Chapter 3 003

Aveline’s POV

After the revelation that the masked man was the king, my dizziness vanished, replaced by a heavy numbness. My legs gave out beneath me, and I slumped onto the cold floor, silently awaiting my death. There was no way I would survive after committing such an unforgivable mistake.

Or… should I beg for my life?

“I am sorry, Your Majesty,” Madam Serena said hurriedly. “She only resumed work in the palace today, and she didn’t..” Her voice cracked. “I have no excuse for this mistake. I should have trained her better.”

The room fell into a suffocating silence after her words. My heart pounded wildly as I imagined the king deciding the most fitting way to end my life. “Yes, you are right,” the king said coldly. “It is your fault for letting that uncultured girl into my chamber.”

His roar echoed through the room, and the temperature dropped again, making my body tremble uncontrollably. “That means you should take responsibility,” he continued. “How do you plan to do that?”

Panic surged through me. Something about this felt terribly wrong.

“No, Your Majesty!” I screamed, bowing my head until it touched the floor. “Please don’t punish the innocent because of me. I am a lowly servant who tainted your grace. I will accept any punishment you give me, with utmost humbleness!”

A low, unsettling chuckle left the king. Madam Serena glanced at me with something that looked almost like pity, and my chest tightened. What had I done to deserve that look?

“We’ve got a cheeky one,” the king mused. “Then I shall grant your wish, little fly. Why don’t you lay down your life for daring to interfere with me?”

My eyes widened in terror.

“My… my life?” I stammered. “You want to take my life, Your Majesty?”

“Yes,” he replied calmly. “You might be lying in your own pool of blood too..”

His words cut off abruptly as a bird suddenly appeared in the room, materializing from thin air. He clicked his tongue. “Looks like you’re saved. I have to go.”

Before I could even process what was happening, he vanished.

I never saw him leave. Only the echo of his words remained, you’re saved.

Madam Serena straightened abruptly and slapped me across the face, the sharp sting jolting me back to reality. Before I could react, she pulled me into a tight embrace.

I froze.

What was that for?

“Pull yourself together,” she whispered harshly. “You won’t survive in this palace if you remain this sloppy.”

I barely heard her. My gaze was locked on the lifeless body still lying on the floor.

“I want to leave the palace,” I blurted out hoarsely. “Please.”

She chuckled, the sound hollow. “What nonsense. The king pardoned you, and you want to repay his mercy by leaving? I’ll have someone handle his chamber for now while you undergo the necessary training.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

“This is bad… this is bad…” I muttered repeatedly, backing away until my eyes landed on the body again.

I bolted.

I didn’t stop running until I reached my room. Sleep refused to come that night. Every time I closed my eyes, the image of blood flooded my mind. By morning, exhaustion weighed heavily on me, but I still dragged myself to work, unwilling to attract more attention.

“Aren’t you the new maid?” someone called out. “Madam Serena asked for you.”

My heart dropped.

I hurried to her office.

“What did you mean?” I asked cautiously. Madam Serena looked relaxed..too relaxed. My palms were slick with sweat.

“As of today, you’ll be serving the king,” she announced. “You’ve been promoted, Aveline.”

Promotion?

My mind reeled. Everyone had complained about my work. Why would they promote me after last night?

Before I could protest, she dismissed me.

Outside her office, I bumped into a group of maids.

“How can a lowly pig like her serve the king?” one of them scoffed.

“Stop it, Evande,” another maid snapped. “That’s disrespectful.”

Relief flickered briefly, until Evande laughed.

“How can a weak omega like her even call herself a wolf? Can she even communicate with her wolf?”

Laughter erupted as they walked away.

The maid who had defended me approached. “Don’t mind them. They’re rough, but not all bad,” she said gently. “I’m Thalia. I don’t think I introduced myself yesterday.”

I smiled weakly, reminded painfully of Aria. I never even got to say goodbye.

That afternoon, I cleaned the king’s chamber as instructed. When I was done, I was sent to rest. I was grateful the day passed quietly.

“Just got back?” Thalia asked later.

I nodded. “I’m going to sleep. Goodnight.”

The bed was small, but larger than what I’d known before.

“Bring out the thief!”

The voice tore me from my sleep. Before I could react, strong hands yanked me up.

“What are you doing? Let me go!” I screamed, struggling uselessly.

These weren’t ordinary men. They were palace guards, trained, powerful wolves.

Why were they dragging me?

“Madam Serena!” I cried as guards searched my room. She didn’t look at me.

“The king’s gold necklace went missing today,” she said coolly. “And you were the only maid allowed into his chamber.

“That’s impossible!” I cried. “I didn’t steal anything!”

“I found it!” a guard shouted, holding up the necklace.

My blood ran cold. How did it get there?

“I didn’t do it!” I sobbed, clutching Madam Serena’s leg. She shoved me away like filth.

“You expect me to believe you when the evidence is right here?” she snapped.

“I didn’t do it!” I screamed, but no one listened.

I was dragged to the training field as the palace staff gathered to watch.

“Madam Serena, please!” I begged. “I didn’t do it!”

She slapped me hard. “How dare you lie! I gave you work despite you being a weak omega, and you repay me by stealing? Do you want to get everyone killed?”

I stopped resisting.

“Let this be a lesson,” she announced. “After her punishment, throw her out of the palace. Make sure she never finds work in this town.”

The guards raised silver whips. “Please… have mercy,” I whispered.

“You may begin,” Madam Serena ordered.

“Let her go!” The cold voice froze everyone in place.

I lifted my head slowly, heart pounding.

Had someone… come to save me?