CHAPTER 10
Aria's POV
The moon hung high and bright when the summons came.
Mia entered my room with excitement written all over her face. She carried a box in her hands and when she opened it my breath caught.
A nightgown.
The palest shade of silver that shimmered faintly like moonlight. It was beautiful. Delicate. Nothing like the old rags I was used to. It looked like something made for a Queen.
"The King sent this for you" Mia said softly with a smile. "You are to spend the night in his chambers. He asked for you."
My chest tightened. My heart raced. I didn't know what to feel. Fear. Hope. I couldn't tell.
Mia helped me bathe. She gently scrubbed my skin. She was careful with my bruises like she was afraid to hurt me. When she finished she dried my hair with a soft towel and brushed it until it fell in waves down my back.
"You look so beautiful Milady" she whispered proudly as I stood in front of the mirror wearing the nightgown.
I didn't know how to respond. I only nodded. My throat too tight to speak.
At exactly 7:55pm I stepped out of my chambers. My heart pounded heavily in my chest. Zaine wanted me. He asked for me. The thought warmed something deep inside me.
I clutched the soft gown and began walking quietly toward his chamber. But as I turned the corner disaster met me.
"Oops."
A bucket of foul liquid splashed across my body before I could react.
I froze in horror.
The liquid dripped down my hair. It soaked my gown and clung to my skin. It smelled awful. Bitter and sour. I gasped in shock as I looked up. Only to see Amanda standing there holding the empty bucket in her perfectly manicured hands.
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"Oh dear" she said mockingly "Clumsy me."
The servants nearby chuckled quietly. None dared to meet my eyes. I stood there humiliated and shaking. The cold liquid seeped through my skin.
"You should be careful" Amanda added with fake sweetness. "The palace floors can be quite slippery at night." She leaned closer and her voice turned icy. "I would hate for the King to see you like this. What would he think."
I wanted to speak. To scream. But my throat was tight with shame.
"It smells terrible doesn't it" Amanda asked cruelly. "Oh well. You better go clean up. Wouldn't want to make His Majesty sick would you."
Tears burned in my eyes but I held them back. I clenched my fists tightly.
"You will never fit here Omega" she whispered before brushing past me gracefully like she did nothing wrong at all.
I stood there frozen for a long moment before reality snapped back.
Panic hit me like a wave.
The King. He was expecting me at 8pm sharp. I looked at the clock nearby. 7:59pm.
No. No no.
I turned and ran back to my chambers. Mia gasped when she saw me.
"Milady. What happened."
"I need to bathe again. Quickly. Help me" I said desperately as I stripped off the ruined nightgown. My skin still smelled foul.
Mia moved fast. She helped me into the bath and scrubbed every inch of my skin. My heart pounded with every second that passed. By the time we finished and I dressed into another simple nightgown it was already half past 8.
No. This couldn't be happening.
I rushed down the hallways barefoot. My hair was still wet and clung to my cheeks. My legs ached but I didn't stop until I reached Zaine's chamber doors.
Two guards stood at attention. They looked down at me with emotionless expressions.
I tried to catch my breath. "Please. I am here to see His Majesty" I said quickly. "He sent for me."
The guards didn't move.
One of them spoke flatly. "The King isn't receiving visitors at this moment."
I froze.
"What" I whispered shocked. "But he asked for me earlier. He sent for me. I am expected."
The guard's eyes stayed cold. "You may return to your chambers."
My lips trembled. "Please. Just tell him Aria is here. He is waiting for me. He said--"
"Leave" the other guard interrupted harshly.
I felt my throat tighten painfully as shame washed over me.
Just then I heard it.
A soft laugh. Muffled but clear enough.
Amanda.
Her giggle floated from inside the King's chamber like a cruel reminder of who had truly won tonight.
My heart shattered.
She was inside.
I wasn't.
I took a shaky step back. My vision blurred with tears I couldn't hold back.
"Please..." I whispered weakly but the guards ignored me.
I stood there for a few more seconds. Hoping. Praying. But no one came to the door. No one called my name. No one cared.
Slowly I turned and walked away. Each step heavier than the last.
I didn't run. I didn't scream. I simply walked back to my chamber with tears falling silently down my cheeks.
Because no matter how much Zaine claimed me. Nights like this reminded me of the bitter truth.
I was still nothing.
Not to them.
And maybe. Not even to him.