The royal family who approves of cruel games tomanagethe population. The royal family whorequirestheir people to prove their worth, but bytheirrules,theirvalues, andtheirdesires. The royalfamily who favors one small group—the Elites—over the majority.
It isn’t right. It isn’t fair.
And Jax is one of them? No, not Jax, Ryjax. And not just one of them. He’s thecrownprince, only child of the king, and next in line to rule.
“You don’t look very pleased,” Ishla says, studying my face.
“Because I’m not.” I glower, and she sighs.
“Like I said, he’s not as bad as he seems. Just give him a chance.”
“Is this his room?” I ask, remembering the soap and how it smells like him, but I feel silly for asking. Why would the prince have a room in the servants’ quarters?
“It is,” she says. “Well, sort of. He likes to come down here to escape.”
“Escape?”
“The pressures of the palace, I suppose. Again, you’d have to ask him.”
The pressures of the palace. I nearly scoff. Oh yes, life must be so hard for hisroyal highnesswho has everything he could ever want. Food. Water. Shelter.Hot showers.
He has no idea how difficult life can be.
I cross my arms and bite my tongue.
“He said you’re from Village 28,” she says, and I nod. “I’m from 26.”
Her admission startles me. Those from the villages aren’t allowed to step foot inside the Imperial City. But maybe an exception is made if you’re willing to work as a servant. I suppose it might be hard to find an Elite who wants to fill that particular position.
“Still hot as ever in the middle districts?” she asks, her question pulling me from my thoughts.
“Gets hotter by the day,” I tell her, and a ghost of a smile crosses her lips. “Do you miss it? Your village?”
I’m sure she’s allowed to return when she’s given time off, but Village 26 is far from the palace, meaning the journey there and back would take weeks. I wonder how often she’s allowed to visit.
“Every day.” She clears her throat. “Get some rest. I’ll be back in the morning with some breakfast.”
She gives me a soft smile before exiting the room and closing the door behind her. I hear the faint sound of a key turning.
And I’m alone once more.
Chapter 9
Serafina
My eyes flutter open, and I grip the quilt draped over my torso, dragging it up to cover my face before turning on my side. I sink deeper into the supple mattress.
I close my eyes again, even though I’m wide awake.
Sleep had come easy for me last night, and I know I’m well rested. A feeling I haven’t experienced in quite some time. A feeling that typically only comes after extreme exhaustion, and a very full stomach.
I groan because I’m no longer tired.
I groan because I can no longer pass the time by sleeping.
I groan because I don’t even knowwhat time it is.
Is it early morning? Midday?
