Gasp!

Adrian Reese lurched awake in a strange room, panting. Shed had another nightmare. And he always appeared in her nightmares.

You have such a cute face. His unpleasant touch had tenderly stroked her cheeks and ears without her consent.

You look cute when youre scared. His lewd gaze had swept across her body hungrily.

Dont act up. Where would you go, anyway. His arms had snaked across her to hug her waist, and hed sneered at her as she struggled to get away from him. Then hed kissed her.

If you keep screaming, youll only get more bruises! His fists had rained blows on her helpless body.

Ugh Ugh. Adrian covered her mouth with her hands, and sank to the ground. Tears leaked from her eyes. She couldnt stop remembering what had happened to her only a few hours before.

Shed spent the entire night trying to avoid him, but Gareth had ordered her to attend to him, and to follow him to the garden. Thanks to the princess warning, shed taken the antidote to the azalea flower every morning, and constantly made excuses to stay away from the young duke.

But her efforts had been for nothing. She hadnt been able to stay away from the banquet. Once Gareth had forced her to follow him to the garden, the guards had been gone from their posts.

Blow after blow continued to batter her prone body. She had a sudden thought. Maybe this wasnt so bad after all. Wouldnt it be possible for her to die by continuing to resist?

But in the end, it proved to be too much, and she could no longer resist. Her body went limp, and she couldnt move. She was barely conscious. His groping hands didnt leave her body for a long while after.

And what had happened next

Have you woken up?

An elegant voice rang through the room. Adrian quickly wiped away her tears, and raised her head. Her swollen eyes made it hard to see, but the girls long, golden hair instantly caught her attention.

Your Highness the Princess.

The moment Adrian saw the girl, she remembered the rest of what had happened.

A luxurious fabric wrapped around her exhausted body. A worried, soothing touch. Of all the people whod been watching her, Apollonia had been the only one whod seemed concerned about her.

Your Highness

I dont think youve had enough rest yet.

Where am I?

Star Palace. Its where I reside.

Gareth Liefer

He returned to his mansion. He wont punish you, but youll have to be careful from now on.

Did he get punished for what he did to me? she asked. Apollonia frowned.

Officially, nothing happened, so he hasnt been charged. The only thing he might be charged for would be breaking into my brothers garden, and making a scene at my party.

Adrians eyes welled with tears.

I mustve made the garden dirty. Im.

You are his maid. I dont know if something could happen to your family, but there is no one in the imperial family who will charge him for his sins.

Apollonia spoke coldly, but her voice was filled with anger toward Gareth and the imperial family.

Do I have to go back?

At Adrians question, Apollonia raised an eyebrow.

Thats quite an honest question.

I dont want to go back.

Apollonia bit her lip, and didnt respond. She appeared to be deep in thought.

Adrian recalled the first day shed met Apollonia. Apollonia had been standing in front of the Emperors palace, nursing her swollen cheek. She was different from anyone else Adrian had ever known.

She wasnt the type of person who treated people with unrelenting sympathy, nor the type who tried to take advantage of someones weaknesses. She wouldnt ignore a person in need.

Though seemingly indifferent, she was genuinely concerned about Adrian. She showed Adrian the kindness no one but her father had ever shown her. And what about her wisdom and cunning being able to read Adrians face, and knowing Gareths plan?

Adrian couldnt believe that shed never heard any rumors about Apollonia.

And now, Adrian met her again. It wasnt a coincidence that Adrian was still alive, and had been taken to Apollonias palace. She was sure it was all part of the princesss plan.

Just when shed needed her most, Apollonia had been there for her. Adrian realized what she wanted.

She wanted to stay next to Apollonia.