05. THE KING'S MAID

VALERIA

"Aahh, it’s horrible, she’s deformed!"

"You’re just jealous, that’s why you want to keep us away from the King!"

"The Lord has said you must leave now," I repeated impassively, standing at the foot of the bed while they hurled insults at me.

But I felt nothing—not cold, not heat.

I thought about how to get them out since, weakened or not, there were three of them and only one of me.

Just then, loud knocks echoed from the side door leading to the hallway, a door I hadn’t even noticed before. It had to be the person sent to remove them from the castle.

I walked over and opened it, revealing two sturdy servants who entered without a word.

The women began to resist, covering their nakedness, screaming that their bodies were only for the King, threatening that our heads would roll.

I didn’t need to be here long to see through their lies.

That man had used them like disposable objects and was now discarding them like trash.

The blonde rushed toward the door leading to the dining hall, but I stepped in front of her, standing firm and blocking her way.

"Have some dignity and leave already. The King has ordered it. Don’t risk dying."

"I want him to tell me himself! Last night, he showed me otherwise! Get out of my way!" she lunged at me, baring her fangs. I defended myself, grabbing her arms mid-air as we struggled.

Her long claws scratched me in her fury, and I knew I could control her because, right now, she was weak.

This she-wolf was stronger than me—honestly, anyone was stronger than me.

With the help of the servants, we managed to drag the last crazed woman out of the room. I shut the door, breathing heavily.

"Quite the first day on the job," I muttered in resignation, staring at the disaster I now had to clean.

*****

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, taking a moment to catch my breath, surveying the nearly tidy room.

The worst part was the bed.

Even after removing the dirty sheets, I had gone overboard with the water.

So, I thought of pushing the mattress closer to the window to let it air out and catch some sun.

"Mmnn," I grunted, yanking at the heavy king-size mattress, my hands trembling. I doubted I could move it.

I kept struggling when—

"How many centuries does it take you to organize a room?" His voice startled me—I hadn’t heard him enter.

I turned to apologize, but a wrong step, my nerves, and apparently a sticky substance I’d left on the floor caused me to lose my balance and fall forward.

By instinct, I grabbed onto the first thing I could, falling to my knees with my eyes shut tight.

Something had slipped from my hands, and now another thing, thick, brushed against my nose. A dark, musky, intoxicating scent assaulted my senses.

When I opened my eyes again and saw the sight before me, I wished I could die right there without needing him to kill me.

In my hands was a black towel—I assumed it had been around the King's hips—and I was on my knees, clutching his powerful thighs, with a massive, veiny member right in front of my wide eyes.

«Shit, this could make you cry» was the first thing that crossed my mind in my nervous breakdown.

And to think it was only semi-erect... not even Dorian’s compared in detail.

"Should I fetch a tape measure so you can size it up too?" His cold voice snapped me out of my frozen state.

Terrified, I raised my gaze to see him completely naked, in all his glory, his burgundy hair loose and tousled, damp from the shower, and I could swear his gray eyes held a mocking glint.

"Your Majesty, I’m so sorry! Please, spare the life of this humble servant who doesn’t deserve your mercy!" I threw myself to the ground, pressing my forehead against the hard surface, begging him.

What I had done was unforgivable. By the Goddess, I had even stayed there... staring at it.

His threatening shadow loomed over my trembling body. I clenched my eyes shut, bracing for the end.

"I’ll leave right away... I beg you... I’ll leave the castle... please..."

"I don’t have the patience to find a new servant every day. You leave when I decide so. Now get up." His deep voice rumbled close to my ear, and I felt him tugging at the towel I still clutched in my hands.

I released it immediately, sweat trailing down my back as my entire body trembled.

"Besides, if you’re going to serve me, it won’t be the last time you see me naked. It’s not a big deal. Come to the dining room," he added before his bare footsteps echoed away from the room.

Swallowing nervously, I stood on shaky legs.

«Come on, Valeria, focus, please.»

"Try the breakfast," he ordered, gesturing to the food set on the table.

