Stephanie's lips pursed into a thin line. "I don't know much about him," she admitted. "Prince Zhao is very secretive, and he keeps to himself mostly. But I've heard rumors that he's even more dangerous than his brother."Savannah's heart skipped a beat. “Dangerous than a promiscuous guy who rapes girls and beheads them."Listen to me, Savannah," she said in a low and urgent voice. "If you value your life, stay away from the second prince. Do not talk to him, do not look at him, do not even think about him. He is not someone you want to mess with. He is not someone you want to know."Savannah felt a chill run down her spine, sensing the fear and the warning in Stephanie's tone. A sense of De javu shot through her and she grimaced, realizing what it was. This was similar to what Bernice had said on her first day in Valeria. Well good thing she had no interest in getting to know anyone. Quickly, she nodded quickly and swallowed hard."Okay, okay, I get it," she said, but her curiosity g
Both girls were soon interrupted by Kristen who then ordered Savannah to work with the kitchen staff until she found a permanent spot for her the next day. Happy to be paired with her, Stephanie helped Savannah get comfortable with her duties. A few times, she conversed with some of the maids who were a little mean to her, but altogether, her first day as a maid in Sylvia couldn’t hold a candle to her horrible experience back at Hybern. If things went this way, then Savannah could complete her mission as soon as possible.Now that the shadows had drawn closer to the walls of the castle, Savannah was getting prepared to finish the kitchen duties she was assigned to when Kristen popped up in front of her.“Lena dear.” Kristen said in a voice filled with warmth and a little alarm. Savannah arched a brow. “One of the girls I assigned to serving the king suddenly came down with the flu, please go join the other girls to serve him.”“What?” Savannah felt her eyes bulge. She’d known sooner o
Savannah fell back a step, her brows shooting up. “What…I mean why…” she breathed out through her lips and looked at the lady in the eyes, ignoring the minions who came with her. “How is that any of my business?”“Who do you think you are to speak to Jess like that?” A voice spoke up but Savannah didn’t bother to spare the new person any attention. She continued looking at the aggressive maid who she now knew was called Jess.Jess glared at her and seethed. “Do you think we don’t have eyes? You all but threw your panties at the Prince’s face back there during dinner. Just because he asked you a few questions, you already tried to seduce him.”A snort rose to Savannah lips and seeing that the maids were actually serious, she threw her head back in laughter. “You all obviously don’t have eyes.” She replied in a dry tone like she was already bored of the conversation even before it started. Savannah refused to let anyone treat her like trashy anymore. “It was the Prince who held my chin
Prince Zhao stood atop the castle’s roof, the cool night breeze caressing his face. The city lights twinkled below, a mesmerizing sight that was usually his favorite, yet Zhao felt utterly disconnected from it. like he could only stare at those twinkling lights without ever reaching them.Sighing, he rose from his perch, his movements fluid and graceful as he approached the railings. He was tired of feeling like the male version of Rapunzel, locked into this fucking castle, away from the vibrancy of life that pulsed beyond the palace walls. Zhao wanted more but the king was the most paranoid being he knew yet no one knew past the confident fatherly front the King of Sylvia put up. To everyone, his father was the all-powerful Lycan King of the South who never got his feathers ruffled, but only his sons knew of his paranoia. He believed if any member of the Royal Family left the castle, then the golden seal would be stolen, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Zhao was confident th
The man who was a minute from ending his life kept staring at Savannah with a strange, amused expression, making her cheeks heat. Should he be someone she should have known? A wave of embarrassment washed over her at her stupidity. He must think she was an idiot if he was an important member of the Royal Family and she was asking him who he was.Flustered, Savannah moved back a little from him, gulping when he closed the distance between them in a single stride. His face was shrouded by the darkness in this area of the rooftop so she couldn’t exactly see his face, but goddamn, he smelt nice. So nice, she had to dig her fingers into her palm to stop herself from leaning closer to catch a whiff of that earthy scent. His close proximity was making her sweat and stammer like a foolish teenage girl and she didn’t want to embarrass herself further. So she tried to move back again and he followed.She felt his breath on her neck, sending shivers down her spine. He was so close, so close, she
“He was the one who came onto me,” Savannah explained, her brows furrowed at the accusation in Stephanie’s voice. “I swear I didn’t do anything.”Stephanie let out a long sigh and nodded, closing her eyes as she rested her head back on the wall. “Prince Gareth is like that. Remember what I told you about his flirting with everyone…well, don’t take his flirtations seriously.”Savannah pursed her lips but remained silent. She didn’t bother asking Stephanie about Jess’s obsession with the prince. Stephanie seemed skittish anyway, so she might not tell her the truth.Forcing out a laugh, Savannah patted her shoulder. “Trust me, I don’t care about any of that. I am just here to work.” Then after a while, she added with a sly grin, “He might be good looking though…”Stephanie jerked up at that and her expression flashed with…irritation? Savannah wasn’t sure but she quickly added. “He might be good-looking but is he is not my type at all.”Stephanie’s brow shot up and she grumbled. “Yeah he
