Myra didn't know how long she had stayed in the dungeons.

A day? Two?

She had lost track of time, waking up everytime to behold the mouldy four walls of her cell and the rusty, iron bars that served as the gate.

Her wrists ached against the restraints, her throat was dry and parched from thirst.

Even in the stillness of the dungeon, she could hear the distant sounds of chains scraping against stone.

And every so often, a rat scurried by, looking for food or warmth—things that were impossible to have in this dark, forgotten place.

To stay alert, Myra concentrated with the sharpened ears of one who was desperate.

She tried wriggling her hands out of the chains, vainly hoping she could free herself.

She didn't. She only made the cold metal sink more into her flesh.

“Give up princess. It's no use" A gruffly voice spoke up from the nearest cell.

Slightly startled, she peered closer and an old man came into her line of vision. He sat slumped against the far wall, his face worn and his eyes wizened. His clothes were ragged, and a thin chain bound his ankle to the wall.

“What?"

“I said give up princess. You can't escape those chains" he repeated, his voice rough with age.

“Who are you?"

“Moses"

Under the dim light from the narrow window, she had a glimpse of long canines. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You're a werewolf. Tell me, are you a friend or foe?"

Moses smiled, lines fanning out at the corners of his eyes. He stroked his white beard and took his time to respond.

“Neither" he said. “You'll find no allies here Princess. We're all just waiting for the end"

Myra's chest tightened. “The end?"

Moses chuckled darkly. “Yes, the end. The Alpha doesn't keep prisoners out of mercy or pity. We're here because we're no longer useful. We're just waiting for death"

His words chilled her bones. “I refuse to believe that" she said, keeping her voice steady despite the fear that knotted her stomach.

Moses snorted. “Believe whatever makes the truth feel less daunting. It won't change your fate. When the Alpha is fed up with us, he'll bury us"

Most people that dared defy me craved to be in your shoes.... They're dead

“I'll find a way out of here" she whispered, more to herself than him. “I'll get out and save my people—"

Moses laughed. “Keep fooling yourself woman. Do you think the Alpha would let a princess—"

“You're a princess?" A young girl spoke up from the same cell.

Myra hadn't seen her until now. She looked no older than sixteen, with unruly, tangled hair and wide eyes. She clutched a dusty-looking rag doll to her chest.

Myra's eyes softened a bit. “What's your name girl?" Her voice was as gentle as she could manage.

“Victoria" she whispered then licked her dry, chapped lips. “I was brought here when my pack got conquered ten years ago"

“And....your parents?" Myra asked hesitantly, then regretted it when she saw a flash of pain in the girl's eyes.

A pain she was all too familiar with. “T-They're dead"

“I'm sorry"

Victoria nodded and clutched the doll tighter to her chest, her eyes moist with unshed tears.

“Can't you see Princess?" Moses cut in. “You're just like us. Doomed. No escape. Hope for freedom is useless here woman. Sooner or later, you'll accept this bitter fate of yours"

“I have no bitter fate" she countered. “I refuse to accept defeat. I will find my way out of here and no one can stop me"

“Maybe you will be the exception that proves the rule"

“He can't stop me" she said, gritting her teeth.

“You can't defeat the Alpha" Victoria said quietly. “He's not human. Even the late Alpha of my pack couldn't defeat him*

“Listen to the child princess" Moses hummed. “She knows a lot more about the Alpha than you"

“I may not know much about him but of one thing I'm sure—he is an egoistical coward" she said sharply.

Moses's eyes narrowed. “Be careful with your words. Alpha Arthur is more than just an ordinary werewolf—he's a beast that can force you to your lowest level"

Myra tried not to let his words affect her but failed. Her body shuddered. If this Alpha was truly what they claim—a beast—did she stand a chance against him?

No. She couldn't let her mind sway with uncertainty or doubt.

I must defeat him. Vespera depends on me, she thought, strengthening her resolve.

The sudden sound of iron scratching against concrete broke into her thoughts.

A guard stepped in, holding new chains.

Moses's eyes hardened while Victoria stiffened and withdrew into the darkness.

“Let me guess, your Alpha has decided to get me new chains since these ones are old" she snarled sarcastically.

