HEARTBOUND - The Alpha King's stolen slave

CHAPTER SEVEN THE HALL OF WATCHING EYES

Omatovia's Pov

As we walked down the passage with the other maidens, I noticed their outfits. They wore the same attire as mine, yet theirs were shockingly shorter. A strange pang of hypocrisy struck me, considering how revealing my own dress already felt.

The maidens bustled around carrying trays and utensils while I trailed behind Lady Arora.

Soon, we stopped before a large chamber that revealed itself as the royal kitchen.

The room buzzed with movement.

Flames danced beneath molded clay stoves, and the air carried the scent of spices and roasting meat.

This kitchen was nothing like the simple cooking space in my home in Madara or Bahun.

I counted nearly twenty fire pits.

Does the royal family eat that much? I wondered silently.

“Omatovia, right?” Lady Arora asked.

I nodded.

She called over a maiden named Mariah, who hurried toward us with sweat beading across her forehead.

“Greetings, Lady Arora,” Mariah said respectfully.

Lady Arora instructed her to show me around before leaving us.

Mariah smiled warmly.

“Greetings.”

“Greetings,” I replied, still tense.

She guided me through the kitchen as curious eyes followed my every step.

---

Later that night, exhaustion clung to my body like a second skin.

The maidens rushed back and forth carrying trays for the royal feast, and the palace felt like a storm of endless motion.

It was a whirlwind of activity, with maidens rushing tho and fro. I was sweating profusely, my exhaustion evident on my face.

I'd already eaten a little earlier, courtesy of Mariah's kindness. She'd taken pity on me when she saw how pale I was looking. Her kindness lingered warmly in my chest.

"Lady Mariah," I called out, remembering to add the title as Lady Arora had instructed.

She turned with a soft smile.

“Yes, dear?”.

“How many are in the royal family?”

Her voice dropped to a whisper as the arranged fruits on a tray.

“Four. The Queen Mother… the Alpha… and his two younger brothers.”

The kitchen was dimly lit, the fires extinguished, but the lamps provided enough light for us to see.

I mumbled, "So the Alpha has brothers," and Mariah looked at me curiously, unsure if I was stating a fact or asking a question.

“You’ll see them in the hall,” she added, handing me a tray.

Anxiety surged through me.

“No… I don’t want to go.”

Mariah raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“I’m tired,” I lied softly. “I want to stay here until you all return.”

Mariah frowned slightly. “Lady Arora will punish you if she cannot find you in the hall. No maiden leaves until the royals finish eating.”

She offered me the tray again, and this time, I took it. I had no choice but to follow the palace rules. Mariah picked up the other tray, and we left the kitchen together.

---

We walked toward the palace in silence. Only the motionless bodyguards stood watch, their faces unreadable.

My chest tightened with every step.

I was about to see Aryan again.

Standing outside the dining hall, my heart pounded wildly. I drew a deep breath and forced my feet forward beside Lady Mariah.

The moment we entered, I gasped.

More than a hundred maidens filled the hall, surrounding the royals. It felt as though the entire palace staff had gathered.

From where I stood at the back, I could barely see the royal table. But Lady Arora noticed us immediately and signaled for the trays.

Mariah bowed.

My heartbeat stumbled in fear.

She signaled for me to follow, and the maidens parted to create a path. My pulse thundered in my ears as the royals finally came into view.

The Queen Mother sat upright, eating calmly, Beside her were two striking young men—surely the Alpha’s brothers.

Then my gaze drifted farther down the table.

There he was.

Lucian.

He was seated beside the beautiful lady from earlier.

Both focused quietly on their meals, unaware of my presence.

Or so I thought.

We reached the table.

Mariah placed her tray down and motioned for me to do the same.

I set mine carefully beside hers, head still bowed.

Then I turned to leave—

—and our eyes met.

My heart stopped.

Lucian had been watching me the entire time.