Chapter 3: Enemy

As Sophia burst into the room, her face a maelstrom of unbridled rage, I felt my heart gallop like a wild stallion in my chest.

Her eyes blazed with a fierce intensity that made my very soul tremble, her fury piercing through me like a thousand daggers.

She stormed into the room, her gaze fixed on me with a ferocity that made my blood run cold as if she could see right through to my very essence.

"What in the devil's name is happening here?!" she thundered, her voice echoing off the walls like a crack of thunder, making me jump in my skin.

I tried to speak, to defend myself against the onslaught of her wrath, but my voice was frozen in my throat, trapped by the weight of Sophia's wrathful gaze.

It was as if she had reached into my very soul and squeezed the air from my lungs, leaving me gasping and helpless.

Henry reluctantly lifted himself off me, his face a mask of irritation, his eyes flashing with a desire to pounce on whoever had dared to interrupt his sinister plans.

"You've forgotten your manners, Sophia," Henry growled, his voice laced with irritation, his eyes narrowing in disapproval.

"How dare you burst in here without my permission? You know better than to interrupt me, especially when I'm... occupied."

The last word hung in the air like a challenge, his gaze flicking to me with a possessive gleam that made my skin crawl.

Sophia's face turned an even deeper shade of red, her anger and humiliation simmering like a pot about to boil over.

I shrank back, trying to make myself as small as possible, as the two of them faced off in a silent battle of wills.

"Are you disrespecting me in front of this...this slave?"

Sophia sobbed, her voice trembling with rage and humiliation, as she spat out the last word like a vile curse.

"How dare you, Henry!" Sophia's voice rose to a shrill pitch, her eyes blazing with fury.

"You know I am the only one who shares your bed, I am your mate and yet, you shame me like this, in front of...of...her?"

Henry's face darkened, his jaw clenched in anger,

I flinched as Henry's words cut through the air, his gaze fixed on Sophia with a warning.

"Shut the f**k up. You're making a scene,"

Henry bellowed, his voice thundering through the air like a crack of lightning.

Sophia's face twisted in a snarl, and she launched herself at me, pinning me to the bed. Her fingers dug deep into my skin, and I cried out in pain.

"You'll pay for this, you little slut!" Sophia spat, her breath hot against my face.

I struggled and kicked, but she was too strong. Henry watched for a moment, his expression unreadable, before finally intervening.

"Enough, Sophia!" he barked, his voice sharp as a whip. "Guards!

The door burst open, and two burly guards rushed in.

“Take the servant away!"

Pulling Sophia off me, they dragged me away, their hands like iron bands around my wrists. I looked back at Henry, his face a mask of indifference, and Sophia, her eyes blazing with hatred.

As they pulled me out of the room, Sophia's parting shot echoed through my mind: "You'll pay for this, whore”!

****************

I stumbled into my small room, my heart heavy with fear and uncertainty. But as I entered, I saw a friendly face - Lilly, my confidante, was sitting on my bed, her eyes wide with concern.

"Aria, what happened, what kept you so long? I was worried sick" she asked, rushing to my side.

I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted and shaken.

"Lilly, Henry...he almost...he almost ra***ped me," I whispered.

Lilly's face went white with rage. "That monster!" she hissed, her eyes blazing with anger. "I knew he was a beast, but I never thought he'd stoop so low."

I poured out the entire horrific encounter to Lilly, from Henry's attempted assault to Sophia's venomous outburst. As I spoke, Lilly's expression transformed from concern to shock, her eyes widening in disbelief.

When I finally finished speaking, Lilly's face was a picture of righteous indignation, her very presence radiating a sense of protection and solidarity. She was my rock, my confidante, my fiercest ally in this treacherous palace.

"Lilly, I'm terrified," I whispered, my voice trembling with fear. "I feel like I'm walking on thin ice, waiting for Sophia to strike again.

My days are numbered, I can feel it. She'll stop at nothing to destroy me, and I don't know how much longer I can survive this living nightmare."

Lilly's expression softened, her eyes filling with compassion and concern. She wrapped her arms around me, holding me close as I burst into tears.

"Oh, Aria," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "Nothing will happen to you."

Her words were a balm to my soul, her embrace a shield against the darkness that threatened to consume me.

***********

I hurried, my slippered feet padding against the cold marble floor, as I squeezed my way through the throng of other servants, all of us jostling for a glimpse of the newly posted duty roster.

My heart raced with anticipation, and my breath caught in my throat, as I finally reached the coveted list and scanned the neatly penned names and assignments... and felt a wave of relief wash over me like a cool breeze on a sweltering summer's day, as I saw that I was spared the dreaded duty of serving in Henry's chambers."

I let out a silent sigh of gratitude as my eyes landed on my name, assigned to the Queen's chambers. I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

No more would I have to endure his leering gaze or suffer his cruel whims. I was finally escaping the toxic atmosphere that had made my life a living hell.

And as I gazed at my new assignment, I knew that I would do everything in my power to prove myself worthy of this fresh start."

I turned to leave, feeling a sense of hope and renewal as I headed towards the breakfast hall. But my stride was halted abruptly as I collided with a familiar figure.

Sophia's icy gaze bore into mine, her voice dripping with venom as she hissed, "Your days are numbered, whore... and soon, you'll be nothing but a forgotten relic in the palace's darkest corners."

Her words trailed off as she sauntered away, leaving me standing there, my heart racing with a sense of foreboding.

What did she mean? And what was she planning against me? I can't shake off the fact that she is now my enemy.