The guard rolled his eyes. “Don't be stupid princess. You're a prisoner. You're not worthy of gifts here"

“Fool" she muttered under her breath.

From chains to chains, she thought wryly, as he binded her wrists up.

A symbol of her life now. Chained.

For the past few days, her hands were anything but free.

“Good luck princess" Moses murmured as she was led out of the cell. “You'll need it"

Myra had no idea she would actually need it in the coming months.

Behind the guard, her legs carried her out of the dungeon and through the passage.

When she stepped into the hallway, she inhaled a deep breath of air. Here, the air was free and fresh, unlike the tight one back in the dungeon that smelled of mold and blood.

The guard led her to the very same throne room she had been in days ago.

Her people, huddled together, filled the far corner of the room. Their hollow eyes darted toward her as she stepped inside.

The looked to her, their princess, for hope and strength.

Qualities she doubted she had right now.

The Alpha stood before her, watching her with those golden eyes that had allured her in her dreams. Now, all they did was haunt her.

A man stood by his side—serious faced and exuding an aura similar to his.

She didn't have the luxury to study him because her attention was fixed on the man before her.

“It seems your arrogance hasn't faded princess" he said, coming closer. “Still standing here like a queen, like you still have power. The dungeon didn't do much to your pride, I guess"

“You may have destroyed my home but you can never destroy my pride" she stated calmly, projecting the image of courage.

“Destroyed? No princess, I conquered."

Myra huffed. “Amd you think war makes you a winner?

“No." He shrugged. “But victory does"

“Oh this war is far from over Alpha, mark my words."

“It'll be my pleasure to watch you try and fail princess"

Myra's lips curled up bitterly. “He who laughs last, laughs best. Enjoy your time while it lasts wolf"

His eyes narrowed on her. “Still got a sharp mouth, I see. I think it's time you understand your place in this pack"

“And where exactly do you think my place is?"

A smirk curved his lips. “On your knees before me"

Myra lifted her chin, meeting his gaze with all the fire left in her. “I'd rather die"

A wicked glint flashed in his eyes. “We'll see about that"

Then, without warning, he lifted a hand and suddenly, a choked gasp filled the air.

Myra's blood ran cold.

Evelyn.

Her sister dangled in the grip of the man, his fingers wrapped tightly around her throat.

Her face contorted with panic, her fingers clawing at his hand, but no sound passed her lips.

Myra's muscles stiffened with tension. And fear.

“Leave her alone!" She took a step towards her but the guard grabbed her arms and held her down. She thrashed against his hold but his grip was like steel.

Panic flowed through her veins. “Leave her! Let her go now!"

Arthur's eyes gleamed. “A sister's love is enviable. Look at you now, struggling to rescue your weak and helpless sister"

Anger gnawed at her heart. “I swear I'll kill you Alpha. Leave my sister out of this"

He leaned in, so close she could see the mocking amusement in his gaze. “If you don't want her to die before your eyes like your father, then submit. Her life is in your hands princess"

She balled her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

Unexplainable anger simmered beneath her skin. She knew what he was doing, he was threatening her, using her greatest weakness.

She wanted to gauge his eyes out right that instant. Humiliation and helplessness warred within her, but nothing outweighed the terror that squeezed her heart at her sister's pitiful sight.

“Let her go Alpha. She's innocent"

“Bow before me and accept I am your Alpha, then she'll live"

Myra would rather die than how to him. But she had to be smart. She couldn't lose the only family she had left.

“I. Hate. You" she delivered the words with enough induced venom, struggling to contain the storm within.

Arthur glanced at the man and ordered coolly, “Snap her head off"

“No! I'll say it, don't kill her"

Arthur tilted his head. “Say what?"

“You win" the words were a whisper but felt like the loudest she had ever spoken.

“Louder. I can't hear you" he said, clearly relishing her shame.

Myra's eyes burned, her pride drawing her to refuse, but she had no choice. “You win"

A satisfied smile touched his lips. “Then kneel before me"

Slowly, her knees dropped to the marble floors with a loud thud, sealing her words.

She could feel the weight of every pair of eyes in the room then; her people, the guards and, most crushing of all, Arthur's.

