Mortified
1055 Words
AGATHA'S POV
"I am so sorry, he has never spoken that rude to anyone before, I don't understand why he seemed to dislike you." Lilith apologizes for the upteeth time like it's her fault that King Atticus humiliated me infront of all the royal guests yesterday. "I will help you learn all the rules so that you don't get in trouble again."
I simply nod and we continue doing our cleaning, offcourse she doesn't know his rudeness had nothing to do with breaking the law. He simply hates me because I was his choosen mate he did not want.
It's kind of satisfying knowing he can never have a real mate connection with my stepsisters even if he marries them.
"Are you yet mated to anyone?" I ask Lirith as we carry our buckets into the next room where we are supposed to be Cleaning. I know mermaids do get mates just as werewolves do.
"I do have a mate." She informs with a joyous smile. "He's a trader, rides in the king's ship."
"Raven's Wing?" I question. That's the majestic ship that brought my stepsisters and I here.
She nods. "His name is Kai."
Kai! I think I have meet him.
"He's the assistant captain?" I remember king Atticus referring to one young man as that while we were in the ship.
"Yes." Lirith nods proudly. "He didn't care that I am servant. He accepted me because he believed I am a good person. King Atticus gave us permission to sail in the royal ship to celebrate our meeting." She expounds, her eyes glowing with pride.
"I am happy for you." I say genuinely. "You got so lucky."
She got a mate who appreciates her benign character. I wish the same had happened to me. Even a poor peasant would have been better than a king with nasty tongue I got mated to.
I wonder why he got to be so kind to everyone but me.
"I'll go get more clean water while I stretch my back," I tell Lirith, dropping the soaked rug and picking the bucket of dirty water. Only the long corridor leading to the hall and the upper part of the palace remains uncleaned. It will also be the the most frustrating to clean since people are passing.
I make my way down the hallway still thinking of what Lirith just told me. I can't help feeling jealous. Everything went so smooth for her. Her handsome mate accepted her like he was always in love with her. All that mattered to him is that she is a good person.
On the other hand I was paired with an arrogant king who resents me, even after he rejected me.
Suddenly, a sharp voice that sounds like a guard's cut through my thoughts. "Watch where you're going, woman!" I barely have time to react as I collide with something hard. It’s definitely not a wall, since I’m walking right down the middle of the hallway.
Dirty water splash from the bucket, soaking the front of the figure I’ve just collided with, leaving large, brown splotches on their pristine, long fur coat and clean boots.
Mortified, I look up and freeze. King Atticus stands before me, his expression darkening.
His lip curls in disgust as he signals to his two bulky guards. "Seize her," he commands.
I instinctively shrink back, my heart racing with panic as the two guards grip my arms tightly, forcing me to my knees in front of him.
"I am sorry for . . . bumping into you! I was tired and not watching my surroundings." I stammer an apology and his glare move from me to the front of his now dripping coat.
“Clean it!” He orders in an authoritative tone and my brows rise in astonishment even as the guards let's go of my arms.
Did I hear his orders well?! Because I can already see myself sleeping in a cell for laying my hands on him.
I gaze up at his face to ascertain that I heard him right before taking my attention to his drenched fur coat. With trembling hands, I reach out to squeeze the dirty water out of the material, managing only to spread the dirt further over the immaculate white fur.
Without a word, he suddenly closes his fingers around my neck and hauls me to my feet. I rise, covering his hand with my own, trying in vain to alleviate some of the pain. His eyes scan my face before he frowns and hurls me out of his path.
I stumble but manage to stay upright.
"Clean every drop of that mess." he growls before continuing to walk, his two guards follow.
I watch his majestic walk until he turns a corner and disappears.
For a second I had thought he was going to strangle me. Guess the word 'sorry' don't mean much to him.
I look back at the floor and realize the water had not flowed far. I can dry it quickly and leave before anyone knows I was even in here. I can only imagine how mad lady margarth would be to find that I messed even places she did not order we clean.
I grab the rug and hastily dry the floor before rushing out to get the clean water.
As I fill the bucket from the tap behind the grand building. I see the guards at the back gate smiling as they let's in a group of young women in, each of them carrying long, flowing lines of fabric in their hand.
As they come closer, I notice the ones in front are Penelope and Aileen and the lines the servant are carrying look like they are meant to sew beautiful wedding dresses.
They seem exhilarated as they lead the way towards the entrance.
They actually are having their gowns sewed a fortnight ahead of the wedding? They must really be looking forward to the big event.
They both smirks when they see me. Aileen whispers something to the Servants and points a finger in my direction. They all laugh at something I can't exactly tell what it is.
Penelope leads them into the palace. I imagine they are going to sew and fit the dresses. They are acting like the marriage is tommorow.
- Writer
