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“Right. Come in,” Valda said, opening the door wider and allowing Melvian to step inside.

Cerberus meowed affectionately and rubbed herself against Melvian’s leg, then gracefully strutted in front of her. The cat stretched her paws and shook her fur before settling down.

Maris arched a brow, amused by Cerberus’s fondness towards Melvian, and exchanged a knowing glance with her friend who simply shrugged in response.

“She likes you too,” Valda said, waving at Cerberus with a teasing smirk.

“A good judge of character,” Melvian chuckled, her voice lighthearted and playful, as she jumped slightly when Valda stood close to her.

“Follow me,” Valda said, her tone authoritative yet friendly as she led Melvian further into the chamber.

As Melvian got closer to Maris her eyes widened. “Gods, Maris! What happened?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with concern.

“Some thugs tried to mug me, I guess,” Maris said, shrugging, her voice tinged with humor. She didn’t want to reveal too much, unsure if Valda wanted others to know that her attackers were castle guards.

Valda sat down near the bed, giving Melvian enough space to work. “Two castle guards attacked her at Lasmeer’s in Ophelia Plaza. I took care of them,” Valda explained, sounding rather proud of her understatement.

Melvian frowned with worry as she spoke. “Castle guards? Most of the guards know you work here. Why would they attack you?”

Valda shrugged, gesturing towards Maris. “Please. Could you take a look at Maris?”

Maris shook her head and reached for Melvian’s wrist. “Take a look at her first. She got a pretty nasty blow on her head. I know she’s hard-headed, but it still worries me.”

Melvian’s eyes opened wide in surprise, and she turned to Valda, who grinned in response to Maris’s comment. “I’ll go get the kit then,” Melvian said quickly, hurrying off to the washroom, but not before her face turned red upon noticing something on the ground.

Valda leaned back in her chair and turned her attention to Maris. “Do you trust her?” she asked.

“Melvian? With my life. She’s my best friend. She...she was the one who brought me here,” Maris replied earnestly.

Valda nodded, and just then, Melvian returned and gently touched Valda’s jaw and tilted her face upwards. She studied the queen’s face, a frown forming on her face. “This might sting a bit,” Melvian warned.

“Get on with it. Maris needs your attention more than I do,” Valda said.

Melvian worked quickly, dabbing the cut with a cloth drenched in alcohol, cleaning the dried blood off Valda’s face and applying a bandage to the gash, before turning her attention to Maris. With a sympathetic and warm smile, Melvian asked Maris to lie on the side of the bed closest to her for examination.

“As you look her over, I’ll be heading to talk to Arwin,” Valda said, standing and placing her hand in her pocket.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Maris, Your Highness,” Melvian reassured her.

“You better,” Valda said, trying to sound playful, but her tone lacked its usual levity. Maris noticed how Melvian tensed as Valda grabbed her cane and left the room, locking the door behind her.

As soon as Valda was gone, Melvian turned to Maris with a knowing gaze. “You are fucking the queen, aren’t you?”

Maris’s eyes widened and before she could deny anything, Melvian squeezed her shoulder, causing her to yelp in pain.

“Don’t you dare deny it. I saw your undergarment on the ground, and when I walked in, your face was red, crimson! Not to mention the entire room reeks of sex.”

Maris’s eyes widened in surprise. “You can smell it?”

Melvian let out a frustrated groan before turning away and sitting on the chair Valda had used. “Maris, you are my friend and I told you that—”

“I know what you told me, Melvian, and I really appreciate you worrying about me. Believe me, I do.” Maris sighed and sat up. “There is something about Valda that just pulls me to her. I can’t control myself.”

“Yes, of course. That would be her hand. Not only is she pulling you but also your undergarments.”

“Melvian, I am being serious.”

“And so am I! Maris, you can’t get involved with Queen Valda! You just can’t. Look, you are hurt, two “guards” attacked you. You don’t have any internal bleeding, but you will have bruises the color of the night sky, your shoulder was almost dislocated,” Melvian sighed and covered her eyes anxiously.