He snapped his fingers and the man loosened his grip on Evelyn, lowering her to the ground.

Evelyn staggered to the ground and held her throat, drawing painful gasps of air.

And then, for the final blow, Arthur turned to the room, and declared,

“This woman, whom you placed your faith in, is no more your princess. From this day forward, she is nothing but a maid of Silvercrest"

A few of her people averted their gazes as laughter echoed in the room, and a wave of humiliation washed over her.

They were witnessing her fall and her complete disgrace. She was being stripped of all her dignity.

Tears glistened in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. Not in front of him.

“Take her to the servants hall. She belongs there now" Arthur ordered, turning his back to her.

As she was dragged away, she caught a glimpse of her people's stares—accusing and filled with disappointment.

Her resolve cracked but she swallowed her tears.

“He's a beast that can force you to your lowest level"

No matter how low he pushed her, she promised herself never to break as she vowed silently,

I will make him pay. I will make them all pay

The cold water struck her like ice.

Myra gasped, her body shivering as another bucket was poured over her head.

The maids helping her barely looked concerned, as if washing a former princess like an animal was normal, like another chore.

Nora, the head maid—a woman with sharp eyes and a prim mouth—pushed a bar of rough soap into her hands. “Scrub yourself clean. The Alpha despises filth in everything that's his"

Alpha. Myra gritted her teeth at the title.

Hours ago, she was a princess, even though she was in chains. Now, she was nothing more than a slave.

Another bucket was dumped over her head, making her teeth chatter as the coldness stung her.

She scrubbed her body hard, trying hard to wash away not just the dirt, but the shame eating the heart.

Servant. The word hit her harder than a club would. It tore apart her pride, reducing her to a status worse than a commoner.

She heard a cough and turned just in time to catch some pairs of eyes peeking through the half-open door.

Guards. They looked relaxed, arms folded, lewd smirks on their lips. Not the least bothered to hide their lascivious stares.

Her cheeks burned red-hot. These monsters had murdered her people, stolen her freedom, and as if that wasn't enough, they entertained themselves with her shame.

“G-Guards" she stammered to the maids, “Guards are—"

A cold splash of water cut off her sentence. She coughed and wiped her eyes then looked into Nora's flat gaze.

“Shut up and bathe. Do you think you can make demands again like a princess?"

Her lips quivered as another wave of water washed over her.

She clenched her fists and turned her back to the door, holding down her embarrassment and anger.

She heard a few whistles and dug her nails into her palms, wishing she could kill those men or die right there. The heat of her anger burned away the ice-like coldness of the water.

Myra exhaled shakily while scrubbing herself, conscious of the maids's impatient gazes.

She would endure this bitter pill. Revenge would mean nothing if she didn't endure and survive to see it through. But she would never forget this moment.

Finally, a maid noticed the guards and shut the door.

Once she was clean enough to them, she was given a plain, brown dress. The material was rough against her skin as she put it on.

No corsets. No silk. No embroideries.

A reminder of her current status, she thought bitterly.

By the time she was taken out of the bathing room, her anger had cooled, allowing her to think calmly.

They took her down a narrow, dim corridor with cracked ceilings and dirty walls, until they reached a tiny room at the farthest end.

Myra just stood there, staring at the door as if she'd stepped into her worst nightmare.

“This is where you'll be sleeping" Nora hissed, nudging her forward. “Work starts at dawn. Don't fall behind"

Before she could respond, the woman and other maids were gone, leaving her standing alone in the cramped, airless corridor.

She walked inside slowly, because she felt as if the walls were closing in on her. It was harder to breathe. It was harder to walk, to move each foot forward.

She felt a sense of defeat as she looked around her.

The only light was from a narrow window high up in the wall. Cobwebs decorated the ceilings like chandeliers, and the only items in there was a straw mattress in the corner, yellowed with age, and a small brown bowl.

Myra didn't know how long she stood there, absorbing every detail of the room.... and her new life.

She walked over to the mattress and slid down onto it, ignoring the sting of the straws.

Myra felt really scared and useless for the first time in her life.

