The Perfect Trap ( Part 1)

The Kingdom of Valeria was rich, peaceful and admired by many. Its ruler, King Stephen was feared as much as he was respected. He was young, handsome, and clever, but there was one thing everyone knew about him.

When the king wanted something, he never gave up.

In the Royal Palace worked a quiet maid named Lily. She was kind, honest, and gentle. Every morning she cleaned the palace library before sunrise. She never looked at the King for long and always spoke with respect.

One morning King Stephen entered the library earlier than usual.

"You are new," he said.

Lily bowed her head.

"I have worked here for three years, Your Majesty".

The king smiled.

"I must have been too busy to notice"

From that day he began visiting the library every morning.

At first Lily believed it was a coincidence.

Soon she realized it was not.

Every day he asked her a simple question.

"What books do you enjoy?"

" Do you miss your family?"

" Are you happy in the palace?"

His voice was always calm, and his smile was always warm.

Lily answered politely but kept her distance.

The king found that even more interesting.

Most people tried to impress him.

Lily never did

Weeks passed.

The king started sending small gifts to the servants' quarters.

Fresh flowers, new dresses, rare sweets.

Each gift arrived without a name, but everyone knew who had sent them.

Lily returned every gift.

"I cannot accept this", she said.

King Stephen laughed.

" You are the first person who has refused me"

I'm only a maid. You are much more than that.

His words made Lily uncomfortable.

She began avoiding places where she might meet him, yet somehow he was always there.

In the garden.

In the library

In the palace halls, it felt as though he always knew where she would be.

One evening Lily asked the head housekeeper for permission to leave the palace and visit her mother.

The request was denied

"The King has asked that all the palace servants remain here until after the Royal Festival".

Lily sighed. She decided to wait.

A few days later strange rumors spread through the palace.

Some servants whispered that Lily had been stealing expensive jewelry.

Others claimed that she had spoken badly about the Royal Family.

Lily was shocked.

"I never did any of these things".

No one could prove the rumors, but people slowly stopped talking to her.

Her friends became distant.

Some were afraid, others simply disappeared from her life.

Only the king continued treating her kindly.

"They judge you unfairly"

"You believe me? "

"I always will.

She thanked him.

She didn't know the rumors had started because of him.

Months passed.

Lily became lonely.

The palace no longer felt like home

The king became the only person who listened to her.

He always knew exactly what to say.

"You deserve someone who will protect you "

"You don't need people who doubts you".

"You can only trust me"

Little by little, Lily started depending on him.

.

.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***