Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Jayde followed me to the Prime Minister's Mansion. She cared for me like I was her own child. Prime Minister Gill would visit the royal court every few days, and he always returned with a displeased look on his face, especially when he saw me. Even though I was young, I could tell he didn't like me. My mother was his wife, and there were many stories about their romantic relationship. Mother must have loved Prime Minister Gill the most, so I liked him too. This made me feel very sad.

Confused and hurt, I cried and asked, "Jayde, did I do something wrong? Why doesn't Mother want me, and why doesn't Prime Minister Gill like me?"

Jayde opened her mouth but only sighed and hugged me. At that time, I couldn't see the hatred and sorrow in her eyes.

The people at the Prime Minister's Mansion didn't treat me well, even though I had a noble status. They all knew Prime Minister Gill didn't like me, and after the King sent me away, he never asked about me. Only Prince Neil visited me often. He was gentle and kind.

On my birthday, he came. He looked a bit upset but still patiently asked, "Today is your birthday. Is there anything you want me to bring to your mother?"

"Yes!" I was overjoyed and quickly fetched a small pouch I had hidden under my pillow. "I made this myself. Can you give it to my mother?"

He nodded, his eyes showing interest. "Of course, I'll make sure she gets it."

That time, he brought me back a hairpin. He said it was from my mother. He had left in a bad mood but returned looking satisfied and even hugged me. The scent from him filled my nose, and I couldn't help but wrinkle it. It was the same unpleasant, pungent smell I had noticed on my mother that day. I would never forget it.

I never saw my mother again, even when I reached the age to start my studies. The King brought me into the palace and kindly allowed me to study with the princes. I didn't want to go because I remembered my mother's warning to never return to the palace. She would never harm me, so I refused. When I returned to the mansion, I asked Jayde, "Is the palace a good place?"

Jayde shook her head, then nodded. "The palace is full of riches and honor."

"Riches and honor?" I asked, my young face curious. "What is that?"

"It's something that can decide a person's fate," she replied.

My eyes lit up with excitement. "If I have that, can I see my mother?"

Jayde was silent for a moment, then stroked my head and said, "Miss, your mother is a good person. She is trapped in the palace. To see her, having riches and honor is not enough."

I blinked. "What else do I need?"

Jayde smiled, but her eyes held a determination and mockery I didn't understand. "Power. Absolute power that no one can challenge."

I didn't understand her words and looked at her blankly. She patted my back and carried me to bed. "Alright, Miss, it's late. Time to sleep."

The next morning, I found Jayde missing. Her body was discovered in the back garden, brutally murdered, her face disfigured beyond recognition. A sharp knife was lodged in her throat, with the word "Gill" engraved on the handle. Gill was the royal surname, so Jayde had been killed by the King.

I screamed and collapsed to my knees, slowly realizing the meaning of Jayde's words. This was the first lesson she taught me with her life: power. This was power. It allowed him to easily kill someone important to me, and I could do nothing about it. I couldn't even fight back.