Bought to be his queen

"Oh no, no, no!" June cried out in panic as the acrid smell of burning bread began to fill the air. She cursed herself under her breath, rushing desperately toward the toaster. But she was too late. She had burned breakfast. The sharp, bitter stench of charred toast swallowed the whole kitchen before June fully understood what had happened. Panic crashed over her instantly. She grabbed the hot slices, yanking them out, and began scraping wildly at the blackened edges with a butter knife, her hands shaking so badly she could barely hold the handle. She was scrambling to fix the mess, to erase her mistake before anyone noticed, but the damage was done. Ash fell onto the counter. The bread was ruined. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, hot and stinging. The sound of sharp heels clicking against the floor made her blood run cold. "June!" Evelyn’s voice sliced through the air like a whip. June froze, shoulders hunched. "I’m sorry, Ma. I tried to fix it, I just..." Evelyn stepped into the kitchen, her posture perfect and cold. She looked at the ruined toast, the black crumbs scattered across the counter, and then her eyes lifted to June’s tear-stained face. There was no sympathy, only disgust. "You are useless," Evelyn said, her voice low and sharp. "I give you a roof over your head and this is how you repay me. You cannot even make a simple breakfast without destroying it." "It was a mistake, I didn’t mean to," June whispered, shrinking back. "Quiet." Evelyn stepped closer, towering over her. "Mistakes must be punished. Go to the dining room. Kneel in the corner. And you will stay there until I decide you have learned your lesson." There was no room for argument. Head bowed, vision blurred with tears, June walked slowly into the dining room and sank to her knees in the corner near the wall. The floor was hard and cold against her skin. She pulled her knees close, wrapping her arms around herself. A moment later, Evelyn and Lily entered the room. Lily was scrolling lazily on her phone, looking perfectly beautiful and unbothered. Evelyn’s entire demeanor changed the moment she looked at her own daughter. Her face softened, her voice became warm and sweet, everything it never was when speaking to June. "Here you are, my darling," Evelyn cooed, pulling out a chair for Lily. "Sit down, I’ve prepared everything just how you like it." "Thank you, Mom," Lily said with a bright smile, completely ignoring the girl kneeling in the corner. They ate and laughed together, chatting about plans and shopping while June remained forgotten in the shadows. Her knees began to ache sharply, the pain spreading up her legs. Tears rolled silently down her cheeks, dripping onto the floor. She felt so worthless. To them, she was just a servant who failed at her job. After what felt like an eternity, at least two hours of stiff joints and silent weeping, Evelyn finally stood up from the table. She smoothed her dress and glanced briefly at June in the corner. "I am going to my room," Evelyn announced to Lily. "Do not be late getting ready." As soon as the door clicked shut behind Evelyn, the atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. Lily put down her cup slowly, a cruel twisted grin spreading across her face as she turned her gaze toward the corner. June stayed perfectly still, terrified. Lily stood up, walked slowly over to June, and stopped right in front of her. She tilted her head, looking down as if examining a bug. "You look so pathetic kneeling there," Lily whispered. "It makes me sick just looking at you." Before June could react, Lily lifted the porcelain teacup, still half full of hot sweet tea, and without warning tipped it forward. Hot liquid spilled over the rim, pouring directly onto June’s head, soaking into her hair and running down her face and neck, scalding hot and sticky. June gasped, squeezing her eyes shut, biting her lip to stop herself from crying out. The tea dripped onto her clothes, staining them dark and wet. "There," Lily said, wiping her hand on a napkin as if she had touched something dirty. "Now you look like your burnt toast." Lily laughed cruelly, turned on her heel, and walked out of the room, leaving June alone, shivering, humiliated, and soaked from head to toe. June remained kneeling there long after they left, her body aching, her heart breaking into smaller and smaller pieces. She wiped the liquid from her face, her hands trembling. Why was she treated like this, Why did she deserve nothing but pain while Lily got everything, How long could she survive living in this house that felt less like a home and more like a prison? Finally, the heavy footsteps returned. Evelyn walked back into the dining room, her expression unreadable. She stood over June, looking at the mess of tea and tears and the girl kneeling in the dirt. "Get up." June struggled to her feet, her knees screaming in pain, her clothes clinging uncomfortably to her skin. She kept her eyes fixed on the floor, not daring to look up. "Go upstairs," Evelyn ordered. "Wash yourself and put on the dress. Do not take too long." June hesitated, confusion mixing with her fear. She lifted her head slightly. "Dress, what is happening?" Evelyn’s lips curled into a slow evil smile, one that sent shivers straight down June’s spine. There was triumph in her eyes, dark and satisfied. "Because you are leaving tomorrow."