In his old life, Jacob had been beaten bloody, scared he’d die in the palace’s cold shadows. Desperate, he’d stumbled onto the main path, begging anyone who’d listen to help.
This time, he stayed put, swallowing the pain, terrified of running into Luciana.
But even though he didn’t go looking, Luciana found him.
“What’s all this commotion?” Luciana’s voice sliced through the din, sharp as a dagger. She needed to know if this Velmora hostage had been
across time.
Jacob’s stomach dropped. The gaggle of young guard around him froze, their faces white as chalk, too spooked to say a word.
Theo Singleton, the head guard, sidled up with a oily grin. “My lady, what brings you to a grim corner like this? We were just tending to Prince
Hutton’s meal, but the boy’s got a hot temper–smashed the whole spread.”
Theo was lying through his teeth, and anyone with half a brain could see it. The truth was plain as the nose on your face, but he spun his yarn
anyway.
He was betting Luciana wouldn’t lift a finger for Jacob.
The palace was crawling with folks who despised the Velmora lad, and even the king turned a blind eye. If Luciana stepped in, she’d stir up a
hornet’s nest.
Sure, a princess could snub a few servants without batting an eye, but the whispers? Those would sting.
Helping a Velmora man? Unless she forget the Duskwyn soldiers who’d spilled their blood on the battlefield.
Theo’s nerve came from that. He figured he could spin his tale right in her face and walk away clean.
Jacob’s face was gray as ash. Deep down, he knew Luciana had saved him once, but this time? He’d rather die than owe her a thing.
To him, Luciana could save him, sure–but so could Juliette. ‘And sweet Juliette would be here any minute, ready to pull me out of this mess,’ he thought.
Luciana’s eyes raked over Jacob, searching for a hint, but his face was a blank slate. She leaned close to Theo and muttered, “Don’t go wasting good food.”
Theo blinked, caught off guard. ‘That’s what she is worried about?‘
“Right you are, my lady,” he said, bowing low, his grin wide as a barn door.
Looks like Princes Luciana isn’t about to meddle after all,‘ he thought.
Jacob caught their hushed words, and something inside him snapped. “Luciana, quit playing the saint!” he hollered. “You ain’t fit to be a Duskwyn princess, and I don’t need your fake tears!”
Theo gawked, wondering if the beating had scrambled Jacob’s wits. ‘The princess is standing right there–why isn’t he begging for her mercy? Why is he picking a fight?‘
Luciana didn’t bat an eye. A sly smile curved her lips as she stepped closer, testing him. “You know, Jacob, nobody else in this palace gives a lick about you. But me? If you got down on your knees and begged real pretty, I might just take pity.”
In his old life, he’d groveled, banging his head on the cold stone, pleading for her to save him.
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This time, he’d sooner choke than humiliate himself again. He believed Juliette was coming–kind, gentle Juliette, who’d rescue him without making him crawl.
Not like Luciana, who’d dangle help just to watch him squirm.
“Keep dreaming!” Jacob shot back, his voice hard as flint. “I’d rather die right here than beg you for a thing.”
He was burning his bridges, but he didn’t care. Let Luciana think no one would save him–she just wanted to see him break.
If he gave in now, she’d have her fun and come back for more, lording it over him while she sat pretty. Juliette wouldn’t pull that kind of
stunt.
Luciana’s smile widened–she’d gotten her answer. She swept past him, then flicked a hand to summon Theo.
“Princess Luciana,” Theo said, all sugar and spice, “he’s got no manners. Want me to set him straight?”
Luciana’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m plenty cross, Theo, but we’ve got to mind the emperor’s wishes. Do what you want, just don’t kill
him.”
As long as Jacob was still breathing, Theo could make him suffer. For a wretch like him, living was worse than dying.
Theo chuckled. “No worries, Princess. We ain’t fools enough to kill a hostage. That’s a mess we can’t afford.”
“That’ll do,” Luciana said, tossing him a handful of silver coins before gliding away.
Once she was out of sight, Theo swaggered back to Jacob, smirking. “Prince Hutton, I was sure you’d go soft and beg the princess.
That Princess Luciana–cold as she seems, she’s got a heart. Only one in this whole palace who might’ve given you a chance.”
Before he could finish, Jacob spat in his face.
He’d done it on purpose, picking this moment to rile Theo up, knowing Juliette was about to arrive.
Theo’s hands shook with fury, his finger stabbing the air. “Thrash him!” he growled, voice cracking.
He wanted to swing a fist himself, but he stopped short–couldn’t risk mussing his fine tunic with nobles nearby.
Jacob, always scheming, had timed it just right. Juliette was due any second. He slipped past the others and bolted outside.
In his old life, this was how he’d been saved. Only this time, it’d be Juliette–kind, warm–hearted Juliette–who’d come to his rescue.
But he stumbled onto the palace path and nearly crashed into Juliette herself.
Her maid snapped, “How dare you! Who let you stir up trouble in the palace? And to bump into the princess? What’s your crime?”
Theo, in a panic, scurried forward to beg pardon. What rotten luck–both princesses here today, and both crossing paths with Jacob.
Jacob seized his chance. Breaking free, he dropped to his knees before Juliette, pleading, “My lady, I’m Jacob, a hostage from Velmora. These
cursed eunuchs torment me daily. Please, save me!”
Juliette’s eyes flicked down, her smile cold as frost.
Theo broke into a sweat, silently cursing Jacob. ‘The fool must be mad
Jacob hadn’t even tried to charm soft hearted Luciana last time–he’d barked at her and sent her fleeing in a huff. Now, with Juliette, who
wasn’t nearly as forgiving, he was practically on his knees, pleading.
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Is he kicking himself for being so brash with Luciana, scared he’ll botch things with Juliette too? If so, he’s in deep trouble,‘ Theo thought.
“Theo,” Juliette said, her voice sharp as a blade, hiding any hint of feeling.
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Jacob let out a shaky breath. ‘This is it!‘ In his old life, Luciana had scolded Theo, ordered the guards to treat him better, and banned further beatings.
But she hadn’t punished them. Juliette, seeing him so battered, would surely take his side and make things right.
Theo forced a weak smile and stepped forward. “Your command, my lady?”
“I’m off to see the Queen,” Juliette said coldly, “and you let this filthy wretch block my way. You tired of living?”
She shot Jacob a look, her eyes full of scorn. ‘A Velmora hostage, barely worth the dirt under her feet, daring to stand in my path?‘
Her maid chimed in, “He nearly ruined my lady’s gown! What’re you fools doing, letting one scrawny rat slip through?”
Jacob’s head snapped up, his heart sinking. ‘Did I hear right? Juliette called me filthy?‘
In his old life, her words were so different. Her lashes had fluttered, tears in her eyes, voice thick with pity.
She’d sworn if she’d met him first, she’d have saved him without hesitation.
Luciana’s rescue had been rough–too rough. The taunts and shame hadn’t stopped after that day.
Some whispered she’d only spared him for his good looks.
The maids and guards mocked him endlessly, snickering about why Luciana hadn’t taken him away. A Velmora prince, they sneered, left to be a princess’s plaything–what a tale.
Juliette knew every slight he’d endured. She’d promised if she’d saved him, things would’ve been different.
‘Yet here I am, given a second chance, and she’s leaving me to rot, Jacob thought, his heart heavy with betrayal.
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