Chapter 9

Lyra's Pov

My stomach grumbled loudly, the hungry sounds echoing hurting everyone of my intestines.

And only then did I perceive the scent of the delicious meal my mother had prepared for Devlin. I had thought it was just fruits, but I was wrong.

A flask was beneath the basket, and she carefully covered it up with fruits.

It's delicious scent taunting me mercilessly.

Tears welled up in my eyes as the reality of my hunger set in. I had been working tirelessly, completing my chores without complaint, yet there was nothing for me to eat.

I mustered up the courage to approach my mother, my voice filled with desperation. "Mother, I've been working all day, and now there's nothing for me to eat. Please, I'm starving."

She turned to me, her expression filled with disdain. "Starving? You dare complain after all the trouble you've caused? You should be grateful for the scraps that fall from the table of Devlin."

"But Mother, I-"

"Silence!" she bellowed, her voice cutting through th