Chapter 8: You smell bad.

~Seraffim's POV~

"Slave, what right do you have to tell me what to do?" I knew what was coming next but still I wasn't ready as I hit the ground hard from the force of his hand.

He takes out a whip hanging on his belt. Perfect. My mouth is going to earn me another whipping. I can count the scars on my body now. There are more than I can count.

If it wasn't for my former maid who brings healing cream for my wounds, the scars would be much worse. And because they took away my beast powers, I can't heal myself.

I am stuck as weak as a human. I will likely die soon, but before that happens, I will kill Ragel and this pig standing before me.

"Keep your eyes down when I am talking to you, slave! You are a slave! Nothing but a slave!" He raises his whip to hit me, but I stay calm. I don't react at all.

"Master Zahe, I am still the king's property whether you like it or not. So I dare you to touch me. I will make sure everyone sees the wounds at the banquet, and when they ask, even if it's the last thing I do, I will drag you down with me."

The way he steps back from me shows me that Master Zahe is indeed a coward. He is scared of the king and knows everything I said is true.

"I will send the maids!" He turns and walks away quickly. The second he leaves, my shoulders drop and I take a deep breath.

I really hate that whip. Even though I have gotten used to my life here, it doesn't change the fact that I always get sick after being whipped, and I still have to work even during my illness.

"Your highness," someone calls out. Of all people Master Zahe could bring, it was the awful head maid. May the gods curse his life.

Sarai, my former maid, is with them, but she has to act mean or she will be bullied because of me. I nod at the head maid's greeting.

"You smell bad, your highness," the head maid suddenly says as she acts like she is trying to help me up, but I know better.

She just wants to embarrass me. Again, I don't say anything. It would be stupid to argue with someone so empty-headed.

I push her hands away. I help myself up. Sarai tries to come forward, but I shake my head at her. She bows her head, and I know she feels guilty, but this is better. I will not let an innocent person suffer because of me.

"Hagglin, you are here to help me get ready, not to tell me how I smell. Do your job so we can be done with each other." I start walking toward the old broken palace that needs lots of fixing.

The stupid palace looks like it might fall down soon. It always leaks when it rains. Most of the roof is gone. I am always so cold at night. Don't even get me started on all the snakes and lizards I see.

Well, I have learned to hunt and kill them now. I use them as meat for my food. They are what keep me alive. Although I always wonder why they are so easy to kill. Not that it matters to me. All that matters is they are food.

"Your highness, you seem to forget that you are nothing more than a slave now. Do you know what that means?" Hagglin asks, standing in front of me with an ugly angry look on her face beautiful face.

Curse these people. I can't keep suffering like this. I need to do something to get out of this place. If not, I might actually die before my plans start.

"Hagglin, if I am a slave, then what are you?" Sarai gasps. I turn to look at her. I understand the look in her eyes. She is saying, please my lady, control your temper. You are going to be whipped.

But today I won't be. Because I know they can't touch me. After all, the king wants me to look pretty, so they can't hurt me. But after the banquet, I am not sure I will be safe.

"You crazy beast-less slave!" Hagglin screams as she tries to jump at me. I easily move away from her. Two years of fighting and suffering has made me stronger.

"Why Hagglin, are you angry that the king will never look at you?" Hagglin's face turns darker, and I know I hit a sore spot.

Oh Seraffim, why can't you just keep quiet, I think to myself. I know I should have stayed quiet, but the thing is, I am tired of keeping quiet and being weak.

So tonight, I plan to take control of my own life. I will be taking a big risk with my life. What do I have to lose anyway? Ragel has taken everything from me.

"You are acting proud just because you were called, right? Don't worry, I will be waiting for you after the banquet." Hagglin claps her hands, and the maids behind us who had been quiet the whole time immediately grab me.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you grabbing me like that?" Their grip on my arms hurts. I try my best not to cry. If they bruise my arms, it can easily be hidden with a dress.

"I told you, slave, you smell. You need a good cleaning." I am dragged to my messy bedroom.

The other maids quickly fill the bathtub. And oh, these stupid girls decide to wash me with very cold water. This is why it's good to keep your mouth shut.

"Scrub her hard. I need her shining brightly. Remember not to hurt her badly, but some injuries can be hidden, right?" Hagglin says with a mean smile.

The maids start scrubbing my skin with rough brushes. The cold water makes me shiver, and the brushes hurt, but I don't make a sound. I won't give them the satisfaction of hearing me cry.

As they wash me, I think about tonight. This might be my only chance to change things. The king wants me at the banquet for some reason. Maybe I can use that to my advantage.

I have been planning for two years. Planning and waiting. Tonight might be the night I am freed or tonight might be the night I die trying.

Either way, I am done being a victim. I am done letting them treat me like nothing.

Princess Seraffim Alfred of Otterman is not dead yet. And tonight, everyone will remember that.