Seraphina's POV
I let out a slow breath, trying to steady my heartbeat even though it felt like my ribs might crack from the force of it. Queen Jella still had that damn smug smile on her lips, and her eyes were bright with amusement, like this was all some game to her.
I hated that smile and hated the way it made my stomach twist.
I kept my face carefully blank, though, even as my palms started to sweat where they clutched the straps of my bag. After she had so casually hinted at telling the King of Aldoria that I had a "girlfriend" here, despite being engaged to his son, I had been terrified she'd push harder and that I'd expose myself right here and now.
But instead, I had forced myself to stay calm, and I denied it. I told her I didn't know what she was talking about and that Electra and I were just friends, nothing more.
Jella had laughed. It was a sound that scraped across my skin like ice, chilling me down to my bones.