He sat, dominating the large chair, observing my every move.

I picked up the fork and cut a small piece from each dish, tasting everything bite by bite.

"If something is not to your liking, I can ask the kitchen to—"

"That won’t be necessary. Everything’s fine," he interrupted and then fell silent.

I kept my gaze on the floor, unsure of what he was waiting for, frantically reviewing every rule in my mind.

"Do you think I’m a savage who eats with his hands?"

"What? No, no, Your Maj... Sir..." I quickly lifted my gaze and saw him glancing at the fork still in my hand.

Holy Goddess, I had covered the only utensil with saliva! The housekeeper hadn’t mentioned I had to taste the food here too!

"I... I’ll get another, I’m so sorry—"

"You seem to apologize well," he said as he took the fork from my hand.

"It’s dirty, I... I ate with it—"

I didn’t finish because he wiped it with a napkin and began eating calmly. I stepped back, standing in the corner, awaiting his orders.

Through my bangs, I occasionally stole glances at him.

He looked relaxed, half-naked, wearing just the towel, eating and reviewing some documents beside him.

No matter what the Lycan King did, his aggressive aura filled the entire space, demanding only obedience and submission.

This was my new master. And honestly, I was starting to wonder if I’d be better off running far away from this castle... and this pack.

Aldric Thorne was the most dangerous thing I could have crossed paths with.

*****

Days passed, and despite my rookie mistakes, I managed to survive.

The Lord wasn’t constantly present at the castle either—he often traveled between packs or faced dangerous situations. I hadn’t even seen the other “Guardians” until one morning.

"Phew, I honestly don’t know how you handle the pressure and temptation," said Juliette.

She was the only staff member who had approached me.

An extroverted, cheerful girl.

I didn’t consider her a friend, though—I'd never trust a woman like that again. But at least her chatter kept me entertained.

We were walking through the underground corridor carrying laundry baskets when a side door leading to one of the many training gyms opened.

A massive Lycan emerged. I knew by the powerful aura he projected.

We immediately lowered our heads, waiting for him to pass, but his steps approached us instead.

"Are these clean towels?" asked a strong but calm male voice.

"Yes, yes, Sir," I answered, realizing I was the one carrying them. I glanced up for a second.

Enchanting golden eyes stared back at me.

I quickly lowered my gaze to the carpet and handed him a towel, but as he reached out, our fingers brushed for a moment.

His touch was warm.

Despite being intimidating, this Lycan projected a protective aura—not as sharp and wild as the King's.

"I’m sorry... I’m so sorry—"

"Relax, it’s fine. Thank you," he replied, taking the towel and walking away down the hallway.

And then I dared to look at his back.

Blond hair, massive like all Lycans, powerful, his muscular, sweaty back glistening, dressed in black combat gear.

It seemed like he had been training.

For some reason, the combination of his eyes and hair reminded me a bit of Dorian.

I didn’t want to remember that bastard, but the mind could be a traitor. He had been the first—and only—man I’d loved.

"Right? He’s so handsome! I mean, they’re all sexy and hot, but for me, the best ones are the King and Guardian Quinn... Though the King, ugh, that man is pure fire. I’m torn—what do you think, Valeria? Would you prefer the King or Quinn?"

Before I could scold her for talking so carelessly, her face turned pale, staring behind me in panic.

A powerful presence pressed against my back, hot breath brushing against my ear.

"I’d like to know too, Valeria. Who would you prefer? And why the hell did you let another man touch what’s mine?"

The basket in my hands begins to tremble along with my hands.

I'm done for. And even though I know he’s talking about the towels, for some reason, it feels like he’s talking about me.

"Ss… Sir..."

"Get out!" he ordered Juliette, who looked at me for a second with guilt but had no choice but to flee almost running.

I remained with my back to him. Could I run too?

"I'm still waiting, Valeria. Tell me, are you unhappy with the position you were given? Would you prefer to be Quinn's personal maid instead? Turn around, damn it!"