Chapter 002

Eira’s POV

Two months later

“ Can you help with cleaning the vases if you're done with your kitchen duty?” Mrs Belinda asked me.

“ Sure,” I answered with a smile. Two months had passed after my failed wedding with Alpha Axel and as much as I had reassured everyone close to me that it was alright, I knew they took precautions around me to make sure nothing triggered me.

To be honest, it hurts to be in the very same palace I would have been the mistress of, as a maid but it's not like I had a choice. I for one knew that Alpha Axel wouldn't have hesitated to kick me out when our mating ceremony fell through but his late father's words had a play in my stay. And as much as the old Alpha was dead, the ministers respected the wishes he left behind.

I probably wouldn't have been able to move on if not for cooking. During my rainy days, I would often cook to relieve stress and of course, all Lilith did was make life harder for me. She did her utmost best to ruin me which would have been quite successful if I hadn't found a way to channel my feelings and frustrations.

“ Are you really not going to be home early?” I heard Lilith’s bratty voice coming from the hallway.

“ There she goes again, latching on to Alpha Axel like he's her property. It must be nice to be a man stealer,” Lara scoffed, her words ridden with sarcasm.

“ Lara! Don't get us into trouble,” I shouted in a hushed tone. Lara was a close friend I had made in the palace when we were teenagers.

“ She can't hear me from over here. Besides, it's not like I'm lying,” she defended herself, whispering back to me. Lara had always been the courageous type which made me wonder where she got all her confidence from.

“ Even though,” I sighed.

“ Shhh! Listen,” she hushed me.

“ Why won't you come back early? I'm gonna miss you, you know?” We listened to Lilith going about her tantrum. Lara pulled me from where I was and I soon found myself peeping with Lara.

“ I have things to do, sweetheart,” he sighed. He did his very best to shake her off. I had no idea why every sweet word exchanged between them irritated me. What was this feeling?

“ So I'm not important?” She pouted.

“ I never said so but you should know that ruling is more than just sitting on the throne and living lavishly,” he explained to her.

“ But…” her face drooped.

“ You can go shopping or whatever, spend as you like,” he patted her head.

“ But you were the one who told me to reduce my spending habit,” she frowned.

“ I did it for the sake of public image but today, you can buy whatever you want and spend as much as you want. I'll also try to come back home early,” he smiled at her, pulling her cheeks. His gaze was soft and tender and his eyes said it all - he had never looked at me with those eyes before. Is this what love means?

“ Lara, I'm heading back to cleaning. I think I've seen more than enough,” I walked away from the door, my fists clenched. I shouldn't feel this way but I couldn't help but feel horrible.

Their daily lovey-dovey act since they got married was sickening and nauseating. Was I evil for feeling like this?

“ Eira, I'm so sorry. I can't believe I was being so insensitive right now,” Lara chased after me.

“ It's alright, Lara. You don't have to walk on my eggshells around me, you can listen if you wanna listen,” I replied without bothering to face her.

“ I really screwed up, didn't I?” She regretted it but it wasn't about her. With it without her being here, I would still have chanced upon one of their lovey-dovey meetings and felt like this.

“ No, you didn't,” I assured.

Just then, Lilith barged in with an evil grin on her face, “ I'm a bit hungry, would you mind making me something?” She faked a yawn.

“ As you please, Your Highness. Is there anything in particular you'd like to eat?” Mrs Belinda was a lifesaver. She was quite aware of how frustrating things might get for me if she hadn't shown up.

“ Nothing really, just something meaty but not too basic would do,” she replied. I'm glad she didn't pick on me.

“ Alright, I'll make something to your taste right away,” Mrs Belinda answered.

“ No, I don't want you, I want Eira to do it. Eira, make me a dish with meat and when you're done, deliver it to my room personally,” she emphasized, topping it up with a grin.

“ Yes, Your Highness,” I bowed my head, muttering her honorifics.

“ Are you going to be alright dealing with her alone? I know she's up to no good,” Lara panicked the moment Lilith walked out.

“ Eira? Just remember to convey your true emotions no matter how much she provokes you,” Mrs Belinda advised.

“ I'll be sure to, Mrs Belinda. Lara, I'll be fine on my own so don't worry too much,” I patted her shoulder reassuringly.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A few minutes later

Lilith sent the platter of Sunday roast to the floor. I had taken my time to make something to her taste yet she without any hesitation threw away my hard work. I clenched my fists in silence.

“ Is there a problem with the food, Your Highness?” I asked half-heartedly.

“ I don't like broccoli in my Sunday roast,” she picked her finger nails in a condescending manner.

“ Would you like me to remake it with another type of vegetable?” I calmly asked.

“ No, I want something different this time,” she glanced over at me.

“ Make me pie, mash and liquor,” she snapped her fingers.

“ I'll make that as quickly as I can,” I genuflected.

“ Oh, and use actual liquor for it,” she added.

“ Are you sure about that?” I was skeptical about her request.

“ Put actual liquor in the liquor sauce or something,” she waved.

“ Your Highness, I can't see the reason to use actual liquor when the liquor sauce is all you need,” I politely objected. Why would anyone suddenly want his pie, mash and liquor to be actually alcoholic? Liquor sauce was a parsley-based sauce which complimented this meal perfectly.

“ Are you telling me what to do?” She shot daggers from her eyes at me.

“ No, Your Highness. I'll proceed with the additional information you've given me,” I bowed before leaving her alone with her personal maids.

Few minutes later, I was back with her meal and this time she actually did something other than tasting and smashing - she ate from it quite a great deal.

“ Do you really hate my happiness so much because you can't have it?” She dropped her spoon down.

“ What are you talking about?”

“ You're trying to kill my baby, aren't you?” She accused.

“ What are you talking about?! And since when were you…” I didn't want my anger to take over.

“ Now you're acting like you aren't aware that I'm carrying the heir of this pack - Alpha Axel's child,” she grinned and I felt my chest have little tiny heart attacks. I clenched my chest trying to prevent the news from overwhelming me.

“ I have no idea what Her Highness is talking about,” I did my best to regain my composure.

“ Not only did you try to feed me alcohol knowing fully well that I'm pregnant, you still go ahead to feign ignorance about the existence of my baby,” she continued to accuse and soon called the guards.

“ Firstly, you were the one who gave the specific instruction to add actual liquor to your food even though I refused,” I spoke up and the next thing I felt on my face was Lilith’s hand crashing down on it.

“ How dare you speak back to your Luna?!” She yelled. Just then, the royal guards came in.

“ What do you mean by adding alcohol to your meal when I clearly didn't cook with alcohol?” I smirked at her leaving her startled.

“ What in oceans’ name are you talking about?” She took a step backwards.

“ I didn't add liquor to your food as I presumed that Her Highness might have made a mistake in her request. You can get any of the guards to taste it,” I suggested proudly. Even though I hadn't known she was pregnant, I had a feeling that Lilith had set me up with her bizarre request and hence, I made sure not to follow her instructions. I was more afraid of Alpha Axel finding Lilith drunk that's why I made sure not to listen to Lilith’s.

Lilith went silent and when one of the bodyguards volunteered to taste the food, he confirmed to a stunned Lilith that I was telling the truth and with that, she dismissed the bodyguards.

“ If that would be all, Your Highness, I'll be taking my leave,” I genuflected before leaving, making sure to leave a grin on my face. I could see the anger written all over Lilith and it was definitely worth seeing.