Chapter One

Joan's Pov

I sat by the corner of the ceremonial hall, wanting to take a break. My back ached from the stressful work I've been doing since morning, I haven't even had my breakfast yet.

Well, let's not talk about breakfast, I barely eat a day.

I was made to starve, and if my duty isn't done before that time, I won't be having my meal for the day.

It's been a year since I've been working my ass off in this mansion. Honestly, I still haven't gotten used to their silly rules.

I watched the other maids scrub the floor, they'd then dry it with the dried rags. I wanted to remain in this same position for the rest of the day, or I'll probably be dead from tiredness.

"Joan," Silvia called, "Mrs Green is here." She announced and I quickly stood up from where I sat to continue scrubbing the floor.

Mrs Green has been a pain in the ass, she never takes sorry for an answer. I've been trying to avoid her, but in so many ways I wish I knew, she keeps standing in my way, finding one reason or the other to have me punished.

She walked up to my side, standing with both hands hung on her waist. "Trying to play smart, huh?" She asked, grabbing my hair.

"Ahh. Please. Please, let me go." I pleaded but rather than listening to my pleas, she tossed me to the wet ground.

"Useless bastard, always slow at little duties. I wished His majesty had taken you alongside your families, I can't believe he let you survive too." She cursed.

I was deeply hurt by her statement that I couldn't contain the anger within me any more. I understand she does hate me, but my family has nothing to do with this.

"Hey, I've been quiet on you doesn't mean you can talk to me however you like, okay? And if you've got any trash to say, don't you ever involve my family." I said, pointing my finger at her face.

She looked shocked at my reaction, but then I realized myself and what I had said. Not like I was regretting talking back to her, I was only shocked I had the audacity to defend myself for the first time.

"How dare you talk to me in such a manner?" She spat, pulling my hair again, which has become her habit. "I see you're growing wings, right? You have no right to talk back to me!"

I held the lower part of my hair to ease the pain as it was becoming too much for me to bear. "You know what? Go to the Alpha's room and have it thoroughly cleaned up before I come to inspect it."

She let go of me and I rushed out of the hall in tears. Sometimes I wonder what kind of maid I am. I was never treated like a normal maid, it feels more like I am a slave.

I started working on getting the king's room cleaned up. I arranged and rearranged his room, making sure everything was in order and dirt free. I opened the curtains for ventilation, and I made sure every side of the room was looking good and alphalypresentable.

I fell to the ground, weeping my soul out. It hurts to be treated in such a manner. Sometimes, I wish life could be fair to me, to give me the chance to feel better and happy once again. I wished my parents were alive, I wish I still had them with me, I just wanna go home.

And some times, most times, I pray that the moon goddess will punish those who had taken my family away from me. And when I say that, I ain't excluding Alpha Rex. That bastard has made me what I am today.

It's supposed to be my birthday, but I'm stuck doing the same annoying work! All because of some kinda useless event the Alpha king is hosting tonight. I can't even celebrate myself or sing the 'happy birthday song.' There has never been a chance for me to do that.

Not quite long, Mrs Green knocked on the door. I quickly stood up, drying my cheeks from the tear stain. She knocked again, this time it was louder than before. I rushed to open the door but she smacked it on my face.

I fell to the ground, touching my nose. I felt a liquid substance roll out of my nostrils. I glared at my fingers only to see my blood stained on my hand.

"What are you still doing there, you should be on your feet!" She yelled and I slowly stood to my feet, wiping off the blood which kept rolling down.

She inspected the room thoroughly and she saw there was no fault in it to complain about, she nodded her head. "For the very first time I'm gonna say you did well."

I wasn't moved by her sentiment, I was much more interested in the rolling blood.

She looked at me, a frown played on her face as she glared at the floor I stood on. "Can you please get that cleaned up? It's irritating. Do that quickly before the king comes in."

She left the room while I stayed back to clean the blood stains on the floor. Suddenly I heard Alpha Rex's voice, his familiar voice quite feathery to the ears, never left my head. Each time I hear it, it only reminds me of that bloody night his late father attacked my home, my family. And the thought of it made my heart boil with anger.

"Give me a call when he gets back." He said to whomever it was talking to him.

Luckily for me, I was done with cleaning up his space. I took the bucket and rag with me, making my way to the door. I was about to open the door but then it opened from the outside.

I froze.

The once upon a time brave Joan has gotten her nerves in silence. This is actually my first time coming directly in contact with him. My legs trembled, and my face stayed buried to the ground as he stood by the door, staring fixedly at me. I guess. And my crazy mind was too dull to imagine the fact that I was actually standing in his way.

"Do I have to remind you that you're standing on my way?" He said, a hint of rudeness sounded in his stupid

voice.

"I'm sorry." I apologized, shifting aside for him to walk in.

"Don't forget to shut the door when you leave." He said less concerned about my presence, or so I thought.

I didn't notice I had been holding my breath until I left the room. I exhaled heavily, leaning my back against the wall.

What was that for, Joan? What just happened? I turned to the direction of his room, my eyes narrowing in at his door.

Oh Joan!