~Katrina~
We were fast asleep when a sudden cry jolted us awake.
The king sat up on the bed at once, his face pale and alert.
"Fortuna," he said, as if sure it was her.
My eyes were barely open, still heavy with sleep, but his voice pulled me back to full awareness.
"Did you dream of her?" I asked, unsure why he had called her name so quickly.
"That cry… it was Fortuna," he repeated with certainty in his voice.
I was surprised he could tell just by the sound, but deep inside, I believed him.
"Do you think something happened in the quarters?" I asked, my heart pounding. If it truly was Fortuna, something terrible must have happened.
He rushed into his changing room. I sat there, too tense to move, until he returned a few minutes later—fully dressed, eyes filled with worry.
He was ready to leave. But I didn't want to stay behind. I couldn't. I needed to know what had happened.
"I'll come with you," I said, rising from the bed, wrapping the blanket around my bare body.
I still felt weak and sore from earlier, but I didn't care.
"Are you sure?" Karl asked gently, concern in his eyes. He hadn't forgotten the pain I felt.
"Yes, Your Highness," I replied, looking around for my dress.
"Here."
He untied his robe and handed it to me. "Wear this."
It was large and warm, and it covered me completely. I put it on and followed closely behind him. I didn't know what we were about to face, but the fear was real.
My thoughts raced. What could have made Fortuna scream like that? What if this wasn't just drama or an accident? What if we were under attack?
As we stepped out of the main building, the cold night air hit my skin. Two guards ran up to the king, faces tense.
"A fire broke out in the quarters, Your Majesty," one said.
Karl froze, clearly stunned. This was not something he expected.
He didn't say a word. He didn't wait.
He just ran.
And I ran after him, praying we weren't too late.
We moved quickly toward the quarters. It wasn't easy, but I did everything I could to keep up with his pace. Karl was faster—his long strides powered by panic.
"Brother!" Rosa cried out as soon as she saw us. Her eyes were red and wet with tears. The look on her face told me something bad had happened.
All the women were gathered outside, whispering anxiously. Their voices grew louder the moment Karl arrived.
"Rosa," Karl called softly, opening his arms. She ran into them and clung to him as he kissed her forehead. She was trembling.
I scanned the crowd, my heart racing.
Was anyone hurt?
"My lady," a soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. It was Marissa.
"Thank God you're alright," I said quickly, stepping closer. "But what happened here?"
She lowered her voice. "A fire broke out in Queen Fortuna's room. It spread to the next room and burned through everything. Another concubine was caught in it too."
I gasped, unable to hide my shock. I never liked Fortuna—but this... this was serious. I didn't expect something this terrible.
"How are they?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Marissa glanced around, making sure no one else could hear. Then she leaned in. "The mad woman didn't die," she whispered. "She survived... like she's got nine lives."
Her tone sent a chill through me. There was hate in her voice—deep and sharp. We both wanted the same thing, but the way she spoke scared me a little.
"You don't have to talk like that," I said, lightly tapping her arm.
She let out a strange squeak, more birdlike than human.
"Forgive me, my lady," she said quickly.
I almost smiled, but this wasn't the time. Another concubine had been hurt—maybe badly—and here we were, relieved that Fortuna didn't die. It felt wrong somehow.
Then I noticed something—Karl wasn't beside Rosa anymore.
He stood near the entrance of the quarters, talking with his mother and Rania. I walked closer, trying to hear what they were saying.
Lord Rowland spoke first.
"I think it's wise you wait here, Your Highness. The fire hasn't been fully put out yet."
"He's right, brother," Rania added nervously. "Fortuna was saved… she'll be fine."
But even she didn't sound sure.
Karl's voice was firm. Cold.
"I'm not going to wait. And I don't need your advice."
With that, he brushed past them and entered the quarters, ignoring their warnings.
I stood there, frozen for a moment. His voice—it was different. Cold, sharp… like the Karl from before. Not the gentle man I had seen in my room.
Maybe it was because the fire involved Fortuna. Maybe this time, he didn't want to lose her.
