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    Chapter 94 Trust and Risk


    Chapter 94: Trust and Risk


    Ruby''s POV:


    "Luna, here is the potion."


    Taking it, I gave her a grateful smile.


    "You were careful, right?"


    Amara nodded obediently. "Yes, Luna. I assure you, no one saw me or followed


    me


    A sense of relief washed over me. I was truly fortunate to have this woman as my servant.


    "That makes me feel a little at ease," I said.


    Carefully, I poured the shimmering liquid from the bottle into a small ceramic cup. The potion gleamed under the soft candlelight, swirling with shades of silver and gold. Nora had warned me that this potion was incredibly delicate, meant to stabilize my health during pregnancy.


    I had spent days sneaking out of the pce, ensuring I could obtain it without anyone noticing especially Killian. My hands trembled as I lifted the cup to my lips.


    "Are you sure about this, Luna?"


    Amara''s voice was quiet,ced with concern. She stood beside me, her wide brown eyes darting toward the locked door as if expecting someone to barge into my chambers at any moment.


    "It''s alright, Amara. This is exactly as Nora prescribed. So, it must be safe," I reassured her gently.


    Finally, I swallowed the thick liquid. It was bitter, burning my throat as it went down, but I forced myself to drink everyst drop. I had to do this-for myself and my baby. Handing the cup back to Amara, I grabbed a ss of water to wash away the lingering bitterness in my mouth. My stomach churned, threatening to reject the potion''s effects. Fortunately, it didn''t


    I had no more stock of the potion now since it was quite rare on the market.


    Amara sighed and sat beside me on the edge of the bed. "I''m sorry if this sounds out of line, Luna. But I''m terrified. What if he finds out? What if something bad happens?"


    I ced a hand over my stomach, still t enough to hide the secret within. "I will tell him, Amara. Just one more week. After that, this hell will be over."


    She bit her lip anxiously. "I don''t know if that''s a good idea, Luna. You''ve already been pushing your luck. If you fall ill or-* "I won''t." My voice was firm, even though doubt wed at my chest. "I''ll handle it myself."


    Amara didn''t look convinced. "I just want you and your baby to be safe. These walls have too many ears and eyes."


    "That''s no longer a secret. I''m aware of it. But I''m fairly certain everything is under my control," I stated.


    She let out a resigned sigh, knowing that my stubbornness was a problem once I had set my mind on something. I didn''t particrly like that trait of mine either.


    "Then please, take care of yourself and manage your stress as much as possible, Luna."


    I squeezed her hand, offering a reassuring smile I didn''t quite feel.


    "I will."


    Breakfast began at eight o''clock as usual. The grand dining hall was just as majestic as ever, with its towering ceilings andrge windows overlooking the vast kingdom. I took my seat beside Killian, smoothing out my gown as I tried to steady my heartbeat. The aroma of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air. I had no appetite whatsoever. Everything before me looked unappealing as I imagined trying to swallow it.


    "How was your day?"


    Killian''s deep baritone voice pulled me from my thoughts. I blinked, shifting my gaze toward the source of the voice. Forcing the best smile I could muster, I turned to face the king.


    "It''s been pleasant so far. I spent time reading, and Amara kept mepany," I replied smoothly.


    Killian''s crimson eyes glimmered with amusement as he leaned in slightly. "No magnificent piano performance today?"


    I let out a softugh. "I''m not in the mood to y. Maybeter."


    "Ah, what a shame. It''s been a while since Ist heard you y," he said, his tone carrying a hint of yful sulking. It didn''t suit his image at all.


    That, at least, lightened my mood a little.


    "I promise I''ll y for you tomorrow, as long as you make time for me too," I said, half teasing.


    "A fair trade."


    Chapter 94: Trust and Risk


    He hummed, satisfied with my answer, and returned to his meal. The conversation flowed between us as usual, filled with warmth and teasing, but I could sense an undercurrent of something heavier beneath his words.


    Then, out of nowhere, he said it.


    "Someone told me they saw you at the market."


    My hand froze mid-motion, my fork hovering halfway to my lips. My heart pounded against my ribs as I slowly lowered it back onto my te. I forced my expression into something neutral, tilting my head slightly as if feigning curiosity. "I''m sure they must have mistaken me for someone else. Did someone really report that to you?" I asked as casually as possible.


    Killian didn''t blink. "Yes. And they said you visited the ck market."


    The ck market. My breath hitched. So someone had seen me. My fingers curled in myp as I fought to keep myposure. But the part about visiting the ck market wasn''t true. I hadn''t gone there only passed by it, since the shop where Nora''s prescribed potion was sold happened to be near the forbidden district.


    "That''spletely absurd. I don''t go anywhere without my guards. I''ve been in the pce this whole time, Killian.”


    His eyes darkened, scanning my face as if searching for a lie. "Are you sure you haven''t left the pce? Not even once?" "Not without an escort," I replied smoothly, meeting his gaze with all the conviction I could muster.


    Killian leaned back, exuding an air of quiet power and menace. "Then tell me, Ruby, what are you hiding from me?"


    I swallowed hard, gripping the fabric of my gown beneath the table. I could hear the challenge in his voice, feel the weight


    of his suspicion tightening around my throat. Killian had always had sharp eyes. Lying to him was difficult. But I had no choice but to take the risk. The mere thought of what could happen to my baby terrified me.


    "I''m not hiding anything." The lie slipped from my lips so smoothly it was almost perfect.


    His smirk was sharp, dangerous. "Is that so? Because it seems like you''re trying to protect your pride."


    I tensed, my heart hammering in my chest. "And what pride would that be?"


    Killian tilted his head, studying me like a puzzle he was close to solving. He still


    hadn''t answered my question. A chill ran down my spine. I could no longer force a single bite of food past my lips.


    "You know, I don''t fucking like lies, don''t you, Ruby?"


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