“Don’t you want to show the mark to the lord and gain his sympathy, my lady?” ha!

Who said that he would sympathize with her! He would just pass her a warm smile as if he cares but his eyes would fill with disdain that I could not even handle this much and yet I have dreams of survival!

She knew Rafael well! He would not care even if she would be burnt to death if he would not have any benefit from her life!

He was only letting her live because the matter is still in the eyes of the public and her death would affect his position as the head of the council that would control all three empires!

Humans, vampires and the coven of the witches!

“Have I given you the right to ask me back and decide in my stead?” the eyes were cold again and the maid flinched!_.

She was sure that when Hazel looked at her that way, she was no better than Rafael, who had the power to freeze her till death.

“I apologize, my lady!” she bowed her head and took out a pink scarf that matched her dress and wrapped it slowly on her neck,

Hazel flinched and closed her eyes when the cloth touched the marks but she bit her lips to stop herself from creating any sound.

This place was nothing less than the woods where weak animals ended up as the meal of the stronger ones!

So, she had to be strong no matter what!

“Is the make up up to your liking, my lady?” Hazel raised her head and stared at her face.

The make up had helped her in hiding her pale face and her eyes were looking less tired! Even her cheeks had a tint of red and she nodded with a smile!

“Yes, you have done a good job!” at least, she did not look like a zombie, she was looking when she had woken up from her nap.

“Then shall we leave, my lady? Everyone would be waiting for us!” Hazel wanted to laugh at her reply!

In which world was this naive maid living? Who would be waiting for her? They all just want her to vanish or die! She shook her head with a laugh full of self mockery but stood up to leave without reply to her words!

The maid followed Hazel closely as they walked towards the dining area.

The sound of laughter and merry talking could be heard from afar. She did not need to see that it was Scarlet who was chatting with Natalie with such enthusiasm!

“The one and only moon of the empire, empress Hazel Cassanovia is entering the room!” She did not remember the announcement of her name after the day she had entered the palace for the very first time that she flinched at the loud sound for a second!

‘Get a grip on yourself, Hazel! Why are you being so edgy today!’ holding the dress, tightly in her hands, she walked in with a confident smile on her face.

Everyone’s eyes on her face when she entered, while Scarlet and Natalie were looking at her with a glare and sore face. Damien had a mischievous and evil look on her face that attracted and scared at the same time.

Diana passed her a gentle smile like an old friend while Rafael, he did not even pass her a glance as he continued to cut the steak in his hand and take a bite of it nonchalantly!

“I was not expecting you to join us! I thought you would sit in your room the whole day and cry!” she glared at Damien who did not even take a second to pass her a sarcastic comment as his eyes looked at her teasingly!

“And why would I do that?” she retorted back, not ready to give in when Diana nodded.

“Yes, I even want to know why she would do that? What did you do to her this time? Haven’t I warned you enough to not trouble her?” Hazel turned to stare at the vampiress who had taken the role of her lady in waiting the first day she had arrived, but since then she had not contacted her enough after she had assigned her to bring the flowers!

She was sure it was only an act to be amiable! Then why was she taking her side now?

As if feeling her gaze, Diana turned to look at her too with a warm smile on her face.

“I apologize for not being able to contact you in these three days. Do you remember Venisa? She is a good friend of mine and she faced some trouble after the party!

So, I was with her. I just returned this morning and I was about to come to meet you after lunch! I am glad to meet you again my lady!

And I wanted to congratulate you for taking the post of an empress. Please allow me to guide and help you in the task!

I have enough experience of helping my mother when she used to handle the post of the empress after the empress was killed.. I.. I mean after she died!” Hazel’s eyes widened when she saw guilt passing through the face of Diana who picked up the glass of water and drank the whole glass in a swig and still a layer of sweat started to form on her perfect and delicate face!

There was no way that it was just the slip of a tongue! And who could be that could kill the empress? She was sure that Diana was not talking about the previous wives of Rafael but his mother!

“That..” ‘just how many people have been killed here and by whom?’

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