Shadows Of Flames: Tales Of The Forbidden

The cold, early morning nipped at her skin as Myra stepped into the servants hall. The tantalising scent of roasted meat and hot soup slid in from the kitchen, tickling her nose as she settled down onto a bench.

She had arrived earlier today, to escape punishment and unwanted attention from other maids which was increasing as the days passed.

While she waited to resume the hard chores for the day, her mind drifted back to her conversation with Henry.

A plan to seduce the Alpha.

She wanted revenge, she breathed it in everytime a herculean chore was forced upon her, often accompanied with mockery.

But she hadn't fully digested the frightening idea of seduction. Her skin crawled with loathing as she pictured herself carrying out the plan.

Myra twisted her dress between her hands. No. She couldn't go through with this.

There had to be another way. Anything but this.

Please Lord help me, she prayed fervently, hoping blindly that heaven would be on her side.

But no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, the truth gnawed at her.

“Myra?"

She turned to find Nora standing by the door, her expression blank yet stern.

“The Alpha has given orders that you alone will serve the royal family's breakfast today" said Nora, her voice clipped and formal.

The news hit her like a force. “W-What?"

“You heard me Myra. Don't make me repeat myself" Nora said, narrowing her eyes.

Her stomach churned with dread. Serve breakfast?

This was a new low. Now, she knew just how far the Alpha was willing to degrade her. He wanted to make sure she had no pride left, to exert his lordship over her.

“He ordered me?" She asked, processing the information as she stood up slowly.

“Of course he did" Nora nodded, as if it was an everyday request. “You will carry the meal and serve them in the dining hall"

Such an order was a dream come true for many maids. To be in close contact with the royals and serve the charming princes and king's was a rare opportunity.

But Myra saw no glory in such work. Hell, she saw no glory in any work she was tasked to do. She only saw humiliation written in plain letters.

She gritted her teeth. She had to obey, there was no other choice.

A quick flash of sympathy passes in Nora's eyes. “The meals are in the kitchen"

The room grew smaller in her eyes once Nora departed, the burden of a maid's life pulling her down.

To serve breakfast to the monsters that ruined her. They would laugh, look down at her with scorn while humiliating her.

She took in a deep breath. She refused to crumble.

Her shoulders rigid, she walked into the kitchen. Whispers and Snickers filtered into her ears but she paid no need to them.

“Ex-princess is going to serve breakfast today"

“Tsk! Such a pity. I actually feel sorry for her"

“I admire her courage. It's definitely a low blow to her pride"

Under the judging gazes of the kitchen maids, Myra pushed the trolley out of there.

The walk to the dining hall was long and silent as she moved reluctantly down the corridors.

The Alpha's orders. She had once been the one who gave orders, a royal too. But now, as she got closer to the dining hall, she realized she was no more a princess.

She was a maid. Slave. Captive.

When she finally reached, her blue eyes met the heavy, polished wooden floors, looming before her. She could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation from within.

Myra gulped in a huge breath of air and squared her shoulders. “It's just breakfast. That's all" she pushed her courage along with the doors.

The moment she entered, the laughters ceased.

She could feel their eyes on her—cold, silently mocking her.

All around the table were the royal family members.

Arthur was seated at the head of the table, commanding attention without a word. By his side was Christine, wearing a smug smile.

To his left and right were the concubines of the late Alpha, the princes and princesses.

Her legs felt like stone as she drew nearer hesitantly, conscious of the heavy stares she was subjected to. Her eyes closed with Arthur's in a brief second, seeing the pure amusement in his golden orbs.

She quickly averted her gaze and focused on setting the meals on the table, all the while biting the inside of her cheek.

“So this is the beautiful, fallen princess of Vespera" Prince Darius commented, eyeing her thoughtfully.

“Don't tell me you find her beautiful Darius" his mother, Lady Beth said. She was a refined beautiful woman who hid behind the mask of arrogance.

Darius smirked. “I was only trying to make her feel better mother"

Myra kept her head low and continued placing the dishes in front of them. She couldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her pain.

“Tell me princess" mused Arthur as he swirled his goblet idly, “now you're a poor servant of mine, how does it feel to be so...... insignificant?"

The words stung but she kept her expression neutral, never glancing his way.

“It must have been so hard to come to terms with your ugly fate" Christine gave a murmur of sympathy but her eyes held a mocking glee.

“A terrible fate, I might add" Lady Beth chuckled softly. “And my glass is empty maid"

Myra didn't know how she managed to put up with holding a flat expression, considering the thin line that held her sanity was slipping.

Obediently, she filled the woman's glass. Never did she allow her emotions to break for even a split second.

“It would be lovely if we want focus on our meal and leave the poor soul alone" a woman interjected, looking all but amused.

Beth clicked her tongue in disagreement. “Stop being so mushy Rachel. Some women are meant to rule, others to kneel"

“And yet, fate often plays cruel tricks on us all. Even those who think they are untouchable" implied Rachel firmly.

Beth's eyes narrowed the same degree as the rising tension in the room.

“You pity too much Lady Rose." uttered Princess Amber. She was cool and poised, her blonde hair twisted into a neat bun.

A thin frown appeared on Rachel's face. “And is that a crime? Mustn't we all exude kindness when needed?"

“Not in this scenario" Arthur finally spoke, barely glancing at Myra. “Not everyone deserves kindness. Cruelty sometimes, is the perfect antidote to a stubborn pride"

Myra's fingers trembled at his words, almost spilling wine while topping Darius' glass.

“Careful there" Darius murmured. “I'd hate for you to spill. The again, I wouldn't mind seeing you on your knees cleaning it up"

She kept her expression blank, refusing to react.

He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “It would be a waste if a beauty like you is only a maid. Why don't you make yourself useful in other duties?"

His tone was casual but the underlying meaning in his words made her coil with disgust.

“Come on now, I could be generous" Darius continued. “For a night, perhaps. A taste of the luxury you once had, before you return to..... your regular life"

Beth's voice cut in smoothly. “You have standards Darius, and they do not lie with low class women, especially maids"

For lack of a better reaction, Myra's face went red with shame.

Don't listen to them. Ignore them and hurry up, she told herself, eager to get the hell out of there.

The only thing holding her back from lashing out was her sister. Evelyn depended on her patience.

Arthur merely raised an eyebrow with a slight smirk tugging at his lips, but he said nothing. As if her humiliation was just another trophy to win.

Rachel sighed with evident disapproval. “One should not speak so carelessly to a woman"

“She's not a woman Lady Rose. She's a maid, and a very unimpressive one" Amber stated calmly then addressed Myra, “I mistakenly spilled wine on my shoes, so come clean it up"

Myra hesitated. She couldn't descend to such level.

“Come on now" Amber waved her fork nonchalantly. “Don't be shy, it's your job"

Everyone's eyes rested heavily on her, waiting. Testing to see if she would submit.

A minute passed yet Myra's feet didn't move. She stood rooted to the spot, her back rigid with stubbornness.

This was one thing she couldn't do.

Amber's eyes narrowed. “Hmm, what a disobedient little thing you are"

“Maybe your sister could teach you how obedience is done" Arthur said coolly, his voice icy with warning.

Myra swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat, fixing her gaze downward.

She knew better than to provoke Arthur.

Stiffly, she lowered herself to her knees, holding back tears as she wiped the extra polished shoes of Amber.

“Very humble of a princess. You're definitely a role model to your subjects" Beth nodded, glancing down at her with barely concealed disdain.

Laughter dominated the atmosphere, lightening the earlier tension in the room.

Myra dug her fingers into her knees, blinking away tears.

She couldn't afford to show weakness, not after everything she had sworn to protect.