5: More Punishment
1164 Words
Just then, the fragile omega who had suffered Calantha’s cruelty earlier approached Andromeda, holding out a small cup of water with trembling hands.
"Here," she whispered. "Thank you… No omega has ever dared to speak back to a superior before."
Andromeda took the water, her throat dry, but she shook her head. "Everyone is equal," she corrected. "That’s the truth."
The girl’s eyes widened slightly, as if she had never heard those words before. Then, she smiled softly. "My name is Lyriel," she said. "And my little sister’s name is Xanthe. But I call her Xan-Xan."
Andromeda’s gaze softened. "Where is she?" she asked, looking around.
Lyriel’s smile faltered. "She’s in the omega quarters," she said, her voice quiet. "She’s sick… and she’s just a pup."
A pang of sadness hit Andromeda’s chest. This girl this fragile and thin girl had risked punishment just to get some leftover food for her sick little sister.
Andromeda reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone. She quickly typed out a message, her fingers moving fast. When she was done, she slipped the phone back into her pocket and turned back to Lyriel.
"Come on," she said. "Let’s go see Xan-Xan."
Lyriel’s eyes lit up, and the two of them started walking toward the omega quarters.
As they walked, Lyriel glanced at Andromeda curiously. "You haven’t told me your name," she said. "What should I call you?"
"Meda," Andromeda replied simply.
Lyriel nodded, repeating the name as if testing how it felt on her tongue. Then she hesitated. "Are you new here?" she asked. "I’ve never seen you before. Are you a refugee?"
Andromeda chuckled. "No," she said. "I belong here."
Lyriel looked like she wanted to ask more, but before she could, they arrived at the omega quarters.
The place was small, cramped, and run-down. The scent of sickness and exhaustion lingered in the air. Omegas were huddled together, some tending to each other, others simply sitting in silence.
Before Lyriel could lead Andromeda inside, a sudden movement caught their attention. A guard dressed in palace uniform was walking straight toward them.
Lyriel stiffened, her body going rigid. Her hands clenched at her sides as if she had been caught doing something wrong.
Andromeda noticed the fear in her eyes. "It’s okay," she murmured.
The guard stopped in front of them, then looked at Lyriel.
"I was sent by the Alpha Princess," he said, his voice even.
Andromeda watched as Lyriel’s eyes widened in shock. The guard reached into his bag, pulling out a food flask. He handed it to her.
Lyriel hesitated before taking it, her hands shaking as she clutched the flask to her chest. The smell of real, warm food drifted into the air.
But the guard wasn’t finished. He reached into his coat again and pulled out an envelope, handing it to Lyriel.
She opened it slowly, and her breath caught in her throat. Inside was a golden debit card.
Her hands trembled as she stared at it, her mouth opening and closing like she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.
The guard spoke again, his tone firm but kind.
"Use the money in the golden card to treat your sister."
***********
When they got into Lyriel’s quarters, Lyriel sat down heavily on the small, worn-out mattress, still in shock. She stared at the golden card in her trembling hands, her lips slightly parted.
"How… how did the Alpha Princess know me?" she whispered.
Andromeda leaned against the wooden wall, arms crossed. She knew exactly how this had happened. It was her doing. She had sent that message.
She didn’t say it out loud, though. Instead, she simply shrugged. "Maybe she noticed you," she said.
Lyriel shook her head. "Omegas don’t get noticed," she murmured.
Andromeda didn’t argue. She understood what Lyriel meant. Omegas were treated like they were invisible unless it was time to punish them. That was exactly why she was doing this, to bring down this discrimination. It had to stop.
A soft cough pulled Andromeda’s attention, and she turned her gaze toward the small figure curled up under a thin, tattered blanket.
"Xan-Xan," Lyriel called gently, reaching over to tap her little sister’s arm.
The pup stirred, groaning softly before her small, delicate face peeked out from under the blanket.
Andromeda’s chest tightened at the sight. This child was tiny, too tiny.
Her cheeks were hollow, her arms thin. Her dark eyes blinked up at them, tired and weak.
"How old is she?" Andromeda asked.
Lyriel sighed, brushing Xan-Xan’s hair back with a tender touch. "She’s five."
Andromeda’s stomach twisted, Five. That was far too young to be suffering like this.
Without hesitation, Lyriel opened the food flask, and the smell of warm stew filled the small room.
"Look, Xan-Xan," Lyriel said with a small, forced smile. "A good Samaritan gave us food and money for your health. You’ll get well now, okay?"
The little girl blinked, then slowly pushed herself up. She reached for the food with small, trembling hands, and Andromeda felt a sharp sting in her chest.
She sat beside Lyriel and watched as the child ate.
For a while, there was silence, just the sound of spoons scraping against the container.
Then Andromeda spoke. "Not that I’m prying, but… where are your parents?"
Lyriel’s chewing slowed. She placed the spoon down and took a deep breath.
"My father abandoned my mother when she was still pregnant with Xan-Xan," she said quietly. "I don’t know where he is now. Maybe he’s dead. Maybe he started another family. I don’t care."
Andromeda said nothing, just listened. Lyriel continued, her voice steady but full of pain.
"When my mother gave birth to Xan-Xan, she died in the process. It was just the two of us after that." She paused, staring at the small girl beside her. "People told me to give her up. They said I was too young to take care of a baby. But I refused. I was eighteen. I was old enough."
Andromeda nodded slowly. Lyriel had been just a teenager, suddenly thrown into a life of responsibility and struggle.
"Do you ever regret it?" Andromeda asked softly.
Lyriel shook her head immediately. "Never."
Andromeda respected that. She respected the strength it took to hold on when the world wanted to take everything away.
After they finished eating, Lyriel bathed Xan-Xan and put her to bed. Andromeda helped clean up before they both lay down to rest.
The night passed quietly.
THE NEXT MORNING
Andromeda was pulled out of sleep by the sound of someone knocking on the wooden door.
She groaned, rubbing her eyes as the door creaked open.
A guard stepped inside.
"You," he said, pointing at Andromeda. "Get up. Bathe. Calantha wants to see you immediately."
Andromeda sat up, blinking the sleep away. "What?"
"She’s waiting for you in the Upper Den," the guard added.
Andromeda frowned.
What did Calantha want now?
Did she want to continue her punishment?
- Writer
