TEA

Freya's POV:

It's been a week now.

Lucien still wasn't back.

Duncan has been avoiding me.

I let out a sigh and continued tracing the design on the duvet that covered me when the door suddenly flung open.

I looked up and Sophie was staring down at me. So far, she was the only one willing to talk to me, and she seemed as clueless as I was.

“Sophie?” I said softly, sitting up.

My plan had been to find out the secret behind the girl, but everything seemed to fail.

No one wanted to talk to a human slave. In fact, no one wanted me around them so all my attempts have been futile.

That didn't stop the girl from appearing once in a while and I was sure no one would believe me if I told them.

The creepy part of it? She now stays longer than usual and even her lips move now.

“Help me out,” Sophie said before she crossed her arms.

Her red hair was brighter as if she got it dyed recently. I wanted to ask but kept quiet and thought of the best excuse to remain in bed.

“I-

“The kitchen would really appreciate more hands,” she continued, interrupting me in the process.

I jumped on my feet and quickly wore something more appropriate, leaving Sophie stunned.

“Let's go,“ I said and she nodded slowly.

One thing I learnt as a kitchen slave was that the best place to get intel was the kitchen.

“Duncan told me you've worked in the kitchen before, so it shouldn't be so hard, right?” She turned around at the end of her statement so I quickly nodded.

There are times when Sophie keeps me entertained but I never forget who I truly am in this world.

A staircase leading to a dark entrance caught my attention, so I stopped and stared at it for a while.

There was something eerie about it and maybe it was the fact that from outside, the main hall didn't seem like it had a basement.

“Freya?”

Sophie's voice sounded stiff and her facial expression was worse. I quickly caught up with her and muttered a quick apology.

There was obviously something hidden there and I couldn't help but wonder if it was the girl I constantly saw.

Maybe she was calling for help.

I mentally facepalmed when I realised how stupid I sounded.

“Everyone,” Sophie shouted at the top of her lungs and the noisy kitchen became quiet in an instant.

Everyone had their eyes on us. No, it was on me and I didn't like it.

They had blank expressions so I couldn't even say if they were being hostile or not.

“Well, Freya here is going to help us a bit to quicken the cooking process for the ceremony,” she announced with a smile and clapped on her own.

I whipped my head towards her and stared in confusion. Why didn't she mention the ceremony before now and what was it even about?

“Is there anyone who needs help? You can signify,” she said, raising her own hand.

No one replied and just continued to stare. They obviously didn't like me.

I wasn't supposed to care, but I couldn't stop myself from getting red due to the embarrassment.

I should be used to it by now but I guess I wasn't.

It was clear that no matter where I went in this world, I would remain an outcast.

“Well, I guess I'll look for something myself,” Sophie muttered and started to walk around.

It was obvious that she wasn't about to give up and it was kind of suspicious.

“Oh Freya, come over here.”

I dragged my feet towards where she was while feeling conscious of the number of eyes on me.

“You can work here,” she said with a look of achievement.

I stared at the vegetables that obviously needed to be washed and chopped. They brought back memories that made my hand unconsciously go to my cheek.

Out of nowhere, Sophie pulled me into a hug that left me and others stunned.

Her intention soon became clear when she said, "Give me the tea later.”

She stepped away and winked before leaving.

I was now alone with several werewolves who still wouldn't take their eyes off me.

I hated this even though I really wanted the “tea”.

With a tiny awkward bow, I got to work and prayed that they would do the same soon.

God seemed to answer my prayer for the first time and I could finally breathe again.

I washed the vegetables as I waited for the gossip, but the kitchen was way too calm, as if they suspected me.

It was valid because I would have done the same in their position. I just didn't want to work for absolutely no reason.

After what seemed like a whole eternity of washing bowls of vegetables, the first drop poured into my tea kettle.

“I don't think he's going to betray his father like that.”

Someone hushed the other person and everywhere went quiet, but not for so long.

“He is the next in line though.”

“The council isn't going to allow him to take over because they can't control him,” another person said.

“They'll try to break him.”

Were they talking about Duncan? It was so frustrating that I didn't really know what was going on.

“They once tried, but it didn't work.”

It has to be Duncan, right?

“Why do you think she died?” Another person said, and I froze.

She… was it the girl? I wanted to move closer to them since they were right behind me.

However, that might make them notice me and keep shut, so the only thing I could do was chop the vegetables more quietly.

“I thought it was because of the halfbreed.”

A person chuckled then said, “They both fawned over her, although Duncan tried to hide it.”

I had guessed right all along. This was about Duncan and now, Lucien.

“Well, it seems like history is about to reoccur,” a new voice said and they all went quiet.

I didn't know if I was just being paranoid but I could feel eyes on me.

“Prince Lucien’s slave,” someone called out to me and I cringed at the title but still turned.

I gave a little smile that was not returned and just like I had guessed, there were eyes on me.

“You can leave the vegetables,” an old woman instructed.

I glanced back at the vegetables, then at her. I was clearly not done and the only reason I was being chased was because they were about to discuss something important.

I had to look for a way to stay.

Just as I opened my mouth to talk, another person said, “Do you want to go against the head of the kitchen staff's words.”

Everyone had stopped working and were now staring. It was clear that I couldn't do anything except if I wanted them to beat me up here.

I slowly stood up and rinsed my hand, hoping they would continue, but they were all still watching.

I had barely walked out when the kitchen started to buzz again and I couldn't help but cuss them in my mind.

There was nothing I could do right now and I had no idea where Sophie was.

“Let's explore,” I said to myself and was about to walk away when something crossed my mind.

The basement.

I hurriedly retraced my steps and got lost more than once, but I finally found it.

I stared at it from where I was. A part of me was warning me against it but I couldn't resist the temptation.

“What's the worst that could happen?” I tried to convince myself as I went down the stairs.

Death.

I stopped in my tracks as goosebumps suddenly filled my arms. The door was a wooden one and it seemed like I would have to bend to enter.

Letting out a deep breath, I pushed away my crazy imaginations and opened the door.

It let out a creak just like I had suspected it would.

Stepping into the basement, I had expected cobwebs and just darkness but it was nothing like that.

I looked around as I studied my environment better. It was as if someone lived here but why would they when there were more than enough houses around here.

Maybe it was a hideout.

The polaroid pictures on the wall caught my attention so I studied them. Young Duncan, Sophie and one other man were in it… maybe a friend.

They looked so happy and carefree that a smile appeared on my face.

A movement in the room made me freeze and that was when I noticed it.

A hamster.

I let out a chuckle and ran towards it. It looked quite young and cute to the extent I was tempted to carry it but I knew better than to touch a stranger's pet.

I was so carried away by the hamster that I didn't notice when someone came in from another until they announced their appearance.

“Who are you?”

My smile disappeared and I froze.