The Lycan King’s Servant

5

Valina

“Ah, that’s horrible, she’s deformed!”

“You’re just jealous—that’s why you want to keep us away from the King!”

“The King said you must leave now,” I repeated impassively, standing at the foot of the bed while they hurled insults at me.

But I felt nothing—neither cold nor heat.

I was thinking about how to get them out.

Weakened or not, there were three of them, and I was alone.

That was when loud knocks echoed from the side door leading to the corridor—a door I hadn’t even noticed before. It had to be whoever had been sent to escort them out of the castle.

I walked over and opened it, revealing two sturdy servants who entered without a word.

The women began to resist, covering their bodies, screaming that their bodies belonged only to the King and threatening that our heads would roll.

I hadn’t been here long enough to miss their lies.

That man had used them like disposable objects and was now discarding them like trash.

The blonde rushed toward the door leading to the dining room, but I stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“Have some dignity and leave already. The King ordered it. Don’t risk dying.”

“I want him to tell me himself! Last night he showed me the opposite! Get out of my way!”

She lunged at me, baring her fangs.

I defended myself, grabbing her arms mid-attack as we struggled.

Her long claws scratched me in her fury, and I knew I could control her because right now, she was weak.

This she-wolf was stronger than me—honestly, everyone was stronger than me.

With the servants’ help, we managed to drag the last raging woman out of the room.

I slammed the door shut, breathing heavily.

“Hell of a first day at work,” I muttered resignedly, looking at the disaster I now had to clean.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, taking a moment to catch my breath as I surveyed the nearly tidied room.

The worst part was the bed.

Even after removing the dirty sheets, I had wiped everything down with water.

So I thought about pushing the mattress closer to the window to air it out and let it get some sun.

“Mmnn,” I groaned as I pulled on the heavy king-size mattress with trembling hands. I doubted I could move it.

I kept struggling when—

“How many centuries does it take you to organize a bedroom?”

His voice made me jump. I hadn’t heard him enter.

I turned to apologize, but misstepped. Apparently, some sticky substance I had left on the floor made me lose my balance, and I fell forward.

Instinctively, I grabbed the first thing I could, dropping to my knees with my eyes shut.

Something slipped from my hands, and now something else—thick—brushed against my nose.

A dark, musky, intoxicating scent assaulted my senses.

When I opened my eyes and saw what was in front of me, I wished I could die right there without him needing to kill me.

In my hands was a black towel—I assumed it had been around the King’s hips.

I was kneeling, gripping his powerful thighs, with something massive and veined right in front of my wide eyes.

“Oh, that could make you cry.”

That was the first thought that crossed my mind in my nervous breakdown.

“Should I fetch a measuring tape so you can measure it too?”

His cold voice snapped me out of my paralysis.

Terrified, I looked up to see him completely naked, in all his glory.

His burgundy hair was loose and tousled, damp from the shower, and I could swear his gray eyes held a mocking glint.

“Your Majesty, I am so terribly sorry! Please spare the life of this humble servant who does not deserve your mercy!”

I threw myself to the floor, pressing my forehead against the hard surface, begging him.

What I had done was unforgivable. By the Goddess, I had even stayed there… staring at him.

His threatening shadow loomed over my trembling body. I closed my eyes, bracing for the end of my life.

“I’ll leave immediately… I beg you… I’ll leave the castle… Please…”

“I don’t have the patience to find a new servant every day. You’ll leave when I decide. Now, get up.”

His deep voice rumbled near my ear, and I felt him pull the towel I was still holding in my hands.

I released it immediately, sweat running down my back as my entire body shook.

“Besides, if you’re going to serve me, it won’t be the last time you see me naked. It’s not a problem. Come to the dining room,”

he added before his footsteps faded from the bedroom.

Swallowing nervously, I stood up on trembling legs.

“Come on, Valina, focus, please.”

“Taste the breakfast,” he ordered, pointing to the food laid out on the table.