And maybe… that was what scared me the most.
I followed him into the quarters, even though Mother almost stopped me. I couldn't stay behind. I needed to see things for myself.
The king didn't realize I was right behind him until we reached the stairs.
"Princess Katrina…" he turned, surprised. His steps froze mid-air as he looked at me.
There weren't many lights inside the quarters, but I could still feel the heavy heat lingering in the air. Smoke drifted from upstairs. A few guards were still working to put out the last of the fire.
"You should go back," he said quietly.
He kissed me gently, but I sighed and shook my head. "I want to be by your side, Karl."
His eyes searched mine. It was hard to tell what he was thinking—whether it was because of his mask or because his heart was somewhere else tonight. His queen was down. And nothing else mattered to him right now.
"Fine," he said at last, squeezing my hand, "but don't leave my side. Do you understand?"
I nodded.
We made it upstairs, and he asked one of the maids where Queen Fortuna was. She led us down a smoky hallway to a quiet room.
The royal nurse was already inside when we entered. And there she was—Fortuna—lying still on the bed. She was awake, but barely. Her skin was pale. Her hair damp. Her eyes… hollow.
I wondered for a second if she was pretending. Could someone look this broken and still be faking it? I didn't know. I didn't want to believe she was truly hurt, but something in my heart twisted anyway.
The king let go of my hand and rushed to her side. He knelt beside the bed and held her hand with such tenderness, it made my chest ache.
"Fortuna…" he whispered, brushing his lips against her knuckles. "You'll be fine, okay? I'm here now."
I stood frozen, swallowing hard like something sharp had gotten stuck in my throat.
He didn't even look back at me. His full attention was on her. And I couldn't even blame him.
She was his queen. His friend.
She looked like death had come and only just passed her by.
And for the first time, I felt like I didn't belong in that room.
"The queen didn't sustain any physical injuries," the nurse said gently as she wiped Fortuna's body with scented herbs. I recognized the smell—it was meant to ease the heat and calm the nerves. "But we're not sure yet if she's conscious from fear or if she has an internal injury. Maybe from a fall or something else…"
"Then why are you just standing here?" the king snapped, his voice sharp, the same way he spoke to Rania earlier. The skin between his brows pinched in frustration. "Figure it out. I don't care how—you make sure she's fine."
The nurse lowered her eyes, clearly shaken. "I'm doing my best, Your Highness."
I stepped forward and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. I didn't even know what I was doing—if it would help or make things worse. But somehow, it worked. He calmed, saying nothing more.
"We should let her work," I said softly. "She's doing all she can."
Before he could reply, Fortuna coughed. Then her eyes fluttered open.
She looked so weak. Marissa was right—this woman had nine lives. She was alive, conscious, but barely.
She tried to sit up, but the king stopped her with gentle hands, sitting down beside her and whispering something I couldn't hear. I turned my attention to the nurse instead, giving them a bit of space.
"What about the other woman who got caught in the fire?" I asked quietly.
"She was hurt physically," the nurse said with a shake of her head, pity in her eyes. "Bad burns. We're treating her."
That shocked me. How did Fortuna escape without a scratch if the fire started in her room? Something didn't make sense. My thoughts spiraled. What if she started the fire herself? To get the king's attention? But no… she was the one who sent me to his bed. It couldn't be her doing. Could it?
"Is there something you're not telling me?" I asked, rubbing the back of my neck. The weight of everything was pressing in.
"No, my lady," the nurse replied gently. "She'll be fine. She just needs rest. I'll check on her again at dawn."
With a bow, she left the room.
I turned back toward the king and queen. They were still by the bed, lost in their world. "Get well soon," I said, though I wasn't sure I meant it.
Fortuna looked at me, and for a moment, I wished I hadn't said anything at all. Her gaze was cold. It made me wonder—did she think I wished she hadn't survived?
I glanced at my reflection in the mirror nearby… and I finally understood. I was still wearing the king's robe. His scent. His warmth. Wrapped around me.
No wonder they were all staring.
Well… she would have to deal with it.
I wasn't going anywhere.