Chapter 4 (A new beginning)

Chapter 4

…

Two Full moons have waxed and waned with ease but I couldn't say the same for my experience so far. But saying it's the most difficult experience would be an exaggeration considering I would be dead if I hadn't escaped.

LYTHRIA has been nothing but strange to me, everything I knew and believed in has been challenged with mind-bulging conspiracies. From a noble lady and future Luna of my small clan to a commoner slave maid, working the farm yards of the royal family. 

THE ROYALS, they are called, a strange concept, there is nothing like an Alpha but rather a king and a queen with several ministers ruling a kingdom. Unlike in LUPARIA where the Alpha is accessible and easily seen, here it is impossible to sight a royal and it is considered lucky to lay your eyes on one.

I guess I and the people of Daus who entered the palace with Prince Thorian were lucky to meet the royals. Speaking of the prince, I was scared and paranoid because of the dirty and lewd words I heard them say, but like the rest of the royals, I haven't seen even a faint of his hair.

“Look at her, The one rumored to possess wolf blood,” A hushed voice followed by a high-pitched giggle. I slowly turned my head toward the direction of the voice. Of course, it was the palace maids, although one might think we are all maids but that is far from the truth.

These girls are maids, Lycans from LYTHRIA. They are carefully hand-picked to serve the royal family. They undergo a special type of scrutiny and preparation just for their positions, and they are paid for their services.

While I, on the other hand, is nothing compared to their level for I am a slave who happens to be a wolf. 

“Aren't they all of wolf blood, I heard the newest slaves were all of wolf descent,” The other said overlooking us with her hand folded, unlike her friend she didn't try to lower her voice.

“They are, but I heard the men speak of her, she is not only a descendant but like us can transform,” they continued to speak with a mocking tone.

“Hey you lowly curs, come along,” I looked over and sure enough she was referring to me, the others hid their faces as they murmured in their language. Among the strangest things that have happened, I have learned that I know many languages which I don't remember studying about. While I pretend not to hear them I use it to my advantage.

“Don’t ignore my words you low life,” she scorned, slowly I lay down my baskets filled with seeds as I approached. I watched as her face brightened. My wolf was agitated, almost ready to pounce on her. But I know better, I am no match for Lycans especially when I am experienced.

“Good to see that you know your level, I heard you speak our language, can't you?” I almost rolled my eyes, of course, I could hear their language, if not I wouldn't have known she was talking to me.

“Oh come on, Ellena, let's not taunt her, she already has it worse don't you think?” The shorter one said while tucking her hair behind her ears, her lips spoke like she cared while her eyes spoke of a different thing, a glint of excitement roaming around her eyes as she stared at me.

“What do you mean Taunt? The men are out resting, we are only looking after them before the men arrive,” Ellena scolded while the others giggled.

“Now answer my question, first of all, what is your name?” she asked.

“I have no name yet,” I answered.

“Oh, she speaks, I thought she was unable to.”

“What do you mean you have no name yet? You must have heard a name before arriving here,” she was annoying, the look on her face purely evil, and an underlying evil intent, like a child who has just been gifted a clown by her affluent household. 

The look of new power, that I recognize, the type of look I overlooked on Lucius, perhaps I was so in love with him to notice how excited he was to use his new power as the new alpha. But ever since I entered LYTHRIA it has pledged my mind, how come I was so blinded?

“I am Freyja,” The sound of wind followed by a powerful force surrounded us blowing away some crops as I watched the people from Daus try their best to chase after them, I stood forcing my eyes open. Abruptly the wind stopped.

“What happened? You did this?” she asked as I wondered what she was talking about.

“Wolfs possess powers as well? You did this?” he asked while I struggled to hold back my laugh.

“That is only a mere coincidence,” I said, lowering my head.

“Yes, I know, what sort of stupid name, why will it have any special power, Freee ya,” she struggled to pronounce my name.

“Freyja,” I corrected while she rolled her eyes, thanks to the wind, their grounds were shaken, and I could see the slight fear in their eyes, somehow they thought it was I who did that. But the ones with special abilities are not Wolves.