He sat down, dominating the large armchair, watching my every movement.

I took the fork and cut a small piece of each dish, tasting everything bite by bite.

“If something isn’t to your liking, I can ask the kitchen to—”

“That won’t be necessary. Everything is fine,”

he interrupted before falling silent.

I kept my gaze on the floor, unsure of what he expected, frantically reviewing every rule in my mind.

“Do you think I’m a savage who eats with his hands?”

“What? No, no, Your Maj—sir…”

I quickly looked up and saw him staring at the fork still in my hand.

Holy Goddess—I had covered the only utensil with saliva!

The governess hadn’t mentioned that I also had to taste the food—

“I… I’ll get another one, I’m so sorry—”

“You seem very good at apologizing,” he said, taking the fork from my hand.

“It’s dirty, I—I ate with—”

I didn’t finish, because he wiped it with a napkin and began eating calmly.

I stepped back, standing in the corner, waiting for his orders.

Through my fringe, I occasionally cast furtive glances at him.

He looked relaxed, wearing only the towel, eating while reviewing some documents beside him.

No matter what the Lycan King did, his aggressive aura filled the space, demanding nothing but obedience and submission.

He was my new master.

And honestly, I was beginning to wonder if I’d be better off running far away from this castle… and this pack.

Marcus Turpin was the most dangerous thing I could have crossed paths with.

The days passed, and despite my rookie mistakes, I managed to survive.

The King wasn’t constantly at the castle either—he often traveled between packs or dealt with dangerous situations.

I hadn’t even seen the other Guardians until one morning.

“Phew, I honestly don’t know how you handle the pressure and the temptation,” Jane said.

She was the only staff member who had approached me.

An outgoing, cheerful girl.

Still, I didn’t consider her a friend. I would never trust a woman like that again.

But at least her chatter entertained me.

We were walking through the underground corridor carrying laundry baskets when a side door leading to one of the many training halls opened.

A massive Lycan appeared.

I knew it from the powerful aura he projected.

We immediately lowered our heads, waiting for him to pass, but his footsteps approached us.

“Are those clean towels?” a strong but calm male voice asked.

“Yes, yes, sir,” I replied, realizing I was the one carrying them. I glanced up for just a second.

Enchanting golden eyes met mine.

I quickly lowered my gaze to the carpet and handed him a towel, but when he reached out, our fingers brushed for a brief moment.

His touch was warm.

Though intimidating, this Lycan projected a protective aura—not as sharp and savage as the King’s.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

“Relax, it’s nothing. Thank you,” he replied, taking the towel and walking away down the corridor.

And then I dared to look at his back.

Blond hair, massive like all Lycans, powerful—his muscular, sweaty back glistened beneath black combat attire.

He looked like he had been training.

For some reason, the combination of his eyes and hair reminded me a little of Williams .

I didn’t want to remember that man, but the mind could be treacherous.

He had been the first—and only—man I had ever loved.

“Right? He’s so handsome! I mean, they’re all sexy, but for me, the best ones are the King and Guardian Astrid …

The King—whew—that man is fire. I’m torn. What do you think, Valina? Would you prefer the King or Astrid ?”

Before I could scold her for speaking so carelessly, her face turned pale as she looked behind me in panic.

A powerful presence pressed against my back, warm breath brushing my ear.

“I’d like to know too, Valina. Who would you prefer?

And why did you let another man touch what belongs to me?”

The basket in my hands began to shake along with my hands.

It was over.

And even though I knew he was talking about the towels, for some reason, it felt like he was talking about me.

“M-My… sir…”

“Out!” he ordered Jane, who looked at me for a second with guilt but had no choice except to flee, almost running.

I remained with my back to him.

Could I run too?

“I’m still waiting, Valina. Tell me—are you unhappy with the position you’ve been given?

Would you rather be Astrid ’s personal maid?

Turn around.”