CHAPTER 4

Luxury at it's peak. Everything about this kingdom wasn't what I had expected. The wealth they had was understated. Almost everything was made out of pure gold. Their market square looked like mini palace!

The subjects were very welcoming and nice. Everything here was the polar opposite of Balthazar. Immediately we arrived, I was led into the castle to a quiet wing and placed in a room whose walls were carved out in golden ancient writings.

"You're a high priced whore."

I coughed out the cool water I was gulping down in a haste. My wide eyes looked at the woman in a large ankle length flowy skirt and a tight bra in question. Her navel ring looked too heavy to me but she didn't seem to mind it.

"You're his only high priced whore. For now. He's paying for you, until you prove him otherwise."

I studied her brown eyes and curled lips in an attempt of a smile. She was trying to be nice. Only if she knew how it wired me. Her hair was braided in dreads and beats of different colours. She was beautiful. How did such a beauty escaped Alpha Gohan. From how he was being spoken about, I thought he hardly had any females in his kingdom.

"How..."

"How many are you? Right now, you are seven, you, inclusive. He fucks a different female every night. You shall get to meet them, soon enough, during dinner of course. You're to rest, bath and eat before then.

That wasn't my question. "Are you part of his females?"

She looked taken aback by my question, somehow offended by it, which she tried to suppress with that absurd smile she plastered on her face. "No. I am not. I am Jared's mate."

She said it casually, as if expecting me to know who Jared was.

"The man that bought you over." She answered, her eyes studying the mark on my arms. "The kingdom's beta." She sucked in a breath between her teeth. "Alpha Gohan hates marks on his female's body, you should know. I doubt you'll be his favorite."

My heart thumped in my chest. She was offended by my words so she retaliated? But I appreciated the truth. I was going to die early. I lowered my head immediately, my body shivering a bit from the future expectation.

"It depends on how good you are, in bed. I heard he likes them bold and I can see you're endowed."

Her eyes directed at my cleavage and the hips that couldn't be visible beneath the layers of gowns.

"You'll do." She nodded before she turned for the door. I stared at her feet, decorated with beads and toe rings as she walked away.

Lost in my my own thoughts, I discarded my gown and hurriedly sank my teeth into the fresh fruits and chicken broth. If I would die, it's better to die with a satisfied belly. Seeing as I was scrubbed clean at Balthazar with huge brushes, I jumped into the comfortable bed in nothing but my shift and drifted off to sleep.

****

"Dinner is in mere minutes. You need to get ready."

I peeled my eyes open and observed a female standing at the far end of the bed post. "You must make haste. No one dares make an entrance once the Alpha does."

I didn't know what had my stomach twisting in knots. The fact that I was going to meet the man who was going to fuck me and then discard me or the fact that I would be punished on my first day!

"Here. Anisa said emerald would do you good." She handed me an emerald thread sequin lehenga set. "You're a Hillsboro now. You can't dress like a Baltazar."

As I struggled to wear the set, she combed my hair and pinned some heavy earings on me. She dragged me out of my chambers immediately with no make up on. I was barefoot, sweaty and anxious. I didn't want to meet the rest of the ladies he buried his cock into.

But luck wasn't on my side when we arrived. The golden doors were closed, heavily guarded by there men in clad uniform. Even as a stranger to their customs, I knew what it meant. The cursed Alpha had made an appearance. The small clattering and knives scrapping against glass plates could be heard outside the doors.

My feet were cold. This couldn't be good. But I could always meet the cursed soul another time. Maybe tomorrow at breakfast?

"My lady." The attendant looked horrified. Her eyes were enlarged to the size of saucers, pleading desperately at the guards.

"I'm sorry my lady. I should have arrived earlier. Tis because I came late..."

"What does it mean? I shall just go back to my chambers. Dinner isn't necessary. I still have the fruits..."

"You don't understand, my Lady. If you aren't present at your first dinner, you're of no use to the crown."

I frowned. "I don't understand. What do you mean by that?"

"It means you're deemed not to be part of the King's hareem. A King's lady always serves him her first night. Your absence is taken as denial and disobedience."

I took in a sharp intake of breath. "So I will be killed?"

She nodded her head. "Or you'll be cast away, this night."

Where was I to go? Is this how my life will come to an end, without finding out what really happened to papa and mama? What about my secret fairy tale I always desired? Where was I to Balthazar? Or become a rogue and be killed carelessly?

My decision was made even before I had the luxury of thinking about it.

"Open the doors."

The guards looked at each other before they looked straight ahead, ignoring my command.

"I am your King's lady and I command you open the doors. If you do not, I shall find the king and inform him how you denied me entrance before his arrival."

"Open the doors for her Ronnie. Alpha will make a meal out of her! Tis been a while we had a good show." The third guard voiced out as he lowered his crossed sword and reached for the grand knob.

"My lady, you shouldn't go in. Alpha will kill..."

It was too late. I placed my right foot past the door and with my head held high, I walked inside. I am no weakling. The cursed king doesn't scare me!