Chapter 6: A Storm in the Hallway
Evaline:
The night was long and restless. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face. His taunting smirk, his cruel laughter, the sickening way he looked at me as if he owned me. My body still remembered the pain he had inflicted, the humiliation he had made me endure.
Fortunately, morning came soon enough. The thin walls of the servant quarters did little to block the early morning noise. I had barely slept, but there was no time to rest. I knew that if I didn’t get up now, I would be punished again.
I sat up, ignoring the sharp pain in my lower back. My muscles were protesting, but I had no choice. I forced myself to my feet, reaching for my servant uniform. Once I got dressed, I headed to start my day.
By the time I had finished my morning chores - scrubbing floors, polishing silverware, and fetching water from the well - my arms were on fire, and my back was throbbing.
The other maids worked alongside me, but they acted as if I didn’t exist. No one spoke to me. No one acknowledged my presence unless it was to bark an order or sneer in my direction.
I was the enemy’s daughter. And now, I was nothing more than a maid.
I had just finished sweeping the back corridors when Sera stormed into the hall, her eyes blazing with frustration. I would have loved to avoid her wrath, but I was never the lucky one.
"You! Useless girl!" she snapped.
I stilled, gripping the broom tightly. "Yes, Head Maid?"
"The western wing is a mess," she growled. "The guards brought in mud last night, and none of the other girls want to clean it up. So guess who gets the honor?"