6

SERAPHINA

Dragged, chained, humiliated.

She never expected that day to come.

Neither did she dream of being in the citadel, it was only Freya's dream to become queen here, and now she is dead.

Seraphina was taken out of the dungeon to the slave quarter.

Her slave mark ached at every moment—it reminded her of her demise.

She was given a pale brown gown that's big enough to cover her size and height, it's the slave clothing.

Her stomach ached out of hunger, she hasn't had good food in the past few weeks.

The food arrived and they were all given plates with little custard inside.

What is this?

This wouldn't satisfy a 10-year-old.

She sighed.

Seraphina ate the whole plate within a few minutes.

What should she do?

She turned to the girl beside her "Where do I keep the plate?"

The girl just gave her a glance then turned to her custard.

Seraphina's lips thinned.

She should just wait for someone to finish eating so she can know what to do.

The other girls were done within a few seconds, then a girl began to gather the plates.

She wore the same brown gown like every other person, but hers is more modified.

Seraphina dropped her plate there and the girl glared at her.

What was that for?

A few minutes later, a guard came then ordered them to follow.

They followed behind until they reached a storeroom filled with machetes, cutlasses, hoes, and other tools.

Each slave collected what the guard gave them.

Seraphina was given a hoe.

Then they were taken to a big land.

More massive than her father's palace.

The guards shared portions for each, and like her punishment, she was given twice what other girls were given.

She sighed then started working—she hasn't done this before, but she's seen her father's workers do it.

She always watched them when she was bored.

Seraphina felt so tired but couldn't stop, she hadn't even reached half of the portion.

Her hands trembled every time she lifter. the hoes.

The portion.

It's so big.

Too big for her, and she wasn't even given five minutes' break like the other girls.

The guards were so strict that she was told that if she tried to do anything stupid, she would end up with a whip on her back.

Every other slave was back in the camp but she wasn't.

"Go a little low" a voice whispered as he grabbed her waist.

She turned immediately, hitting the hoe on his head.

It's the guard assigned.

"Cunt" He cursed under his breath then lunged towards her.

Then slapped her across the face, her lips burst.

Her hoe fell.

"You think you are special here, I'll show you that you are worthless here" He grabbed her two tiny wrists with both hands then pushed her.

Oh no!

"Get off me!" Seraphina screamed but no answer, just a grunt from him.

He got a hold of her fabric while Seraphina punched him countless times, but it seemed like the punches didn't affect him at all.

"Don't do this... Please" She begged but it all fell on deaf ears.

What should she do?

He tried to tear it, but Seraphina sank her teeth into his neck.

So sharp.

But he let out a grunt, then his elbow met her jaw.

He tore the fabric a little, but then something met with his head.

And the guard fell.

What happened?

Someone came to rescue her.

A slave.

Seraphina's chest rose and fell as she trembled.

"Thank you" Seraphina muttered.

"No problem, just learn how to protect yourself" The woman said, she looked older.

Seraphina nodded and the woman helped her up.

"I'm Elara... You can call me Lara" The woman said.

"Seraphina" Seraphina muttered.

"Everyone knows you, the woman whose sister was killed and she was made a slave because of her father, but on her first night here she punched the crown prince's betrothed" Lara said.

Serena is the crown prince's betrothed.

"Why aren't you avoiding me like the others?" Seraphina asked.

Her voice low.

"Lady Serena ordered them to, so that's why" Lara mentioned.

Serena made other slaves avoid her.

So desperate to make her life hell?

Seraphina scoffed.

"Then why are you talking to me?" Seraphina asked.

"Because I've faced more than enough to be afraid of Serena" Lara said.

"By the way, let me help you with your work, so you can make it to dinner" Lara added, then grabbed the hoe.

"You're so nice, thank you" Seraphina muttered then sat on the grass.

"Don't mistake me for nice, I'm only like this to you because we both don't like or fear Lady Serena" Lara said then started working.

Seraphina didn't say anything again.

Lara finished on time and they returned the hoe.

"How did you become a slave?" Seraphina asked.

"My twin committed an offense but she committed suicide before she was punished, so I had to take her place" Lara said.

"So we are both paying for what wasn't our fault, this place is shit!" Seraphina said and Lara didn't say anything.

They arrived at the slave camp's door.

"Do not mention the guard to anyone, he won't wake up, unless you want to implicate yourself" Lara whispered and Seraphina felt goosebumps.

The guard was dead!

Well, he deserved it.

They were served the second meal and after eating, their plates were returned.

A slave came her direction and passed her a paper.

She didn't say a word, then she left.

*COME OUTSIDE, A GUARD IS WAITING FOR YOU.

HE WILL TAKE YOU TO ME. WE HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS*

*THE PRINCE*

She threw the paper in the trash.

It's him

She doesn't want to have anything to do with the lycans.

They are monsters, devils that ruin lives.

And he is one of them.

The slave came again with another letter.

She opened it.

*IT'S NOT A REQUEST, IT'S AN ORDER SERAPHINA*

Her throat dried up.