Chapter 5 Someone Else Entirely

EVALINA

Her gaze locked on me. Her eyes were burning with rage, and her skin was extremely flushed. She was clearly furious.

A thick wave of fear spread through me.

No. I had to think of something to keep her from hurting me.

“My queen, I swear with my life; I only serve you. I can’t lie to you. Honestly, that’s what the king said,” I blurted. “If you don’t believe me, you can go ahead and kill me.”

My heart hammering as I regret my last statement.

But to my greatest surprise, she suddenly went still, pulled her legs off my thighs, and got to her feet. A surge of relief spread through me. Oh my gods, why is death after me in just the span of one day?

“Do you know why I believe you?” she said, walking toward the window. She stood beside it, her back facing me.

“Because you don’t mind risking your life for me. Vhalek was about to burn me alive, but instead of running away, you held on to me.”

My brows furrowed as the memory of everything came rushing into my head. I really don’t know why I did that. Perhaps it’s because she’s my mistress, and my mother’s life depends on her. If anything happens to her, I won’t be paid.

“My queen, I’m here to serve you, and I could risk my life if I had to,” I said instantly, seizing the opportunity.

She nodded and reached for a golden bracelet from the drawer, then turned to me. My breath hitched as my gaze fixed on it.

“Take it, Evelina. It’s a reward for saving me. And if you never betray me, you will get more of it often.”

My eyes widened in shock as I reached for it and took it. This is pure gold. I hadn’t touched any before.

This was enough to pay off my mother’s medication this month.

“I promise you, my queen. I will only serve you,” I swore, raising two fingers in a gesture.

She nodded in satisfaction. “It’s already getting dark. Go rest.” She waved her hand in dismissal.

I bowed instantly and strode out in joy, hopping on my feet as I made my way to my room. But before I could reach my door, hushed voices cut me mid-step.

They were coming from the corner at the end of the hallway, behind my room.

“And the human maid, do you notice anything from her?” an unfamiliar man’s voice said.

My heart dropped. A human maid. Aren’t they talking about me? What’s going on in this place?

I slowly tiptoed closer.

“She has come in contact with the queen and king. I don’t think any of them recognize her.”

My breath caught as confusion swept through me. What are they talking about?

“Evelina, you are being summoned,” a familiar voice called out loud. I gasped in fear as I spun toward the elf.

She stood firm close to the queen’s door. I instantly turned toward the corner where the voices were coming from, but unfortunately, they seemed to have left.

Something about everything kept a nagging question in my head. Is the king really telling the truth? Was I given this job by someone? Who could that be?

I walked toward the elf. She stared at me from head to toe, then stopped at the golden bracelet on my hand. I instantly moved it behind my back.

“I didn’t steal it. The queen gave it to me.”

“I never asked,” she said flatly. “The king’s eunuch wants to see you.”

My heart sank. The king’s eunuch wants to see me? Why?

Why can’t I have a moment of peace in this place? Is it because I’m the only human here?

“Are you going to keep standing there?” the elf snapped. My chest tightened. I couldn’t help but wonder why she was being mean to me.

I trailed behind her. She stopped at a door and pushed it open, gesturing for me to go in.

Something about the silence of this place sent a chill down my spine.

The elf opened the door. Without being told, I knew what she meant.

I entered, and she locked the door behind me. My breath caught at the sight in front of me. The eunuch was standing, and by his side was a man tied to a chair, his mouth sealed with black tape. He was from my clan—a human—but I hadn’t seen him before.

“Do you know this man?” the eunuch asked, as if reading my thoughts.

I shook my head quickly.

“He has a letter containing your name,” the eunuch said casually.

The man struggled as if he wanted to say something, but the seal on his mouth wouldn’t allow him.

My heart dropped. My name? How is that possible? Or is it coming from the hospital?

I rushed toward the man. “Did anything happen to my mother?”

The eunuch immediately pulled me away from him.

“Not about your mother, but you,” he said, handing the letter to me.

Evelina, don’t let them find you.

My eyes widened in shock. What’s going on?

“The king has no idea about this, and he will definitely get you killed if he does. But if you confess everything to me, your punishment will be lighter.”

Everything in me went totally blank, and I instantly dropped to my knees. “Please, sir, I really don’t know anything.”

What’s with all this conspiracy? Who is after me? Why do they want to get me killed so desperately?

“I swear I don’t know this man, and I don’t know who sent this message,” I sobbed.

The man kept struggling as if he wanted to say something, and damn it, I really wanted to hear whatever he had to say.

“You can go back to your room, Evelina,” the eunuch dismissed. My brow furrowed. Just like that? Did he believe me? But I nodded, got to my feet, and rushed toward the door.

I turned back to the man. Somehow I wished he had been allowed to speak. Something about this letter felt like the dream I had last night, as if it were coming from that mysterious woman.

I got out of the room and froze. The elf was standing at the door, as though she were keeping guard.

I swallowed hard and tried to leave, but she caught my wrist, making me jerk in fear.

“Don’t let the queen or king find out about everything you just witnessed, or else you will be dead.”

My entire body froze. What’s she talking about?

“If you want to survive in a place like this, human, make sure you keep your mouth shut,” she said, her voice sounding more like a threat than a warning.

This place has so many strange and confusing people. What makes it even more uncomfortable is the fact that I’m stuck in the middle of their schemes. They make me feel unlike myself, as if I were someone else entirely.

I walked back to my room. Since it’s just about keeping my mouth shut, fine. I will do it.

Before I could reach the door—

“Evelina,” a familiar voice called.

My heart dropped.