Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 51: He will crawl back to me.

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: He will crawl back to me.

And he actually allowed that servant inside his quarter, when he was famous for never allowing anyone’s presence in front of him, and more so of a servant, the maid said with a knowing smile, her meaning was obvious.

The queen’s lips curled into a smile, she could understand what the maid was trying to imply. The maid could see the interest sparking in both the queen and the nanny’s eyes, it was enough for her to feel confident, that her information was reliable and could lead her to new possibilities.

The maid continued, Your Majesty, that servant’s face was also red, when he came out of the prince chamber.... And he looks like... The maid intentionally dragged so the mind could imagine it by itself; her words were not complete, but it was enough to let one’s imaginations run wild.

Selena lifted her brows as she heard the maid’s suggestive words, she could not believe that the ice block of her stepson could be capable of this.

But slowly, a small smile curled at her lips, Whatever it is, whether it is true or not, it will surely benefit her.

She exchanged a brief look with the nanny, before turning back her attention to the rambling maid.

"You’ve done well to bring this to me," The queen said with a softer tone, but still there was an edge in it, the meaning was clear in her voice, "You will be rewarded if it is true, but if it is a lie, you can only imagine yourself... in a situation you have never".

The maid’s chest swelled with pride, but a shudder ran through her body at the hidden warning in the queen’s tone, but still she puffed her chest and looked at the queen, conveying that she has nothing to fear.

She smiled at the queen’s now softer tone. And thought her decisions were right from the start—this information will change her life, forever. She would be rewarded and would be lifted from her lowly position, and perhaps even trusted with more tasks from the queen herself.

"Rise," the queen commanded with a sharp tone, her tone reverting back to her usual aloofness. " And look at me."

The maid obeyed and slowly lifted her head to meet the queen’s gaze. She felt the weight of those piercing eyes on her, as if the queen were assessing her very soul.

"Now, we will see just how valuable your words truly are," the queen said, her tone smooth but holding a veiled threat. "You will speak of this to no one else. If this turns out to be as useful as I believe it might, you will be rewarded.

But if you breathe a word of this to anyone—" Her eyes flashed dangerously. "I will make sure you never speak again."

The maid swallowed hard, her confidence quickly wilting under the queen’s gaze. "Y-yes, Your Majesty. I understand."

The queen held her gaze for a long moment before finally turning away, her mind already spinning with plans and schemes.

The nanny stepped forward, dismissing the maid with a flick of her hand. "Go back to your duties," she said curtly. "And remember—keep your mouth shut."

The maid bowed deeply once more and hurried out, her heart still racing. She had done it. She had given the queen valuable information, and soon—soon—she would be rewarded.

As the heavy doors of the chamber clicked shut behind the maid, silence settled in the room. The queen stood still for a moment, her expression shifting from neutral to sinister. Her lips curled into a smile—cold, calculating, and filled with malice.

Beside her, the nanny also wore a knowing smirk, her arms neatly folded in front of her. She and the queen exchange a look, a silent understanding passing between them.

"Finally," the queen said softly, breaking the silence. "We have found a way to bring that insolent boy to his knees." She walked slowly to the window, her fingers lightly trailing over the silk drapes, as though her mind was already laying down the pieces of her scheme.

Her smile darkened. "For far too long, Dorian has acted with such arrogance, thinking he’s untouchable just because he carries the title of prince. Trampling over anyone he pleases." The words dripped with venom as her hand clenched into a fist.

She turned to Madam Elira, her nanny, her eyes were gleaming with anger. "But now... now we have Cassian. I will use him—to control him—and when Dorian realizes that his precious servant is under my command, he will have no choice but to submit. He will crawl back to me, just as he did when he was a child."

The queen’s voice softened, though her expression became more twisted. "I will make him my pet again. He won’t defy me. Not this time."

But when the queen paused, expecting a gleeful response from Madam Elira, there was only silence. She furrowed her brow and turned to find the nanny standing motionless, her eyes distant and lost in thought.

"Aunt Elira," the queen said.

The older woman didn’t respond at first, her mind seemingly trapped elsewhere, her lips pressed into a thin line. The furrow in her brow deepened.

"Aunt Elira!" The queen’s voice was now edged with impatience.

Madam Elira blinked, finally snapping out of her reverie. She looked at the queen, her expression slightly troubled but carefully composed.

"Yes, Your Majesty," she murmured, brushing her hands together as though erasing her wandering thoughts.

The queen’s eyes narrowed. "What were you thinking just now?" she said, suspicion creeping into her voice. "You seemed... disturbed."

Elira hesitated for the briefest moment before schooling her features into calm neutrality. "I was only considering, Your Majesty," she said carefully, "that Prince Dorian... is no longer a child.

Whatever power we held over him in the past—" She trailed off meaningfully, her tone laced with caution. "It may not be so simple this time."

The queen’s expression hardened at the nanny’s words, but Elira pressed on, her voice low and practical. "The boy—Cassian—he is important to the prince. But we must tread carefully. If we push too hard too soon, it could backfire. We cannot afford to miscalculate."

The queen stared at Elira, her lips pressing into a thin, tight line. "I do not need a lecture on caution," she said coldly. "I know exactly what I am doing. Dorian will bend, just as he always has. And with Cassian under my control, I will have him right where I want him."

Elira inclined her head slightly, though a flicker of unease remained in her eyes. "Of course, Your Majesty."