Violette POV
My mind was lost just thinking about the past several weeks. And I also couldn’t stop trying to come up with reasons of how Ms. Beatrice might be wrong. She did a thorough exam of me.. I knew something was wrong the moment she stopped speaking during the examination. I searched and searched and searched my mind, but I never came up with anything that might explain this
“Oh, Princess. Isn’t it a fine day outside?” Lillian asked as she looked out of the castle windows. I stared along with her, watching the servants tend to the rows of flowers.
“It truly is, Lillian. I do wish I was allowed out more. I feel my mind is paying for it, staring at these same walls every day.” I said. Today my fever has gone. But Beatrice told me to expect flare-ups at least twice a month.
I asked her if she’d ever heard of a female wolf going into heat without finding her mate, and I was truly disappointed when she said it doesn’t happen, nor has it ever. I searched my mind for any ideas. If I really did find my mate, then who is it? I couldn’t remember an instance in which I felt the mate bond pull me to anyone.
“Maybe, Beatrice could have us work in the gardens! I’m going to go ask right now!” Lillian squealed before running off. I reached my hand out to stop her but she was too wrapped up in the idea of getting us outside and blew right past me.
I continued wiping the dust from the windowsills as I waited patiently for her to return. There would be no way they would allow me outside without guards to watch me.
And honestly, if I ever got the chance.. I’d run as far and fast as I could away from this dreadful place.
“Princess! I have wonderful news! Ms. Beatrice said we can work in the gardens! We just have to make sure that we pull all the weeds before we water the plants.” Lillian said excitedly as she ran up to me.
Ms. Beatrice told me that my slave rules still apply, just that I’m only allowed to speak to her, Lillian, and the guard that stays outside the King's chambers, Loren. I was honestly quite happy to find that the King had allowed Lillian to visit me, and allow me to speak with her. Though, that was all before he accused me of being a liar.
I’ve only ever lied a handful of times in my life. And they’ve all been for very good reasons. I lied to my Father most of all. I’ve always had to find myself useful.. I hate not doing something.. staying busy, so I helped Lillian and the others any chance I got. Father didn’t like this. He’d try to beat them.. but I of course couldn’t allow him to punish them for nothing. So I’d take their punishment. I honestly believed he was more than happy to dish his anger out on me. After my mother passed, he became a completely different man.
I was very surprised when Father first agreed to let me take the punishment. 30 strikes to the hand and 10 back strikes. It’s not as bad as one would think, or maybe I just say that because I have a high pain tolerance and I’ve felt worse. After a while, I looked forward to the pain, because once mother died.. all I could feel was the pain of losing her. And I wanted to feel something else.
After Mom died, something changed in father and he became brutal. He would drink too much and get angry, beat maids almost to the brink of death. I believe his love for me died the day Mother did because since then he has never treated me the same. He’s been the worst kind of man since that day.
“Princess. You’ve been in your thoughts a lot today. Do you want to talk about whatever is on your mind?” Lillian asked as we carried the gardening tools outside. I swallowed hard as I looked over at her.
“No, I’m fine. Let’s just enjoy this while we can.” I smiled. I tried my best to hide my pain. She’s already doing too much for me. Spilling my burdens on her might tip her over.
“These are very different from the gardens at home, Princess. There are flowers of all kinds!” She squealed excitedly as she looked at all the flowers. My heart somehow felt lighter as I watched her make the best out of a bad situation.
“These would look lovely against your beautiful, snow-white hair, Princess.” She picked a few lavender-colored flowers and my heart began to race. Are we allowed to pick the flowers? At home, a maid's hand would be cut off for that. They’re royal flowers.
“Lillian! You shouldn’t pick the flowers.. what if they have the same rules as the rules at home?” I asked in a whispered voice. My heart raced frantically in my chest as I watched her. I couldn’t believe what she was doing.
“They don’t. I asked Ms. Beatrice before we came outside. Besides, we’re picking weeds, why can’t we pick the flowers too?” She asked with a bright smile. My body flooded with relief as she walked over to me and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, then placed the flower in the same place.
“Your mate would have gushed over you, Princess.” She said sadly. The hairs on the back of my neck stood when I felt us being watched. I peered around slowly, hoping to find the eyes that were on me, but I saw nothing.
“Come, Lillian. We have work to get done.” I said as I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the garden tools. Whoever it is must be making sure we’re actually working. I began pulling weeds, and for some reason, my mind started flooding with images of my master.
The terrifying look on his face when he accused me of lying. Was he really that angry at the thought of me finding my mate and losing my virtue? It doesn’t make sense to me. He hates me, why would that anger him? It should be no bother to him. It’s not against the law to meet your mate and mate with them. But unfortunately, that’s not the case for me.
My skin began to tingle and I got butterflies in my stomach. I looked around once again, seeing workers busy doing their tasks, guards watching staring off into nothing.. but no one else.
It was really beginning to unsettle me.
“Are you okay, Princess? You seem a bit off.” Lillian said. I snapped my eyes in her direction and nodded.
“Yeah, I just.. got a weird feeling. Sorry. Let’s get back to it, we have a lot to do.” I said with a small smile.
“Okay, just let me know if I can do anything for you.” She said.
“I’m fine, Lillian. Truly. Don’t worry. It just feels good to be outside.. this is my second time after coming here.” I said. She pinched her lips together and nodded.
“You need sunlight. They shouldn’t have kept you locked up.” She furrowed her brows slightly in anger.
“It’s fine, Lillian! Like you said, today is a fine day. Let’s just enjoy it.” I said, smiling softly in hopes to take her mind off of it. She nodded.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I just get so angry about it.” She said. She placed her hand on mine.
“Don’t. It’s all better now, especially with you here.” I said.