Downgraded

LUCIAN 

The palace was different from what I remembered. I've only ever been here, once or twice, to see my sister. 

It was still the same towering gates, big statues, luxurious curtains, and gold plated decorations. Everything that screamed royalty. 

After my brief encounter with Elias, I was thrown into a dark room before a guard came to pick me hours later.

I scoffed softly as I was shoved forward again. “Well, guess the Lycan King has been redecorating.”

The guard grunted, not even dignifying me with a response as he threw me at the feet of a man in a spotless suit and deadpan expression. The butler.

“King Elias has assigned you as his personal servant,” the butler said, his voice flat and void of emotions. “You will report directly to me. Follow orders and don’t speak unless spoken to.”

My insides curled, personal servant?

Didn’t my brother-in-law tell them who I am? 

“You belong to the King now,” he said sharply, “You clean what he tells you to clean. You sleep when he allows you to and don't even bother running away. You wouldn't make it past ten feet before your legs are cut off.”

I gulped loudly and groaned. Now, I’ve been downgraded from fugitive to a glorified house pet.

My chest ached. 

Elias and Reine definitely want me to suffer a bit, learn to take more responsibility and become a straight man.

Like a rebellious pup that needed retraining. Maybe I did deserve it.

Looks like I’ll have to work really hard this time. Still, Elias has been extremely generous, considering he's willing to shelter me, a 'fugitive,' and offer me an opportunity.

The butler turned on his heel. “Follow me. I'll show you the Lycan King’s room."

I did, without question.

He led me down a long, barely littered corridor. The air shifted the closer we got to his room. It was heavier and thicker.

Finally, the butler stopped in front of the biggest set of doors I’d ever seen. Double doors, carved with old Lycan designs and lined with gold.

“This is the King's bedroom,” he said. “No one is allowed to enter it but him, and now, you.”

Me?

My jaw dropped. “You want me to do this kind of work?”

The butler’s eyes were cold as winter. “ You should consider yourself lucky to do this job! So many people would beg for a chance like this.”

Then he walked off, leaving me alone by the doors.

I stared at the doors for a moment, exhaling loudly before pushing the doors open.

Goddess!! This wasn’t just a bedroom.

It was a mini palace on its own.

Gold plated ceilings, crystal chandeliers, dark stone walls, and shelves, which held rows of expensive antiques, weapons, books, and maps. Some of the relics looked older than the king himself.

A massive bed sat at the center, draped in black sheets and black duvet.

I sighed. “Cleaning this would be more difficult than Andrew’s pack house”

I started cleaning, moving slowly, careful with every step, and delicate items, trying not to touch too much. Still, something felt off.

There was no scent of my sister anywhere. No spare shoes, no jewelry, no traces of her presence. For a King’s bedroom, it was too empty.

Was she gone? Or did they fight? Were they divorced? Was it after I left?

My heart dropped to my stomach. Was that why Elias hated me so much? Did they break up because of me?

I was so lost in thoughts that I didn’t hear the door open behind me.

A shadow came over mine.

I turned to see Elias standing there.

Images of Elias standing outside the bathroom, naked, flooded my mind. 

His body, cock, abs and tattoos. Heat rose to my face.

And now here he was again, watching me scrub his floor like I was dirt under his heel.

I quickly stood, shaking the memory out of my head. 

“Where have Reine's things gone?” I asked, 

He glared daggers at me, as if I just asked the most ridiculous question. “Now you are asking about your sister? How dare you? Where did you get the audacity from?”

I flinched.

“From now on,” he continued, “you will serve me. You will eat when I say. Sleep when I say. Breathe if I allow it. Disobey once, and you’re back in chains.”

Something in me buckled, but I didn’t show it.

Instead, I looked at him tiredly and hollow.

Maybe he’s just hurting.

Maybe my sister and Elias had a falling out, and he was taking it out on me.

If scrubbing his floor could help him feel less angry and bring them back together, then fine.

I’d clean every inch of this castle with my fucking tongue if I had to.

Let him rage, humiliate me.

If it fixed what I broke, if it brought my sister peace, I’d take it.