Chapter 36

ANELISA'S POV

I exhaled softly, my nose sniffed and itched. My eyes scrolled to and fro as I felt exhausted and tired.

Earlier, while being brought here, it seemed as though we were injected, and I fell asleep only to wake up and find myself in a hall, sitting on a golden chair.

The fluorescent lights shimmered on my face, and I was still quite confused. If this was an abduction...I should be somewhere in a dingy cell.

I swallowed hard, lowered my eyes to my hand, the chain wasn't there and that seemed like a relief.

Where am I?

This place was a buzz of activity with the maids scurrying about, their footsteps echoing off the stone wall.

It seemed as though they were preparing for an impending feast. Their scales glow, as if they ripped with malevolent intent.

Tables were set, candles lit, and the air filled with the savory scent of roasting meats, flowers were arranged with smoothed fine linen.

They were oblivious to my presence as their faces focused solely on the task at hand.

The surrounding girls only whispered as they were as tense as I was.

I didn't want to spend a second here or get lured by the watery appetizers before us.

Soon, the hall was soon transformed into a majestic setting, fit for royalty.

My eyes scrolled around, I could see the soldiers stationed everywhere, and it was difficult to think of a way out.

I couldn't become a slave even though I was unsure if this was slavery. The girls seemed to be hypnotized as their eyes were only staring at the lavishing meal before us.

This must be a trap. These dragons must never be trusted. They were enemies! My worries ignited as I went breathless, yet I had to live.

I'd never let Peris think he'd get rid of me this way.

I rose up from where I sat like through an electrifying shock jolting me up from sleep.

All eyes were shifted towards me and I swallowed hard.

"I'm... I'm pressed" I stuttered, my throat felt hold as I held the hem of my tire dress.

A soldier at a distance had a grumpy look at me as he gestured to a maid to follow me.

Plan A was a good start, but I barely knew anywhere around here and so plan B was to get rid of this maid either emotionally or physically.

There was silence between us as she led me to the restroom, but I halted my feet when I was close to the door.

I shifted my gaze towards her and tears clouded my eyes. This maid folded her arms with an arched brow at me and her lips curved into a smirk.

However, I still wanted to give it a try. Perhaps she might be of help. I just have a queer feeling.

What comes after the meal? We'd be dead anyway. I clustered my fingers together, trying to hide the fact that I was shaking.

"Please help me...I don't know, but I'm not meant to be here"

"You're a woman and this is abduction. You'd never support this cruel act" I furthered uncertain if I was wrong or right because from my assertion, I haven't received any cruel punishment yet.

"Are you done?" She coldly asked, and her deep voice made me shudder. It made me feel as though it was a man in the skin of a woman.

Her shimmering blue color brightened the more as she had an emotionless look at me.

"You worthless wolves, your presence only brings demise to us!" She spat, and I flickered my eyes while wiping off my tears.

It's useless anyway. She was pissing me off. They look disgusting. I clenched my fists, exhaling deeply and glaring back at her.

I just didn't know what gave me the courage to do so, or perhaps it was because she refused to help me.

"Then why bring such a sumptuous meal for us? Just kill us right away!" I spat and she widened her eyes at me.

She pulled herself from the wall and I opened the door. Before she could grab me, I slammed the door in her face.

I won't spend a second here again, nor neither would I shed a tear.

***

The loud bang on the door was persistent, but I wouldn't open it. My hands were already on the window and my legs were situated on the toilet seat, trying my best not to fall.

The least I can do is break a leg. I had those the hem of my long dress until it got to my thighs.

The pieces I got from it formed a rope, not too long. My mistake was not checking the height from here before venturing down.

Tensed and mustering up strength, escaping was the only thing in my mind. I climbed out the window, the rope digging in my palms as I slowly made my way down.

This was more perturbing because the height would kill me. Maybe I should swallow my pride, return to the bathroom and get held back rather than get shattered.

My courage dropped and I ended up crying.

Stupid tears.

I tilted my head upward, and I could see the maid looking down on me. She growled and suddenly vanished from my sight.

That's a bad sign and I need to keep moving.

The wind whipped through my hair, and the darkness seemed to swallow me whole.

I gritted my teeth, as determination fueled me to keep moving forward.

As I descended, the rope began to slip through my hands and panic flushed me.

I tried to grip tighter, but it was too late as my hands lost their hold and my body sliced through the air and my stomach twitched with fear.

Time stopped for me as I screamed and used my elbows to cover my face. For a moment, I could see my mother's pale face.

Her last wish rings in my head;

"Promise me Anelisa, you'll stay alive, fight through and become the queen you were born to be"