The Alpha King’s Hated Slave Chapter 33

He walked closer to her. “Look at me.”

She forced her eyes away from the floor and she stared at his eyes. Someone can easily get lost in the blue troubled cold sea that is his eyes.

He allowed the silence to stretch for so long. They stared at each other and for a moment, the world fell away.

There was no pain. No introduction. No slave. There was no impending pain and humiliation.

Just Danika and Lucien alone in the world, staring at each other in the eyes. Suddenly, she remembered everything they talked about on that night in his room. Those questions he answered.

His scars run so deep. His eyes has been cold for so long, he is sure it would never be warm again. His torture session she oversaw.

Her father roasted his privates. The knowledge made her cling inside and made her chest burn. That is something she can never imagine.

While their eyes still held, Danika know she wanted this world better. She wanted this connection more.

But the king broke it at last, he looked away. When he spoke, his words were curt.

“No matter what happens inside that courtroom today, don’t forget who you are. That in itself will make you push for survival even in the darkest hour of your life. Do not forget who you are.”

“King Cone’s daughter?” She asked, her voice laced with bitterness.

A pause.

“A slave?” She added.

“Royalty.” He stated.

Then, he walked past her towards the door. “Let’s go. It’s time.”

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***********

Sally just got back from the mines. She entered the slave quarters, she hasn’t gotten to their bedroom when she started hearing rumors.

First, today’s the Mask Festival, and not only that, this year’s festival will be celebrated in the Royal Court of Salem.

Why choose Salem out of the twelve kingdoms?

As she walked, she heard more rumors. Maids formed little circles to gossip. Sally doesn’t mind at all, but when she heard ‘Slave Princess’ she stopped so suddenly and faced the group of three maids.

“What’s happening? What happened to the Slave Princess?” She asked, already scared that something might have happened.

One of the maids turned to her, she leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Nothing is confirmed or anything, but we heard that the Mask Festival is also an introduction for the Slave Princess.”

Sally’s heart raced right out of her chest. “I-Introduction? Another one?”

“Yes. Apparently, the kingdoms her father hurt one way or another also wants a piece of her. They want to hurt her real bad.” The maid giggled.

Sally felt anger and disgust at the maid’s happiness, but the maid was the least of her problem.

She ran to their bedroom and when she couldn’t see the princess, she knew that everything they’re saying is true!

“Oh Creator! Oh Creator!” She exclaimed as she ran as much as she could to the dressing room.

Two maid were there cleaning out everywhere. “Please, w-where’s the Slave Princess?” She asked breathlessly.

“She’s been dressed. I think she’ll be in court with the king now.” One of them replied.

But Sally was barely listening. Her eyes is at the priceless bangle of her princess sitting there at the nightstand.

Tears filled Sally’s eyes. She blinked them back, still staring at the glistening diamond.

The Mask Festival.

Sally has witness how introduction and that festival works. She knows the methods, starting from the unmasking.

Those kings want to kill her princess. They want to destroy her princess.

She turned to one of the maid. “Which costume w-was she putting on?”

The maid cocked her head to the side in thought, “It’s elegant and unique. It’s just two here in the kingdom.”

Sally hurried to the young girl, she stared at her freckled face. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Uyah.” She answered.

“Do you know me? From the time in Mombana?”

The girl would be her exact age. She nodded her head vigorously. “Oh yes, Sally. You brought us food one time that saved my mother. She has b-been starving for three days and then you brought us a feast! Oh, thank you so much, I’ve always wanted to thank you and—“

“Can you help me please?” Sally pleaded.

“Of course, I’ll do anything.” The girl agreed readily.

Sally turned with teary eyes and stared at that glistening diamond bangle again.

Once upon a time, that bangle was always on the wrist of Princess Danika. She can’t even wear them anymore, because she’s no longer a princess.

And now… No! She’ll never allow it! Never!

Sally turned to Uyah. “Can you help me get changed?

*******

Everyone was in their mask except the kings. They were eating and drinking. Danika’s eyes took in the five kingdoms that attended.

Behind her mask, she checked them out blatantly. The big hall is divided to six different parts. The five kingdoms got each part, and then the people of Salem got one.

Each division consists of the king and his slaves. Three families from the privileged people.

The hall was filled up.

Every other person’s mask was padlocked behind their head except hers. The king had told her not to put the padlock, until after the unmasking. She didn’t understand what he meant by that.

Dread and fear wrapped around Danika like a cloak. Sitting at the ground beside the King’s throne, she had the great urge to clutch his big garment and hide herself from the world.

It’s an urge she resisted. She recognized two kings already and she wasn’t surprised that they were here.

King Moreh, the king of Ijipt and King Philip, the king of Gordon. Her two tormentors from her past introduction. She swallowed dreadfully.

King Moreh was the first to get up and start addressing. “I, King Moreh of Ijipt welcome us all to this Royal Court and also, to this year’s Mask Festival.”

The people nodded, even while some ate and some privileged people played with their slaves.

The standing king said more words to address the festival and to address other issues concerning the other kings.

Finally, his eyed found Danika from across the room. “Come out here and remove your mask. While King Phillip and I has seen your beautiful face before, king Pasih, king Noir and king Zeba is yet to see.”

Danika’s legs trembled underneath her but she got up again. Don’t forget who you are. The words came back to her.

Heads high, shoulders squared, she walked to the center of the room. Quietly, she removed her mask.

A chorus of ‘ooooh’ and ‘aaaah’ rang out, their voices laced with approval, l**t and excitement.

“She does look like that mastiff, Cone.” One of the kings she’d come to know as king Noir snarled.

“Yes, she does. An extremely beautiful version of him. She takes more after Queen Meetia, her mother.” King Zeba drink his wine before he supplied, “she was one of the most beautiful queen among all the kingdoms when she was alive.”

They speak about her like she’s not standing right here, Danika thought. Her fear only mounted when she saw the anger and evil anticipation in their eyes. Anger for her father and evil anticipation of what they plan to do to her.

She gripped her corset by the sides, sneezing the fabric in nerves. Don’t forget who you’re. Don’t forget who you’re.

Now, she understands what the king meant by the unmasking, she thought as she recited the words.