Chapter Sixity-One: Can't Have Favourites

Kiara's POV: Before I could voice my concerns, Kayden stepped in, placing his arm protectively around me. His action wasn't overly possessive but just enough to draw Christan's attention away from him and back to me. "Christan," he started, his voice neutral yet carrying an underlying sternness. "Your focus should be on assisting our queen. You report to her, not us." The brunette's face flushed a delicate shade of pink, her eyes widening at Kayden's comment. However, it was the brief flicker of disappointment in her eyes that caught my attention. It vanished almost as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a professional mask. "Of course, Your Majesty," she said, her voice trembling slightly. Her gaze darted to me, a subtle condescending look on her face. "I apologize if I gave the wrong impression. My services are entirely at your disposal, Queen Kiara." She said with as much fake enthusiasm as she could muster up. The way she said my name, the emphasis she put on 'Queen,' had a hint of