Seeing the soup stain on her dress, Savannah sighed and left the kitchen. She had to change her dress for a new one and Savannah didn't exactly go on a shopping spree before coming to Sylvia.Luckily, Kristen met her on the way to the suite and wordlessly took her into her own room. Silently, Savannah watched how the woman handed her two maid's uniform."Thank you." Savannah said with a crooked smile which Kristen waved off."Just be careful." The woman said and was gone before Savannah could say anything else.Well, she couldn't remain in Kristen's room either so she quickly exited too and changed into one of the dresses, neatly folding the other into the wardrobe.The rest of the day went in a daze and everything seemed out of focus, as though the entire world was tilted towards something. Savannah couldn't quite decipher what it was but she was ecstatic when night time drew close. Just like the other night, she waited till everyone had slept and snuck her way up to the rooftop. On
Seeing the soup stain on her dress, Savannah sighed and left the kitchen. She had to change her dress for a new one and Savannah didn't exactly go on a shopping spree before coming to Sylvia.Luckily, Kristen met her on the way to the suite and wordlessly took her into her own room. Silently, Savannah watched how the woman handed her two maid's uniform."Thank you." Savannah said with a crooked smile which Kristen waved off."Just be careful." The woman said and was gone before Savannah could say anything else.Well, she couldn't remain in Kristen's room either so she quickly exited too and changed into one of the dresses, neatly folding the other into the wardrobe.The rest of the day went in a daze and everything seemed out of focus, as though the entire world was tilted towards something. Savannah couldn't quite decipher what it was but she was ecstatic when night time drew close. Just like the other night, she waited till everyone had slept and snuck her way up to the rooftop. On
Stella slaps off the mosquitoes from her body, and groaned in irritation. "You have been here for weeks, you should be used to these insects by now." A male voice muttered. It was Reginald. She met him by a twist of fate, a few weeks ago, after she was chased out of the Pack. "I can never get used to them." She replied. "Well, you have no choice." Reginald said. He walked out with two cups of tea, and gave one to her. "Thanks." She said. Reginald sat beside her. "I never knew someone else would go through the same embarrassment Zhao put me through." He said. "Well, here I am." Stella said and they both laughed. "I never knew all Zhao did to me was because of Savannah. If I never met you, I wouldn't have found out about it." Reginald said. "We can't just let them go, right? We need to revenge." Stella suggested. Reginald took a sip of his tea and nodded. "True. We really need to revenge. We should give them a taste of their own medicine." He said. "Do you also know that S
Savannah slowly opened her eyes and everywhere was blurry.It's been a few days since everything happened. As soon as her sight became clear, she noticed someone staring at her.It was her son!"My baby." She muttered and pulled him into a hug, tears slowly trickling down her face."I am so happy to see you, baby. Are you happy too?" She asked, cupping her son's face with her hands."Yes, mum." He replied and she hugged him again."Why are you crying mum?" Her son asks as soon as they break the hug."I'm not crying." She responded and her son helped her wipe her tears."Has anyone been wicked to you?" She asked him."No, mum." He replied.For some reason, Savannah was shocked."No one hurt you or did bad things to you?" She asked again."No, mum." Her son said again.Savannah pulled her son to her and she thought silently."What is going on? Zhao lets Stella do whatever she wants..how come no one hurt my son or is he lying to me? He can't be lying to me." She thought, she wanted to a
Zhao stared at Stephanie weakly."But why? Why didn't you tell me? Why did you keep this away from me?" He asked.Stephanie sniffed and looked away."Zhao, please....""Why?" Zhao asked again."Because I didn't want to lose you. I love you, Zhao! I do, and I can't afford to lose you." Stephanie said with teary eyes.Zhao sank into the chair and bent his head, trying to hold back tears. He felt broken.Stephanie turned away and let the tears out, she never wanted him to find out this way.Just then, the door was pushed open and the doctor walked in.Stephanie and Zhao turned to him with looks of expectancy."Doctor?" Zhao said, impatiently."Um, well, ma'am, your condition is quite serious.." The doctor announced."Okay? But she is not in a danger zone, right?" Zhao asked."Relax, Zhao," Stephanie said."I'm afraid you might not survive it." The doctor added."Why? I mean isn't there something you can do about it? You are a doctor, there must be something you can do about it, right?" Z
