CHAPTER EIGHT - THE PRICE OF LOYALTY
2025 Words
The maid’s fingers trembled against the silver tray
“Who could that be?”
She turned around to the king just to see him laying down weak and almost lifeless. She stoop up quickly and rushed out of the king’s chambers.
That same night…
The alpha king who had once commanded a thousand territories, was now a fragile, dying man trapped in a falling shell.
He tried to shift, but couldn’t move.
“A… Any…one? He called out but his voice was barely heard, so low it couldn’t even pass through the doors.
“You think you have won, Theresa,” the king rasped, his voice tearing like dry parchment.
“You traded your own blood for the throne on deceit,” he paused as he grasped for breath.
“But… a power obtained through bloodshed will never sit easy for you.”
A thick line of dark blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, the only sign of the wolfsbane currently turning his veins into ice.
“I lay a dying curse upon this palace and kingdom, it will be ruined in darkness and will not find peace until Theresa is banished”
With a final, ragged exhale, the king alpha’s head fell back against the floor as he gave up the ghost.
———
“Your majesty?”
Silence.
The old servant frowned slightly.
“Your majesty!”
Still nothing.
The guard pushed the chamber doors open slowly.
The room was dark.
Cold.
Too quiet.
“Your majesty?” Then the guards eyes met the king’s body lying lifeless.
He rushed over immediately. “No……”
The king lay motionless on the bed.
His skin pale.
His eyes half open.
Completely lifeless.
“GUARDS!!” He screamed to his colleagues attention.
“GUARDS!!”
Footsteps thundered through the palace immediately.
“What happened?”
“The king……”
“Oh Goddess…” they started crying.
The crown prince and princess rushed into the chambers moments later.
“What is it?” Theresa asked
“It’s the king…… he… he’s …” one of the maid said her voice breaking as she cried.
“Father!”
James rushed in immediately just to find his father lifeless.
“Nooooo…!” He screamed breaking down in tears.
“This can’t be… he was already getting better”
Theresa knelt beside him as she cried dramatically.
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
The servants began to cry.
Even the guards lowered their head mournfully.
———
There was a moment of silence.
James reminded frozen.
Silent.
Broken.
Theresa grabbed his hands tightly.
“My husband …”
No response.
“Please… say something.”
His voice finally came out, deep from his chest like he’s using the last bit of strength.
“Everyone Leave.”
“But…” Theresa tried to talk but was immediately interrupted.
“LEAVE!”
He screamed this time looking back at the servants.
The room emptied instantly.
Except Theresa.
She moved towards him slowly.
“I know this hurts…”
“Please don’t … not now. I want to be alone.”
James cut in raising one of his hands, blocking Theresa from coming close any further.
“I need a moment with my father before his body will be carried away.”
“It’s fine.” Theresa said, stood up and left.
But
Before she opened the doors, she looked back at the king’s dead body and smiled happily.
———
Two days had passed since the king’s death.
Two days of mourning.
And tonight…
The palace was quiet.
The maid stood outside Theresa’s chamber nervously, her fingers tightening around each other.
Then she quietly announced her entrance.
“Blessings upon you, Crown Princess. May I speak with you?”
Theresa could recognize the voice.
“Enter.”
The maid entered immediately and bowed her head.
“Greetings my lady.”
Theresa sat before the mirror calmly while two maids brushed her hair.
The moment she turned and her eyes met with the maid, she dismissed the others with a wave.
“Leave us.”
Them room became silent as footsteps faded slowly through the corridors.
Then… Theresa slowly turned towards the maid.
“Well… Why are you here?” She asked casually.
The maid swallowed nervously.
“I… I’ve completed what you asked me to do.”
She stared back at Theresa.
“Please my mother is waiting for treatment,” the maid continued softly. “You promised me freedom and wealth after everything is done.”
Theresa leaned back slowly. Then gave a faint smile.
“Interesting, you did a great job.”
Theresa stood up slowly and walked toward the maid.
“And your tongue? Will it remain as obedient outside this palace as it was inside?”
Fear instantly crossed the maid’s face.
“My lady, I would never speak of this anywhere.”
“You better not!” Theresa’s voice became colder.
The maid shook her head rapidly.
“I swear on my mother’s life, I would never betray you.”
Then Theresa smiled.
“Relax.”
She walked towards the wooden chest near the bed and opened it.
Gold.
Silver.
Jewels.
The maid’s eyes widened instantly.
Theresa picked up a heavy leather bag and tossed it towards her.
The maid barely caught it.
“This should be more than enough to save your mother and change your life.” Theresa said
The maid stared at the bag in disbelief.
Tears filled the maid’s eyes immediately.
“Thank you… Thank you my lady.”
Theresa walked closer to her, close enough to whisper to her ears.
“Remember something carefully,”
“If even a single rumor leaves your mouth…”
“I will find you…”
“No one escapes the royal shadows.”
The maid lowered her head immediately.
“I understand.”
Theresa moved slightly away from her.
“Good, you will leave tomorrow before sunrise.”
Then maid nodded slightly.
“Thank you my lady.”
“You’ll leave quietly through the western gate.”
Theresa said as she waved her hand dismissively.
