it. Thest thing she wanted was for me to settle back into the pce.


    I looked her in the eye, refusing to back down. "I understand how quickly things can change in the court, Your Majesty."


    Her smile tightened. "Good. It would be unfortunate for anyone to forget their ce."


    The tension in the room thickened, but I stood firm. I wasn''t going to let her scare me, no matter how badly she wanted me


    gone.


    She felt threatened, but I was done ying along with her games.


    1 took a deep breath, keeping my voice calm despite the heat rising inside me. "Of course, Your Majesty, I wouldn''t dream of


    +


    She stared at me for a moment longer before turning her attention back to her meal, acting as if nothing had happened. I was silently praying that this awkward meal would finally be over, I fixed my eyes on the te as I tried to avoid making eye contact with everyone on the table. Her Majesty broke the silence once more, her voice smooth but sharp. "Have you visited your sister, Lady Sage?" she asked. her tone dripping with feigned curiosity.


    1 lifted my gaze, meeting hers without flinching. "I don''t see why I should, Your Majesty."


    She let out a soft scoff, her lips curling into a condescending smile. "Didn''t her family take you in when the world turned its


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    back on you? After all, you were the daughter of a traitor"


    There it was agam-the twist of the knife, meant to wound but wrapped in sweet, polite words. The mention of my past always carried a sting, but I''d learned how to hide my reaction. Iwasn''t about to let her see me flinch. Took care of me? More like treated me like a ve. My sister''s family hadn''t weed me out of kindness. They in to exploit me ben me


    "With all due respect, Your Majesty" I began, keeping my voice steady butced with quiet defiance, my rtionship with them is not something for others to pass judgment on. Especially not here. And besides, I continued, my eyes narrowing slightly, "why would I visit the person who framed me as a traitor, forcing me to flee for my life?"


    The room seemed to still. Her Majesty''s smile faltered for just a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she regained control. She clearly hadn''t expected nie to speak so bolilly, to push back against her veiled insults with such force.


    Her eyes darkened, and even though she kept smiling, it was cold andpletely missing the warmth she usually faked. The elegance she always carried was gone, reced by something far more chilling. "Framed, you say?" she repeated, her voice soft butced with a dangerous tone that sent a shiver down my spine. She was trying to get a rise out of me, but I wasn''t going to give her the satisfaction She leaned forward slightly, her eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, it felt like the whole room was holding its breath. "How can we be so sure, she continued, speaking slowly and carefully, "that you and your sister didn''t n this together?"


    The tension in the room shot up instantly, like the air before a storm. The other concubines shifted ufortably in their seats, their eyes darting between us. None of them would dare to speak up, but I could sense their curiosity and unease. They knew this wasn''t just casual conversation


    I


    I blinked, forcing myself to stay calm even though her words cut deep. using me of plotting with my sister? It was absurd. and cruel, but exactly the kind of game I expected her to y. The queen didn''t fight with swords-she used rumors, turning whispers into weapons that could ruin lives. I took a deep breath, meeting her gaze directly. "My sister?" I said, my voice sharper than I intended, but I didn''t care. The same sister who framed me as a traitor and almost got me killed? You really think I''d work with her after what she did to me? Besides, she''s not my real sister." Her smile didn''t fade, but I saw a flicker of something in her eyes-satisfaction. She was trying to nt doubt and twist the story to suit her agenda. And for anyone listening, that was dangerous. Once rumors like that took hold, they spread fast, no matter how false they were. She tilted her head as if pretending to think about my words, but I knew she wasn''t really listening. "Oh, how easy for you to deny your sister when it bes inconvenient, Lady Sage," she said, her tone light but dripping with venom. can''t help. but wonder where your loyalty lies." 1 forced a smile, though it felt more like a snarl. "Loyalty works both ways, Your Majesty. And in my case, it''s very clear where it ended"


    The queen leaned back in her chair, lightly tapping her fingers on the table again. "It''s so interesting," she said, pretending to be curious, "how things have turned out. Your sister was quick to me you, yet here you are, back in the pce against all odds. Makes you wonder if there''s more to the story than it seems." I clenched my fists under the table, trying to stay calm. I wouldn''t let her make me say something I would regret. The truth alwayses out, Your Majesty," I said, keeping my voice steady even though I felt a storm brewing inside me. "And when it does it''ll be clear who the real traitors are."


    Her smile turned colder. "We shall see," she said softly, her eyes narrowing just a bit. "We shall see."