“She is weak. Just like her sister"

“If she was truly strong, we wouldn't be in this situation"

She closed her eyes, seeing their broken faces filled with disappointment.

They were right. What kind of leader allowed her kingdom to fall, her people to be captured and herself to be reduced to this?

Instincts made her want to kick and fight her way out of there, to stab that Alpha in his heart and save her people.

But she couldn't. Because he had the life of her sister in his hands. One wrong move and Evelyn would pay the price.

The thought made her sick, tormenting her in that dark, confined space.

She had no kingdom. She had no pride left. She had nothing.

Failure and helplessness wrapped around her. She took a deep breath, but it wasn't enough to cool the ache inside her.

A tear dropped. Then two.

A second later, Myra drew her knees to her chest and buried her face in it, sobbing so hard she couldn't breathe.

It went on for a long time, exhausting every single emotion pent up inside her.

She was not a woman taught to believe in God so much, but now she prayed.

For one last chance at redeeming her pride and kingdom, she'd do anything, give anything.

Even give up her dark, empty heart.

************

The council room was brightly lit with torches mounted sporadically along the walls, adding heat to the ongoing discussions.

Arthur sat at the head of the shiny oak table, surrounded by his advisors, ministers and generals.

A large map was spread out on the table, marked with green dots for conquered territories and red for those yet to be.

Beta Lucian—the man with him earlier— was the first to speak.

“Silvercrest is expanding beyond our expectations, which is good. But other packs are not too happy with this. If we strike again, we might invite trouble"

Arthur's fingers tapped against the wood. “And if we don't, we might portray weakness"

General Wesley spoke up. “I received letters from the Red Howl pack today. Alpha Viktor is planning to report us to the Elders"

“On what grounds?"

The general shifted uncomfortably. “He says that we are aiming to upset the natural order by invading the human territories"

A young man, with a calmer aura than the other men, said, “We are already incurring the wrath of other human kingdoms."

Advisor Charles scoffed. “Oh please Gamma Vincent. Vespera was pathetic, their king was down in minutes. It was barely a war"

Arthur's gaze didn't flicker. “And yet, despite their weakness, their princess did not cower"

Lucien smirked. “So?"

Arthur leaned forward. “So we shouldn't let our guards down. A wolf cornered is predictable, but a woman with nothing left to lose? That's a whole different situation"

“What you mean to say Alpha, is that we should be scared of her?"

For a long moment, deafening silence filled the room.

Some advisors glanced at Lucien, utterly dumbfounded at his question.

Arthur treated him to a cold, unblinking stare but the Beta barely seemed fazed.

After a tense minute or two, Arthur's fingers formed a tight pyramid. “Silvercrest didn't get to where it is now by depending on fear. Still, let everyone stay alert and cautious. Their weak surrender looks suspicious"

“Borthoris might decide to launch an attack, since they're an ally of Vespera" Vincent reasoned.

“And why exactly?" asked Arthur.

Wesley explained, “Because that's the kingdom of the Princess' fiance"

“And where is this fiance you speak of?"

Lucien chuckled. “The coward ran back to his kingdom the moment he sighted our wolves, leaving behind his helpless fiancee"

Arthur took in the information slowly. “A man that abandoned his fiancee does not have the balls to lead an attack. Borthoris isn't worthy to be our problem"

“What about the princess? Should we deal with her?" Minister Rudolph asked.

“Not yet. A fire that refuses to die is best studied first. Then if it proves to be a problem, we'll blow it out"

Vincent chipped in, “Speaking of which, Alpha, shall we announce a banquet? The warriors expect a reward"

“Begin preparations then. Invite the alphas of Ironfang and Moonclaw packs. Let them drink and feast but keep all your eyes open. This war is far from over"

“What about Red Howl pack? Should we begin a plan to end them?" Wesley inquired.

Arthur's lips twisted into a calculating smile. “Not so fast Wesley. Let's give them a chance to make the first move, then when they least expect it, we turn the tables and pin them on the map"

Later that night, Arthur stood at the window of his private study, holding a glass of alcohol in his hand, and overlooked the vast lands of Silvercrest.

