CHAPTER NINETY FOUR

CHAPTER NINETY FOUR
Odessa
“The slabs girl doesn't look like she's going through enough punishment for murdering my child” Otto said the moment we got back into the castle wall.

He was fuming and so was I. I had expected her to look right and frail but it looked like she was being taken care of.

“That Esau boy is a problem” he said and I agreed. It looked like he held some sort of affection for her and it pissed me off.

“I should send out a word that if anyone is caught helping the slave girl they shall serve her punishment for her and it shall be ten times worse” 

“Calm down y-”

“Don't start with these useless words. She needs to suffer and she clearly doesn't look like she's suffering enough or at all” 

Sighing I took off my coat and sat down on his armchair resting my feet. They were all swollen from
Standing too much.

“You have every right to be angry but we can not usher out punishment like that. She is a slave and will work amongst and with others in carrying out other duties, not just farm work”

“Then tell it to the boy and his father personally that if any of them helps to ease her burden they shall bear it” 

“Fine, but the boy's father has been of so much help to this castle. We shall not start by treating them like they are s-”

“It's exactly what they are Odessa, slaves! All of them” he said glaring at me as if he was trying to say I was one of them. Surely he wouldn't dare.

“Lest I remind you that I shall be queen soon, and when that time comes Otto I won't have you speak to me like I don't know anything” 

“You obviously don't, or else you would have been queen by now, you don't even know how to make the king get rid of a mere servant girl who in fact will bring problems upon us!”

“Quit your fascination with trying to get him to love you and get him wrapped around your fingers”

“And how am I supposed to do that if he doesn't love me!?”

“You are a woman, spread your legs. I should remind you that you don't have as much time as you think you have. You shall be old soon and no longer satisfactory to him, make haste while you still can”

“Don't speak to me like that I-”

“Pray tell what's going on here” It was Luther.

“Hi” I said turning around and giving him my broadest smile.

“My king”

“Otto” he said and my brother gave a quick nod.

“Nothing your highness. We merely discuss sibling things. It's nothing that should raise a cause for alarm or your attention” he said and I nodded still holding my smile even though my cheeks were starting to hurt.

“Okay” Luther said staring at both of us. I could see he was not satisfied with Otto’s response but he didn’t pry further which was good because I doubt my brother would be quick to come up with an excuse.

“What brings you away from your chambers my king” Otto said.

I remembered what Otto said about making the most of my time trying to wrap Luther around my fingers. I got up from my seat and walked up to him. 

The moment I got to him he stretched his hand for me to hold and I did. I know he was only being nice to me because of the child but I was going to make sure I enjoyed every moment of it.

“My feet hurt” I said and he rubbed my hair.

“I shall ask a maid to tend to them for you” he said and I smiled. I looked to my brother to make sure he had been watching our interaction.

“Is everything okay my king?” Otto asked again and Luther sighed. I felt his chest rise and fall.

“I was searching for Odessa and was told she went out to the farm with you to do a check on Delora”

“You mean the slave girl?” Otto asked as if he didn’t know who Delora was.

“Yes, the slave girl. Is everything alright at the farm?” He asked and Otto nodded.

“She is really working. She has gotten thinner as well but I suppose that's how it should be” I said and Luther nodded.

“Sure, it’s punishment. It shouldn’t be anything else” he said and I agreed.

I remained quiet but like my brother always had something sleeve.

“I heard she’s pregnant” he said and Luther fisted his palm. I didn't think anything of it because he looked irritated.

“I was told. It’s no surprise that she was still able to find time for pleasure amongst all the work she has been doing” he said and Otto nodded.

“You know what they say about women. They can’t do anything but fuck right” There was no such saying like that but I remained quiet because I believed he was saying that to me.

“I also heard the farmer's boy is the father” I felt Luther stiffen but it was barely noticeable.

“Are you okay?” I asked him and he looked down at me.

“Yes..” he turned to Otto “.. I don’t care about who the father is. That information is of no use to me” he said then turned away to walk out of the room. Without me.

I didn’t even realize he had left my hand until he left the room.

“We should get rid of her before it’s too late”

“Not yet” I said before turning around and walking away. 

As I walked back slowly to our chamber I could not help but think that Luther lied and that the news about Esau being the father was useful to him. I know it was barely noticeable but he had a reaction to hearing the news and I hated it. Luther was mine. The throne was mine. Being queen was mine and I was not going to let anything take what was mine! Not even a little slave girl.