Chapter 4

Serafina's POV

What should I do now?

I have no idea, too. I am lost. I can no longer fathom what is going on inside this palace. It was the opposite of the life I had pictured inside my head.

"What do you want me to do, King Calixto?" I asked, returning his question.

I know now that I will do everything he says because, just like he told me, I am one of his servants, and I have to do everything he says.

He fell silent, taken aback by my question. He was staring at me intently, making my knees feel even more weak, and if he were not holding me, I would have probably fallen on the floor.

"Shut your mouth and stay out of my sight," he coldly uttered after almost a minute of silence.

I nodded without asking questions and slowly pulled my wrist out of his grip. I bowed my head at him before I quietly walked away, afraid that if I made a sound, it would piss him off.

The moment I set my foot out of the infirmary and took a few steps away, I ended up falling into the dark and narrow hallway while tears were falling from my eyes. Everything piled up. The fear that I felt from my near-death experience embraced me again, and the fear that I felt when I discovered King Calixto's secret affair filled my entire system, making me lose my strength.

I covered my mouth when tears continuously fell from my eyes to stifle my sobs. I was praying so hard that no one would see me here. I don't want them to ask questions because I feel like I would cry even more, but I guess the Moon Goddess remains deaf to my prayers.

"Lady Serafina," someone called, and upon lifting my head, I saw a silhouette of a man. When the torch's light hit his face, I could recognize who he was.

"Maximus," I weakly uttered his name.

He offered me his hand while I stared at it, completely lost on what I should do. When I did not move, he squatted and held both arms, helping me stand up.

I immediately wiped the tears on my face, but the torch's light had already hit my face, so I guess he already knew I was crying. I thought he would ask, but he just looked at me and smiled.

"You must be shocked by everything that has happened. Don't worry; we are doing everything possible to discover who is behind it. We won't let you die, Lady Serafina, if that is what you are worried about,"

His words are filled with sincerity, making my tears fall again. For the first time since I set foot inside this palace, I feel like someone is on my side. Even though I knew he was following King Calixto's order, hearing that someone cared for my life was still comforting. Someone makes me feel safe.

"Do you want to get some fresh air to clear your mind? I know a good spot,"

He has a big build—a broad shoulder and arms covered with tattoos. There is also a scar in his eyes as if someone slit it, but despite that, being around him felt warm, and he is smiling at me, bringing me undeniable comfort.

I hope we can be friends. I feel like he can help me survive the cruelty of this palace.

Without any hesitation, I nodded my head and smiled at him.

"Just follow me," he said, so I did without questions.

I followed him as he walked towards the dark hallway. I have no idea where we are going, but all I know is I am putting all my trust in Maximus.

After a while, he stopped opened a massive wooden door, and passed through it. He offered his hand with me once again and this time I took it.

The moment we passed through the door, my eyes widened when I was welcomed by a wide garden filled with flowers bathed by the moon's soft rays.

"It's beautiful, Maximus," I commented, unable to hide the amusement in my tone.

Maximus turned his head on me with a smile on his face.

"This is King Calixto's secret place. He always comes here whenever his world becomes too chaotic,"

The smile on my face faded when I heard those.

"He would get mad if he sees me here then. Maybe we should leave,"

I was about to walk away when Maximus held my wrist, making me stop from taking a step.

He looks at me intently, trying to read my soul. "You will be his Luna, Lady Serafina. It would be best to remember that everything King Calixto owns is yours, too. It would help if you learned how to fight for what you deserve and what you own. You are the future Queen of this Kingdom, and you should let everyone know that,"

My forehead creased when he said those words. Why does it feel like he means something when he says those words?

"Tell me what you know, Maximus? Is there something I need to know?"

He fell silent. He looks hesitant, and before speaking, the wooden door swings open, revealing King Calixto. Our gaze met for a few seconds before it landed on my wrist, being held by Maximus, so I immediately pulled it out.

"I guess there is something you are good at, Serafina," he coldly uttered as he stepped towards me.

He closed the gap between us, making me feel suffocated. I feel like I have completely forgotten how to breathe.

"Is this what your pack thought you, Serafina? To seduce all the men inside the palace? I thought they trained you how to become a perfect Queen, but it looks like they created a perfect whore," he brutally uttered, cutting my dignity and respect for myself into million tiny pieces.

"Lady Serafina is not like that King Calixto,"

I saw how his gaze shifted to Maximus, which made me even more scared. Will he punish Maximus because of me?

"You dare to question my judgment now, Maximus?"

"No King Calixto. Your words are just too cruel, and I could not stand it,"

I can feel the tension between them. It feels like any moment, they would end up killing each other.

Panic filled me when King Calixto's eyes became blazing red, and his claws came out while Maximus just stood there waiting to be attacked, but I won't let that happen, not on my watch.

I am not strong, but I used my strength to stop King Calixto from taking a step towards Maximus. I caught his attention, and his blazing red gaze was now directed at me. I felt scared, but I gathered all my courage to look him directly.

"Just punish me, King Calixto. Maximus is innocent in all of this. Just punish me instead," I pleaded as I tried to suppress the tears that were about to fall on the corner of my eyes.

I held his arm gently, trying to soothe him down, but it had no effect. He still looks mad.

"Is that what you want, Serafina?"

I felt scared. I am weak. I have no idea what kind of punishment he will give me but I am sure it will be cruel but despite that I still bravely nod my head accepting my fate.

"Lady Serafina, take back your words. You have no idea what kind of trouble you will get yourself into," Maximus interjected, but I refused to look at him. I made up my mind.

He's my people, and I will do everything I can to protect him. That is what a Queen should do.

"Ready the carriage, Maximus, and bring Lady Serafina to the forbidden forest," King Calixto commanded, and based on Maximus' reaction, I already know that the forbidden forest is not a good place.

"No one came out alive after stepping inside the forbidden forest, King Calixto, you know that,"

Instead of showing empathy, he cupped my face and smiled like a devil.

"If she dies, she's not worthy to be my Queen. Prove yourself to me, Serafina. Convince me that my mother chose the right Queen,"