The maid carried the money and others tightly before bowing deeply.
“Thank you for keeping your promise.”
Then she hurried out of the chambers cautiously.
———
The moment the doors shut closed.
Theresa’s expression changed completely.
Cold.
Dangerous.
She called for her royal guards.
“Enter.”
Three men stepped into her chamber immediately.
“You called for us, Crown Princess?”
Theresa walked slowly towards them.
“Did you see the maid that just left?”
“Yes we did, the light skinned, average woman on red dress?” One of the men asked
“Exactly!” Theresa said and nodded slowly.
“I want her dead!”
The guards exchanged glances briefly.
“My princess?”
“You heard me.” Her voice remained calm and dangerous. “Let her leave the palace first,”
“Then… follow her home secretly tomorrow morning,” she continued.
“Find out where she lives, wait until midnight…”
“And?” Another asked.
“Kill her and anyone she’s with. Make it clean and simply.”
“Burn the whole house down to erase any trace of murder.”
“Let the kingdom believe it as a tragic accident.”
The guards lowered their heads instantly.
“As you wish, my princess.”
They turned to leave.
But Theresa stopped them again.
“Oh… make sure you search the entire house before you burn it down!”
“Get my treasures and money back, it’s in a red and white stained bag.”
“Yes, my princess.” They bowed and left.
The door shut close.
Theresa’s smile darkened as she muttered.
“Dead secrets tell no stories.”
———
Just before dawn.
One of the guards secretly entered the maid’s room and sprinkled a wolfsbane oil at the bottom of her boots while she was sleeping.
An hour later…
The maid woke up and set off for her journey home.
They followed her scent minutes later.
She visited few friends nearby to wave goodbye and even stopped at some markets to buy things for her mom.
She finally got back home at dusk without noticing anyone tailing her.
“Mother, I’m home.”
“I got some foodstuffs while coming.” She smiled to her mom whom was still weak.
“You did great my daughter.” Her mother said.
They rejoiced and ate together.
Later that night…
The streets were quiet.
Cold wind blew through the empty roads as the maid helped her weak mother sit upright.
“You’ve been smiling since you returned.” Her mother said weakly.
The maid smiled again.
“You’re finally going to get your treatment mother.”
Her mother looked at her in shock.
“What did you do, how were you able to get my surgery fee?”
The maid paused in disbelief for a second.
“Mother…”
“It’s surprising… you suddenly have money.” The mother interrupts
Silence.
Then…
“I did what I had to do, I can’t loose you.”
Her mother’s expression changed slowly.
“What did you do?”
The maid quickly looked away.
“Nothing ma, just go to bed.”
But deep inside…
Guilt was already destroying her.
“Tomorrow,” the maid muttered softly.
“We’ll leave to the hospital before sunrise, to get your treatment started.”
Her mother coughed. “What about your palace workplace?”
“I’m done with that life, I deserve peace.” She responded. “Please mother, just go to bed.”
She said and turned to the opposite direction.
Her eyes became teary and thought ran through her mind.
Peace? Hmm, one thing I would never have again.
———
Hours later…
The small house became silent.
The candles burned low.
The maid and her mother are already fast asleep.
Outside…
Footsteps approached slowly.
Three shadowed figures surrounded the house quietly.
One of them nodded.
Then another slowly pushed the door open.
[Inside the room]
A hand suddenly covered the maid’s mouth tightly.
Her eyes snapped open instantly.
“Mmmph…”
“Quiet.”
Fear exploded inside her chest.
Another man grabbed her wrist immediately.
They sighted the bag of money and treasures in the cabinet.
Her mother woke up suddenly.
“What’s happening?!”
One guard moved towards the old woman covering her mouth.
“Nooo!…” the maid cried beneath the hand covering her mouth.
Her mother tried to scream.
Just then…
A blade pierced straight through her chest.
Blood splashed across the blanket.
The maid’s eyes widened in horror.
“MMMPH…!!”
Tears burst violently from her eyes.
Her mother collapsed lifelessly onto the bed.
The maid started struggling widely.
Desperately.
Violently.
But the guards were stronger.
One of them leaned close to her ear.
“The future queen sends her gratitude.”
The maid froze instantly.
Fear.
Betrayal.
Realization.
Then she struggled violently.
“Mmmmm… mmmph…”
Another blade flashed through the darkness right in her stomach.
The pain hit instantly.
Sharp.
Cold.
Merciless.
The maid grasp beneath the covered mouth as blood spilled from her stomach.
“I don’t know what this poor girl did, but she should’ve kept serving the palace.” One guard muttered bitterly.
The maid collapsed weakly onto the floor beside her dead mother.
The guard picked up the heavy bag filled with money and treasures Calmly.
Another tossed a lighter to the third guard “take it,” as he went out to check for view.
The guard left poured diesel around the house, as he was about lighting the fire, he looked at the maid.
She was grasping for breath, as she rolled slowly on the floor.
“Help… Help me… Please.”
The guard looked at her in pity.
Few minutes later…
Flames swallowed the whole surroundings.
The walls.
The couch, then every single thing that follows.
The fire spread through the tiny house.
The guard rushed out as screams followed.
Then silence.
Only fire remained and they fled the scene.
- Writer
