Chapter 784

+25 Bonus

An old steward led in a woman dressed in a pale pink gown. Her soft, round face was framed by the dress, which clung a bit too tightly to her plump figure, particularly around her midsection. She wasn't excessively large, but the ill-fitting gown accentuated her curves. Even so, her natural beauty shone through. Her features were delicate, her skin fair with a healthy glow, and her eyes sparkled like stars.

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

Her bright, sweet smile suited her gentle nature, instantly putting people at ease.

"Chaya—what a lovely name," Carissa remarked, studying her thoughtfully. Chaya was unlike the other concubines' daughters. She lacked Celeste's seductive allure, Carmen's proud strength, or Cecilia's quiet sorrow. She was simply sweet, her eyes full of light, untouched by the surrounding darkness.

Returning Carissa's compliment with a cheerful smile, Chaya said, "We all have nice names. My father may not be much, but he does have some knowledge. Chaya—it sounds nice, doesn't it? But the meaning isn't great; just a shadow, hidden and unseen. But I've lived quite a life here at Willowbrook Estate. Well, enough of that. If you're here to take me away, so be it. I can die without regrets."

Hayden chuckled. "My dear girl, if they were here to take you away, they wouldn't have arrived with gifts in the evening. They'd have come with the Capital Guard in broad daylight."

"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, turning to Hayden. "Seems you've picked up a real gem here. She must keep you well entertained, Great-Uncle."

Hayden waved dismissively, feigning annoyance. "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 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 subsided, Chaya grew serious. "My father sent me here, figuring that with Prince Hayden alone in the capital and away from his children, I'd have a 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 oral hygiene either. Every time he speaks, I get a whiff of bad breath. 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 slip away. But no, he didn't give in. He's 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 mother? Aren't you worried about her?" Carissa asked.

Chaya shrugged. "Worrying won't do any good. Even if I charmed Prince Hayden, it wouldn't be enough to save her. All I can do is live well myself and try to keep my mother 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 mother told me as much. She always said, 'If you can bear 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, but her words carried weight.

"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, her eyes sparkling with a strange optimism. "But for now, I'm safe. Seems like I got lucky again."

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