**CHAPTER NINE** **Terri's POV** With a rush of anticipation, I sent the message to Bella before tossing my phone onto the bed. The mere thought of seeing her face again made my heart race; the ache of our separation had felt unbearable. My heart brimmed with hope that she could find it in her to forgive me, for I bore a piece of the blame for her suffering. I had sworn to avenge her, to make Queen Anna pay for the pain she had inflicted. A sudden knock on my door broke the silence, and I turned my head, curious. "It's me, Zy. May I come in?" his voice seeped through the wooden barrier. “Come in! What can I do for you?” I responded casually, masking the tension brewing inside me. He stepped inside, the air crackling with an unspoken challenge. “Can I have a word with you?” “Okay! Sure. Go ahead,” I replied, waving my hand for him to continue, knowing the storm was brewing. “What are you doing here? Are you here to cause trouble again? After all you've done in this mansion, can’t you find somewhere else to be? Or are you simply here to hurt my Queen?” Zy’s tone dripped with suspicion, his eyes narrowing. His accusations struck a nerve. “What do you mean I want to hurt the Queen? Do you take me for some sort of villain? I’m here because Queen Anna asked me to stay, and I would never disobey her. Do you want her to behead me? And about me hurting the Queen—do you want me to sue you for the defamation of my character?” The words tumbled from my mouth, laced with a hint of indignation. Zy stood firm, unflinching. “I just want you to know I’m watching you. My gaze will be on you at all times. If anything happens to my Queen, I will hold you accountable. I hope you understand that.” As he departed, the air felt heavy with tension. I knew that Zy’s protective nature was a formidable barrier, but I was fueled by my purpose. Zy strode purposefully down the hall, intent on confronting the Queen, when he collided with Alex. They exchanged nods, but Alex, perceptive as ever, caught the shadow of tension in Zy’s posture. “What’s happened? Who are you quarrelling with? Is it the Queen, or someone else?” “Do you not know—or do you just choose to ignore it?” Zy retorted. “What do you mean by that?” Alex shot back, confusion lining his brow. “Terri’s back in the mansion,” Zy stated, his voice edged with urgency. “Terri’s back? When? I didn’t know he was here! What’s his purpose? Is he planning to stay? Please tell me he isn’t here with malicious intent,” Alex's voice rose, brimming with indignation. “He’s here for good, claiming the Queen summoned him. But I suspect he has ulterior motives lurking beneath his friendly facade,” Zy replied, his expression darkening. “I’ve made it perfectly clear that if he intends to harm my Queen, I will hunt him down and expose him to everyone. He won’t stand a chance,” Alex swore, a fierce resolve igniting within him. “Agreed. We need to protect the Queen at all costs. I’m going to see Queen Anna now,” Zy declared with determination. “Of course, I must return to my duties too. We’ll discuss this later.” With that, they parted ways, each charged with their own missions. When Zy reached Queen Anna’s chamber, he knocked briskly, but silence hung in the air. Just as frustration began to creep in, one of the Queen’s guards approached him. “Queen Anna is in the garden,” the guard informed him. “Thank you,” Zy replied, setting off toward the garden, unease thrumming in his veins. As he arrived, he found the Queen engaged in a serious phone conversation. “I hope work is progressing smoothly. I have a candidate for the finance manager position, and he’ll start next week. Is that clear?” Who could she be speaking to? Zy felt a pang of anxiety stab at him. He couldn't shake the feeling that this might lead to trouble. The call ended, and her guard informed her of Zy’s presence. “Let him in,” Queen Anna instructed, her authority clear. Stepping inside, Zy greeted her with a respectful bow, “Greetings, my Queen. May you live long beyond your ancestors.” Queen Anna smiled gently. “You know you can drop the formalities with me. We’ve been friends since childhood; there’s no need for formalities.” “I respect you, and as a Queen, you deserve that respect. You are precious to me, and I can’t turn a blind eye to anything that might endanger you,” Zy stated earnestly; his words weighed heavy as though they carried his unyielding devotion. “What’s wrong? Is there danger lurking in the shadows?” Queen Anna asked, concern clouding her eyes. “My Queen, it’s about Terri. Why did you allow him back into the mansion? You remember what he put you through before?” Zy’s voice trembled slightly, a mix of worry and protectiveness. “Zy, I am the one who brought him back to the mansion and gave him a job despite his past actions,” Anna confessed, her tone laden with hesitation. “But I can’t explain my reasoning now; you might not comprehend the reasons behind my choices.” Zy frowned, a deep worry etching itself on his features. “Even so, you shouldn’t have allowed him back. What if he means to hurt you? People can be deceptive, and you don’t know what’s brewing in his mind. Whatever your decision, I promise to support you and protect you from any harm that might come your way,” he assured her, his loyalty unwavering. “Thank you, but you must remember, Terri cannot harm me. We loved each other once, and I haven't crossed that bridge yet. You must understand; I am the Queen of this kingdom and no one can harm me,” she replied, firm yet soft, the conviction in her voice a beacon amidst the storm. In that moment, the weight of their shared history and the uncertainties looming ahead hung in the air between them, solidifying the resolve in Zy’s heart to protect the only light in his life—Queen Anna.