Nine
1148 Words
CINZIA POV
We were gathered in the throne hall.
By "we," I meant everyone I saw there, including myself. I turned to my side, finding Rhea standing beside me. With a smile, she extended her hand towards me, and I returned the gesture, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"I heard you were transferred," She said.
Raising my brows, I waited for her to explain. She shrugged and said, "Rumors spread faster than you can imagine."
I giggled and nodded. I hadn't expected gossiping here. I thought that was exclusive to the Royal Wolf Tribe. Even as a lowly slave, as Delicia had referred to me, I still managed to make people talk.
The hall was quiet, but I sensed a presence. I believed it was none other than the hybrid king. The curtains rustled, and I inhaled sharply, feeling a tingling sensation at the back of my neck.
Frowning, I stared at my sweaty palms. Then, I turned to Rhea, who was beaming with a bright smile. She wasn't the only one. Everyone around me seemed to share her joy. It was as if I was the only one sensing the tingling, the captivating scent, and the enveloping warmth. And strangely, I was the only one reacting to it.
As Johnson bowed, everyone in the hall followed suit. I didn't, still lost in confusion, my gaze fixed on nothing. My eyes were fixed on the curtains, but there was no one there. Who were they bowing to? The curtains?
"i***t," someone shoved me. I didn't need to turn to know who it was. Delicia.
I had hoped for a better day since I hadn't seen her earlier. But now, I could already feel the looming trouble that would follow the meeting.
"My father is furious," a voice began, and a jolt shot through me. I heard murmurs, and I furrowed my brows.
The crowd beside me stirred, and I sensed the fear emanating from everyone present. The fear seemed to escalate at the mention of his father. I wondered who he was. Was his father as significant and mysterious as he was? Perhaps his father was a powerful werewolf, commanding authority.
"Some nameless person stole the Omphalos stone at Delphi, and he's trying to punish us all by sending a storm. Not even I, his son, can escape it," the hybrid king sounded genuinely furious.
I tried to imagine myself in his shoes, and I knew I'd be angrier if my father were punishing me for something I didn't know about.
"I received the message today from one of my uncles, and I'd like it to be taken seriously. We need to find out who stole the stone. There's a reward for whoever can bring the person to justice."
When he mentioned the reward, it seemed to excite many people. I heard cheerful whispers replacing the fear. This continued for another minute until the meeting concluded, and I returned to my quarters.
Though I was disappointed not to see the hybrid king, I was intrigued to learn he had an even more formidable father.
"Child!" The door swung open, and I cringed as Rhea walked in. Her eyes widened as she took in the state of the room, and I giggled.
"I got moved to this," I said.
"I'm surprised the witch didn't throw a fit," she remarked.
"Oh, she did," I shrugged. "But the order comes directly from the king himself, and I doubt she can do anything about it. So, I get to stay here even as a slave."
Sighing, I hopped onto the bed, lay down, and let my arms spread out. My gaze shifted to the ceiling, and I bit my lower lip.
As my eyes met Rhea's worried expression, I frowned. "What is it, Rhea? You look like you're on the verge of tears."
"Maybe I am," she replied breathlessly.
"What's happening?" I asked in a hushed voice as she scanned the room.
Ever since I'd known Rhea, when she looked like that, something was wrong. I often matched my tone with hers in case someone tried to eavesdrop on our conversation. Though here, I doubted anyone was interested, I needed to be cautious, just in case it involved Delicia or the king.
Rhea took a deep breath, stepping toward me. She grasped my hand and locked eyes with me.
"What's happening? You're scaring me!"
"I need to get you dressed up, darling. You can't meet him in this state," she said.
"Meet who?" I mumbled, my heart pounding as I guessed who it might be. But I didn't dare speak his name.
"The hybrid king, child. He's coming to see you, and I heard you're the one on duty to attend to him."
"On duty?!" I asked.
But Rhea didn't answer my question. She hurriedly ushered me into the bathroom and undressed me.
"I don't understand what you mean by 'duty to attend to him.' Rhea, what are you talking about?" I narrowed my eyes as she remained silent.
"I demand you answer me this instant, Rhea Moore!" I yelled.
Rhea's eyes widened. I hadn't used her full name before. In the Royal Wolf Tribe, it was typically only the King and Queen who used a servant's full name, and it was usually when they were offended and considering punishment or dismissal.
I didn't know why I had brought up Rhea's full name. I suppose I wanted her to respond to me.
"Hush, Child," she admonished.
"Answer me," I said, growing more annoyed, even though using her full name hadn't worked.
"It's not my place to tell. The king is coming, and you need to attend to him."
"I'm not a w***e, Rhea. He can find as many as he desires on the street. How dare anyone think so little of me?!"
Rhea stared at me, shaking her head, as if I'd lost my mind for questioning her. But that didn't deter her from her task.
The door flew open, and Rhea jumped in fright. She quickly draped my robe around me and hissed, "The door is there for a reason!"
"You are a good maid," said the voice. "I want you to run along now."
Rhea started to speak but then stopped. Maybe it was because of the intimidating guard, or perhaps it was the king's presence in my chamber. I couldn't be sure.
The hybrid king stood in the shadows, as he often did, and I saw his hand move to his face.
"Hello, Cinzia," he said.
My name sounded too sensuous as he spoke it, and it did some strange things to my body. I hurried out of the bathtub, aware of my delicate state.
"You should have knocked. Who just walks into a room without asking if anyone is decent or not?!"
"It's my house, darling," said the quiet yet firm voice. "And I do as I please."
- Writer
