28. Fighting for her mate

**THALIA'S POV**

I couldn't help but smile secretly at Savior's judgment. Although he did it to help me, he also assisted the poor in his kingdom. I finally understood why his people loved him so much. He took care of all of them in one way or another.

The power in Moonrise kingdom was superior to the average in other Kingdoms because of how the administration was handled.

He left the court after making his declaration, and for some reason, the guards became gentler to me, their grip less tight than before.

They led me out of the court, and I was given a fair trial in the gamma's court, which ended with the rumors being spread by the second bath maid in place of me.

The girl looked innocent, and something told me she was, but I didn't know the reason she was taking the blame when it was not her who started all this.

I had a gut feeling that it was the head bath maid, Laura, because she was the one who came to deliver the news of Janette appointing me as her new assistant.

Thankfully, the gamma shifted Kate's execution to the next seven days. I still had time to find out her reason for accepting and maybe help her out of her doomed future.

I was released shortly after, while Kate was taken to a dungeon. I knew instantly that I had to find a way to be allowed into the dungeons, but before that, Janette summoned me.

"Are you now so prideful that you can no longer bow to your queen?" She asked, the bitterness in her voice so strong I tasted it.

I bowed without uttering a word. If I spoke, I might join Kate and Ellie in the dungeons today.

"My foot is aching; come and massage it," she ordered.

Swinging my cane recklessly, I hit Janette's legs even though I could see them. "Forgive me, my queen."

"You did that on purpose!" Janette yelled and lunged at me, pushing me to the ground.

She rained slaps on me that I defended by protecting my face. She was using her lycan strength, but I refused to cry no matter how painful it was.

"The king hit me because of you!" She cried, pausing her attacks.

"So that is the reason for your anger?" I mumbled then chuckled.

"What did you say?" Janette yelled, resuming her frantic slapping.

I ignored the pain and held Janette's hands, much to my surprise and hers; I held her firmly, my grip so powerful that she couldn't break free.

I looked into her blurred eyes as I said, "I said you deserve what he did to you, you evil serpent."

Janette's eyes widened as she gasped. "You..."

"Yes, me, I'm not afraid of you, Janette," I told her then I smirked. "Did you really think the king would let me die?" I hoisted my face up towards Janette's. "The difference between you and me is that I am the king's mate and you are a show jester that can easily be replaced."

Janette fell silent before she began cackling like a hyena. "So this is how you truly are, slave? Good because now I will come at you with all my might and even if the king doesn't kill you, I will make you wish for death."

She snapped her hands out of my hold and kicked me as she rose, causing me to wince in pain. "You forget so soon how much Savior hates you. You forgot that he would never accept you as his mate no matter what you do. And that would forever be my edge over you. I will make him hate you more and more until you are thrown in the dungeons to be forgotten."

My chest tightened from the pain, the pain of the harsh truths Janette was telling me. Savior would never accept me, neither would his people. I would not have been alive now if I wasn't Savior's mate. He would have probably killed me the first day he met me. But for the goddess to tie our fates, she must have a reason and that was my hope and encouragement to continue fighting.

I stood up with restraint, holding my aching stomach. "I might never be accepted by Savior," I said with a twisted smile. "But at least I have a mate, unlike you."

I turned away, ignoring Janette's insults, but what I didn't anticipate was her next move. She poured scalding hot water on my back then smashed the kettle on my head.

The last thing I remember was falling to the ground before everything went black.

I hissed in pain as my consciousness returned, forcing my eyes open. I was lying on my stomach in a room that smelled too familiar.

"Oh, someone is awake," Ellie's sweet voice welcomed me, the back of her hand on my forehead, checking my temperature.

"Ellie!" I tried to rise, but the pain in my head sent me crashing back on the bed. I rubbed my forehead with my index and middle finger trying to relieve myself of the pain.

Ellie chuckled softly. "I know you missed me, but can you think of your health first?"

"Ellie..." I smiled, my eyes watering. "How are you here?"

Ellie's blur face wore a playful frown. "So you wanted me to rot in the dungeons right?"

"No!" I answered immediately.

Ellie chuckled. "I know what you mean, Lia. And I also didn't expect to be released so soon, but here I am, back in time to see that you have become a rebel just like me."

I cocked a brow. "Rebel?"

"Of course, don't think I didn't hear about your eventful day," Ellie said. "The only story I am yet to hear is the one of what transpired between you and the queen."

Hearing Ellie mention Janette made me angry. "I only told her the truth but in response, she attacked me like a coward."

Before Ellie could ask any other questions, there was a knock at the door.

With furrowed brows, she opened the door.

"The king requires the presence of the blind slave."