Lucien lounged lazily in a chair, swirling a glass of wine. “You were staring hard at the princess today"

Arthur's eyes didn't move from the window. “I watch all my enemies"

Lucien nodded, sipping his drink. “So it's not because she's more beautiful than how rumours portrayed her"

His fingers tightened slightly around his glass. “It is essential to study your enemy whether they're as ugly as an ogre or as beautiful as a fairy"

“So she's beautiful"

“She's trouble"

“Ah. Trouble. That explains why you haven't killed her yet" Lucien hummed.

Arthur finally turned to face him. His eyes were cold, indifferent. “If I wanted her dead, she would be"

“Then why don't you? She's defying your authority already. Might as well end her now"

Arthur didn't respond. He remembered her defiance in the throne room, her snappy comments, the fire in her eyes.

She was dangerous. And beautiful. Dangerously beautiful.

And killing her was the most logical choice. Blow out the flame before it became an inferno.

Yet, he had left her. Alive and untouched.

He felt his wolf whimper inside him, an emotion that was entirely foreign to him.

Deeply uncomfortable, Arthur downed his drink in one gulp, feeling the burning liquid slide down his throat.

“She's still the rightful ruler of Vespera regardless of her current status. Killing her would be a waste, she's much more valuable alive"

Lucien shrugged. “You're the Alpha, you know best. Let's just hope she won't be any real trouble"

Arthur set his glass down his desk with an unreadable expression. “She might be stubborn but she has a weakness. She knows the life of her sister is in my palms"

Lucien stood up and switched the topic. “Okay whatever you say. By the way, lord Alistair wants to speak with you tomorrow"

Arthur turned back to the window. “Fix him in before my meeting with the ministers"

Lucien nodded and exited the study, leaving him wrapped in the sudden silence and his thoughts.

“Crown Princess Myra of Vespera" he murmured, his gaze fixated on the black sky.

Even in rags and dirt, she was more beautiful than he would care to admit.

Arthur's jaw tightened as he recalled their conversation in the dungeon. He told himself he had been studying her, not observing the deep blue of her eyes or the soft curve of her lips.

As he stared blankly at the sky, his thoughts were consumed of the fiery princess who had stood up to him.

And for the first time in a long time, the wolf within him was waking up.

The golden rays of the sun barely grazed the sky when Myra was awoken by the loud bang of metal against a wall.

She groaned and turned over. Every single limb of hers ached, a consequence of a night spent on the thin, straw mattress.

Barely a second later, the door slammed open and Nora walked in, hands on her hips and mouth pulled into a tight frown. “Didn't you hear the bell? Get up!"

Myra sat up wearily and disoriented, trying hard to suppress a yawn and process the woman's words. She succeeded at neither. “What bell?"

Nora's gaze sharpened to a glare. “Do I look like a joke to you? Get your bottom up or I'll let the Alpha know you're slacking!" Her voice rose an octave, furious by now.

Myra bit back a retort and stood up, fighting the urge to lay down. Her mind was fully purged of sleep when she was thrust into the bathroom to receive a splash of cold water.

After the gruesome bathing that could barely be called one, Nora handed her a black apron.

“Hurry up! I haven't got all day" she snapped, clearly impatient.

She held back her tongue from spitting out an offensive comment, and obediently tied the apron, which was weak with age and had loose threads dangling at its seams.

From the moment she stepped into the servant's hall, whispers began to circulate among the maids, earning her keen, watchful stares.

“Hey, isn't that the princess of the fallen Vespera?"

“Correction. She isn't a princess anymore. She's a maid"

“Ouch. It must really hurt to lose all those luxuries"

The whispers hurt but she schooled her expression, taking them with a pinch of salt.

Clearly set out to suffer her, Nora had ordered her to scrub all the floors of the Eastern Wing, handing her a bucket and a rag.

“What?"

“Get used to it. That's how life is around here" Nora sneered.

“What....about food?" She asked reluctantly, ashamed she had to depend on these wolves to survive.

Nora gave a short bark of laughter. “Food aren't meant for maids like you. Get to work"

Myra's fists clenched as she took in the harsh words. Denying her food was cruel, conscious of the fact she hadn't had food in days. But she swallowed her rising complaints, well aware so many eyes were gauging her expression.

