Lycan King's Regret: Punished The Wrong Daughter novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7: 7- The Real Fear

Arabella Toussaint:

By the time I was taken to the laundry quarters, my knees felt as though they were on fire. Every time I moved, it sent a sharp sting through my knees.

It’s okay. You’ll get used to it. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it.

I kept chanting the words silently in my head.

The stone pathways had scraped my skin, leaving it throbbing. My legs were trembling so badly that I could barely hold myself on my knees

Hungry, sore, and exhausted.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had eaten.

The scent of bread drifting somewhere inside the palace only made my empty stomach twist harder.

"Move faster!" A guard shoved my shoulder, making me nearly collapse. The laundry area was behind the servants’ wing. Large baskets overflowed with dirty clothes.

Omegas were working tirelessly around giant tubs of water, while chattering to each other. The moment I entered, several pairs of eyes turned towards me.

A tall woman stepped forward in a spotless gray uniform, "The royal hostage?" she asked the guard, who laughed mockingly. He must have nodded because the woman’s lips curled, "Ah. The famous Toussaint princess ... murderer’s sister."

I lowered my gaze in shame.

"She is filthy!" Someone from the crowd spoke, and the rest of them found it funny because they laughed.

"I’m Helena!" The woman told me, "I’m the head Housekeeper." She then pointed towards the overflowing baskets, "This needs washing... and the baskets over there... those washed clothes need to be folded."

I couldn’t even nod. Helena must have taken it the wrong way because she smirked, "What? Too much work for a princess?" She pointed towards my knees, "Stay on your knees. My eyes are on you, don’t forget that," she pointed her two fingers towards her own eyes

I nodded and crawled towards the baskets. The room swayed, and I could hear laughter in the room.

"Pathetic. I’ll miss our Princess Anika when I look at her face," Someone muttered, and the rest of them nodded their heads.

Ignoring them, I went to the pile of washed clothes and started folding them. As a former slave, I knew they needed to be sent for ironing.

My stomach growled painfully, and my arms felt heavy. But the hatred on the Royal family’s faces kept me going.

The only thing I had learned in life was to keep going if I wanted a piece of bread.

I tried to ignore my empty stomach and got busy with work when the memory of the beast surfaced in my thoughts. For the first time that day, I smiled faintly.

Whoever he was, he had saved my life. If not for him, I would still be lost or lying dead somewhere in that forest.

***

I stared at the warm bun in my hands in disbelief. The soft bread nearly sank beneath my fingers when I tore it apart.

My eyes widened when I saw strawberry jam inside. For a moment, I stared at it. There was a small carton of mango shake beside my plate.

I had never been given this kind of food in my entire life. Maybe when my mother was alive.

The thought made my smile fade for a second. I quickly pushed it away.

All the servants around me were busy eating, though I could feel their curious glances.

Without wasting a second, I took a huge bite and man...

My eyes nearly rolled back. Sweet Moon Goddess. This was... delicious.

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