FRANCESCAThe auction is happening soon, the maids and I have been waiting for this for a while and it's quite fulfilling that it is about to happen. We had quickly got a bus that would take us all to the venue. Although, the distance is trekkable, but why would I stress myself? In a very short period of time, we arrive at the venue and I asked for Santi. “Francesca! Welcome!” The guy at the door, Cade tells me. We have always been good friends. I step down into the grand hall, the air thick with a mix of excitement and tension. The Auction. A spectacle that draws the attention of the elites of entire towns, where fortunes are made and fates are sealed, where dreams are killed and dreams are made. I was told that tonight, all eyes would be on Hazel, since she is the mysterious girl that is going to be sold. Most of the task masters are there are in search of buy Hazel, since the maids and I put so much to making people believe that she is worth something, even if it’s just

FRANCESCAAll the other maids have been treating me terribly, and for once, I'm being ostracized. There is nothing worse than wanting to do something and if all blows up in your face, and in my case, getting rid of Hazel didn't work as well as I thought it would. It was supposed to be a fool proof plan, because how do you escape abduction and trafficking? Whatever force Hazel has in charge of her is definitely working extra time just to keep her alive and somewhat safe. When the fire started, all I could think of was how much better it was for us, mostly because I expected Hazel to burn with the place, not escape it. If I knew that this was going to happen, I would have stayed behind to push her in before attempting to escape myself. Hazel is an arrogant, conceited maid who thinks that she is above everyone else, and the plan to send her away from all of us did not work out eventually. That made the girls detest me for having a plan that wasn't fool proof. It was supposed to be, bu

HAZELThe mail is just about to leave when I get there, and the only person working is an older man with a stern look in his eyes. “Why are you just coming? Don’t you know the times? I almost left.” He says, and I look away. “I’m sorry, I had to send this, but I’m supposed to be at the hospital, and I feel so week.” I tell him, and the look in his eyes change to pity, and he sighs, collecting the envelope from me. “Well. I suppose I can do this one quickly. I’ll just record it when I get back.” He says, and a grin comes up to my lips. Since I am no longer going to be working as one of the maids in the pack house, regardless of what King Arnold replies with, I go back to the pack hospital to finish with my treatment. I had to come up with something that made them allow me to go, but to make sure I stay on intensive bed rest and good food. Ha! As if there’s anything like that for me there. If I’m going to do anything, I’ll spend my money on getting better and look for new way

HAZELThe sun streams in through the windows, and one of the maids is already adjusting the curtains. I open my eyes, wondering where I am, and the events come rushing back to me. Of course, the palace of the kingdom of the North. Everything here feels so unreal. “Rise and shine, your majesty! Good morning, miss!” The maid says, and I give her a small smile. I keep on forgetting her name. “Good morning.” I stretch out my arms. “What is your name again?” “It’s Fiona, ma’am. Your bath water would be ready soon. Do you want any extra things added to it?” Fiona asks me, and I shake my head, not even liking the fact that there are people preparing what I would take my bath in in the first place. “I am perfectly capable of preparing my own bath water, Fiona, so don’t worry about it.” I tell her, and he eyes widen, like I’ve said something rude. “No, that is what we’re here for. To ensure that everything goes on as smoothly for you as possible.” Fiona tells me and starts aski

HAZEL "So as for where we are going, it's a surprise." He says, offering me his arm. "But I promise you'll love it. We are going to walk, though." I raise an eyebrow skeptically but decide to go along with it. After all, what's life without a little spontaneity? As long as it's nothing like what went on in the pack house. As we walk through the streets of the kingdom, I can't help but marvel at the sights and sounds around me. This place looks great, and although I've been out to cities before, but this has a more modern look and feel to it. "So, Arnold." I say, breaking the silence as we make our way down a crowded street. "Please tell me something else about yourself. What do you like? What do you dislike?" He thinks for a moment, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Well, I love music." He finally says. "Sometimes I play the guitar in my free time, which isn't a lot, but still, and I'm a huge fan of desserts." I nod, mentally filing away this new piece of information