What... just happened?
I followed along behind the king as he headed back toward the palace, seeing as though I seed to have no choice.
I was still in shock anyway—I was to be Prince Theo’s personal attendant?
The python slithered along but stayed back from the king as if he knew that the older gentleman wasn’t a fan of his and didn’t want to get in trouble.
Behind , Prince Theo‘s deanor was even colder. It was quite clear to that he was not happy with this arrangent, but he seed every bit as trapped as I was.
When I caught Prince Theo’s eyes, he glared at and then focused on his pet snake. Was he holding the python accountable for this particular situation?
Perceval slunk to the other side of , placing my body between himself and his master. He could tell that the prince was angry with him. Poor snake, how was he supposed to know that his master loathed ?
Ahead of us, the king’s Beta was waiting. Xavier looked at with a questioning expression on his face. The king filled him in. “This girl is the prince’s new personal attendant. See to it that she is moved into the small chambers next to Prince Theo’s room by the end of the day.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” the Beta said, and I could tell he was in shock. Perhaps it was my disheveled appearance that was causing him to be so flustered.
Then King Sebastian turned to look at , and I lowered my eyes in respect. “If you serve your prince well, you can be rewarded, so do a fine job, young lady.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I said without looking up at him, but I could tell he had walked away.
As we exited the courtyard, I couldn’t help but look back over my shoulder. I would miss the animals. Pete—I ant, Perceval—slithered over to , and I bent down to stroke his head, hoping I’d get to co back here soday.
Theo stord off without another word to any of us, entering the castle through the closest door and slamming it behind him so violently, the glass in the panes near the top rattled.
My heart shook as well. I’d much rather spend my ti with the wild beasts I understood than tend to the cold, callous prince.
Beta Xavier nodded to . “Let’s return to the other ladies.”
I followed him back to our dormitory, and as we approached, I could hear chatter among the girls about a journey through perilous conditions.
“Ladies!” Beta Xavier intoned to get their attention. “May I have your attention?”
Everyone quieted, and those who had been sitting in the nearby lounge ca out into the open space near our section of the hallway; others were still spilling from their rooms.
“Miss Black has already completed the task assigned by King Sebastian just a short ti ago, and she will now be in service to Prince Theo as his personal attendant. I should hope you will all see her as a role model for your behavior and do your best to emulate her admirable characteristics.”
With that, he turned and tipped his head to . “Do you rember how to get to the prince’s chambers?”
I nodded.
“Good. Be in the room next to his by the end of the day, and please... before you go... take a shower!” With that, he walked away, leaving with the rest of the girls.
A few of the young ladies had small smiles on their faces, as if they were congratulating , but the majority of them looked jealous, their eyes cast down their noses at or their chins in the air.
“Congratulations!” Brook said, running over to . She started to wrap her arms around , but I put a hand out to stop her.
“Thank you, but don’t hug . I’ve been with the animals, and I sll awful. I wouldn’t want to get the stench on your clothes.”
She laughed but didn’t co any closer as per my request. “You’re so brave, Ciana. The other girls were just discussing how they might go about completing King Sebastian’s assigned task while you were already out there doing it.”
I lost my speech for a mont. So that was why? The king made a contest out of trying to get to the pavilion, and I’d just happened to already be there.
Why, why, why did I have to go there? I just wanted to slap myself in the face.
“You don’t look so happy,” Brook noted.
Letting out a sigh, I said, “I’ll make do.”
“But Ciana, now that you’re Prince Theo’s attendant, you’ll have more freedom in the castle. That should give you so comfort, even if you’re not particularly interested in becoming the prince’s mate—”
Before she could finish or I could comnt, a loud, rude voice filtered over Brook’s shoulder. “Well, if it isn’t that nasty bitch who always slls like shit,” Sophia said, coming over with her entourage. “I bet you cheated in so way to get ahead.”
I rolled my eyes at her but held myself back from doing anything else. I’d gotten myself into enough trouble today already.
But she wasn’t finished yet. “You know, with you living so close to the prince now, he’s sure to discover quickly you’re nothing but a slut who tries to sabotage other people. He’ll get rid of you right away.” Her friends chid in, voicing their agreent.
Fury started to build up within . I took a few deep breaths and warned her, “I’ll say this only once. Leave alone!”
Sophia gave so of her followers a look, and those girls walked over to my assigned luggage slot and dumped out all my belongings. Not only that, they then stepped on them.
anwhile, Sophia shouted out, “Cheater!” She raised her voice so that the whole room could hear. “Look at her! What a sha she is! I can’t believe I’m sharing the sa roof with this ungraceful, despicable whore!”
I clenched my fist, and reminded myself over and over again to ignore her.
Brook rushed over and tried to collect my personal items on the ground, but Sophia’s followers blocked Brook and pushed her so hard that she fell on the floor.
