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All Chapters of Just a Servant… until They All Want Me: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

I tucked the last gold coin into the hidden compartment at the bottom of my bundle. I patted it once, feeling reassured. Tomorrow morning, I turn 25, finally old enough to leave the palace and start a life of my own. The medicine still simmered in the adjoining room at Rosecourt, sending up thin clouds of bitter white steam. I picked up the porcelain bowl and carried it into the inner chamber. Crown Prince Julius Belgrave was reclining on a cushioned chaise. He coughed violently, each fit wracking his body until his cheeks flushed with a sickly red.I walked over and held the bowl to his lips. "Your Highness, it's time for your medicine."Julius didn't take it. He suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist, squeezing so hard that I knew it would leave a bruise.But he didn't look at me. His gaze passed over my shoulder, fixed on something far away as he murmured a name under his breath."Bianca…" he whispered. "I wonder if you're cold over there."My expression remained sto

Chapter 2

Six months later, everything changed.Word came from across the border that Princess Bianca had been struck by a rare curse and was close to death.That was enough to send Julius spiraling. He summoned physicians from across the kingdom and ordered them to develop a cure, but the medicine was dangerously potent. One wrong dose could kill a person, so he needed someone to test it on. In the end, he chose me.Two palace servants held me down while Julius himself gripped my chin and forced a bowl of black, poisonous liquid down my throat.It felt as though my insides were being burned alive. I writhed on the floor, clawing desperately at the stone until my fingernails tore and blood smeared across the tiles.Tears streamed down my face as I begged him to save me, but he simply stood there, wiping his hands with a spotless white handkerchief."Being chosen to test the medicine for Bianca is a privilege," he said, looking at me without a trace of emotion."To hell with this kind

Chapter 3

Now and then, I let myself feel sorry for Lucian. In this cold, ruthless palace, I'd convinced myself that he and I were two unfortunate souls who had somehow become each other's only source of comfort.Three years passed. During those three years, he quietly bided his time, secretly restoring his eyesight and reconnecting with his old allies. On the day he finally regained his sight and seized power, the doors of the Forsaken Wing were thrown open, and sunlight poured in. Lucian stood in the doorway, backlit by the morning sun. He was dressed in a brand-new formal coat bearing the insignia of a royal heir. I was thrilled. Now that my long-term source of income had gotten a promotion, I figured he might reward me with something. I hurried over, but before I could say a single word, Lucian suddenly reached out and grabbed me by the throat. His grip was so strong that he lifted me clean off the ground and slammed me against the weathered stone wall.Pain shot through my bac

Chapter 4

Before long, several new female attendants were assigned to the royal observatory. One of them, Gwyneth Zane, was proud and ambitious, and she had always resented that I was so often the one allowed to serve Cillian at close range.One day, I was serving Cillian tea when Gwyneth deliberately bumped into me from behind. My wrist jerked, and the rough sleeve of my uniform brushed against the pristine white hem of Cillian's robe, leaving behind the faintest gray mark.Cillian immediately smashed his teacup onto the table. Scalding tea splashed across the back of my hand, leaving the skin red and swollen."Forgive me, my lord. That shameless woman did it on purpose!" Gwyneth cried, pointing at me. "She's always been a flirt, trying to get your attention."I glanced up at him and tried to defend myself. "My lord, I wasn't—"Cillian didn't even give me the chance to explain. His eyes were fixed on the faint gray mark, filled with undisguised disgust."Take it off and burn it," he o

Chapter 5

Cillian suddenly lost control. His calm, aloof eyes that were usually so difficult to read were now filled with unmistakable panic. His fingers clamped around my shoulders, the pressure far stronger than necessary.I stared at him as though he'd lost his mind. Was this really the same man who couldn't stand anyone even brushing against his clothes?I struggled against his grip, but he wouldn't let go. "My lord, you're hurting me."Only then did Cillian seem to snap back to his senses. He released me abruptly, but his gaze remained fixed on my face. His chest heaved, panic breaking through his usually composed expression. "You can't marry that palace guard," he gritted out. I almost laughed. "I'm old enough to leave the palace, and there's nothing wrong with marrying someone from my hometown," I said. "Why shouldn't I marry him?""He isn't good enough for you!"Cillian's voice rose sharply, his eyes widening with disbelief and panic. He suddenly grabbed my wrist again, an

