A narrow escape

CHAPTER SEVEN

~Ariee~

You know when I said I deserve an award for buttering people up? I probably meant one for having the worst possible luck in history.

The one time I decided to be helpful, instead of outrightly saying no, I ended up meeting the very man I was trying hardest to avoid. I must be a joke or something.

I was very aware of the eyes boring holes into my skin as the tray hit the floor, drawing the attention I very much didn’t need. I swallowed hard, gripping the hem of my dress tightly as my eyes locked with the mess on the grass.

“What is wrong with you?!” The first voice made me flinch. “How hard is it to set down a tray and drop a bowl of fruits beside other bowls?”

I couldn’t speak. My heart was beating erratically in my chest. He wasn’t in my line of sight, yet… yet my insides were trembling like he was right in front of me.

What was I still doing here? I should leave before this drags more attention and he eventually comes over.

“I’m sorry,” my voice felt dry and shaky. “I'll clean it up.”

I lowered myself to the ground without wasting another second and began picking up the fallen fruits.

“Who hired such a klutz in the first place?” I heard a mutter around me.

“I could swear I have never seen her around here?”

“Must be her first day. She doesn’t even have a catching scent. Strange.”

That’s because I don’t have a scent at all, smartass.

I picked up the fruits faster, tossing everything quickly into the tray. I grabbed the tray as soon as I was done and made to leave when I felt an intense gaze pierced through the side of my face.

Don't look, Ariee. Just freaking move.

But it was easier said than done. The more I tried to escape, the more servants filtered in, crowding the entrance. I couldn’t force my way through because they were all holding trays. A second disaster could be fatal for me.

The gaze didn’t ease off me. With each passing second, I could feel it growing more and more intense. Did I strike something in his memory already? Or was it my frame giving me away?

It was hard to contain the urge to glance back. My knuckles were slowly turning white from how tightly I was gripping the tray. My chest was heavy and I was fast running short of breath. That feeling of working overtime when I was merely standing.

I had to get out of his line of sight.

Slowly adjusting, I fell back two steps , blending with the crowd of maids, while waiting for a chance to slip out. The tension on my body didn’t lessen, even when I was certain he couldn’t see me anymore.

“You're still here?” The maid from earlier suddenly spoke behind me. I jumped, a little startled and she sighed.

“I'm sorry,” I muttered, quickly picking the fruits that fell off.

“Just drop that aside and join us in serving. Be more careful…”

“No!” I blurted before I even realized it. She flinched a little, taken aback by the aggressive response. I forced an awkward laugh to ease it off. “I mean… I really shouldn't touch anything else before I make things worse. I'll just take this back.”

I didn’t wait for her response and slipped through the opening I was waiting for. Once I was out, I broke into a run, trying to get as far away as possible. I kept glancing back, trying to make sure he wasn’t following me.

At a safe distance, I took a break, breathing heavily.

That was way too close.

Once I was calm, I began tracing my way back to the building. The chef would probably skin me alive for wasting for but honestly, it was less scary than facing the King. I braced myself for whatever was coming as I knocked on the kitchen door.

The door opened and for the first time, fate smiled at me. I was greeted by a much elderly woman but there was friendly aura around her that immediately put me at ease.

She blinked at the tray in my hands, then at my face, her expression softening with quiet curiosity rather than irritation.

“Child… what happened?” she asked gently.

For a moment, I just stood there, unsure of what to say. The words tangled in my throat. Should I tell her I almost died—twice? Or that I nearly served the Lycan King and embarrassed myself into the ground?

“I… I dropped it,” I finally admitted, lowering my gaze. “I’m sorry.”

She stepped aside, allowing me in without another word. That alone felt like a miracle.

“Come in before someone sees you standing there like a lost chick,” she murmured.

I quickly slipped inside, shutting the door behind me like I was sealing myself away from the world outside.

The kitchen was chaos.

Servants moved back and forth in a practiced rhythm, the air thick with the scent of roasted meat, spices, and freshly baked bread. Pots clanged, orders were shouted, and flames danced beneath large iron stoves. It was overwhelming… but strangely calming.

“At least no one here is trying to stab me,” I muttered under my breath.

“What was that?” the old woman asked, glancing back at me.

“Nothing!” I straightened immediately.

She hummed, unconvinced, and took the tray from my hands. Her eyes scanned the mess before letting out a small sigh.

“You’re not one of ours,” she said.

It wasn’t a question.

I hesitated, then shook my head. “I’m a personal maid… to one of the candidates.”

“Ah,” she nodded slowly, as if that explained everything. “That would explain the fear in your bones.”

My lips parted slightly.

Was it that obvious?

She placed the ruined fruits aside and wiped her hands on her apron. “Listen carefully, child. This place is not like wherever you came from. One mistake here can cost more than your job.”

Tell me about it.

“I understand,” I whispered.

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before she sighed again, softer this time. “You’re lucky today.”

Lucky?

I almost laughed.

“If it had been anyone else at that door, you would have been dragged back already,” she added.

A chill ran down my spine.

“I… thank you,” I said sincerely.

She waved it off. “No need. Just be smarter next time.”

I nodded quickly, eager to agree to anything that would keep me alive.

“But,” she continued, her tone shifting slightly, “why were you running like a hunted deer?”

My fingers tightened around the fabric of my dress.

Because I was one. Because if he recognized me, everything would fall apart.

“I made a mistake in the garden,” I said carefully. “I didn’t want to cause more trouble.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, studying me in a way that made me feel like she could see right through my skin. I didn’t give her the chance to comment and quickly change the topic.

“Can I please get some snacks for my lady? She didn’t have breakfast this morning and I'm afraid it will trigger her ulcer,” I lied. If anything, I was the one with the ulcer.

“Ofcourse,” She smiled. “I'll pack some for you too.”

My eyes watered. This was the first time a complete stranger was being nice to me.

“Thank you.”