Chapter 11
1057 Words
Svetlana
Throughout the day, I kept glancing back, shrieking at the slightest opportunity.
My heart pounded. It felt like the Lycan was behind me, ready to spring forth and devour me.
“Watch it, human!” A female maid snapped when I staggered back and I bowed my head, apologizing immediately.
“You had better finish your job or else you’ll be here till dawn! Come find me in the barns when you’re done, I’ve got some important job for you.” Master Cyrus announced and I nodded.
He had a mischievous expression in his eyes, licking his lips as he walked away.
“Master Cyrus has asked her to come to the barn… I’m sure if she pleases him well, he’ll relieve her of most of her duties.” A lady whispered to another lady.
They were behind me and I frowned. “Or he could add her to his list of mistresses. I heard more than half his mistresses are slaves and maids who worked with him.” Another added and I felt disgusted.
I began to dread finishing my job but it was a lost cause. Finishing early would only make him have more time with him.
I bit back tears, remembering Ashley’s instructions. “Never say no to anyone.”
My hands trembled as I tried to hide my fears. I was halfway done with my task when a few guards walked in, scanning the area.
“We want her.” Master Cyrus frowned.
“Please, take any other slave, there’s a lot to be done in the field and she needs to finish her duties…”
“The beast’s bloodhost and King Nikolai betrothed have requested for her, we must take her.” The guard replied and with a dejected sigh, he nodded, glaring at me like I had anything to do with it.
“Tomorrow, you shall report to my quarters as early as possible.” He ordered and I nodded, happy that I would be escaping him today.
My happiness was short-lived as I realized I was being taken to Astrid. She hated me, only god knows what she would do to me.
I was taken in the carriage to another house, passing by the beautiful street. I swallowed as the images of me touring the streets in my brother’s Kingdom flashed in my head.
“Mistress.” The guards bowed as they pushed me forward and I did the same.
I felt goosebumps appear all over me as two ladies walked towards me, Astrid and another lady.
Their eyes bore hatred, rage and envy I couldn’t understand.
“Are slaves allowed to keep long hairs? Isn’t her skin too flawless for a slave who works under the scorching sun?” The other lady demanded and Astrid snarled.
“Her face… It’s speckless! I hate it! She’s a slave who eats scraps yet she has good skin. Tell me, do you sneak into the palace’s kitchen at night?” Astrid demanded as she grabbed a fistful of my hair and I winced.
“No… No…” I stammered and a huge slap came down on my face, my ears heard bells, my cheeks vibrated as it grew hot.
It stung deeply and water began to roll down my cheeks. I bit my lips, tasting blood while I bowed my head, unable to make any move.
“You shall address us as mistresses! Consider yourself lucky I’m not yet married to the king, you’ll receive an even greater punishment.” She promised and I nodded.
“Yes, mistress.” I choked out.
“Get me some scissors, a blade and whip.” She ordered and I raised my head with terror, unable to understand what I had done to deserve this cruelty.
“Mistress, everything you asked for.” A maid whispered as she placed a tray on the table.
They grinned, glaring at me before Astrid grabbed the scissors.
“I’ve always wanted to cut hairs, Selena. I can remember father telling me it was a dirty job that belonged to the poor. Consider yourself lucky that a dignitary is cutting your hair.” She replied with a grin as she grabbed the bottom of my hair, running the scissors through it while tears rolled down my cheeks.
I couldn’t utter a word. I loved my hair so much, I never allowed anyone to touch or cut it ever since I was little, it had always been my pride, having soft long hair that was envied by people.
Selena grabbed a razor, pulling my face close as I laid trapped in between them with Astrid pulling my hair.
My body trembled as she grinned, inching closer to me with the blade in her hands. She was about to cut my face when a guard rushed in, panting heavily.
“Mistress… The beast… He’s coming towards this way, he’s about to break the gates and when that happens, there’s no telling what will happen. You need to be taken to safety.” The guard announced and Astrid groaned.
“That beast! Wasn’t he asleep yesterday? f**k, King Nikolai isn’t around to tackle him. This isn’t over, human.” She vowed as she rushed one with the guard while I was left alone.
I fell to the ground, sobbing profusely as my heartbeat slowly returned to normal. I didn’t know why I was unbothered about the beast.
I gathered the pieces of my cut hair, wiping my face as I stood up weakly. Why couldn’t life get better? Why was it one misery to another every day? How long is this going to last?
I made my way to the gate, walking back to the palace even though I didn’t know much about the path.
I was perplexed when people murmured as they walked past me. “The beast has changed… I heard he hasn’t touched the human who was brought to him…”
“Maybe he hates her so much?”
“If he did, he was supposed to kill her, not reject her… The beast was out today, he almost broke the gates of the elder’s house but suddenly, he stopped and walked away… It's strange.” A woman whispered and I frowned.
Something didn’t feel right… It felt like I had something to do with the beast’s escape today.
- Writer
