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09:54 Tue, Nov 19 GG B 

Chapter 50 

Another day, another banquet, this time for lunch. I’m starting to realize that the noble elites require Caleb’s time as much as his people’s problems do, likely to make themselves feel important. Half an hour into this banquet, and I’m still unsure what the purpose even is. 

When I ask Tristan, he gives me the flat, bored look I’m coming to expect and says, “It’s some nobleman’s birthday. Our King tries to play nice these days. He’s killed too many nobles in the past. It’s been tiresome trying to replace them.” 

An answer like that, which includes such blatant murder, shouldn’t be said so lightly. But, as I’ve been learning, there is nothing soft about this place. Only the strong survive. The rest are walked over so much they suffocate. 

Thank the gods 1 at least have Bethany in my theoretical corner 

“There, Tristan says, nodding his head. 

I follow where he’s indicating and see a man wearing a gray sash from shoulder to shoulder. Otherwise, he’s mostly average. Average height and weight and build, with brown hair in a fashion that many other men have. 

“That is the man of the hour. Lord Larkin. A dreadful bore, Tristan says. “But he’s been pushing for this banquet. No doubt he intends to use the occasion to ask a favor of our King. 

“Does King Caleb know that?” I ask. 

“Of course,” Tristan says. “He likely suspects many others with come to him for favors tonight as well. He’s not usually wrong in these things.” 

“How tiresome,” I say. It must be exhausting having so many people wanting things from you all the time. Then again, he is the King. It’s his job to oversee all of his peoples‘ needs. 

“That’s why you are here,” Tristan says. “I anticipate many headaches tonight.” 

“I’ll do my best to give him relief.” 

“See that you do. If you’ll excuse me. While talking to me, Tristan sees something off behind me and quickly heads to 

resolve it. 

I’m only standing alone before Caleb swoops in to stand beside me. “There you are, consort.” 

“Looking for me, my King?” I ask, teasing him lightly. 

He seems in a less murderous mood than usual, which makes me feel bold. 

I don’t know, after the rough- and frankly, mind–blowing sex last night, when I woke up with him beside me this morning, sleeping and peaceful, my heart shifted, ever so slightly 

Yes, he is capable of many terrible things. But.. I’m starting to see a side of him that is more… human. Not soft, just more vulnerable, in a way. He’s still a sharp blade, but maybe the handle isn’t as thorny as I thought. 

Whatever happened to me, whatever I saw in him, it makes it easier to be in his presence. In fact, as little sense as it makes t me, I sometimes look forward to it. It’s all very strange. Maybe my brain is just trying to make the most of a bad situation. 

“I was looking for you,” Caleb replies, taking me seriously and net catching the teasing. 

He might not be receptive to teasing. I’ll have to progress with caution. 

“I need you to help shield me from these asinine conversations, Caleb says, annoyance clipping his words. 

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09:54 Tue, Nov 19 B B 

Chapter 50 

Just as I open my mouth to reply, Lord Larkin rushes over, “Oh King Caleb! If I may have a moment!” 

Caleb immediately glowers. 

Turning to Lord Larkin, I speak up at once, “Pray, forgive me, Lord Larkin, but I’ve just been promised the King’s ear. You don’t mind if I go first, do you? There’s plenty of banquet left for you to go next.” 

Lord Larkin frowns as he glances me over. I’m clearly only a member of the harem, I’m not sure how I rank compared to a Lord. But 1 do kind of remember seeing him at the event where I was introduced. If he was there, he undoubtedly heard what went on after. 

Yes, he must be thinking of that, because as his cheeks turn red. he stammers something, and then scurries away. 

Glancing at Caleb, I risk teasing him again. “You owe me one.” 

“I owe you nothing, wench,” he grumbles, yet even as he says it, he threats an arm around my waist and yanks me closer to his side. “You were promised the King’s ear, were you?” He looks at me with mischief in his eyes. “What could you wish to ask of your king?” 

“When do we actually plan to eat at this lunch banquet?” I ask. Forty five minutes in now, and I haven’t seen even one sandwich. 

Caleb scoffs at me. “Did I not feed you well enough at breakfast 

What could he expect? Rigorous near–nightly sex makes a person hungry. I wasn’t going to say that to him, though, because I don’t want him to know how much I enjoy it. I’m sure my honest feelings would slip onto my face if I even tried to start 

Caleb looks over to an attendant and nods. 

Immediately, the attendant disappears. A minute later, tables covered in food are wheeled into the Hall 

“There,” Caleb says. “Satisfied?” 

“Yes,” I say at once. 

He grabs my ass, then lets me go. “Be quick, lest that troublesome Lord bothers me while you’re gone.” 

Nodding, I take off in the direction of the table. 

I’m nearly there when one of the harem bumps into me. 

“Oops!” she says as she spills her red wine all over the front of my dress. 

What the hell! 

o way t 

There’s no 

that was an accident. She didn’t hit me hard enough for any of this to be real. 

I openly glare at her. 

She shrugs. “You should really get that cleaned up. Red wine stains, you know. If only you weren’t so clumsy.” 

As much as I want to reprimand this woman, I can feel the curious eyes of the partygoers zeroing in on my direction 

I have to be the bigger person, or I risk making a scene. And if I make a scene, Caleb might storm over here and lob this woman’s head off, without asking any questions. 

So, for now, I turn and walk out of the Hall and back to my rooms. 

Yet, as soon as I walk in, I find Bethany sitting in the middle of the floor, crying. 

09:54 Tue, Nov 19 B G G