“Brook, are you okay?” I imdiately dashed over to check on Brook.
“I’m all right. Don’t worry.” Brook said softly. She was slightly scratched, but had no major injuries, fortunately.
That was it; Sophia really needed to stop her hideous behavior! Taunting was one thing, but I wouldn’t just watch her bully my friend.
I stood up and walked toward her as she continued to taunt . “So what now? Why don’t you tell us how disgusting you...” she paused, and pointed at Brook, “and your bitchy friend—”
Slap!
A loud sound echoed in the room, and everyone was quiet.
Sophia looked at in disbelief. It took her a couple of seconds to catch up with what had happened. Then her hand moved up to touch the pink fingerprints on her face.
“You...” her voice trembled.
“ what?” I narrowed my eyes.
Sophia tried to fight back and I caught her striking arm.
I released her back to her group of followers and crossed my arms over my chest. Now that I was in this position, I might as well take advantage of it. I’d seen enough bullies in my day to know that they’d back off when soone stood up to them. To protect Brook, I knew what I had to do.
Pressing a smile to my face, I said in an overly sweet and intentionally irritating voice, “It must be very difficult for soone like you to accept that my actions have garnered a position close to Prince Theo.” I shrugged and kept my smile on my face, trying to seem unperturbed.
“Whatever asure I used, it worked. I’m sure you’re jealous and unhappy that you weren’t picked. But... really, what can you do about it? By the way, I’m not that forgiving, and like you said, with soone despicable like , you’ll never know what I might do to get back to you. So here’s what I have for you—keep your mouth shut and leave us alone!”
Fury and fear lighted Sophia’s eyes as she glared at . “You...” Her whole body was trembling, and finally, I heard her shout, “You just wait, you cunt! You haven’t seen half of what I can do yet.”
“Uh, uh,” I said, wagging my finger and looking her in the eye. “You shouldn’t speak to Prince Theo’s personal attendant that way. It’s liable to get you in trouble. Oh, and Sophia, dear, if you try to take your anger out on Brook....”
I narrowed my eyes slightly at her, taking on the look a python might have before he struck. “I will make sure that Prince Theo never even gives you a sideways glance. And you know, in my position, that’s quite possible.”
Her mouth opened, but then she closed it. It snapped open again, looking a bit like a fish that’s been caught and lifted out of the water.
She was so angry, she didn’t even know what to say, and it was probably because she hadn’t expected to fight back.
With Sophia’s face turning a bright crimson, I collected my belongings, grabbed Brook and headed off to take a shower.
Brook followed along behind . “Ciana,” she said in a sharp whisper. “Wow... you were scary just now. I an, good scary!”
I smiled at her. “If she should ever try to bully you, you let know, all right?”
Her face lit up as she smiled back at . “Thank you, Ciana,” she said, then she teased by saying, “I feel like I know soone very important now.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. If she knew how Prince Theo already felt about , she would understand that I was likely to do her just as much harm as good in my new position, but there was no point making her concerned.
***
Fifteen minutes before the clock struck twelve, I took my belongings and headed down to Prince Theo’s chambers, hoping that he was already asleep, so I didn’t have to interact with him that day.
After all, the king had only said to report there by the end of the day. Technically, that was midnight, wasn’t it? Why would I be in a hurry to bring myself closer to death?
I had no idea what sort of assignnts Prince Theo would give to his personal attendant, but I had a feeling they wouldn’t involve feeding him grapes or reading him poems from an old, well-used leather book. No, he was likely to ask to do more vigorous activities.
A chill went down my spine as I pondered what that could an. It had better be chores and not... bedroom activities.
I was a virgin, and I planned on staying that way until I t that very special person in my life.
It didn’t take long for to get to my destination. Two guards stood on either side of his door, and as I approached, one asked, “Are you the new assistant, m’lady?”
Not used to such formalities, it took a mont to get a word out. “Uh... yes.”
He nodded and stepped to the door next to the more ornate double doors he’d been guarding. “This is your room. Now that you’re here, may we be excused?”
“Of course! Have a good night!” Those guards were probably sent by Beta Xavier to ensure that I arrived on ti. I was glad I made it before midnight.
When the door opened, I was shocked at how nice it was. Walking inside, I set my bags down and had a quick look around.
The space was bigger than the room I’d shared with the other girls, and while it was clearly a servant’s quarters, the four-poster bed was large, and the erald green linens looked inviting. They matched the curtains over the window that looked out onto the garden I’d just passed through.
On the other side of the room, another door was slightly ajar, and I had to think this was how I was to access the prince when he called for .
Regardless of how unwilling I was to interact with him, I felt I should at least make an effort to check in with him if he was awake. Since the door was open, I hesitated for a mont, and finally decided to go in that way.
My breath caught in my throat as I knocked gently on the door.
#
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