Chapter 5

Cassia’s POV

Sienna’s disappointment was almost comical. When I told her that the hybrid killer was none other than His Majesty, she practically cried.

“We are doomed, Cassie. Doomed,” she said, sprawling on the floor of our shared room in the servants' quarters.

There were five of us in a room, but the others were still busy with their evening chores.

“Why, drama queen?” I couldn’t help giggling at her antics.

“Don’t you see?” She sat up, “He can kill his own brother—a hybrid too—easily, with no remorse. How much more for us? We don’t stand a chance at all. Hybrids are at the top of the chain, but the king? He’s beyond that chain.”

I understood what she meant. But if we followed that line of thinking, we’d only become more scared—scared of our own shadows. Like Sienna was right now, as we were told to serve refreshments to the king and his sister in one of the gardens. I had thought only the older servants got to be around the royals directly, but I guessed I was wrong.

I nudged my friend gently with my elbow before she stepped into the garden. “We’ll be fine. Just be alert and quiet, okay?” I whispered to her.

She gulped hard before nodding. She wanted to say something but looked ahead in surprise. I followed her gaze, and oh my goodness.

This place was gorgeous.

We couldn’t stop gawking at the beauty of the garden. The gentle late afternoon breeze, the birds chirping, and butterflies roaming freely—it was surreal. I didn’t realize I had said that out loud until one of the maids replied, “Wait until you see the king’s personal garden. The fountain brings out colorful waters.”

I looked at her in awe. “You’ve been to his living quarters?”

Working directly in the king’s living quarters felt like being in an elite workspace because it was difficult to be assigned there and most of the time, there wasn’t much to clean or do.

The ladies—maids or even slaves—were the prettiest and best-trained of all the servants.

The head matron was directly in charge of recruiting them. She was the head of all the other units in the palace, the fiercest, strictest, and most intimidating vampire lady who used to be the king’s nanny centuries ago… or so I heard.

I hadn’t seen her yet, but Madam Care informed us today that the head matron had returned from her vacation in the Hultin region and warned us to be on our best behaviour.

The maid wanted to say more, but a presence entered the garden from another angle, a pale looking woman in a black gown with gold intricate designs that made her look terrifying. There was no smile on her face.

“Head matron.” I heard someone say behind me as we fell into a courtesy formation.

“Do you all need a red carpet before you arrange the refreshments for your king?” she barked firmly at us.

He wasn’t even here yet. What was she yelling for?

As soon as we withdrew from the table, I heard a familiar voice say, “I know something’s up, Karl, tell me?”

“Seline, stop it.” His gruff voice sent an unsettling shiver down my spine.

As they sat down, I peeked and saw a pout on the princess’s face. She was so ethereal. But then my eyes locked with the head matron standing to the side.

I gasped out loud and quickly forced my head down, causing the hybrids to snap their gazes in my direction. I nearly died of fright. Thankfully, the princess continued her conversation with the king, ignoring my outburst.

“Alright, brother. I just wanted to see how you’re faring, because irrespective of what you say, I know his death would affect you too,” she spoke softly.

“You’re mistaken, love. I was just worried for you and Mother handling the news. For what he did, I would rip him apart again—and anyone else involved.” My stubborn neck peeped again to see him remove her hand from his face and gently massage it.

A wave of sadness washed over me. To be loved, or to have my feelings considered by someone, felt like a distant dream. Life as a slave had destroyed that option. Whether I would ever be free or allowed to fall in love, or bear children was all dependent on my master—who sat before me.

“How’s your married life, sister? The Duke of Fern seems reasonable, but appearances can be deceiving. Are you happy? Does he treat you well?” he asked in a calm voice.

She laughed. “You ask me every time, Karl. I’m happy, truly. It would be complete if we could have a mini us soon, but aside from that, I’m good. I’ll have to leave now; I’m sure he’s missing me.”

“Seline, if you need anything—” he started, but the princess interrupted.

“Yes, yes, tell you and Ace.” She giggled before rising, causing him to do the same, her hands still in his. “Ace told me the same: ‘If you need anything, Karl and I will be there in a heartbeat.’ I’m fine, you two cute big brothers.” She imitated the prince's voice,while trying to pinch his cheek.

He pulled her into a hug before she turned to the head matron. “Alika, take care of my handful of a brother.”

“As always, your highness. Have a smooth journey back.”

And she was gone.

Something shifted in the air. My senses urged me not to look up, but I wanted to understand what was happening. Why the silence?

As I did, I saw the king’s face, staring at a maid—the one who had spoken to me earlier—who stepped forward to refill his glass of wine.

His eyes were a dark red, different from the bluish hue I had seen that day.

“I have lost my appetite for this snack, I want a better one.”

Without further warning, he grabbed her wrist and bit into it.

She screamed in pain before falling to her knees in front of him.

My breathing accelerated, and I turned to look at Sienna. She was facedown like the other maids, but all of us were breathing rapidly—scared.

I turned back to the scene and noticed that the maid had quieted down. Her shoulders were still moving, indicating she was alive. The king’s eyes, which had been closed in ecstasy, suddenly flew open… and locked with mine.

My knees instantly became weak.

They weren’t dark red anymore but amber.

‘H-how? Is it a hybrid thing?’

Is he going to kill me for staring at him?

My erratic breathing wasn’t just from the initial fear that had crippled me. His eyes on me as he drew blood from the maid’s hand stirred something strange in my lower belly.

I just couldn’t bring myself to look away