Chapter 5(A planed scheme)

Chapter 5…

“Isn't it a first? Slaves working directly with a royal is almost unspoken of,” Hana spoke.

 I hated the fact I had to listen to them and be unable to say a thing. I could only take my anger out on the fruit as my eyes wandered around catching the glimpse of a young slave girl sneaking some fruit into her worn-out rope. Upon meeting my eyes she seemed frightened, perhaps thinking I was about to tell on her.  Quickly I averted my gaze pretending not to have noticed her as she quickly escaped.

The robe pattern although different but still obvious it was that of a slave, no palace maiden has a similar pattern. 

“As long as we don't cross-part with his slave maids that would be good with us, we don't need to mix with them,” I heard Ellena speak, their conversation sparked an interest in me. Perhaps it's because it's about Prince Thorian, being curious about your captor is not something I knew I would one day have. 

Or perhaps there was another reason, the idea of becoming a palace maid sounded good, it was better than the slave quarters where they are all wary of me for some reason. 

“Hey!” I felt a hard fruit land on my head as I looked over to see their evil glint.

“Have you been listening to us?” Hana asked as I slowly rubbed my forehead.

“Do I have a choice, I can't force my ears if you are too loud,” I replied, rising from the floor as I placed the last fruit in a basket.

“What did you just say?” her tone, vibrant and menacing but I have had enough. 

“I said I am done,” I replied, taking her aback, unfazed still she approached me, I stood my ground staring straight into her eyes.

“Don't ever think of applying for the eastern palace,” It was a warning I could see through her that she despised me not just because I was a slave.

“Why?” I couldn't hold back my tongue any longer, my inside burning as I felt the hairs on my body stand. My wolf, although mostly quiet, was obviously irritated. It's times like this that remind me that my wolf hasn't disappeared although she isn't communicating she is still there somewhere.

“I work at the slave quarters, it is unheard of to have a slave any meters near the royal kitchen but here we are I guess… who knows what will happen,” I watched her eyebrows raise in anger. If not for their laziness I wouldn't be here.

And again they are refusing to work for their prince who knows what will happen, I might as well do it.

“Now if you will excuse me,” I said, snatching back the bracket as I stormed off their kitchen. I could hear their uproar as they obviously were offended. Everyday I toil the soul-planting seeds under the scorching sun while their men watch over us, openly throwing provocative words at us. Every night I hear the sounds of a maiden’s cry, young and old alike as I bite my tongue holding back tears waiting for the day it might become my turn for I believe it is inevitable.

I can't just keep calm and allow these maidens to push me over. If I can't fight with strength I must have to be smart to survive. 

Suddenly I have lost my sense of direction, for I could not recognize the part I took, I should have really listened when my father tried teaching me about direction, maybe if I had listened I wouldn't have mistaken South as north and might have actually met Aisling’s brother. 

The part I stumbled upon was different with nobody in sight, I looked around noticing the strange architecture. The high walls built circularly, almost like I just stumbled into a circle. My eyes followed the walls trailing it up to see the strange yet beautiful roofings. Mesmerized I took a step further my eyes almost bewitched. Nothing in my imagination is like this. 

Right at the middle, a huge stone which had been carved into a strange bird, slowly I approached it, my hands itching to touch it. Again captivated my hand reached for it, slowly I placed my hand on it, a faint shine began to glow from it and spread out throughout the whole stone. Frightened and fascinated I dropped the basket holding back the loud noise trying to force itself out of my lips. I looked around noticing that behind the pillars were different doors, some were opened and others locked. 

Immediately, I became paranoid, which one did I enter from? Judging by the beautiful flowers this could be somebody's garden, a royal at that. This was too beautiful to be just a random place. Just how on earth did I end up here?

A faint footstep fooled by a voice, not one but several. My heart sank as I immediately grabbed the basket.

“I am doomed,” I muttered under my breath as I fast-walked and hid behind one of the numerous doors. My heart pounding loudly against my chest I tried to suppress my breathing. A breathing technique taught to me by my older brother. While hunting it is very important to make your prey believe that they are alone, that way they get comfortable and you pounce on them from nowhere. Who would have thought that one day I would make use of it, this time I am the prey.

Thanks to my wolf being asleep, it was easy.

“You do not get to add suggestions!” The voice was firm and loud, sending chills down my spine. 

“I am sorry Your Majesty.” 

“The Maiden selection for the East palace is Tomorrow and I won't do this as quickly as possible,” The voice of a woman, not a girl or a lady but a woman.

“He has agreed to move to the East palace only with the condition of picking out his servants himself, you never know what he is planning, I have to cut down that wing before it grows and begins to spread,” She continued her voice stressed. Still holding on to my chest I listened. It was obvious whoever was speaking was talking about Prince Thorian.

“I still can't believe he is back for good, I thought perhaps he was on a break,” this time it was a man speaking.

“It doesn't matter, This time around there shall be no mistakes, Are you sure about the slave girl you picked?” The question immediately pledged interest.

“Yes she is very capable, I have been watching her closely, she is being trained, I will make sure she enters the East palace tomorrow. There is no way she wouldn't be chosen.”

“Good! I don't want a sloppy one,” she said, unable to hold it together, slowly I tried to take a peek. 

“The portion has arrived, just one spoonful should be able to do the job,” I was yet again taken aback by what I just heard.

“I promise this one is potent…”

“Shush!” she shut him up as even I froze at the spot.

“Who is there?” My heart sank, for a moment I had slipped forgetting I was supposed to watch my breath.

“Who is it? Speak up now or live to regret,” her voice was authoritative. I am doomed no saving. My hands trembled as I held the basket tight.

I took a sharp breath as I put forward a step, a huge arm immediately swept me off my feet, and the other hand across my mouth. 

“Wha…”

“Shush,” the voice whispered behind me as I nodded. Whoever it was was saving me. 

“Your Majesty, I don't think there is anyone around here,” I hear the man say, they lingered looking around the other doors but never came close. I held my breath suppressing it as I closed my eyes. Slowly the voices faded as the strong arm holding me loosened itself.

“They are gone,” the voice said as I finally drew a breath. Almost choking. 

“Thank you so much, sir…” My mouth hung open on coming face to face with the man who had just saved me.

I recognized his face immediately, a knight among Prince Thorian’s men. On several occasions, after arriving I have seen him, with the same cold demeanor.

“Freyja,” he called, taking me by surprise, hearing my name from him sounds scary. How on earth did he even know my name?

“I am so sorry sir,” I lowered my gaze immediately pleading.

“You do not owe me an apology,” his face held a frown.

“How did you find this place? Do you even know the implications of being found here?” He asked, annoyed.

“Death… come with me,” he instructed as I followed him behind, fast he moved not even looking back, I followed him a bit grateful but still wary.  

“I do not want to ask questions but I serve the total family, what and how did you manage to bypass the royal guards?” I bite my lips wondering how to begin explaining that I lost my way back to the slave quarters.

“Why are you even out of the slave Quarters?” He obviously was suspicious of me, standing in front of me in what appeared to be a field.

“My prince,” he suddenly lowered his head as a sign of greeting. 

“Anakim?” I could recognize the voice, I slowly turned around to see him again with the Young knight, Edna.

“Hey Freyja, are you also applying…” The prince shut Edna a glare forcing him to shut up.

“What is going on here?” The prince asked, looking straight at me. Slowly I hid the basket behind me…