Odessa's Destiny

ODESSA’S POV I had to move carefully. I carried the bowl of different pastries on my palm, weaving through the sea of people in the magnificent hall of the Ember Moon pack house. The room was a vibrant mosaic of colors, with guests dressed to impress in radiant gowns and evening wear in a kaleidoscope of hues, complemented by sleek black and white suits. A bitter taste of envy touched my heart, knowing I was here to serve, not mingle. Still, I cherished the chance to flee the toxic tension from my family and pack, if only for a brief respite of three nights. Jealousy pricked at my conscience as I watched the guests revel in luxury, a stark contrast to my role as a worker. As I wove through the crowd, my cupcakes vanished in a flash, clearly a hit with the partygoers. The crowd devoured my cupcakes almost as eagerly as they awaited the prince's arrival. Amidst the chatter, snippets of conversation caught my attention, girls buzzing about the prince's imminent arrival. “When is he showing up?" one girl asked, her voice trembling with excitement. "No idea, but I've already reapplied my lip gloss three times!" another girl replied, exasperated. A third girl chimed in, "It's worth the effort, he's gorgeous! You could totally catch his eye and become his Luna." Her smile seemed forced, though. I raised an eyebrow, shaking my head as I continued on. This welcoming party felt more like a dating game, with hundreds of girls competing for the prince's attention. As I escaped the crowded room, the cool night air enveloped me, stepping into the crisp night air, I breathed a sigh of relief. I found myself among a different group of women, likely those of lower standing, some accompanied by fathers or male guardians. My tray now held only four cupcakes, and before I could restock, two hands swooped in, leaving me with just two. Just as I was about to enter the party again, my step sister's voice cut through the air, her tone venomous. "Odessa!" she called, her anger palpable. I steeled myself, knowing I'd have to face her eventually. Her eyes flashed with annoyance as she approached me, she stalked toward me, her face blazing with irritation. "Where's my drink?" she demanded, her voice acidic. "I told you, Remi, I'm not your personal drink runner," I shot back, my patience fraying. "You're in the kitchen, aren't you?" she sneered. “Look, I have actual work to do, and I don't have time for your drama," I said, turning to walk away, but she shoved me. I stumbled, and just as I was about to fall, a pair of strong hands grasped my arms, steadying me. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I met the gaze of the most captivating man I'd ever seen. His rugged attire belied his striking features, piercing golden eyes and chiseled cheekbones that left me breathless. As he plucked the last cupcake from my tray, I couldn't help but notice the way his eyes lit up with excitement. He took a bite, and his eyes closed in ecstasy, a low, husky moan escaping his lips. "Delicious," he murmured, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "I'm Asher," he said, his voice deep and seductive, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I felt a flutter in my chest as I replied, "Odessa," my voice barely above a whisper. He chuckled, a low, throaty sound, and cleaned his hands on his jacket. "Maybe we can leave the handshaking for another time?" he asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners. I smiled, feeling a sense of ease with him that I couldn't quite explain. "It's okay. I can get you some more cake if you want," I offered, trying to sound casual despite the way he made me feel. He grinned, and my heart stumbled. "Would you? Then I'll be waiting patiently for you," he said, his words sending a shiver down my spine. I nodded, scurrying back to the kitchen to fetch more cupcakes. As I returned with a generous supply, I noticed he was still standing there, his eyes locked on mine. "You're back," he said, his voice low and husky. "Yeah, here you go," I said, handing him the bag of cupcakes. "Whoa, thanks," he smiled, and I felt my heart flutter. "You have no idea what you've done for me. Haven't had a thing to eat all day," he said, taking a bite of the cupcake. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Why not?" I asked, concern etched on my face. “I’m broke," he shrugged, his eyes never leaving mine. I looked him up and down, taking in his worn clothing. "I can get you more food before you leave," I offered, feeling a pang of sympathy, looking at him, he seems like a beggar in disguise. "You must be some kind of benevolent angel," he grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. I chuckled, feeling a sense of ease with him. "Far from it. I'm just a lowly servant girl," I said, watching the crowd mingle and laugh. As we stood there, I couldn't help but notice the way he seemed to light up the room with his presence. He was charming, charismatic, and seemed to genuinely enjoy my company. "So, what do you think of the prince?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. "Are you one of the girls crazy over him?" he asked, his eyes glinting with mischief. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his question. "Why? Are you some kind of spy for him?" I asked, trying to gauge his interest in the prince. He laughed, a deep, throaty sound. "God no, not a big fan of royalty. I'd never spy for someone like that," he said, his voice filled with conviction. Despite the ease of our conversation, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Asher than met the eye. He seemed like a complex person. But you're right, the prince is probably an arrogant i***t," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I know, he's probably never heard no in his life,what the heck? Not my type of guy” “I want a man who's been through the mud and seen things outside luxury. Not that I have a chance with him anyway," I chuckled, trying to brush off the feeling of inadequacy that seemed to follow me everywhere. As I locked eyes with Asher, I couldn't decipher the emotions behind his gaze. His piercing eyes seemed to bore into my soul, but his expression remained inscrutable. For a fleeting moment, I thought he might reveal something, but instead, he simply shook his head. "Nothing," he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. Just as I was about to respond, the chief chef's voice pierced the air, calling out my name. "Odessa!" Mrs Smart's authoritative tone echoed through the hall, and I felt a sense of reluctance wash over me. "I'm sorry, I have to go," I apologized, feeling a pang of disappointment at leaving Asher's company. “I'll grab some more cupcakes and maybe pancakes later," I promised, not waiting for his response before hurrying towards the chef. As I hastened away, I couldn't help but wonder what Asher had been about to say. Had he been on the verge of revealing something important, or was it just my imagination playing tricks on me? As I entered the kitchen, Mrs Smart instructed me to join others. I spent the next 49 minutes helping out, listening to the gossip and chatter of the other maids. They were all abuzz with excitement, speculating about the prince's arrival and the potential Luna candidates. It seemed the prince's reputation preceded him, and everyone was eager to catch a glimpse of him. When Mrs Smart approached me again, instructing me to serve drinks, I felt a sense of trepidation. As I stepped out of the kitchen, I noticed the crowd had fallen silent, their attention fixed on the podium. I pushed my way through the crowd, my curiosity propelling me forward like a magnet. And then, I saw him, Asher, striding confidently towards the podium, a charismatic smile spreading across his face. The king's booming voice filled the hall, "Welcome home, my son," he said, enveloping Asher in a warm, paternal hug. I felt like I'd been blindsided, my mind struggling to process the revelation. The tray of drinks slipped from my grasp, shattering on the floor as my stomach somersaulted with shock and confusion.