Page 13 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“Yes. I’ve finished my chores for now. Is it all right if I go for a walk outside?”

Her eyebrows shoot up as she looks around the room. “You’ve been getting your chores done faster and faster each day. Is something going on?”

Of course she would notice something like this.

I shake my head. “Nothing like what you’re thinking. I just know that once the baby comes that I won’t be able to walk much, and winter is coming. I want to spend as much time as I can in nature while I still can.”

It is the honest truth. I have been working more efficiently so I can go outside. I also know that if the prince comes back and asks for a date, I’m going to lose several hours of enjoying everything nature has to offer.

My mother sighs. “I know it’s going to be hard for you once the baby comes. Hopefully, by the time spring rolls around, you will be able to go out again.”

I highly doubt that. My mother is in her late forties. She hasn’t had a newborn in over twenty-five years. Things have changed, and she is going to need all the help she can get from now on because my dad is gone for long periods at a time.

And the only person who can help is me. They won’t be paying someone.

Giving her a small smile, I shrug. “It won’t, but maybe I can take the baby out for walks?” I suggest. “Of course, not when it’s super cold out.”

Father used to do that with me when I was younger. Said it was the only way I would calm down.

She smiles. “It will all work out. Now, go for your walk and be back soon.”

Nodding, I place the broom away and leave through the door, making my way in the direction of the forest. It’s not the safest to walk in the forest alone since the Fae are allowed to roam freely there, but I don’t care. They’ve never hurt me before, and I don’t think they are going to start now.

Unless they heard what Skylar said and want to get even. But I have to have faith that they won’t. I did apologize for my analogy, but that doesn’t mean anything. They probably hold grudges against every human being.

I just need to be careful about what I say from now on.

While the Fae don’t have their powers, they could still easily crush and kill me. Every Fae is over eight feet tall, even the women. They’re intimidating as hell, but it’s something I’ve grown used to.

I’ve had to.

I look around as people walk to different stores, buying essential things like food, clothes, and household products before going on their way. Everyone ignores the Fae who are working on the house for the prince.

But I can’t ignore them.

Everywhere I go, they are in my line of sight.

Why don’t they just overpower us and take back their land? They could easily do that, yet they don’t. I know it’s due to them not having their magic or their wings, but don’t they know how to get it back?

Shaking my head, I look toward the Fae and watch them for a second. Some of them are carrying giant rocks, some chisels, and some are carrying buckets. My eyebrows furrow together. Buckets? Why are they carrying buckets?

I push that thought out of my head as I continue to watch them. What was it like before they got their magic taken away? Was it peaceful, or did they rule over us and were starting to make us humans become slaves?

The stories I’ve been told say they were never peaceful and were making us slaves, but there is some doubt in my heart. They don’t seem like vicious creatures. Everything I’ve seen has pointed to them being peaceful.

But I’ve never seen them with their wings out or using their magic. They know if they try and do anything, they will get beaten, whipped, or tortured.

Sighing, I look around and take in the beautiful day. The flowers are starting to fall off the trees, landing on the cobblestones where people step on them. The leaves are turning different colors, vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and some a mix of all three.

Autumn is probably my favorite time of the year. The temperature is perfect, and with the pretty colors, it makes everything calm and peaceful.

I wish it could always be autumn or spring so I can sit outside and admire the natural beauty.

“Adeline!” someone yells.

Turning my head, I smile as Agnes walks toward me, holding a small bag.

“Agnes, how are you?” I ask, pulling her into an embrace.