Yvonne's POV
"My lady, the King has forbidden you from consuming meat—fish included," Klara repeated for what must have been the fifth time. I do not exaggerate. It was as though she believed I had not heard her the first time, or that I had not stood inside Annaliese when that madman of a king issued the decree. But I was not Annaliese. Why, then, must I suffer the same restrictions?
I cast a glance down at the pale, unappetizing fare before me. Though hunger gnawed at my insides, I could not bring myself to touch it. I did not even know what it was meant to be.
Before I could utter a word in protest, the great dining doors burst open. A maid stumbled through and collapsed to the floor before she could reach me. I rose swiftly, heart leaping, and hurried to her side. She was gasping for air, trembling.
"M-My lady… the King…" she stammered, the words lost to her labored breathing.
Klara crouched beside her as the other servants rushed forward.
