Chapter 3 The King’s Dinner

              DAPHNE POV

I've never felt so defeated in my life.

Especially not by a man. An arrogant piece of shit at that. I wanted to scream so bad, but I was going to hold it in till I got to my dorm. I can't believe he broke my phone. I have

assignments piling up and no way to do them.

Let's not even talk about what I'm supposed to tell Professor Alan about the feature. All the stupid clips I took of him were on the phone. I swear if I lose my scholarship, I'll ruin his career before it ever gets started.

I pushed the door to my room open with every anger in me. The moment I realized Elena wasn't even in her bunk l sighed in relief. The last thing I wanted was her telling me “I told you so.”

I grabbed a small tote bag and shoved two or three clothes inside. I still had twenty dollars in my purse. It should be enough to get me home. Not really our home.

When I got to the gate of the King mansion, I sighed looking up at the looming building in front of me.

It's so huge. The walls stretched up like they're trying to touch the sky, all pale stone and sharp angles that didn’t look like they belonged in New York. It looked like something straight out of ancient Greece-columns and arches and windows were so tall. Ivy crawls up one side, like even nature is trying to claim a piece of it.

It was a constant reminder of what my mum and I could never have.

Some people are born to own a mansion.

Some of us are born to serve the people living in it.

I hated it. So freaking much.

I headed straight to the maid's quarters. Funny enough, it was still bigger than the tiny apartment we used to rent before the landlord kicked us out.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw the head maid, Mrs. Catherine. She didn't like my mum, and she'd never bothered hiding it. I never wasted an opportunity to give her shit either, but my mum always begged me not to because Mrs Catherine might not give her salary. 

Yes, my mum is at the bottom of the maid hierarchy. She barely gets scraps as payment. Our life fucking sucks.

"Catherine, where is my mama?"

She looked up at me, her face scrunching up as she took me in like my presence genuinely offended her. She looked me up and down like I was something stuck to her shoe, her mouth twisting into that sneer she always wears around me.

"I don't have time for your nonsense today, girl. Your mother is in the kitchen."

She walked off before I could say another word.

Good.

I didn't have the energy for her today.

I followed her into the kitchen.

The place was packed with maids preparing dinner. Everything smelled so good I wanted to taste them but I will later, since we got to eat the leftovers.

My mum spotted me from across the kitchen, and her whole face lit up.

"Hey mama!" I beamed joyfully as I walked in.

She immediately put down the tray of tea she was holding and wrapped me in a hug. After what felt like forever, she pulled away and cupped my face.

"Bambi, how are you? Why are you here? You said you wouldn't be home till next week."

"I'm fine, Mama." I forced a smile. "I just... missed you."

"You should've called first. The whole family is here tonight. Mr. King is having dinner with everyone."

I couldn't tell her about my phone.

The moment she found out, she'd start stressing over how to replace it, and she already had enough problems.

"It's alright, Mum. Is it just him and Asher?"

She shook her head.

"No. His younger son came back yesterday. He hasn't been home in a long time. Asher is here too."

I couldn't help but blush at the thought of Asher being home. That means I get to see him.

"Are you taking those to the dining room?" I asked, already reaching for one of the trays. "I'll help."

I didn't even wait for her answer. I dropped my tote bag on the floor, my backpack still hanging over my shoulder, and picked up the tray.

Any excuse to see Asher.

"Be careful with it, Daphne!" Mum called after me.

Before I reached the dining room, I carefully set the tray on a side table and grabbed the red lip gloss in my purse and painted my lips, my hands digging into my hair as I tried to brush my curls out. Days like this I wished I had straight hair, these curls are so hard to perm. When I was done I checked the small mirror and cringed when I saw my lips. This is madness. But I didn’t care.

I picked the tray back up and walked into the dining room.

I didn't even have to see his face.

I'd recognize Asher anywhere.

That broad, ridiculously sexy back was impossible to miss.

I lowered my head politely as I approached the table.

"Good evening, Mr. King. I brought your teas

—"

I barely finished my words when my eyes saw the person sitting across Mr King. The tray in my hand slipped, shattering everything on the floor.

"Oh my God..." I stared at him in disbelief before pointing a finger straight at him.

"You fucking bastard!"

What the hell is he doing here?

The room fell silent.

Every head at the table turned toward me.

Asher.

Mr. King.

A woman I'd never seen before.

And the stupid Ice King himself.

Mr King frowned in confusion before looking at him.

"Son... do you know her?"

My heart stopped.

Son?

My eyes darted between Richard and the bastard sitting across from him.

Son?

My eyes widened the more I tried to understand the word.

He slowly met my gaze, his expression as blank as ever.

"No dad. Never seen her before." The bastard said smoothly, looking me dead in the eyes.

Son? Dad?  He's their son? Does that mean he’s Asher's brother? How in the hell is that possible?