She tipped her chin up. “Fine by me"

As a princess who had never had to do a single chore in her life, Myra found the task exhausting and herculean. She scrubbed the floors until her fingers ached and her back screamed for rest.

Sweat slid down her hairline and into her eyes, stinging them.

Other maids whispered and giggled as they walked past, some casting her pitying glances but no one offered help.

“Scrub harder princess-maid"

Embarrassment burned her cheeks. She wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out.

“For Evelyn. It's for Evelyn" she murmured, strengthening her resolve.

Her stomach growled in protest but she pretended she didn't feel it. Her fingers swelled and reddened as the hours passed by, yet she continued.

When she finally finished, she was ordered to fetch water from the well, carrying buckets heavier than she could ever imagine as she staggered down the corridors.

She paused to catch her breath and possibly a minute rest or two, only for a servant to push her and grunt, “Keep moving!"

“Tired already?" A maid taunted, smirking.

Myra bit her lips, fighting the urge to lash out and kept on walking. For Evelyn, she reminded herself.

By midday, when her stomach couldn't hold on any longer, she swallowed her pride and walked up to Nora.

“What now? Broke a nail or something?" Nora asked.

She hid her hands behind her dress and clenched them into fists as she muttered, “F...Food"

Nora perked a brow. “Maids who complain don't eat. Return to your work"

Her hands trembled and she gritted her teeth and continued, ignoring the ache in her belly.

They wanted to work her to death, that much was clear, but starve her?

“I will prove them wrong" she whispered. “I will show them I can survive without their damned food"

But it got harder with each passing second that made her head light and her stomach pound angrily.

As Myra carried fresh bedsheets down a corridor, her steps paused when she saw a young woman struggling with crutches, in a matching gown and apron and blonde hair pulled behind her ears.

The woman noticed her stare. “If you want to mock me, just say so and save yourself the time"

Myra walked forward, dropping the linens on the floor and helped her to regain balance. “I find no joy in mocking people neither do I take pleasure in others suffering" her voice was calm and steady.

Obviously startled at the action, the woman cleared her throat. “Thank you and I'm sorry for my rude tone earlier. It's just that a lot of people mock me. I'm Lily, by the way"

“Myra"

“Oh, the princess-turned-maid right?" Lily asked casually.

Myra stiffened, narrowing her eyes. “What did you just call me?"

Noticing she had stepped out of line, Lily rushed to add, “I don't mean it like that. I'm sorry if it came out that way"

Myra parted her lips but her stomach growled first. Her cheeks turned a slight shade of red, clearly showing her embarrassment at being caught.

Lily gave her a sympathetic smile. “They're pushing you hard, aren't they?"

Myra didn't respond. There was nothing to say.

Lily shook her head, muttering something under her breath before limping forward. She dug her hand into her pocket and brought out a small, bread roll. “Take it"

Myra glanced at her, puzzled. “Why are you helping me?"

Lily smiled. “Because you helped me first"

That didn't justify her action in Myra's eyes. “I don't need a reward. And I'm fine—"

Her stomach broke her sentence with a low rumble.

Lily giggled. “I think your stomach disagrees with you. Now take it"

Myra narrowed her gaze with suspicion. She couldn't trust anyone here. “What's your ulterior motive?"

Lily blinked. “Wait a minute, do you think it's poisoned?"

Her lack of response confirmed it.

Lily laughed harder. “I can never poison what I eat. I'm not really excited at the prospect of suicide. Now take it, before someone sees"

Myra hesitated. She didn't need pity or sympathy but she was really hungry.

Finally, she snatched the bread and muttered, “Thank you" before biting into the bread. She hated how her pride was crumbling, reducing her to this.

Lily beamed, her eyes sparkling. “I should be the one thanking you"

Her kind smile made Myra feel a little lighter, something she hadn't felt in days.

While the sun gradually moved lower, Myra moved onto her next chore, exhausted beyond reason but determined to push further, to show them she was tougher than she looked.

She was wiping the windows when she heard mocking laughter behind her. She turned slightly to see two stunning she-wolves dressed in silk and jeweleries , walking into view.

