Her Graceful War Song

Soon, an old steward led in a woman dressed in a pale pink gown. She had a soft, round face, and the dress clung a bit too tightly around her plump figure, especially around her midsection. She wasn’t extremely large–just enough for the ill–fitting gown to accentuate her roundness.

Even with the extra weight, her natural beauty shone through. Her features were delicate, her skin was fair with a healthy glow, and her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.

The steward had already informed her of their guests, so she entered and greeted them politely. Greetings, Prince Rafael, Lady Carissa. My name is Chaya Kingsley.”

Her smile was bright and sweet, suiting her softness. It was the kind of smile that instantly made people feel at ease.

“Chaya–what a lovely name,” Carissa remarked, observing her thoughtfully.

There was something different about Chaya, unlike the other concubines‘ daughters. She didn’t have Celeste’s seductive allure, Carmen’s prideful strength, or Cecilia’s quiet sorrow. She was just sweet. Her eyes were full of light, as if untouched by the darkness surrounding her.

She returned Carissa’s compliment with a cheerful smile, saying, “We all have nice names. My dad may not be good for much, but he does have some knowledge. Chaya–sounds nice, doesn’t it? But the meaning’s not great. Just a shadow, hidden and unseen. But I’ve lived quite a life here in Willowbrook Estate. Well, that’s enough. If you’re here to take me away, so be it. I can die with no regrets.”

Hayden laughed. “My dear girl, if they were here to take you away, they wouldn’t have come with gifts i the evening. They’d have shown up with the Capital Guard in broad daylight.”

in

“Oh,” Chaya said, her gaze drifting to Carissa, admiration glinting in her eyes. “Commander Sinclair, you truly bring honor to us women. If only I could be like you… but no, I couldn’t handle all that work. I’d rather stick to eating, drinking, and having fun.”

Carissa laughed as she turned to Hayden. “Seems you’ve picked up a real gem here. She must keep yo

you well entertained, Great–uncle.”

Hayden waved his hand dismissively and pretended to be annoyed. “A gem? More like a freeloader! She can’t sing or dance, yet has the nerve to say I smell like an old man. I’ll feed her up until she’s as round as a pumpkin. Then, she’ll lose the right to complain about me!”

Though Hayden wore a look of mock displeasure, his tone was one of indulgent delight.

After the banter died down, Chaya grew more serious as she explained, “My dad sent me here, figuring that with Prince Hayden alone in the capital and away from his children, I’d have the chance to win his favor and make him hang on my every word.

“But once I arrived and saw him–honestly, he’s way too old! And he’s not big on rinsing his mouth either. Every time he speaks, a whiff of bad breath hits me. How am I supposed to serve him in bed like that?

“So, I tried to get him to send me away. I thought if I annoyed him enough, he’d be furious enough to send me out of the capital and I could just slip away. But no, he didn’t give in. He has kept me here, feeding me five or six times a day. He doesn’t let me do much, and occasionally calls me over to listen to music with him. Other than that, he lets me do whatever I want. I’m as free as a bird here.”

“What about your mom? Aren’t you worried about her? Carissa naked. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Chaya shrugged. “Worrying won’t do any good. Even if warmed Prince Hayden’s bad, it wouldn’t be enough to save her. All I can do is live well myself and try to keep my mom from fretting over me. That’s the most respectable thing I can do for her.”

Sitting down, she added, “I’ve known since I was a kid that I’d eventually be sent away. My mom told me as much. She always said, ‘If you can beni it, bear it. If not, you’d be better off cutting your losses and ending it. Life’s tough, but if it’s unbearable, then don’t suffer through it. Life’s too short for that.”

Chaya smiled as she spoke, but her words hit a little heavy.

“Funny thing is, though she told me that, she never really lived by it herself. She had it rough, but never let herself give in to death. I came here intending to put up a fight, but now, life’s just too comfortable. So, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll enjoy this while I can. And if one day Prince Hayden decides I’m fattened up enough and wants to get rid of me, I wouldn’t say anything against it.”

She chuckled, eyes sparkling with a kind of strange optimism. “But for now, I’m safe. Seems like I got lucky again.”

Hayden chuckled along, a warm, grandfatherly fondness glimmering in his gaze.