Elara’s POV:

I woke up in a very comfortable bed, the same kind I have back home. I was given a room for my stay as the ‘protected guest’ and ‘herbalist,’ though more as a protected guest since the room is more like a suite, not just a bed-and-dresser kind of room compared to our cabin. 

A fireplace across the room and a couch and a coffee table right beside it by the windows. The dresser in this room is still empty, holding the only clothes I have.

The servants here in the castle haven’t been as welcoming since my stay here five days ago. Adrian, the chief royal physician, took me in as his student since I passed his exam on herbs. At least that worked out.

I was relieved that I had made a great impression on Adrian after passing the exam, since he wouldn’t think I had the crown prince’s favor, but rather that I had a skill that was a shame to waste. 

A knock was heard on my bedroom door, and a maid walked into the room. She had brown hair tied into a bun and brown eyes that held hostility towards me. It’s as if she’s forced to look after me.

“It’s time for your bath.” She said, with no smile or even a greeting before that.

Ah, so you don’t like me either here and think I gained his highness’s favor by unethical means.

“Oh, I see. Thanks for reminding me.” I gave her a forced smile. 

‘Even if you hate someone’s guts, you still have to be polite to them so they don’t have an excuse to use your behavior against you.’ That phrase, I feel like I heard it somewhere but can’t remember who told me that. Maybe grandmother?

“Yeah, I am here to help you bathe.” The maid said.

I gave her a weird look. “Why? My body is in perfect health for me to bathe myself.” I said as I got off the bed.

I turned back to face the bed to make the blankets neater and more organized after using them, then I heard a scoff behind me.

I looked back at the maid, and she gave me a cocky smile. “My apologies.” 

My apologies, my foot! I just heard you scoff at me. I held my composure and continued to give her my forced smile. “That’s okay… If you’d like, you can go do what you need to do. I can handle myself.” 

“Alright then, I was getting annoyed by wasting time here instead of doing my job.” She scoffed, then left the room.

It was no joke when I heard that people who work in the castle are mean.

I didn’t let her actions get to me and continued with my morning routine. I walked into the bathroom inside the bedroom and, surprise, surprise, it was huge as well.

Why does someone need a huge space to just end up using it by themselves? This suite could fit a family of five just fine.

I huffed out as I bathed myself, then got dressed up in my daily clothes. I looked at myself in the mirror, green eyes looking back at mine, as I combed through my chestnut brown hair and tied it into a high ponytail, leaving a few strands to fall around my round face. Then tied the ribbons on my floral corset that was sitting on top of my white flowy dress. 

I fixed my hair strands one more time, then left the suite to walk around the castle.

Adrian gave me some time to myself today to get used to my surroundings. Let’s make use of it! I thought to myself excitedly. Though the servants' stares are not as encouraging. 

“Wait, who is this bumpkin?” One maid giggled to another.

“So you don’t know? This is the new ‘herbalist’ that his highness hired.” Another emphasized the word ' herbalist ' mockingly.

“What? How? Do you perhaps think that she probably seduced his highness for this job?” 

I felt heat rise to my face and quickly walked away from them. I felt as though I was choking on a rock from discomfort. Seduce? How dare they assume things about me without even knowing me?!

“Oh my god! It’s her, the one who seduced the crown prince. What would Lady Selene think about this?!” A maid outside in the courtyard scoffed.

Lady Selene? Who is that? Evren’s girlfriend? 

More gossip was heard as I walked down the path of the courtyard. Without knowing where it leads me, I should escape that hell of a castle, or I would lose my composure for sure. I can’t let anyone manipulate my emotions over measly matters.

Thwak- 

The sound of arrows was near. I looked around, and it seemed like I stepped into a training zone. Guards were sparring with each other with swords and daggers. The other side of the field was designated for archery.

A whistle was heard behind me. I turned around and came face to face with a man with black hair, hazelnut eyes, and freckles scattered across his face. His frame was lean but toned from training. 

“Looks like a kitty came to visit us!” He said with a smirk.

Kitty? Who the hell is he calling that?! By now, this man had become the last straw of today’s sh*tty interactions with the people of the castle.

“Excuse me?” I asked in disbelief.

“I said that you are a kitty.” He said as he stepped toward me. I didn’t move. I glared at him.

“OOOOH, kitty has such a cute glare. What? Want me to show you how much of a knight in shining armor I am?” He said, holding his bow near my face.

“How about I show you that I can be my own knight in shining armor instead?” Without thinking, I snatched his bow and grabbed an arrow from his quiver attached to his hips and shot right past his head, hitting a bullseye behind him.