One, with smooth dark curls and an arrogance to match, leaned against a pillar. “Oh my" she purred. “We've finally met the fallen princess Nicole"

Nicole titled her head. “Are you sure she's the one Christine? Because she doesn't fit the description I was given"

“I'm sure Nicole. No other maid looks this pathetic"

Myra contained her work, ignoring their presence.

Nicole clicked her tongue. “Ignoring us? How rude"

Christine's mouth twisted with displeasure at her silence. “It seems Nora hasn't really taught you humility yet"

“What do you expect from a princess forced into slavery?"

Anger threatened to explode within her but she played it cool. Don't talk, don't talk, she soothed herself, willing herself to stay calm.

She picked up her cleaning tools, ready to leave, but Christine stepped in her path. “Not so fast human. We're not done talking"

Myra was pissed at this point. “Get out of my way wolf"

Christine's smile dropped. “Who do you think you're calling wolf?"

“You, of course. You are a wolf, aren't you?" Myra shot back.

A cruel look hardened Christine's eyes. “I'll show you how a wolf behaves"

Then, she took Myra by surprise by kicking the bucket of the water, spilling it onto the floor.

“What did you just do?" Myra gasped, glaring daggers at her.

Christine smiled. “Learn your place here human. You've no right to talk to me"

“How dare you? How dare—"

“Careful there" Nicole added. “Wouldn't want anyone to suffer on your behalf"

Myra balled her fists, struggling to keep her rage at bay.

They were threatening her. And the worse part was she couldn't do anything.

“Look at her. She wants to cry"

Christine glanced at her, feelings smug and cocky. “She's going to cry a lot here so she better get used to it"

Myra bit the inside of her cheek and quietly crouched to clean the floors.

“That's where you belong missy" Nicole said, smirking down at her. “On the floors"

After that painful blow, they walked away, laughing.

Her eyes clouded with tears yet not a drop fell. She wouldn't cry. Not now. Not ever.

By the time her chores were over, Myra was half dead. Her legs felt like stone as she wobbled into the garden. She barely had the strength to move, her body was drained and her spirit bruised.

The night air cooled her sweaty skin, offering relaxation to her stiff muscles.

The garden was quiet and secluded, its flowers glowing faintly under the silver moonlight, oozing out calmness and peace.

Exactly what she needed. Peace. From the hell she suffered today.

As she lowered herself onto a wooden bench, all the humiliation, anger, embarrassment she had bottled out of her, seeped out.

“That's where you belong.... On the floors"

No. She couldn't allow those words to define her. She was strong. She was.....

Her chest burned and she shut her eyes, forcing back tears.

That's when she heard a faint sound behind her.

She stiffened, her senses on alert. Had someone been watching her?

She felt the presence of someone and turned quickly, searching the darkness.

But instead of a guard or a maid, she saw a small, thin figure. A boy.

His large, frightened eyes met hers as he stepped forward hesitantly. Something about him struck her as familiar. Like she had seen him before.

Then, realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

Her wedding. She had saved him during the chaos when a wolf was hot on his trail.

“Princess Myra" he whispered.

For some reason, her throat tightened. He remembered her as well.

“Hello. Do you remember me?"

He nodded quickly. “Yes, you saved me from a wolf. Thank you"

Her throat tightened again. “I'm not worthy of your gratitude. What's your name?"

“Andrew. Andrew Harris"

“How did you get out of the dungeon Andrew?"

He leaned in and muttered, “I slipped out of there. No one noticed me"

Myra's eyes widened with alarm. “What? That's dangerous! Go back now before someone—"

“No" he interrupted, shaking his head. “Someone's waiting for you. Behind the dungeons"

Her brows furrowed. “Waiting for me? Who?"

Andrew bit his lip. “I'm not allowed to tell." He motioned for her to follow him.

Caution rang inside her, making her doubtful but curiosity pushed her up.

Myra glanced around the empty gardens before following Andrew.

He led her past the hedges and down a narrow stone path, leading to the back of the dungeon.

Then, Andrew stopped in his tracks and pointed.

She followed his gaze and froze to the spot.

It couldn't be.....

Half-hidden in the shadows was someone she never thought she'd see again.

Her voice came out on a breath. “Henry"