~Emily~

'What do you think you are doing?" Reta asked, her menacing voice sending chills down my back.


'I'm dead," I muttered underneath my breath as balls of sweat trickled down my face immediately.

I froze at the spot, unfazed as I tried to close the shelf discreetly.

'Are you deaf?" Her voice came again, this time it was cold and harsh.


'M-my lady," I stuttered, turning slowly to face her as I bowed slightly.

'You?" She sparked, her eyes blazing with fury. Aren't you the human maiden?" She asked, her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she stared at me.


'Uhmm, I'm the king's personal maid, my lady," I replied, my gaze drifting away as I avoided her prying gaze.

'What's your name?" She asked, coming closer. 'E-Emily, my lady," I stammered, my voice barely audible as I fiddled with my fingers.

'Emily, I think I……."

Suddenly, the door opened, revealing Zayne dressed in a black hoodie and black denim jeans.

'What's going on here?" He asked, his eyes darting between me and Reta.

'Uhm, welcome, my lord," I muttered, bowing slightly as I bit my lower lip nervously.

He fixed his gaze on me, as though he was scanning my reaction. 'Get out," he growled, his voice cold and firm.

'As my lord pleases," I whispered, dashing towards the door immediately before he changed his mind.

'Wait," Reta called, making me stop on my track to face her. She came closer to me with only an inch of distance between us.

'Dress properly," she said, adjusting my dress as she pushed my bra straps inside. 'Now leave," she barked before I dashed out.

'Phew!" I exhaled, panting slowly immediately as I entered my room. I didn't realize I had been holding my breath all this while.

'What happened?" Steph asked, her eyes squinted as she stared at me suspiciously.

'Nothing serious," I replied, dashing to the bathroom to avoid any more questions.

_______

Scccrrrrrrrr

The bell on my waist blared noisily, making me jerk up with beads of sweat all over my face.

'Holy moly! I exclaimed, my eyes widened in shock as I glanced at the wall clock.

'The king would literally kill me," I muttered, rubbing my eyes weakly before jumping out of bed as I dashed to the bathroom.

'Sleeping beauty," Steph mocked, styling her hair backwards. 'Hope you enjoyed your sleep?" She added, a mischievous smile on her face.

'You are evil," I groaned, making her chuckle slightly. 'Good luck on your demise," she added, laughing hysterically.

After about ten minutes, I was done dressing up. Steph was already asleep, her face twisted in a smile.

'Pftt! Evil bitch," I scoffed, glaring daggers at her before I stepped out.

________


The silence in the courtyard was deafening. No one was in sight except for the guards on duty.

As the king's personal maid, the guards were familiar with me, so I wasn't stopped or asked any questions.

I gently sneaked into the kitchen, my heart beating faster than normal. 'You are dead, the king asked of you," a maid said as she handed the king's tray to me.

'Thank you," I muttered, my voice barely audible.

As I scurried through the hallway to the king's room, I couldn't help but ponder on his reaction earlier.

'Why did he ask me to wait? Why was he staring at me?" These thoughts filled my mind as I approached his chamber.

After about five minutes, I was finally in front of his door, just like the first time. The only difference was that this time, I was at the verge of losing my position.

'Stop," the guards at the door said, unsheathing their swords. 'Huh! It's me, the king's maid," I stuttered, my brows furrowed as I stared at the scene in front of me.

The guards never asked any questions, why were they acting defensive all of a sudden. 'I'm sorry but you can't see the king right now, maybe tomorrow," one of them said, his voice firm and cold.

'I'm the king's……"

The door suddenly opened, revealing a guard holding a box in his hands. 'I-I know you," I stuttered, staring at him keenly.

His face looked familiar, but I couldn't place my hands on where I had seen him. 'How's your sister?" He asked, a small smile on his face.

Then it hit me, I remembered where I saw him, he was the guard that stood up against Thorn while we were held captive.

'She's better now, thank you Sir," I replied, my face twisted in a warm smile.

'Rowan, call me Rowan," he replied. 'What's going on here?" He asked, his eyes darting between me and the guards.

'She insisted on seeing the king," the guard replied, his head slightly bowed.

'Let her in," Rowan snapped, squeezing my shoulder. 'He has been waiting for you," he added before walking away.

'Thank you," I shouted after him but he shrugged it off. 'I told you," I muttered, sticking my tongue out to the guards.

As I entered Zayne's chamber, the strong stench of alcohol hit me immediately. The room reeked of alcohol but he was nowhere to be found.

'My king," I called, my eyes darting back and forth as I scanned the room. The dim light in the room made it more difficult to see properly.

'You are late," a voice said behind me, making me flinch. I turned slowly, my heart pounding in my chest.

And there he was, the almighty Zayne, right in front of me. His hands were behind his back, his green eyes piercing into mine.

'I'm sorry, I overslept," I muttered, biting my lower lip nervously as I avoided his gaze.

'You forgot? How could you forget to serve your king?" He asked, his voice laced with anger as he took a step forward.

'I'm sorry, my king, one last chance, I beg you," I pleaded, my eyes clouded in sadness.

'Last chance?" He asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. 'I don't give last chances," he added, a mischievous smile on his face.

At this point, he was right in front of me, his towering figure enveloping my shadow.

'Loot at me, Ema" he whispered, using his index finger to raise my chin up a little. 'I don't forgive," he said, his eyes glinting in the dark.

His eyes were roaming all over my body as he bit his lower lip seductively. He had a look in his eyes that I couldn't fathom, it was as though he was thinking of something else.

'Fuck! You are beautiful," he groaned, licking his lips repeatedly as he leaned closer.

'My king," I muttered, taking a few steps backwards. 'Have a goodnight," I added before dashing out of his room.

As much as I wanted him, I couldn't let him have his way. It felt as though he wasn't his usual self.

'He would probably not remember anything by morning," I thought.

The courtyard was dead silent by now, no one was in sight, not even the guards on duty. 'Where is everybody?" I wondered.

I had barely taken a few steps when someone grabbed me from behind, pinning me against the wall immediately.

'Huh! Let me go," I shouted but he blocked my mouth with his palm. 'Don't be stubborn, I don't bite,'' he muttered, smiling slightly.

His blonde hair was scattered around his face so I couldn't see him properly but judging by his sweet berry scent and glittering royal gown, it had to be someone of importance.

'So, you are the girl my brother picked as his maid, right?

'Huh! His brother? Luther?"