Chapter 38: The Other Side of Her

Chapter 38: The Other Side of HerAriana’s eyes widened slightly as she stared at the trembling red-haired lady whose head was bowed low. She couldn’t quite believe it—why would someone be punished to this extent just for being in a relationship? How could a person tremble with such fear? Weren’t the rules only meant to prevent immediate involvement in relationships while serving as a maid? Or were they expected to grow up completely isolated, never forming any romantic attachments? She couldn’t understand the logic behind such a rule, though she assumed it was intended to prevent distractions. Still, wasn’t this punishment a bit too extreme? She turned to Leah and signed, ’So what about the royal guard? What’s his punishment?’ Leah bowed her head respectfully. "Queen Ariana, the punishment is that he will be moved to the lowest of the low ranks." Ariana moved her fingers again. "So he’ll be demoted to the lowest rank... yet you took the maid to the Council of Maids? How unequal. Don’t you think, Lady Leah?" Leah nodded. "Very true, my Queen," she said, her gaze lowered as a sign of respect. "And what punishment did she finalize in giving her?" Leah turned to the head maid and spoke calmly, "The Queen is curious about what punishment you intend to give her." The head maid lowered her head, surprising even Leah. The once-feared head maid, now reduced to silence. But Leah couldn’t blame her—Ariana’s aura had shifted. It had become so cold, so piercing, that even Leah could feel the chill seeping into her bones. Ariana signed swiftly, her disapproving gaze saying everything her hands did not. "She... she will be expelled from the palace," the head maid finally answered, voice trembling. It was obvious that had not been the intended punishment. The moment those words were spoken, the red-haired maid collapsed to the floor, trembling uncontrollably. "P-please, I beg your pardon... my f-family... I’m the only one who provides for them... m-my father is s-sick..." Her voice cracked, dissolving into sobs that shook her frail shoulders. Ariana’s sharp gaze shifted from the head maid to the weeping maid. Slowly, she stepped forward. The room fell utterly silent, all eyes on her. She halted in front of the head maid. No words, no raised hand—just a long, frozen stare. Then she turned to the maid, who was on the floor with her head bowed. Ariana stepped forward and extended her hand. The maid quickly reached out and held it as she stood—this was the second time the Queen was helping her up. Was she in trouble? Ariana moved her fingers, her signing precise and firm. "Take her away. This ends for today." Leah bowed low, her voice unsteady. "Queen Ariana... what will be the final judgment?" Ariana’s fingers moved again. "Take her to her quarters. The matter will be settled tomorrow. And ensure the royal guard is present." "As you wish, my Queen." With that, Ariana turned and walked away, her steps steady and unyielding. Leah remained behind for a moment, quietly issuing instructions. Soon after, the maid was led to her quarters. Ariana walked in silence, her chest tight. She had never shown this side of herself—in fact, she hadn’t even known it existed. But what she had seen—what had almost happened—shook her deeply. What if she hadn’t been there? What if the punishment had gone through without question? She bit her lower lip, pressing it into a thin line. Tomorrow morning, she would get the full story. And someone would answer for it. But truly... how can some people live without a heart? Leah finally quickened her steps, still in disbelief. The way Queen Ariana had handled the situation left her stunned. It was unexpected—yet it felt like the best possible way to settle the matter. At the same time, Leah realized something deeper: their queen was far more powerful than most realized. Ariana knew now—something in this castle was much darker than it seemed. As the grand dining hall doors opened, Ariana stepped inside. Her movements were quiet, graceful. She made her way toward the long dining table—until something caught her eye. Someone... or something... was peeking from behind a far pillar. Ariana’s eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity as she quietly approached the pillar. Just as she neared, the person peeked again—then jumped back in surprise. Ariana blinked. It was a little boy. He had blonde hair that bounced messily with his sudden movement. Ariana’s lips curled into a rare, wide smile, her dimples finally coming into view at the cuteness of it. The child didn’t look older than seven. She knelt down gently and helped him up, patting his disheveled blonde hair. Why does he look so familiar? "My apologies, Queen Ariana," Leah said quickly, stepping forward, clearly flustered. "Jack, what did I tell you?" she scolded softly but firmly. Ariana’s eyes widened. Leah had a child? No wonder there was something familiar in the boy’s features. "Mama... you said no wandering in the royal premises," Jack mumbled, fidgeting. "And what did you do?" Leah asked, clearly nervous about wasting the queen’s time. "I wandered," he admitted quietly, his small voice too cute for reprimand. Ariana’s smile widened even more. She looked at Leah, then back at the boy. She signed with a calm expression: ’Let him be...’ Then paused, a thought forming. "Why don’t he join me for dinner?" The moment those words were signed, Leah’s eyes widened. "Queen Ariana... you don’t have to worry yourself—" "Mama... is that the language?" the boy suddenly interrupted, eyes wide with curiosity. "I didn’t hear her voice!" Leah froze, horrified, and bowed low. "Jack," she whispered sharply, glancing nervously at Ariana, then back at her son. Turning to her, "My deepest apologies, My Queen—" But Ariana was not offended. In fact, she felt... intrigued. She could tell the boy wasn’t mocking her. His voice carried nothing but innocent curiosity. She signed gently, her expression soft: "No problem. I have no issue with that." The boy’s curious eyes watched her hands move, his face filled with wonder. He turned to his mother, who gave him a subtle warning look. He quickly looked down. "Please don’t be too harsh on him," Ariana signed as she turned and walked to the dining table. "She is the Queen. While you eat, behave—and don’t mess yourself. Is that clear?" Leah whispered quickly. The little boy nodded slowly... and then immediately took off running toward Ariana, bouncing with excitement. Leah sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead, eyes shutting in disbelief. "Just after the warning I gave him... not even one second and he’s already doing the opposite." Ariana had already taken her seat, and to Leah’s surprise, she gently patted the chair beside her, inviting the boy to sit. He climbed up happily. "Thank you for your generosity, My Queen. I am truly honored," he said with perfect pronunciation. Ariana’s eyes widened. ’Generosity?’ She was genuinely surprised he could pronounce it so clearly. She smiled widely, her dimples deepening, then raised her hands to sign: "Serve him a dish. Don’t forget to add lots of fruit." Leah bowed respectfully and moved quickly to serve his meal, while Ariana began eating hers—slow and composed. The boy glanced at her quietly, then tilted his head and asked softly, "Queen... are you a mermaid?" Leah nearly dropped the plate. Her jaw slackened. This boy... he was going to get her into trouble with that mouth of his. But Ariana? She was absolutely delighted. She paused mid-bite, her eyes twinkling in amusement, waiting to see what else the boy would say. His lips opened and closed as if unsure. He glanced at his mother—but missed the warning in her eyes. "My mama says mermaids are usually very beautiful and elagant... and they have different-colored eyes, like yours. And they speak different languages, like you." Leah’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. "Jacky..." Leah groaned lowly, dragging his name out in warning. Jack instantly clamped his mouth shut. But Ariana’s heart felt full. Her eyes glinted warmly, a small smile still on her lips. Who would’ve thought... a child would compare her to a mermaid? Just as Leah thought her son had finally silenced his curiosity... he continued. "My mama can speak the mermaid language. I want to learn your language too." Ariana’s smile widened even more. This little boy... he was definitely a gem. She wouldn’t mind seeing him every day. **** Elsewhere... In a hidden kingdom, inside a vast castle, a man sat lounging. His silver, long hair fell over his shoulder as he lazily watched the lady who was supposed to seduce him dance. But it seemed even this bored him. "You have one job, darling." He stretched lazily before adding "Just one—yet you seem to be practicing sea fishery skills here, huh," his cold voice cut through the room like blade. The lady trembled. Her brown hair had slipped to her shoulders, and the thin chemise she wore left little to the imagination—almost as if she wasn’t wearing anything at all. Yet the bored, almost disdainful look on the man’s face could have made the prettiest person feel insecure. "I apologize, Your Majesty. If this is not to your taste, I could make you feel... ecstatic..." A dry, low chuckle escaped the man’s lips as his blue eyes flickered with death. "Ecstatic, you say? What do you define that as?" The woman’s body stilled. She hadn’t expected to be asked such a question while trying to seduce the king. Were the rumors true about his liking for men? "I... I..." "Why the stutter? I must say, you look like a dying crow," he spoke, his blue eyes turning red in a flash. His fangs withdrew—deadlier than the sand of the grave. His lips curled; the lady’s lips trembled at the deep insult. "Get out. Standing there could make a healthy man impotent." The lady’s eyes widened, tears burning behind her lashes. She was just one more who would leave his chambers in tears. As the door closed behind her, he stood and tied on his robe. A soft knock came at the door, and a man entered, holding a letter. "Your Majesty, a letter has arrived." A slow grin spread across the man’s lips. "This better be interesting," he said, his tone still bored—yet the slow smile on his lips said, If it isn’t, I could make things quite interesting with your head. The man bowed his head, waiting. Shaking with fear. He broke the seal and read. The cold grin on his lips grew wider with each line. "He got married, huh..." he muttered, continuing to read. "Zavren got married. Isn’t that more interesting? While you took away what’s mine, you brought out yours." His eyes glinted. "Let’s see how it feels... to take her." "Ariana, is it?"