New friend
1022 Words
IRIS POV
I scrubbed and swept different floors for what felt like eternity, my arm ached and my knees throbbed from kneeling on the cold stone for too long.
The rough bristles of the brush had designed raw patches on my palms, and the water in the bucket had turned a murky from all the dirt I had pulled out of the cracks.
I didn't know how many hours had passed. Time moved differently her, it was slow like a wading mud.
I wiped the sweat dripping from the corner of my face, and the smell hit me making my stomach twist.
I smelled like filth and despair. The uniform I wore was now stained with brown dirt.
Ugh! So irritating!
The head maid had come earlier, her beady eyes scanning my work with cruel satisfaction. if she saw that I finished a job early, she would keep giving me more chores until my body gave out. So I slowed down, dragging the brush across the stones in lazy circles.
It didn't matter. She still found more for me to do.
"Don’t you dare rest!" she had sneered, shoving another bucket into my hands.”
My teeth clamped my tongue until I tasted blood. If I spoke back, she would run straight to Ryker. And I couldn't risk that.
Else he could be infuriated and Kill my father, and my sacrifice will be in vain.
The sun went down, and the cool evening breeze finally blew against my tired face. I closed my eyes for just a moment, letting the air soothe my burning skin.
Then I heard giggles and happy chatter of noise.
I opened my eyes and saw a stream of maids emerging from the kitchen doors. They held plates piled high with steaming rice and chunks of meat. The aroma hit my nose like a physical blow. It was savory and intoxicating, making me lick my lips.
Food! Snow howled with excitement in my head. She must have been starving too.
My stomach growled so loudly I was sure the entire courtyard could hear it.
I bit my lip, hard, but the sound wouldn't stop. The hunger was a living thing now, clawing at my insides, demanding to be fed.
I thought back to the tray of food i had refuse to eat in the dungeon last night.
Stupid, I cursed the hunger as if it could hear. So stupid.
If I had just eaten it, I wouldn't be standing here right now, weak and trembling, watching other people enjoy what I desperately needed.
I blinked back the tears that threatened to spill and close my eyes. But the tears came anyway—hot and silent, trailing down my dirty cheeks.
"Hey."
I nearly jumped out of my skin. I spun around, ready to defend myself, ready to face the head maid's cruel smirk or another guard's rough hands.
Instead, I found a young pretty lady with a bright smile.
She was beautiful in a soft, unassuming way. Brown hair pulled back in a neat bun, warm hazel eyes, and a kind face that seemed to radiate gentle warmth. She wore a simple gray dress like the other maids, but there was something comforting in her smile that made my heart calm a little.
"You have cleaned that place enough," she said, nodding at the floor behind me.
I looked down. I had been scrubbing the same spot continuously, my mind so consumed by hunger that I hadn't even noticed.
"Yea, I know!" I answered coarsely, my voice sharper than I intended.
I regretted it instantly.
Get It together Iris. She’s only trying to be kind.
Her smile didn’t fade away, she just tilted her head, studying me with those warm eyes.
"Aren’t you going to get food? Aren’t you hungry?”
“Am not–“ I cut in immediately, my finger tightening on my uniform.
“Brrrr!”
My stomach growled again exposing my lies.
“Hm… Hm,” She narrowed her eyes in amusement.
I opened my mouth to say something defiant. Something proud. Something that would remind her—and myself—that I was Iris Winter an Alpha's daughter, not some pathetic beggar.
But no words came.
I just stood there, trembling, tears streaming down my face, my stomach screaming in agony.
The maid's expression softened with pity. She took a step closer.
"Wait here," she said gently. "Don't move."
Before I could protest, she turned and disappeared back into the kitchen.
I slumped against the wall, my legs finally gave out. I slid down until I was sitting on the cold ground, my knees pulled to my chest.
I felt so small, broken and utterly alone.
The sounds of laughter and chatter faded as the maids dispersed, heading back to their quarters for the night. The courtyard grew quiet, and the only sound was the soft rustle of leaves in the evening breeze.
Few minutes later she returned and dropped a plate of rice beside me. Steam rose from the food, and the smell of rice and spiced meat made my mouth water.
She sat down on the cold ground, completely unbothered by the dirt.
"Here, eat."
I stared at the food. My hands trembled as I reached for it, but I stopped myself at the last second looking at her in surprise.
“Why are you helping me?”
She was taken aback at the sudden question.
"Don't you know me?" I continued, my voice cracking. "I'm Iris Winter. My father is the monster who killed your Alpha's—"
"I know exactly who you are," she interrupted gently. "And I know the reason you're here."
I blinked. "And you're still helping me?"
She smiled softly and placed her hand on mine.
“Let’s just say, I’m the angel the moon goddess sent to you, stop asking further questions and eat.”
Angel?
I looked up at the setting Sun and smiled. Then I picked up the spoon and start eating the rice.
“I’m Mira,” she said.
Her name Is as pretty as her smile.
“Thanks you Mira.”
- Writer
