3

Edwina

The next time I wake up, it’s in a place that I don’t recognize. I’m on a small bed, multiple windows in the very large room but there are others who are present in the room. They are all putting on uniforms and talking to each other.

Where am I? Did I pass out while talking to Edward? I place a hand on my forehead and my temperature feels fine. What happened during the conversation that I had with him?

I’m deep in thoughts until I look up and I see the girls in uniforms—they are looking in my direction and whispering things to themselves. The doors barge open and Gracie walks in.

If there is anyone who hates me to the same degree as Edward, it would be her. She walks towards me, her hair in a tight bun and her jawline chiseled from strictness. She is holding a cane in her hands and she stands in front of me.

“Get up.” She says and I slowly stand.

“You are no longer a princess.” You have no kingdom to run to nor parents to save you. You are a criminal who the king is keeping for a time. But it won’t be for so long, he will kill you soon and the whole Galentia will jubilate. She says and I gulp.

“Henceforth, you are a servant of the castle and you have been commanded to serve the King’s fiancee, and future queen, Rebecca.”

I’m shocked. I didn’t know Edward had taken another woman. “Our mate bond still lives—he hasn’t rejected me and neither have I.” For a Lycan, rejecting your mate is different from when other werewolves do it. He may never have a mate again.

There is a servant girl behind Gracie and she drops a pair of uniforms on the bed. A blanket and shoes.

“I will give you ten minutes to wash up and get dressed.” Meet me outside or you will be punished. Gracie says and walks out of the room.

The servant that came in with her smiles at me and I’m surprised. I didn't think there would be anyone who would like to be my friend. She goes to the bed next to mine and removes a box.

She hands it over to me and I slowly take it.

“There is soap, sponge, and comb inside the box. Use it to get ready and make sure to put your hair in a bun.” There is the washroom! She says, pointing at the farther end of the room.

“Thank you,” I say, truly grateful.

What is your name? I ask.

“It’s Benita.” I am your bunkmate. She says and I’m

about to introduce myself.

“I know you, you are Edwina,” Benita says, her almond eyes, displaying immense kindness and I’m eternally grateful.

Go ahead! Gracie will really punish you if you are a minute late. Benita says and I hasten to the washroom.

I put on the white and black uniform. There is a bandage and plaster in the box too. I clean my injury and replace the plaster—the injury has been carefully stitched and it makes my heart leap to think that Edward allowed his doctors to take care of me.

However, it is short lived when I remember he has a fiancée who will become the future queen. I brush my hair and it takes time because of how matted it has been. I successfully divide it into two and roll it into a bun.

I keep the box under Benita’s bed and the moment I step outside of the door. Gracie hits me across my face and I place my hand on my cheek. My face immediately becomes hot and red.

“You are five minutes late.” You will do the laundry for everyone in the room before you sleep tonight! Gracie says and she begins to walk away.

Benita taps me and I follow her, biting my lips in-order to hold tears from my face. As we walk through the castle, it brings back memories and I remember specifically when the late queen Olivia asked Edward to give me a tour.

He was so stern and rude to me. I remember mocking him about his rigidity and he became annoyed. At that time, he pushed me towards the wall and I kissed him. It lasted for only seconds but I was able to make him speechless.

The hallway of the castle is a long, majestic passage that serves as the main artery connecting different parts of the castle. It exudes an air of medieval opulence, with its high vaulted ceilings adorned with chandeliers hanging at regular intervals, providing a warm and dimly lit ambiance.

The walls of the castle are adorned with tapestries, paintings, statues of the past king and other decorations of the castle’s accent origins. I remember these narrow windows with stained glass, it was at this wall I kissed him.

A large oak door opens and it reveals a spacious room. The room is meticulously arranged, and everything within it exudes an air of authority, nobility, and power, designed to impress and awe those who are granted an audience with the king.

There are gamma warriors in resplendent armor standing at attention near the entrance, symbolizing the king's protection and authority. We enter and I pale the moment I set eyes on Edward, he hasn’t seen me —he is speaking to a young woman and I can guess that it's her.

“Your majesty, good morning.” Gracie says and he turns attention towards us. As a servant, I cannot look at him until he tells me too. So, I keep my gaze to the floor.

“Good morning, Rebecca.” Gracie says, referring to the young woman.

Gracie! Oh my goodness, you did an awesome job in my bedroom—it feels like I’m queen already. The young woman says and she gets up from

her chair to speak to Gracie.

“Thank you, anything to make you comfortable.” Gracie replies as I stand behind her.

“Here, these are the servants that I’m adding to the train.” They will run errands for you and take care of your wishes. Gracie says and Rebecca walks towards me.

What is your name? She asks and I lift my head to look at her. The moment she looks at me, she softly gasps but nothing changes for me. It must be the fact that I’m beautiful and for someone with my face to be a servant—it’s completely outrageous.

“I am Edwina.” I say and her shock turns into anger. She looks back at Gracie and next, Edward.

“Your majesty, is she…?” Rebecca asks.

“Yes, she is the same person who led my mother to death. The one who used to be a princess but it doesn’t matter anymore.” She is your servant now and you are free to do as you please with her. Edward replies coldly and stands from his seat.

He walks past me, out of the room and I leave my eyes on the floor. My wolf is grieving that he’s not with us, she wants Edward, and she wants him to know that what happened five years ago was beyond our control.

“Once a princess but now; a servant for the future queen.” Rebecca says and her servants chuckles.

I am silent, the more I keep my mouth shut, the better it would be for me. I came here because I thought it would be better than being caught by Damien. I thought if I met with Edward, I could explain to him and that he could help me save my mother who sacrificed herself for me.

She is still a prisoner to Damien. But now, I’m stuck. I have escaped but I’m still a prisoner.

“It is good that you turned her into my servant, Gracie.” As future queen, it would be my duty to uproot vile things like her. Rebecca says and her eyes are throwing daggers at me.

Gracie bows her head and leaves the room.

Rebecca begins to walk around me like a predator. Apart from Benita, she has two other maids and they are also scorning at me.

“Henceforth, Edwina will do everything including my laundry, errands, and tidying of my new chambers.” No one is allowed to help her. She says and slowly, she takes a look at my neck and rips my collar.

Her eyes shine when she sees my mark. It is the same mark that Edward left on my lower shoulder after he made a vow to protect me years ago. It is written on her face that she’s fuming, I can smell it like a plague.

Her heart is so easily darkened by jealousy.

“He marked you!” Rebecca says and I place my hand on my neck, covering it.

Suddenly, she yanks my hair in a brutal manner and I grunt in pain as I land on the floor.

Do you think because you bear his mark, you mean something to him!? She yells and I raise my eyes to her.

No! No, I don’t! I say.

“Right, you are just a filthy maid and a criminal! She says, squeezing her fists in anger and in it, is several strands of my hair.”

“Edward said I can do whatever I want with you. So, I will start by burning his mark from your shoulder.” Rebecca says, there isn’t even a bit of kindness in her eyes as she says it.

I beg you, please! I say and she looks at her personal servants who are not from the castle.

“The both of you…quietly, take her into my chambers and you," she says referring to Benita.

Get me an iron rod! Rebecca says.

I kneel in plea, tears clouding my eyes but her servants begin to drag me out.

“Please, don’t do this to me!” I scream.