Chapter 7 New Job

The silence inside the hall lingered long after Lord Karev ordered the knights not to kill me. Lord Hugo's heavy steps echoed as he walked away with an upset expression. 

My heart was finally relieved. Lord Karev then turned to the head maid. 

"Take her with you, Helena," he said simply.

The head maid, Helena, bowed deeply in front of Lord Karev. "Yes, My Lord."

With that, Lord Karev began walking away. I watched his figure slowly fade from my sight. I didn't know how I managed to make him spare me. I had thought it was impossible. Yet somehow... he listened.

Helena walked in front of me. "Can you stand?"

I was still shaking from the verdict of execution that I barely escaped but I nodded. As I tried to stand, my knees wobbled. The head maid gently helped me. 

"Thank you," I murmured when I was finally standing. 

The knights who were watching me closely finally left and went back to their posts. The nobles who were watching resumed walking. Everything went back to normal. 

The head maid led the way. She brought me to the servant's wing. I saw how the interior transitioned from grandeur to something plain and simple. 

Magnificent halls turned to narrow stone corridors as we neared that area. The servants in their dull uniform were walking around, busy on their own tasks. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air.

The servant's wing felt small but warm. Nothing was luxurious but it's comfortable here. This part of the palace was not intimidating. 

Helena finally stopped when we reached the storeroom. She opened the door and signalled me to follow her. Inside, there was a row of neatly folded servants' uniforms. There were aprons, polishing clothes, buckets and other supplies lined up. 

"Wear this..." Helena said after she picked up a fresh servant dress. She looked at me. "From now on, you'll work under me. And every day, you will get your uniform here."

I looked at her naturally gentle face. There were wrinkles on the corner of her eyes and lips, white streaks scattered on her hair. 

I nodded my head. "Thank you."

She gestured her hand outside the storeroom. "You may take a bath in the common bathroom for us then look for me afterwards."

As soon as she left, my gaze dropped on the gray uniform on my hands. My fingers touched the plain fabric. Just a few nights ago, I was wearing a luxurious ceremonial dress for my birthday, and now, this... a servant's uniform. 

Life can truly change overnight. 

As I went to the small bathing room, I put down my new cloth. There was a rack in the corner with fresh towels. I removed my dress and began taking a bath. 

This was my first bath since that night. As the water poured over my body, it felt like I washed away the prints of my tragic life. The blood... dirt... and the river mud. I successfully washed them away. But the memories remained clear and intact in my mind. It will never be forgotten. 

When I looked at my chest, the golden mark was really there. I was not imagining, it was real. 

"What could this be?" I murmured. 

Even though I tried to rub it away, it was tattooed on my skin. 

I tried to remember if people talked about having this kind of mark appearing on their body out of nowhere. But I can't remember hearing anything like that. 

A knock on the bathing room made me quicken my pace. Even I moved in a rush, I made sure I was clean. The other servants were waiting outside as it was their turn to get a bath. 

So this is the life of a servant? Even bathing had to be done in haste.

By the time I was done bathing and reported back to Helena, dusk had already settled over the palace. I listened carefully as she gave me instructions. And when she left, I immediately began cleaning. 

I had simple chores. Sweeping the floor, mopping it, dusting the shelves, and organizing the books. 

Things that I barely did in my previous life. But then, I have to forget that. I have a new life now. 

This is not what I was used to. It might not be comfortable especially now that I just started. But this was better than being surrounded by people who would betray me. 

I am here, not just for myself but also for my mother. I'll start from the bottom, and I will do everything to rise to the top to get back to those people who hurt us. That's a promise.

"She's new... she's the one that was almost executed by Lord Hugo because of intruding."

I was not alone in that room. Other servants were there, cleaning their posts. They talked... whispered things about me, curious about my identity. 

I kept organizing the book but my mind was somewhere else. I instinctively touched my neck but the necklace I wore for 18 years was nowhere to be found. 

I understand now why Mama strongly reminded me not to remove it from me because it meant to hide the fact that I had no scent of a wolf. 

Now that it's gone, everyone smells nothing out of me. The uncertainty about my origin makes them wonder... and distant. 

If only I still had it, no one would be treating me like this, like I was an unknown creature.

"You..." It sounded after the heavy footsteps. 

I glanced over my shoulder and saw a knight behind, looking at me. I pointed at myself with hesitation. 

"Me? Are you talking to me?" I asked. 

He nodded. "Come with me," he coldly said. 

My eyes widened a fraction. The beat of my heart became louder as thoughts flooded my mind. 

"W-why?" I croaked, my lips quivering. 

"Someone wishes to see you."

I breathed through my mouth as fear spread in my heart. As I walked behind the knight, I was afraid that I was walking towards my death. 

What if it was Lord Hugo who called for me? What if he would have me killed this time?

He's a member of the Royal Council. No one would bat an eye if he kills me just because he thinks that is the right thing to do!

We walked on long and cold corridors. As fear lorded me, I tried to distract myself, looking at the walls. There were emblems carved into the stone, large paintings of the former kings, and royal guards silently standing watch. 

Eventually, the knight stopped in front of a black double door. My breathing hitched as he knocked on it. 

"Come in," a cold voice from inside commanded. 

As we entered the dim room, my heart assaulted my chest. I barely managed to step inside with all the fear in my mind because of the unknown. 

I filled my lungs with air as I saw a man in black, his broad back was facing us. The moonlight spilled through the tall window in front of him. 

"She's here, My Lord," the knight informed. 

The man didn't move a bit, he was watching the moon through the window. 

"Leave us."

The knight bowed a bit before he retreated. As the huge door closed behind me, I almost trembled. There were hundreds of possible things that could happen now. I can't find my voice to speak or strength to do anything, my gaze drawn to the back of the mysterious man. 

Who could he be? A Lord... Could he be another member of the Royal Council?

My breathing paused as he slowly turned to face me. From his forehead until the tip of his nose, he was wearing a black mask. 

As our eyes met, I felt certain familiarity. His eyes were black but for the briefest second, I thought I saw a flash of silver before it vanished. 

The silence stretched between us for a while. His gaze never left mine and I couldn't look away. For reasons I couldn't understand, my heart refused to calm.

"I have a job for you."

I stared at him, unable to understand why a man I had never met before would seek me out.