Serving The King

Mira’s POV

My hands trembled as I carried the first dish into the Lycan King’s dining chamber. I had served Alpha Xavier countless times back in the Redwood Pack. But this was different. This was the Lycan King. Perry’s father. The most powerful werewolf ruler in our world. And he already hated me.

I lowered my eyes as I stepped inside. The dining chamber was enormous, with tall windows covered by heavy blue curtains. A long wooden table stood in the center, surrounded by carved chairs. Silver dishes glittered beneath the chandelier.

The Lycan King sat at the head of the table. His expression was unreadable.Perry sat on his right. Queen Jemina was supposed to join us, but she had been called away by one of the palace physicians. I placed the dish carefully before the King. “Dinner, Your Majesty.”

His eyes moved from the food to me. “You.”

My heart jumped. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

He sighed. “You are the girl who came from Redwood.”

My hands trembled as I responded. “Yes.”

His eyes narrowed. “The daughter of Richard Troost.”

I swallowed. “Yes, your Majesty.”

I lowered my head as silence filled the room. I could feel Perry watching me.

The King leaned back. “Your father was accused of murdering my ally.”

“My father was accused,” I replied carefully. “But I have never believed he was guilty.”

The King's expression hardened. “You are defending a traitor?”

“No, Your Majesty.” I lifted my eyes for only a second. “I am defending the truth.” Perry shifted slightly in his chair as the King went on. “So you are brave.”

I immediately looked down. “No, Your Majesty. I am only answering your question.”

He picked up his spoon. “Serve the soup,” he commanded. 

I quickly moved toward the bowl, my fingers still trembling. I carefully poured the soup into his bowl making sure not to spine anything . 

“Wine.” I reached for the bottle but before I could pour it, the King asked, “Can you read?”

The question took me by surprise and I answered him. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Who taught you?” He requested. 

“My father.”

“A traitor taught you to read?”

I hesitated. “He taught me many things.”

“What kind of things?”

“How to read. How to write. How to recognize herbs. How to calculate numbers.”

The King stared at me. “And how to survive?”

My throat tightened. “Yes.”

His eyes remained on me. “Then why were you living as a slave in Redwood?”

I looked down at the floor. “Because after my father was accused, no one believed me when I said he was innocent.”

The King said nothing as I continued serving the food. Meanwhile, Perry remained silent throughout the conversation. But I could feel his eyes on me. Every time my hand trembled, I felt him watching. Every time his father questioned me, Perry's attention sharpened.

Finally, the King asked, “Why did Xavier reject you?”

My body stiffened. I didn't know how to answer. “He believed I was connected to the death of his parents.”

“And were you?” 

“No.”

“Were you involved in your father's actions?”

“No.”

He went on. “Did you ever see him harm Xavier's parents?”

I was trembling. “No.”

“Then why did you accept Xavier's rejection so easily?”

I looked at him. “Because I couldn't force someone to love me.”

Perry's eyes suddenly met mine while The King studied me for several seconds. “You aren't angry with him?”

“I was hurt.”

The King snarled. “That's not what I asked.”

I took a slow breath. “I don't want to spend my life begging someone to choose me.”

Silence. I saw the Prince look away. I know they must've been taken aback by my answer. 

The King placed his spoon down. “Interesting.” I wasn't sure whether that was good or bad. I watched him pick up his cup as he continued. “You understand that being inside this palace does not make you a princess.”

I nodded, my eyes burning. “I know.”

His voice was calm..“You have no title.”

I nodded again..“I know.”

“You have no family here.”

I lowered my eyes. “I know.”

“And yet my son brought you here.”

I glanced toward Perry. He was watching his father now. “I didn't ask him to.”

The King's eyebrow lifted. “What?”

“I didn't ask Prince Perry to bring me here.”

Perry's lips twitched slightly as he threw his gaze at me but I threw mine away. I told my truth. I never asked the Prince to bring me to his kingdom and till now, I had no clue of why he brought me. 

The King leaned closer. “Then why did you come?”

“Because I wasn't given a choice.”

Perry finally spoke. “Father.”

The King's gaze moved toward him. “What?”

“Enough.” His voice was calm, but there was warning beneath it.

The King leaned back. “I am only trying to understand the girl you brought into my home.”

He frowned. “She has done nothing wrong.” He told his father. 

“Yet.”

Perry's jaw tightened and I quickly stepped forward. “Your Majesty, may I take the empty plates?”

The King nodded.

I began clearing the table. As I reached for the last plate, his voice stopped me.

“Mira.”

I froze. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Look at me.”

I slowly raised my eyes and the look on the King's face was stern. “My son has always been difficult to understand. He is stubborn, reckless, and sometimes foolish.”

Perry frowned. “Father.”

The King ignored him. “If you think you can manipulate him because he has taken an interest in you, you will regret it.”

My chest tightened. “I would never manipulate him.”

“See that you don't.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” I bowed. Then I turned toward the door. My fingers had barely touched the handle when I heard Perry speak.

“Mira.”

I stopped and looked back. He was staring at me. “Go and rest.” I nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.” I left the dining chamber. 

The moment the door closed behind me, I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I had survived dinner with the Lycan King. But somehow, I felt as though I had just walked through a battlefield.

Just then, I heard Perry's voice and it made me lean closer to the door. 

“What are you thinking?” he asked his father. 

His father didn't answer immediately. Then, I heard. “There is something unusual about her.”

“She has been through enough.”

“That isn't what I said.”

“Then what are you saying?” he asked. I could sense the tension in his voice. 

“I don't trust her.”

My heart raced to the King's word. If the King doesn't trust me enough, how on earth was I to cope in his Kingdom?

“She hasn't given you a reason not to.”

“Perhaps.” I heard the King continued. “Which is precisely why I want to know more.”

Perry's voice was low now. “What are you planning?”

“Nothing.” Then, I heard the King called out to one of his guards and it caught me off guard. Did they know I'm eaces dropping? 

In a second, I raced down the hallway. The king doesn't trust me, I mustn't give him a chance not to.