chapter 2

He never came back II

Bianca had never seen him before so she was very surprised when he helped her just like that. She kept looking at him as she didn’t know what to make of his gesture. Maybe he had ulterior motives or maybe not.

“You are injured,” Harry pointed at her right leg. The first whip got her there before Harry arrived.

“I will be fine,” Bianca replied. “I can’t thank you enough for your help. I am also quite shocked, Lord Commander.”

Harry smiled. He turned towards the supervisor who was still on her knees in fright.

“Where is the clinic? Her bruise needs to be attended to…” Harry told the supervisor.

“But, Lord Commander… You should know that slaves are not supposed to use facilities like the clinic. It is our society’s driving…” The supervisor met Harry’s cold gaze and that told her all she needed to know. “I will get a doctor right away, Lord Commander.”

“Right!” Harry turned towards Bianca. “What is your name, young lady?”

“I am no lady, my lord. I am just a slave. Bianca Rock is my name,” Bianca introduced herself.

“Rock?” Harry muttered. “You are a war slave.”

“Yes, my lord…” Bianca nodded.

“The supervisor will escort you to the clinic. You should have enough rest there and I will see you next time,” Harry ended their first meeting. He turned towards the supervisor and without opening his mouth, the supervisor got his message loud and clear. It was a warning never to mess with Bianca again.

Harry left and Bianca thought the supervisor would continue her punishment. However, the supervisor had a soft, somber tone.

“It must have hurt so much…” The supervisor pointed to Bianca’s leg. “I’m sorry about what happened. I will escort you to the clinic personally.”

Bianca had no choice but to play along. The supervisor was acting weirdly but she accepted her apology. Of course, the supervisor was so angry and afraid at the same time. For now, she knew she had to be careful with Bianca if she didn’t want to be beheaded.

**

“Alpha!” Harry paid allegiance like a warrior would. It was his first day working at the palace as the commander of the royal guard and as such, he was required to report to Alpha Alex Drakonvale. This wasn’t the first time they both met. They had fought a few battles together and Harry saved Alpha Alex’s life once.

“You did well with quelling the rebellion!” Alpha Alex commended. “I didn’t regret putting you in command.”

“I am yours to command, Alpha,” Harry said with his head bowed.

“Today is your first day on the job. Put formalities aside and tell me how your day went. You have been looking around the palace, I hear…” Alpha Alex was curious.

“How can I dare speak to you without formalities? That would be disloyalty and…” Harry was saying.

“I believed we were friends. Perhaps, I was the only one who thought that way,” Alpha Alex frowned. He looked away from Harry and the latter knew he had to make amends.

“Then I will be honest, Alpha!” Harry sat down comfortably. “I looked around the palace and checked all the security points. The previous commander left a lot of holes and I wondered if he was good at his job at all.”

“That’s why I had him killed. I almost got assassinated due to his stupidity!” Alpha Alex looked enraged. The memory of having assassins break into his bedroom still annoyed him. “Let’s not speak about security matters. It makes my head hurt.”

Harry took a deep breath, thinking about what to tell Alpha Alex.

“Well, I met a slave girl today,” Harry narrated. “She was a beautiful one. Maybe it’s because I have spent so much time on the Eastern border but she looked just like a goddess to me. I have never seen such beauty in my life.”

“A slave?” Alpha Alex repeated. “Does that mean she works as a maid here?”

“She does. She also seems good-mannered, and even to this moment, I still think about her. I wonder if she has charmed me already,” Harry gave a mild laugh. Alpha Alex joined him and the laughter died down slowly.

“I guess you will take her as a concubine soon. You are a sharp man. I wouldn’t be shocked if you already put in a request to take her from the palace,” Alpha Alex said slowly.

“You caught me, Alpha!” Harry bowed a little. “I paid the necessary dues already and she will be transferred to my house by tomorrow. I have to keep such beauty next to me.”

“I guess so…” Alpha Alex muttered. Deep down, he had begun to wonder who this beautiful slave girl was. If she was as beautiful as Harry claimed, would it be right for him to let Harry take her? Alpha Alex would rather have her than have Harry take her.

“Alpha,” Harry called when it appeared Alpha Alex was lost in thought.

“Ah, you are still here,” Alpha Alex blurted out without thinking.

“Forgive me, Alpha. I shall leave right away,” Harry bowed and left the room, leaving Alpha Alex confused. Perhaps, this confusion was caused by hunger. Alpha Alex headed down to the dining room with his escorts. The butler already had the meal prepared and tasted for poison. Alpha Alex sat down and took a spoonful of his most preferred delicacy.

But it tasted like sand in his mouth.

“Who made this meal?” Alpha Alex asked. “Grab him and behead him at once!”

The guards moved into action, and the old butler looked so shaken.

“Please calm down, Alpha,” The butler knelt, pleading. “The chef who made the meal has been here for ten years. He is the best of the chefs, Alpha.”

“Then you think my taste buds are the problem?” Alpha Alex asked, boiling in anger.

“I dare not say that!” The butler muttered. “However, you may need to take some issues off your mind to enjoy your meal, Alpha.”

Alpha Alex took a deep breath. He turned to one of his retainers.

“Lord Commander Harry Ember must have asked to take a slave from the palace. Find the slave and bring her to me!” Alpha Alex ordered. His retainer left hurriedly. Alpha Alex stood up.

“I am relieved now…” Alpha Alex smiled. “However, behead the chef!”