“You look the cleanest, pick up that basket and follow us,” she said pointing at a basket full of fruits, from the color of their dress, it was obvious they worked directly with the royals and not a common maid, which means they are here to fetch fresh fruits for them. They hate us but we grow their food. I slowly picked up the fruit filled with basket as I followed behind.

They giggled and laughed about my clothing and disheveled hair. So focused on trying to learn and survive I forgot to take care of my hair. Out of the slave quarters finally after two full moons, my eyes again marveled at what I was seeing. A tiny tinge of jealousy seeing how free the royal maids were and how nourished they looked compared to us.

“Isn't that Prince Thorian?” I heard the tiny murmurs from a group of maids, as they fast-walled as if scared. Immediately curious, I looked around for him. 

Ahead of us, he was dressed in a rich regalia completely different from the type he was on the first day I saw him, he stood tall with his hands behind him, his hair tied up into a bun and a sword tucked by the side, with him group of men, some I recognized and the rest Foreign.

As we approached them, the maids slowed down, same did I, I already knew, you are to stop everything you were doing upon sighting a royal and offer your greetings. But it seems some were running away.

“Greetings Your Highness,” Ellena greeted lowering her head, I and the other followed as he nodded, for a fleeting second our eyes met, his golden eyes shining as bright as ever.

“oh isn't that wolf girl,” I immediately recognized the voice, the young man who claimed to have found me. If I were to remember correctly his name was Edna. And he is a knight just like the rest of the prince’s men. Thanks to my sudden knowledge of several languages I tend to hear fleeting gossip and information.

“It's been a while,” he said excitedly as if we were friends. I lowered my head in greetings.

“Greetings sir,” I forced myself to greet.

“Oh no, you don't have to, I am not like the rest whom you have to greet just saying hi will suffice,” he said.

“Edna!” the prince called looking at him. 

“Oh, I'm sorry for keeping you guys,” He said, waving as finally we continued on our way. For some reason, my eyes lingered on that of the prince. Looking back, there was something about him that felt like I had seen him somewhere but again my memory had failed me. 

“Isn't it crazy that Prince Thorian is really back for good now?” The other maid whom I am still to hear her name began, my ears immediately tingled. I have heard tiny rumors about the Royals but nobody ever speaks about Prince Thorian which makes his existence sort of mysterious.

“It is crazy Hana,” Ellena agreed.

“Isn't it obvious that he is like an outcast in the palace after all these years why has he returned to cause trouble for the royal family?” I listened closely while following behind as we entered what seemed to be a large kitchen area. There a lot more palace maids were also around gossiping.

“Are you guys talking about Prince Thorian?” One of them asked Hana who nodded.

“You go over there and get all those fruits washed,” Ellena commanded, pointing me to another several fruit baskets. While it's their job, who am I to say no. Slowly I walked over and immediately began working.

“I have seen him, why did nobody say he was that handsome,” one of them squeaked excitedly.

“You should not forget that he is an illegitimate child and a warlord so his handsome face is a waste,” I heard Ellena loud and clear. A new sort of information as it slowly began to make sense in my head.

“Like my father said, he is a cursed one, his mother was a mistress who almost ruined the king and queen's marriage, nothing about him is good,” Hana continued to add more.

“But the prince has confirmed several kingdoms for our empire, he brought back slaves and so many things for the empire throughout the years,” the same girl who seemed smitten by his looks said. 

“So what? Why do you think the king kept him away from the kingdom for years? He isn't a full-blood. His blood is cursed. Bound to bring the empire into shambles. He is a threat somehow,” As I listened, a part of me felt a tiny pity for him. He is an enemy of mine, because, at the end of the day, I was captured by his men but…

“I heard slaves might stand a chance to become palace maids because of Prince Thorian,” I heard Hana whisper as they gathered closer. 

“Yes, the Eastern palace has been opened, since it's far away from the rest of the royals, Prince Thorian would move in there soon away from the royals and his maid selections is taking a lot of time because no one wants their daughter to serve a tyrant,” Another chipped in explaining for the others.

“So I heard slaves will end up serving him,” she continued while they laughed.

“How insulting! A slave serving a royal,” Ellena laughed not even minding that I, a slave, is in their midst….