King

"You may leave," said Queen Rowena Thaloré, raising her hand.

The two maids, who had just helped her into her nightgown, bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

Rowena’s voice rang out again.
"Also..."

They paused and looked back.

"If His Majesty comes to my quarters tonight, inform him that I wish not to be disturbed."

The maids nodded and exited silently.

In the corridor, one of them whispered, "Did Her Majesty seem... upset to you?"

The other maid gave her a surprised look. "You don’t know?"

She shook her head.

Looking around cautiously, the maid leaned in and whispered,
"His Majesty is... having an affair tonight."

The girl gasped. "With whom?"

"No one knows for sure. But rumors say... someone of low birth."

"A low birth?!" she blurted.

"Quiet!" the other hissed. "If the Queen hears us, we’re dead."

Realizing her mistake, she lowered her voice. "Still... lucky woman. One night with the king, and she becomes nobility. Do you think I have a shot?"

"You wish," the other said—and both burst into soft giggles as they made their way back to the servants’ quarters.

A slender young servant stood frozen outside the king’s door. Pale-skinned, golden-haired, dressed in a midnight-blue gown—Elizabeth looked every bit the picture of nervous beauty. Her black eyes darted nervously toward the floor as sweat gathered at her brow.

Next to her, the king’s valet offered an encouraging smile.

"You should feel honored. His Majesty has taken a liking to you."

"Y-Yes, sir," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

"Good. Don’t keep the king waiting. Just knock and enter when you're ready."

The valet disappeared into his own chamber nearby, leaving Elizabeth alone. She dabbed her face with a handkerchief and took a trembling breath.

This wasn’t the first time. A few knew the truth—the king had done this before. But every girl who spent the night with him… was never seen again. Some whispered they were banished. Others believed worse.

Heart pounding, she stepped forward and knocked.

“Come in,” a deep voice answered.

She opened the heavy door and slipped inside. The room was dark, lit only by the faint glow of moonlight through the curtains. She could barely make out the silhouette of the king, seated on the edge of his bed.

"Give me your hand," the voice commanded.

Elizabeth obeyed. He took it, tracing his fingers slowly along her trembling skin.

"What’s your name?"

"E-Elizabeth," she whispered.

"A lovely name," he said. "Elizabeth, lay on the bed behind me."

"Of course, my king."

She removed her shoes, climbed onto the bed, and lay flat.

The king’s valet, just settling into bed, heard muffled sounds through the wall. He paused. His eyes widened as he pressed an ear to the cold stone.

He cursed under his breath.
“Damn bastard couldn’t wait five minutes.”

Shutting off his lamp, he dove into bed, pulling the blankets up quickly.
“Hopefully no one noticed my lights were still on.”

He stared at the ceiling, silent and uneasy.

Sunlight streamed through the tall windows. The head valet knocked softly on the king’s door.

“Enter,” came a tired voice.

The king sat on the edge of the bed, face drawn, eyes heavy with fatigue.

“My lord, Prince William departs in three hours. The ceremony begins in thirty minutes.”

The king groaned and stood, stretching.

The valet stepped forward with his formal attire. As he moved to assist the king, the latter waved him off.

“I’ll dress myself. Clean up the bed.”

The valet turned. As he lifted the blanket, his breath caught in his throat.

Elizabeth lay motionless. Her eyes stared wide, blank and lifeless. Her makeup was smeared by dried tears. Tracks of snot stained her upper lip. Her back was covered in red welts and bruises. Cuts marked her skin. Whatever had occurred last night had left her broken in every sense.

The valet swallowed hard.

"My lord… what was her name?"

"I think… Elizabeth. Or something," the king replied as he fastened his collar.
"Erase her from the records. Make it so she was never born."

The valet bowed.

"Yes, my lord."

Without another word, he wrapped Elizabeth’s body in the sheets