The Ruthless Princess
1171 Words
Rosaline waited a full day after her conversation with Alaric before seeking Ellen out. She had done some digging on the girl, and what she found was both shocking and appealing—something she could use to her advantage.
Until now, she had paid little attention to Sabrina's maids. She knew the older one, Leyla, was fiercely loyal and protective of her mistress, making her an impossible target for manipulation. Ellen Parker, on the other hand, was a different case. From the day she was assigned to Sabrina, she had harbored a deep loathing for her. And the reason? Of course, it all came back to love.
Rosaline had the young woman brought to her chambers. Ellen was beautiful: slender, with long dark hair and big doe eyes capable of captivating any man with little self-control. Sebastian, commander of the most powerful legion in the King’s army, happened to have a notorious weakness for beautiful women.
"I know the father of your child," Rosaline said, enjoying the way the maid squirmed, her hand instinctively darting to her small, almost unnoticeable baby bump. Ellen had transferred to the kitchen out of fear her mistress might discover her pregnancy. It wasn’t unheard of for palace maids to fall pregnant, but it would be an insult to Sebastian if someone of such lowly status bore his child. Rosaline could bet all the jewels in her treasury that the commander was unaware of the pregnancy. "But don’t worry, my dear. I have no intention of outing your little secret. In fact, I want to help you."
"H-how?" Ellen stammered.
"My people will take care of you. I’ll give you a place to live, enough money, and everything you’ll need. You won’t have to worry about a thing. In return, you’ll do me a small favor."
Ellen glanced at her with suspicion and hope. The past few weeks had felt like walking on glass, always afraid someone might uncover the father of her child and harm her or the baby. If the princess was offering protection, she would be foolish not to accept. "What do I have to do?"
Rosaline smiled in satisfaction. "You’ve never liked Sabrina, have you?"
---
Sabrina hadn’t expected Rosaline to visit her, but she would be lying if she said she wasn’t relieved. Knowing how close Rosaline was to Alaric, she might be the only person capable of securing Sabrina’s release.
"I’m so sorry he did this to you," Rosaline said, holding Sabrina’s hands tightly, her eyes brimming with sympathy. "Alaric isn’t usually like this, but you should know he must like you a lot to be acting this way."
"I don’t want to be liked by him. I don’t want to stay in this palace anymore. You were right; I should’ve left with the vampire prince when I had the chance."
"It’s alright. Just bear with it a little longer. I’ll speak to Alaric and try to convince him to let you go. I promise I won’t rest until you’re free."
"Thank you so much," Sabrina said, feeling ashamed for having misjudged Rosaline earlier. In the entire palace, only Rosaline and Leyla had treated her kindly. If she ever got the chance, she would repay them.
Rosaline left after exchanging a few more words of encouragement. When she returned to her chambers, she was surprised to find her cousin waiting for her.
"Allen, I didn’t know you were coming," she said.
"I wasn’t planning to, but I need your help."
"With what?"
"I’ve spoken to the King about Sabrina. I like her, and I think she’d be much happier outside the harem. Could you convince the King for me? He already has so many women; one less wouldn’t make much difference."
Rosaline smiled. "Al won’t give Sabrina to you. Maybe if it were someone else. He likes her a lot."
"That’s…" Allen studied her intently before reaching out to take her hand. "That sounds like jealousy, Rose. What are you planning?"
"What do you mean?"
"I know you. When someone threatens what you see as yours, you take them out of the picture. Remember the maid you killed just because the King complimented her eyes?"
"Don’t be ridiculous, Allen. Sabrina and I are friends. I would never hurt her." She pulled her hand away. "If that’s all, please leave. I’ll see what I can do about your request."
Allen rolled his eyes, knowing his cousin wouldn’t lift a finger to help him, not with that attitude.
---
Later, while sparring with Sebastian, Allen found his thoughts drifting to Rosaline. She had been suspiciously kind to Sabrina. Allen knew his cousin too well; Rosaline didn’t handle competition gracefully. She was ruthless when she wanted to be. He sometimes wondered what the King saw in her. If Allen had a woman like Rosaline, he’d be terrified of her. Beneath her innocent appearance lurked something dangerous.
"What’s on your mind? You haven’t landed a single hit," Sebastian asked.
Allen sighed and discarded his practice sword. "My cousin’s up to something. I’m worried about Sabrina."
"God, I can’t believe you’re so taken with that woman. Sure, I get the appeal—she’s hot—but she’s crazy."
"She can’t be crazier than the maid you’re sleeping with. She probably thinks you’ll marry her."
"Ellen’s nice enough, but let her dream. She’s just a maid. Besides, she’s the best I’ve had in a while. It’s that good."
Allen rolled his eyes. He respected Sebastian, but they all knew he was a shameless womanizer.
---
Three days into her imprisonment, Sabrina was beginning to adjust. Leyla was her only company, but her maid’s workload had tripled since her punishment. Sabrina suspected Alaric was behind it. He was petty enough to ensure she had no one to talk to. She didn’t even have the energy to curse him. He was loathsome and incapable of reason.
When the door opened that day, Sabrina expected Leyla, not Ellen. She hadn’t seen her former maid in weeks. Leyla had mentioned Ellen being unwell and transferring to the kitchens. Sabrina hadn’t thought much of it, assuming Ellen simply didn’t want to serve her.
"Ellen?"
"My lady, how are you feeling?" Ellen asked.
"I’m fine. I just… didn’t expect to see you today."
"Leyla is busy. She asked me to bring you refreshments." Ellen handed Sabrina a glass of orange juice. Sabrina accepted it, unsuspecting, and took a sip.
"It’s good. Thank you. How have you been?"
"Well, thank you."
Sabrina asked a few more questions, desperate for conversation, but as they spoke, her vision began to blur. She felt lightheaded and nauseous. "What…" she murmured, trying to stand before collapsing to the ground. Darkness quickly overtook her.
Ellen stared at Sabrina’s unconscious body with a hateful expression. Nudging her with a shoe and receiving no response, she smiled in satisfaction. She opened the door, and two men entered.
"Be careful. Princess Rosaline wants her unharmed."
The men nodded, one slinging Sabrina’s limp body over his shoulder as they left the room.
- Writer
