Chapter 20 - thank you
20
~Lisa’s POV
By the time I stepped back into the palace, my body felt like it had been dragged through fire and my stomach twisted with emptiness. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday, barely drank anything either. The hunger burned at the edges of my patience, making my head light and my steps slower. I dragged myself toward the kitchen, praying there would be something left, anything. Just a piece of bread. Even crumbs would do.
As I pushed the kitchen door open, the sound of splashing water and clinking dishes greeted me. The kitchen was alive with activity, maids scrubbing plates, wiping down counters, and stacking trays. But the smell of food had already faded. Whatever they cooked was long gone.
One of the maids, Tessa, I think, glanced up from where she was scrubbing a large pot and scowled. "Well, look who finally showed up," she said loudly, making sure her voice carried through the kitchen.
A few heads turned immediately. Then the rest followed, one after another, eyes locking on me like I was something dragged in from the mud. Their faces lit up. not with welcome, but with smug amusement and thinly disguised cruelty.
"Where were you?" another maid asked, elbow-deep in soapy water. I think her name was Mara. "Having a picnic outside the palace gates?"
A few snorts, then laughter.
Laughter that wasn’t warm. Laughter that was sharp, cutting, meant to dig under my skin and settle there like a splinter.
I stood still by the door, holding my hands behind my back, trying to hide how badly they were still shaking. My stomach was growling loudly, my head buzzing from hunger and exhaustion, and I hadn’t even spoken a word yet, but somehow, they’d already decided I didn’t deserve kindness.
I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to taste blood.
"Took your sweet time getting back," another one muttered, stacking dry plates with more force than necessary. "If I disappeared for hours, I’d be flogged."