Chapter 6

"This is none of your business, you fraud!" Lucian bellowed, ignoring Cillian completely. He strode over the threshold and came straight for me with astonishing speed.Before I could react, he seized me by the collar and slammed me against the wall. The cold edge of his sword pressed against my throat, and the blood still clinging to the blade trickled down my collarbone and soaked into my clothes. The warm, sticky blood made my stomach turn.Lucian stared at me, his eyes wild with fury. "Who gave you permission to marry?" he asked, his voice trembling. My back was pressed against the stone wall with a sword at my throat, yet I wasn't afraid in the slightest. I'd survived being forced to swallow poison that could have killed me from the inside out. After everything I'd endured, there was no way I was going to be frightened by his sword. "Your Highness, I've reached the age when I'm permitted to leave the palace and marry," I said, staring at him as he lost control. "I am of a

Chapter 7

Lucian and Cillian stopped fighting at the same time, and the three of us turned toward the doorway.Julius stumbled into the courtyard, supported by several palace attendants. He hadn't even had time to put on his cloak and was still wearing nothing but a thin, pale-gold nightshirt. His already sickly face had gone as white as a sheet.He pushed his attendants away and staggered toward the door of my quarters.Clutched tightly in his hand was a royal decree bearing the Crown's seal. It was the official letter granting me permission to leave the palace and marry.Right in front of all of us, Julius summoned what little strength he had left and tore the letter in half. His knuckles had gone white from the force of his grip as he stared at me, desperation written all over his face."You're not going anywhere," he finally said.I stared at the torn pieces of paper on the floor, finally frowning. That was the one thing I'd spent a small fortune securing."Your Highness, what are y

Chapter 8

I stood up and turned back to Lucian. "Your Highness, do you really think I kept you warm in the Forsaken Wing because I felt sorry for you?"I sneered. "The palace attendant who worked for one of the king's consorts paid me to keep watch and make sure you hadn't died! I gave you my coal because if you died, I'd lose a steady source of extra income."Lucian went completely still, his bloodshot eyes filled with stunned disbelief and despair."As for you, Lord Macht," I drawled, a mocking smile tugging at my lips as I looked at Cillian. "Do you really think I scrubbed your floors with morning dew every day and put up with your ridiculous obsession with cleanliness because I was enchanted by you?"It was only because the observatory paid twice what everyone else earned, and your holiday bonuses were the most generous in the entire palace!"I walked over to my bed and hoisted my heavy bundle into my arms. With a deliberate shake, I loosened the opening just enough for the contents

Chapter 9

A deathly silence settled over the main gate. The guards had long since dropped to their knees, too terrified to even raise their heads. Julius, Lucian, and Cillian stood around me, blocking every possible way out. They glared at one another as though they were ready to tear each other apart.Yet the moment they looked at me, all that murderous fury melted into desperation. Julius was doubled over, coughing so hard that he could barely breathe. The blood at the corner of his mouth hadn't even dried as he begged me not to go."Don't go…" he pleaded, reaching out a trembling hand. "Please. I'm begging you. Stay."Lucian stood barefoot in the bloody footprints he'd left behind, his eyes red and swollen. He looked like an abandoned child as he stared at me."You said you'd stay with me forever. You lied to me…"Cillian was breathing heavily, his usually composed eyes glistening with tears."I'll marry you," he cried, his voice trembling as he clenched his fists. "I'll give you

Chapter 10

At first, it was simply because life had become far too comfortable, and the estate was too large for me to manage on my own.So I sent my steward, Silas Goyle, into town to hire a few people to help around the house. I wanted an accountant, a guard, and a tutor. I had no intention of pursuing a career at court, but I enjoyed having someone read stories to me.I had only two requirements—they had to be cheap and obedient. …A few days later, Silas brought three men to meet me. I was lounging in an armchair, snacking on candied almonds as I gave them a careless once-over. The moment I saw their faces, I almost choked on an almond. What a small world—or perhaps I should say, these men had some nerve. The man on the far left was the new accountant. He wore a faded blue coat that had clearly been washed too many times. His face was as pale as a sheet, and he was clutching a bloodstained handkerchief."Ms. Golding."He lowered his head, his voice so weak that it sounded as

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