5

Adaline

I couldn't tell if I was sick to my stomach because of how my plan failed woefully or probably because the maids are out to get me and definitely plan my demise. I was immediately pulled out of exile just to be fitted for a dress, I would much rather fight a demon than go through this process though.

"Can't I wear a dress without a corset?" I asked but I was immediately ignored.

The doors immediately opened and all the maids stopped what they were doing as the Empress walked in with Cortia the head maid.

Her lips curved into a lowly smirk, more like a mocking one. "She looks exactly like her mother, the night she was beheaded." The Empress mocked as I just did nothing but watch her. I could slap her in the face, but I would be tried for treason and since I cannot die, goddess knows what sort of torture she has in store for me.

Ever since my father put an end to her torture fanatic two years ago, I've been threading dangerously in her grasps and would do anything to make sure I don't end up her muse.

The night my mother was beheaded, my father had connive her to wear a yellow dress, he had promise her to make her his second wife but that night she was beheaded or that's what I've been told.

The color of my dress was picked by the empress and it was none other than yellow. "Goddess knows I'll be happy if she could just die this instant." She said in the most cheerful voice she could muster. "But either way the curse of Alpha Grant will do just fine." She laughed manically until she paused amidst laughter. "Adaline.." she mutters. "Can you cut yourself?" She started. "A deep cut that will drench this dress in blood. You won't die but I'll be so happy, you'd look just like your mother but sadly with your head intact." I felt sick to my stomach for the first time in a long while.

"What's with that look?" She paused and gasps. "Can you mate with Alpha Grant in this same dress?" She stated grabbing my face. "So that when you die, you'll be repeating a certain part of history. Just die." She says pulling me into her embrace, I didn't hug her back, I just stood there pressed against the full folds of her ball gown.

She pulls away from me. "Don't worry, if you die. I promise I'll mourn you the longest okay." She taps the tip of my nose as I nodded.

Immediately she went from her cherry sweet aura to a scary one. "Make her corset tighter." The Empress ordered as she immediately leaves the room with Cortia as the maids finished up with my corset. I looked at the far end of the room where the mirror was. I looked like a child bride. The dress that was even picked for me had way too many ribbons. My hair was nothing to write home about, since it was cut short the maids didn't really know how they could style it so they just clipped on some ribbons. But for once no matter how odd it was, it felt nice being a princess, even though it was short lived.

When the maids were done, they immediately left me alone to get ready for the debutante. I was going to make my debut along with some other young ladies, I've always dreamt about having one, it just felt unreal at the moment.

The door opens, revealing Nyla, Melanie and Penelope. They all squeezed into the room and began chuckling to themselves. "Ah, so the swine finally gets a debutante. It's kind of odd since you're the oldest debutee don't you think?" I ignored Nyla's effort to mock me.

"I don't think you're here to mention the same lame joke you've been saying for the past hour." I say holding my posture. "She's even trying to hold her back straight." Melanie chuckled loudly as Nyla and Penelope drown her out with their laughter.

Nyla walks up in front of me and hands me a blue bottle. "Drink it." She orders.

"What's in this?" I asked knowing damn well it's not poison, Nyla should already know by now that I'm immune to any sort of poison. "Drink it, every debutee takes a sip, it's basically tradition." She states.

"I didn't see any of you drinking unknown liquids on the day of your debutante. All I know you could be giving me piss to drink." I say as could tell they were getting aggressive. "Drink it before I call mother, take it as payback for fucking Cole Giles on my bed." She threatened. If her mother comes here anyway I'll be forced to drink it publicly and be shamed for my poor decision publicly.

I sighed removing the cap from the bottle and immediately drinkin"What is this?" I asked, a bead of sweat gathering on my forehead. My hand felt shaky as the bottle slipped from my grasp and shattered into pieces. My head was pounding, and my body was burning. My throat was dry, and breathing suddenly became a chore.

It was tasteless but it has an odd smell of detergent, did she really give me detergent to drink?

"What was in the bottle?" I asked, my eyes becoming watery too. "Kroa," she said in a low tone. "You gave me Kroa? Have you lost your fucking mind, Nyla?" The taste of her name leaving my mouth felt bitter.

"You worry too much, Adaline. You know how Kroa works. The pain only stops when you're sexually satisfied. But don't worry, I've arranged for about two men to take care of your concerns. I'll send them in as soon as I leave. So, don't go anywhere," she muttered cheerfully, sounding just like her mother. That sent shivers down my spine, recalling that same errie feeling from mother and daughter.

A lump lodged in my chest as I called out her name. "Nyla," I choked out, even speaking a single word causing tears to well up in my eyes. "Don't do this, please." I pleaded, but she erupted into manic laughter.

"But if you don't have sex, you'll be in pain," she taunted. "Don't worry, I'll make sure they're gentle. Besides, you're a slut anyway. I'm positive you can handle two men." Nyla sneered, my head pressed against the cold floor. My senses were fading, and I could barely muster a flicker of resistance.

"Happy Debutante, Adaline," Nyla chirped cheerfully, leaving me in unimaginable pain as two men walked in. I couldn't make out their faces clearly, but disgust churned in my stomach as they argued over who would go first. "Don't do this please, I'm begging." I hope to talk some sense into them but they immediately shut the doors behind them.

"You didn't say no when you slept with Giles. Besides, it's the princess's orders. Who are we to refuse her?" They said this slowly, approaching me. One of them remained by the door, while the other came closer.