Chapter 5: Her safe place

In the palace kitchen, Layla stood by the sink, rinsing dishes in silence. Her hands moved automatically, but her thoughts were far away. Across from her, Zaya was placing clean plates back on the shelves, occasionally glancing over with concern.

Suddenly

A crash.

The plate slipped from Layla's hand and shattered against the stone floor.

Both girls flinched.

"Layla!" Zaya turned quickly, her eyes fixed on the broken pieces scattered across the ground "What's going on with you?"

"I... I didn't mean to" Layla murmured, bending down instinctively.

But Zaya stepped in "I will get it," she said, gently pushing Layla's hand away. She carefully gathered the broken pieces and dropped them into the bin before turning back to her friend.

Layla now stood with her back resting against the large marble counter, arms folded across her chest, her gaze distant.

"You have been acting strange all day” Zaya said softly, stepping closer "Tell me what's really going on"

Layla forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes "It's nothing, I’m just still thinking about what happened to my father, that's all”

Zaya placed a hand on Layla's shoulder. "Uncle Tomas is okay now. I know it was terrifying, but he's safe. So stop worrying, alright?"

Layla gave a small nod.

Zaya dropped her hand and leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"There's a new palace gossip, by the way”

Layla stiffened.

Her heart skipped. Please... don't let it be about me.

Zaya glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then said "it's about the President”

Layla's stomach twisted. She tried to keep her expression neutral "The President?" she echoed

"What about him?"

Zaya’s eyes lit up "He's getting engaged to the goddess of Avernia. Seraphina Duran—the daughter of Lord Alaric Duran. You know, the head of the Sovereign Council?"

Layla blinked. Then exhaled a slow breath of relief. So... it's not about me.

"Oh," she said calmly, turning back to the sink "Is that so? That's... good"

Zaya squinted at her. "That's all you're going to say?"

"What else do you want me to say?" Layla replied evenly "Remember, we still have a ton of work to do."

Zaya scoffed, grabbing another stack of plates "You are so boring, Layla"

"Layla smiled faintly but said nothing.

Her hands returned to the dishes but her thoughts drifted again.

Engaged to Seraphina Duran?

**********

The hall of Palais du Lys

Soft music played from a string quartet, but it was almost drowned out by the sound of conversation.

Layla stepped through the grand archway, holding a silver tray steady in her hands. The champagne glasses sat neatly on it.

The hall was filled with men dressed in suits and Avernia's traditional formal wear. Women wore elegant, backless gowns, their necks glittering with diamonds.

Layla moved quietly among them, offering drinks, bowing her head as hands took glass from her tray.

Then, she saw him

Corvin

He stood tall in the middle of the crowd, dressed in a sharp blue suit with a silver sash that crossed his chest. His hair was perfectly styled, his hands tucked in his pockets

He looked like he belonged to another world. Maybe he did.

Layla's breath caught in her throat. But what made her chest twist wasn't him.

It was who stood beside him.

A stunning woman

Her gown glowed in light purple shades, flowing smoothly to the floor. Her brown hair was styled in a neat updo, exposing the graceful line of her neck.

She smiled brightly, as if the entire room revolved around her.

Seraphina Duran, Layla realized.

Zaya's words returned to her like a slow echo ‘The goddess of Avernia’

She really is, perfectly sculpted. A woman meant to stand at the president’s side.

Layla's gaze drifted, spotting Lady Rowena. The president’s mother was not far from them and next to her stood a tall man in Avernia's traditional formal wear. His sharp blue eyes watching the room quietly.

That had to be Lord Alaric Duran

Layla's focus returned to Corvin and froze.

He was staring at her.

His eyes were locked on her like he could see straight through the crowd. Her fingers curled around the tray, suddenly stiff.

Then, her heart skipped.

She turned too fast and collided with someone.

The tray tipped.

Glasses crashed against the floor, shattering into pieces. The sound rang through the room, but none of it touched the woman she had bumped into.

Still, it didn't matter.

The woman turned sharply and

Smack

Her hand cracked across Layla's cheek.

Layla stumbled back and fell to the floor, the tray clattering beside her.

"You dirty lowlife! Are you blind?" the woman yelled, her voice full of disgust.

"I’m sorry," Layla said quickly, her voice trembling as she bowed her head " it wasn’t intentional”

The crowd had frozen. All eyes turned.

Then a voice cut through the noise

“What is going on here?"

Lady Rowena.

The crowd parted as she approached, her posture poised, her voice laced with the authority of someone who ruled without ever needing to shout.

She looked first at Layla, crumpled on the ground, head lowered in submission. Then her cold gaze shifted to the woman who had struck her.

Just as the woman opened her mouth to speak, Miss Evelyn rushed in, nearly breathless.

" I deeply apologize for her mistake, my lady" she said, bowing low "She will be punished immediately and... severely”

Rowena's eyes flicked between them then she spoke

“Leave”

Evelyn didn't hesitate. She grabbed Layla roughly by the wrist and pulled her away. As they turned, Layla's foot scraped against a piece of broken glass. The pain made her wince softly, but she didn't say a word.

They exited the hall into the cool night air.

Evelyn spun to face her, her hand raised, ready to slap.

Layla braced for it.

But then Evelyn paused.

She let out a sharp breath, dropped her hand, and spat out her words instead.

"You are so stupid" she hissed "Do you have any idea what kind of scene you just caused? You better be ready.

Because you're going to be punished, and I won't be gentle”

She stormed back toward the hall

Layla remained where she stood.

Her hands were clenched so tightly at her sides that her nails dug into her skin. Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away.

She turned and walked toward the back courtyard. The quietest part of the palace. The one place no one bothered to go.

Her safe space.

The old courtyard was empty. She walked to the stone bench and sat down slowly

She slipped off her soft flats.

Her heel was bleeding.

She leaned closer and saw the tiny shard of glass lodged in her skin. Gritting her teeth, she pulled it out with her fingers, then dropped it to the ground.

The wound was small, but it hurt.

She placed both feet on the bench and wrapped her arms around her knees, pressing her head down.

She closed her eyes.

“Layla” a familiar voice called softly

Layla’s eyes fluttered open as she saw the figure crouched beside her.