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“A coup? Why would there be a coup? Is there someone out there that would dare challenge Princess Valda for the throne?” Maris asked, dread digging into her chest. The mere thought of someone challenging Valda to a duel in the state she was in petrified Maris. Valda wasn’t easy, but she didn’t deserve what was happening to her. Even now, Maris wanted to go back to Valda’s chamber and make sure that she was alright.

Grief can break a person. The absence of a loved one tears apart at the very heart; at the very soul, leaving in its place an empty husk. The emptiness can be suffocating, enough to drive someone to do drastic things.

And Maris was petrified that Valda would do something drastic like her mother did.

Shuddering in a breath, Maris crossed her arm under her breasts going back to the conversation with Melvian “Is there even someone strong enough to beat Valda?”

Melvian bit her lower lip and shrugged. “There are a lot of things that we do not know about being locked up in this place. We are sheltered from the outside world. Last thing I heard is that more royal guards and soldiers are deserting the monarchy and heading south. Valda’s last battles were there. She was trying to dissipate those traitorous groups.”

Maris frowned and tilted her head in confusion. “You sure know a lot.”

“I have my ways. I ask a lot of questions.”

“Still…”

“Maris…” Melvian pursed her lips. “I am trusting you with this information.”

Waving her hand, Maris dismissed her friend’s hesitation. “You are my only friend, Melvian. Your secret is safe with me, but I can’t help but wonder if you know more.”

Melvian nodded. “Oh, there is.”

“I am all ears.”

Biting her lower lip, Melvian sat on the ground and stared at Maris. Her dark eyes rolled over Maris’s face, studying her before saying, “They think the heiress to the throne of the Sea Kingdom is still alive.”

Maris unfolded her arms from her chest. “What?”

“Well, it’s more of a legend. They said that the Princess never truly died but was brought to our kingdom to live as a commoner. Then again, a lot of kids were brought here after the destruction. So, who knows,” Melvian said before walking towards Maris and grabbing her forearm. “Let’s get you off of these clothes.”

Maris stood, giving her back to Melvian. Fingers work the buttons at the back of Maris’s uniform until Melvian took away the dirty clothes, leaving Maris with only the necklace with her parents’ ring dangling from her neck. Maris quickly moved to the tub and slipped inside, letting the warm water untie her tired and sore muscles. She let out a loud and content sigh before leaning back and closing her eyes.

Maris heard Melvian walking about the bathroom. She opened one eye just as her best friend grabbed some soap and a cloth and placed it within reach. “I think that’s it,” Melvian said before patting Maris’s wet shoulder. “I am heading to bed.”

“Thank you so much. I really appreciated it,” Maris mumbled, almost on the edge of falling asleep.

“Of course. Scream if you need anything,” Melvian responded before leaving Maris.

Though Maris didn’t have many thoughts, the Sea Kingdom’s legend did catch her attention. She closed her eyes again and let out a tired moan before grabbing the cloth and the soap, yet she didn’t get much cleaning done. She fell asleep before she could wash her legs.

After what seemed like seconds, Maris gasped, pulling herself from the now freezing bathwater. Her lower jaw trembled, and she cursed softly before slipping out. Melvian was nice enough to leave a robe out for her, which she quickly pulled over her shaking shoulders. Maris frowned, wondering how long she had been in the tub. She made her way to bed. Melvian had fallen asleep, and someone was knocking at her chamber door.

Weird, Maris thought before grabbing Melvian’s watch to check the hour. Who could it be? She opened the door to find a red-faced Valda, holding on to the door frame for dear life. Maris smelled the alcohol. The damn woman was too blind to navigate her room but wasn’t too blind to find the liquor bottle feet away from her bed, nor too blind to find the help’s quarters. How in the world had she made it this far without waking a soul?

“Princess!” Maris half whispered, half screamed.

“Good. I finally found your room,” Valda said, pushing the door open and taking a clumsy step inside.

Maris turned to Melvian. Her friend was knocked out cold. Maris prayed to the gods that she was a heavy sleeper.

“Princess! You shouldn’t be here. You should be resting,” Maris said, placing her hand on Valda’s broad shoulders and pushing her to the door.

“I rested, then I got thirsty,” Valda explained, taking another step. She loomed over Maris. It was at that moment that she noticed how big Valda was. Her broad shoulders and tautframe pressed to her, like a wall. She was unmoving and strong. So fucking strong. And for the first time, Maris was petrified of what she would do now that she had alcohol in her system. Anger and alcohol could make a horrible mix.

“Why aren’t you in my room? I needed your help, and you weren’t there. I called out to you, and…” Valda paused. She swallowed hard. “I was alone.”

Maris stared up at Valda, studying her face. The soon-to-be queen of an entire kingdom was petrified of being alone. Maris would not have cared if it was someone else, but Valda? It only proved her humanity. She wasn’t a wall, she wasn’t a goddess, she was a regular woman, with real fears just like anybody else. The past weeks have proven just that, but to think that Valda sought her attention, her companionship, made Maris’s heart ache.

“Sir Kayden told me to rest. I was following orders,” Maris managed to say, stumbling over her words.