Savannah lay on the floor bleeding badly. She had tried to explain that she did not slap Stella and that Stella was the one hit herself just to frame her but no one had believed her. Of course no one was going to believe her. She would not have believed it either. She should have known that it would not be easy to deal with someone like Stella. The most painful part for her was that Zhao add ordered for her to be beaten up by the guards just to get back at her. The admade shot to hit a badly and she was now bleeding all over her body and her entire body hurt. Savannah wanted to cry but she did not even have tears to shed. She could not help but think about her life with Reginald. When she was with him she had suffered beatings like this almost everyday. When she finally was able to get away from his control she thought that she would never have to deal with anyone treating her like a piece of garbage and beating her whenever they felt like it. But it seemed like she was wrong
Stella had a wicked smile on her face as she looked at Savannah. It was clear that she was looking down on Savannah decided to ignore her looks because she wasn't in the mood for any drama. From the way Stella was looking at her she was sure that she knew about what had happened between her and Zhao. She just wanted to be left alone and to be able to see her son whenever she wanted. Those were the only things that she asked for. "It must be nice for you to go back to being a maid after everything right. You must have felt as if you were on top of the world when Zhao took an interest in you. But unfortunately you were too stupid to keep him to yourself. You really had the guts to walk away from him and to live him missing you for so many years. What were you thinking when you decided to leave him? I really want to know what was going on in your head at that time!" Stella said. Savanna rolled her eyes. She did not want to engage Savannah so she just continued doing what she was doin
Savannah was cleaning up the hallway as she thought about what Zhao had told her. He had shown off Stella to her and he had brought about how Stella was going to be a better mother to her Although she knew that she was going to be hurt she didn't really mind that he was going to get married to someone else and make someone else his Luna. Savanna was the one who left Zhao in the first place and she knew that she could not demand for him to keep waiting for her. It was only right that he would move on with his life. But all that she wanted was to be able to see her son from time to time. She did not even mind if she had to work as a maid in the palace forever as long as she got to see her son. But no matter how many times she begged Zhao and told him that she was sorry for how things went down between them, he just refused to let her see her son! She had no idea what Stella really was like and she did not know if Stella was going to treat her son well if she became her stepmother.
Zhao was speechless when he heard this. He had no idea that she thought this way. In fact, he really felt that she had left just because she wanted to hurt him. Hearing her say this changed a lot of way he felt about her inside. He almost forgave her. But then, he was reminded of the plan that he went through because of her. He shook his head immediately. He could not forgive her just because she said something nice. It did not take away all of the pain that she put him through. And he still wanted her revenge. He wanted to get revenge and she was going to make sure of that by all means possible. "Don't think that I will just let you go after what you did Savannah. I am not done with you yet and I am going to make sure that I punish you! Do you know what you put me through all these years? You were alive and well and you never even thought to let me know about it. And as if it was not enough, you took my son away from me and hide him for many years!" Zhao accused her. Savannah wen
"Oh come on Zhao. Just tell me what happened between you both. Why do you seem to hate her so much? I mean.....it's just odd. I don't think that I have ever seen you hate anyone the way that you hate her!" Stella said. She just thought that there was something weird in the way that he treated Savannah. He definitely did hate her, that was for sure. But there was something else that she could not understand. The way he looked at her....it was as if he did hate her, but they were a lot of other feelings in there that he was trying to hide. Zhao did not want to talk about Savannah. She always seemed to be able to mess with his head no matter what. He thought that he was over her for sure and that she would not have any more effects on him but it just turned out that he was wrong. She still had a lot of effects on him and it just felt like she was a drug that he could not quit. He knew that it was bad for him, but he kept going back again and again. He felt pathetic. "I don't want to
The palace corridors echoed with the hurried footsteps of Gareth and Stephanie, their expressions a mixture of concern and bewilderment. The flickering torches cast dancing shadows on the walls as they approached the quarters of the palace maids. The two had come seeking information about an unsettling rumor circulating within the palace walls.Gareth,, pushed open the door to the maids' shared living space. The room was filled with the soft murmur of gossip and laughter, momentarily silenced by the unexpected presence of their King's brother and his wife.."Good evening, ladies," Gareth greeted, attempting to maintain a calm demeanor. "We were wondering if any of you had heard anything unusual lately. Something about Zhao and a woman he brought into the palace."A hushed tension gripped the room as the maids exchanged furtive glances. Finally, a middle-aged maid with a kind face stepped forward, her eyes darting between Gareth and Stephanie. "Oh, you must be talking about Zhao's secr