Chapter 4: Mistress by Royal Decree

Galen started spoiling me rotten, bringing me rare treasures, even hand cream made from dew at sunrise. My heart was basically goo. But Galen’s mom? She dropped the act—ignored me, wouldn’t even return a hello.

One day, she called me in for a private chat. I agreed—she’s Galen’s mom, we’d have to deal with each other eventually.

She sat at the head of the room. "You’re someone Galen picked up from the outside. They say wildflowers are sweeter than garden roses, but in this garden, only roses count."

I saw right through her. "A flower’s a flower—people love what they love, there’s no ranking."

"Of course there is. My Cecily will be Queen—that’s nobility. You? You’ll be nothing more than a side piece. Just a woman in the shadows, never recognized."

My mind blanked out. "Madam..."

She smiled coldly. "What? Galen hasn’t told you? It’s settled—Cecily will be his wife. The ministers already know. As for you, for your service, you’ll be allowed to stay as his mistress."

I was stunned. "Mistress?"

On my way back, I was still dazed. I found a quiet spot, pulled out a lounge chair, and crashed. Dad always said, "When life gets rough, take a nap. You’ll wake up seeing things clearer."

I dreamed of the day I got into the royal academy—Dad told me, "Work hard, talk less. If someone bullies you, don’t be scared. If they gang up, run. Find someone strong to back you up. Don’t start trouble, don’t fear trouble, always push your problems onto others."

I slept from morning till sunset. When I woke, my mind was crystal clear. Just like Dad promised—everything snapped into focus.

So—that’s how it was. I’d been strung along all this time. Chained by the promise of being Queen, letting Galen’s mom look down on my family, letting them steal my hard work, my credit, my place. And after all that, they tell me, "You’re not the Queen."

"Liars. Every last one of them."

Be a mistress? As a favor? Not a chance in hell.

My parents were the real deal—madly in love their whole lives. I always wanted that. "I’ll never be anyone’s mistress. Mistress? No thanks."

I couldn’t stay in the Shadow Palace any longer. I’d finally figured it out. With a mother-in-law like Galen’s, even if I became Queen, I wouldn’t want it. Galen and I—maybe fate threw us together, but that didn’t mean we were meant to last.

Then I overheard some maids gossiping:

"How can someone from the royal enclave have the nerve to stay here?"

"Still waiting to be Queen? Dream on."

"It’s a joke. She’s just a healer—she’ll never be Queen."

"I bet she sneaks off in shame."

Their words stung. But—right. I could just sneak away. Why not?

That night, Galen came back to the bedroom. I greeted him with a smile. "Hungry? I made you a ton of food."

He smiled and nodded. I sat him down, served him.

He ruffled my hair. "Why so sweet all of a sudden?"

After he finished eating, I suddenly hugged him. "Is it true what Lady Blackwood said? You’re making me your mistress?"

He stiffened. After a pause, he said, "I’ll make you mistress for now. When the time is right, I’ll make you Queen."

I looked up, playing dumb. "If Cecily’s Queen too, does that mean there’ll be two Queens?"

He opened his mouth, then closed it. He hugged me, forehead pressed to my shoulder. "I don’t want to marry her, only you. But my mother threatened to destroy the Heartstone—she’s forcing me. Don’t worry, it’s just a stalling tactic."

"Don’t bother. Go be happy with her—we can just end this now."

He pulled away, gripping my arms. "What did you just say?"

"You can be with her—"

He clapped a hand over my mouth, eyes red-rimmed. I shut up, watching him. He sighed. "Haven’t I treated you well? With me, you get everything—top techniques, rare treasures, anything you want. Don’t say things that piss me off—I can’t take it. I promise, I’ll only ever touch you."

I was getting antsy, tapping the table. After a beat, I changed the subject. "The drug should be kicking in by now."

"What?" His eyes narrowed, sensing something was off.

The next second, he collapsed.

"What did you do?" Veins bulged on his forehead.

I hauled him onto the bed, took his signet ring, and pulled out my stuff. Squatting beside him, I said, "Why so mad? We were just a fling, but I won’t hurt you. I just want to leave the Shadow Court. When the sun rises, the dew disappears—and so will I."

I’d slipped him one of Dad’s knockout potions—nobody’s ever broken it. It doesn’t kill, just knocks you out cold and locks up your powers. One drop puts you down for two days—I used the whole bottle.

As I got up, Galen grabbed my sleeve. I tried to pull free, but he held on, eyes bloodshot, unable to talk. I took scissors, snipped the fabric, and said, "My powers are weak, my family’s broke—I’m not cut out to be a mistress. You can find someone else. Royal-exile marriages are all the rage—can’t find one here, try the enclave. You’ve got plenty of fangirls there."

He weakly hooked his pinky over my hand. His skin was warm, trembling just a little. I shook him off.

"All I’ve got is this face. Two years together—you got your money’s worth. No need to hang onto me."

I grabbed my stuff, found my invisibility cloak. It only works on people below Prince level. Galen was the strongest in the palace—had to be careful. As long as he couldn’t catch me, I had a real shot at getting out.

Before leaving, I glanced back. He reached out, trying to grab me, but was too weak. Half-lidded, he mouthed, "Don’t go."

I threw on the cloak and slipped away, heart pounding in my ears, palms sweaty. Here goes nothing.