Marked By The Moon

Chapter 5

With a groan, I woke up, rubbing my forehead. It was aching like an axe divided my head into two and remained there. I rubbed for some time before opening my eyes.

The sun rays almost blinded me, so I shut my eyes again then flickered them open. The ordeal of the previous day flashed in my mind and I quickly sat up. The last I could remember was taking the second glass of wine.

After that, the memory was foggy. What happened? I looked around. I was in my room, under the covers on my bed. How did I get here? I hope I did not do anything wrong.

I jumped out of bed and instantly, it was not only my head that ached but my right leg. It was hurting to the extent the pain in my head multiplied. I stared down at it. My legs were wrapped with sticks and a cloth.

“You already know who I am”

A voice played at the back of my head, making me momentarily forget my leg. Where had I heard that statement before? My head was aching even more as I tried to remember where I heard that statement before.

My eyes caught the time and I dashed into the bathroom. It was an hour left before lunch. I was the head maid and I needed to oversee the meals that would be served.

Quickly, I had my bath and stepped out of the room with my hair in a bun and dressed in a red dress. I could not remember much from yesterday, but I could remember Prince Mateo was not happy with my white dress.

I took some medicine, then, slowly, I descended the stairs. I still leapt because of the wood under my feet and the bandaging. I got to the kitchen and, as expected, the maids were already on the meal, preparing them.

They noticed my presence and turned around. “Head maid Aurora” they greeted simultaneously

“How is the food coming along? I asked.

They nodded then turned silent. “Is there anything I can help with?”

“No” one of them replied

I stayed for a while and noticed they glanced at me once in a while. At first, I chose to ignore it but when it persisted I asked, “What is it?”

They shook their heads. “And I should accept that?” I said, “Is something wrong?” I added.

“No, it's just-" one of them started but stopped

The other turned around then faced me. “You have a bad leg, why would you decide to still come downstairs when you could use it to avoid being embarrassed again," she said

I raised my brows. “What do you mean?”

“Don't you remember?” she asked me

I shook my head. The other maid who was facing the meal nudged the one facing me with her shoulder, then shook her head. The maid faced the meal she was attending to the next second.

“Come on, would both of you stay silent? Jane" I called the one that spoke more “Grace” I called the other but none of them spoke any more

Did something happen yesterday? I was still unable to remember anything other than me taking the wine and that strange voice. With a sigh, I walked out of the kitchen to the dining area.

To not bother my still aching head, I decided to join the maids in setting the table. When they saw me, they greeted but still passed weird gazes at me. Was there maybe something on my face or what?

“Okay, can you all tell me what happened?” I said feeling upset about their actions.

“I'm sorry, but we cannot," one of them said, and they all went away

I turned around and spotted Mabel, who looked as though she had seen a ghost. “Aurora, why are you out of bed?” she asked, glancing from my face to my leg

“It's almost lunchtime” that was all I could say and walked away

I did not have to ask her why she said that. My legs were not good, so I was not supposed to be out of bed, at least for the time being. But I could not just stay in my room and stay idle. I would be bored.

I went back to the kitchen and with the help of other maids, I placed the food at the centre of the long table. After five minutes, Lord Everett walked into the room with his wife behind him.

I gave him a bow, and he glanced at his wife before nodding at me. Did I wake up in an alternate universe ? The next to step in was Beta Mateo, he seemed to have been crowned as he had the golden ring to symbolize that.

He scanned me from head to toe as I bowed before eventually walking away. I was glad that at least he was not angry with the colour of my dress.

After which, Princess Marta, the betrothed of Beta Mateo, followed by Prince Ian. They glanced at me before walking to their seats. I did not bother about them because I knew they hated me in a way. Once they were all seated, I waited at the side for the signal to serve the food, but none of them signalled me. “He's here” Beta Mateo said and they rose.

Every eye went to the door as Alpha Ryder walked in with a smile, but when he saw me, he frowned before taking his seat followed by the rest of them. “Serve," Lord Everett said

I stepped forward to do just that, but Alpha Ryder spoke, “I need someone else to serve my food”

Mabel came forward and did just that. I walked to the other side to serve the family members, but Lord Everett signalled me not to, and I walked back to my position.

“Leave the room” Alpha Ryder commanded

The maids and I were about to walk out of the room when he spoke again. “Just the head maid”