Chapter 3

- Ashina - 

When the three ladies were done taunting me, they walked away, and a few minutes later, another came.

"Hi," she greeted softly with a small smile. "My name is Ann."

She offered her hand for a handshake and I only glared at her. She withdrew immediately.

"I'm so sorry for the way they talked to you. I hope you don't feel bad," she said with uncertainty in her voice.

"You are not here to taunt me as well?" I asked, speaking for the first time since I woke into this bizarre situation.

"Of course not. I'm not like Suzy, Becca and Loretta who call themselves the squad," then she lowered her voice. "Foolish bitches."

I chuckled, having a liking to her immediately.

"They are maids like all of us but they go around acting like they are any better," she huffed. "And yes, beware of Becca especially. She's no good."

I nodded at her appreciatively. She began talking about how pretty I was and all but I was not listening to her. I wanted to know how Lucian was faring, to see and touch him...

I thought of Stacy's betrayal and still couldn't believe she would do that to me.

"Didn't the alpha's fiancé die at their wedding?" I said, trying to get some information from Ann.

"That's no news," she shrugged casually. "Everyone's over it, including the alpha."

"I don't understand..." I muttered. "What do you mean by, 'including the Alpha?"

"What, are you a visitor or something? The alpha has moved on from the incident and he got married to her sister after her demise."

What!?

I felt a choking in my throat, probably my words going back down or they were blocked by the shock I felt, and my mouth suddenly went dry.

"Uh..." I heard Ann utter with some concern in her voice. "Are you okay?"

I tried to bring myself back to the conversation.

"The Alpha got married to her sister?" I repeated and Ann tilted her head back like she was beginning to suspect something.

"Yeah?" She replied uncertainly. ""Why is it sounding like a bit deal to you?"

"It's...not fair," I said slowly. "I've always believed the Alpha loved...her dearly. Why will he choose to be with... her sister shortly after...her death? He didn't give it time to grief? Doesn't he care about...her that much?"

I had to give those pauses to avoid saying "me". Ann had a bewildered look on her face, and then she chuckled lightly.

"Well, what do we care? I mean, it's their life and none of our business, is it? After all, they are royals and we are just maids. And even if we were to be important and our thoughts on that count, you aren't the one in the shoes to feel cheated on."

I looked at her and nodded. If only she knew who she was talking to. At this point, I could not even explain how I felt; I had to find out what exactly was going on. I was so sure there was a misunderstanding somewhere. Lucian couldn't possibly do such a thing to me, would he? He loves me so much.

Just a moment ago, I was wondering how he would have coped with my death only for me to find out he had gotten over me and married Stacy.

I stood up abruptly, and Ann held my hand.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"To the Alpha's chambers," I replied and her eyes widened.

"Why? What for?" She asked hurriedly. "Are you looking for a dead sentence?"

Well, I have been dead before, and now this life I was given doesn't promise to be nice at all, so I might as well take my chances with death again. I would rather be dead than alive to be a slave to Lucian’s brother while I watch him be with another woman, worse still, my own sister who killed me.

"I need to go find out a few things. I am just a bit curious about the palace you know, so I want to check it out," I told her with a small smile on my face.

"Don't do it," she shook her head fearfully. "You'd be risking your life. We are not allowed in the premises of the palace unless being sent for."

"They allow maids in the palace," I stated. "Surely, they don't cook their meals themselves and do the chores."

"Those are royal maids," she told me. "Assigned specially to serve the royal family directly. We are not allowed to behold them unless they send for us."

Oh great! Now what? I am not even a maid with some dignity. I looked at Ann and decided to sit back. I will still go to the royal chambers, I determined.

There is no way I am going to sit down here while Lucian and Stacy are out there together. In the meantime, it is a good thing I will not be seeing Gizmo for a while. Hopefully, he might even forget about me and never call me to his presence.

This is the only advantage of not being a 'royal' maid. I rested back on the wall and closed my eyes.

The next thing that came to my mind was the Alpha. The last time I saw him was a night to the wedding when he gave me those reassurances of his love. We spend so much time in each other's arms, and I couldn't wait to officially be his wife.

"What's your name?" Ann broke into my thoughts and I opened my eyes.

Ashina, Princess Ashina.

"I am Elena."

Just then, the room went silent, and everyone was looking towards the door. We both turned to look, too, and I saw the guards walking towards my side.

"Elena," One of them called grumpily. "Lord Gizmo wants to see you now."

"Wait what? What for?" I asked worriedly but they did not bother giving a reply. Instead, they dragged me out roughly while I struggled with them to let me go.

I can't be with Gizmo so soon again.

No….