Ch. 43 - Bastard Captain

Ch. 43 - Bastard Captain

The palace corridor felt cold and quiet as Elena walked quickly, following the order to meet Lucian. She was anxious about why the man had summoned her. She was sure it had something to do with the party.

Her maid’s dress brushed against the marble floor. She had grown used to the clothes, though she still couldn’t forget her memories as a princess in her fine royal attire. Now, she was even grateful that Lucian allowed her to wear clothes at all.

The atmosphere today felt quieter than usual. Where was everyone? Elena kept walking, lost in thought, when she suddenly felt a rough hand grab her arm. Her body was slammed against the cold stone wall, and before she could scream, the door to a small room off the corridor slammed shut.

“Aaarggh!” Elena screamed in surprise.

“So this is why you never showed up at the mine?” a hoarse, mocking voice echoed in her ears.

Elena struggled. Who was he? The voice sounded familiar.

She pushed against the large man in front of her, panicked. Her eyes immediately recognized Razan—the slave captain who had been trying to harass her since the beginning. She went on full alert.

“I-I was ordered by the King to serve in the palace,” Elena said, trying to keep her voice steady. She knew things could get worse if she made him angry. Her body trembled. Why was Razan even inside the palace?

Razan grabbed her chin, his rough, dirty fingers pressing against her soft skin. “The King’s orders? Of course. So you think you can do whatever you want? Or do you think you can turn the King on better than the other women here? You little Emeria whore!”

Elena clenched her fists at the insult, but she stayed quiet, trying to avoid provoking him. Razan held her in place.

His filthy hands reached down, grabbing her waist, trying to lift her dress. Elena’s breathing grew faster, a wave of fear and disgust rushing through her.

“Please, let me go, sir! You’ll be in trouble if His Majesty finds out what you’re doing!” Elena struggled as hard as she could, pushing the man’s chest with both hands. But Razan didn’t move—he was far too strong.

“Haha, who do you think you are that His Majesty would protect you? Do you still think you’re a princess? Look at yourself now,” Razan growled, yanking Elena’s hair back and exposing her neck.

Her body was pinned tightly against the wall, her heart pounding. The smell of sweat and alcohol on his breath made her stomach turn. Razan began to yank at the straps of her dress.

But in the middle of the chaos, Elena’s instincts kicked in faster than her fear. She slammed her knee hard into Razan’s groin.

“Aaarrghh!!” he groaned in pain, bending forward and clutching himself.

She didn’t waste the moment. Elena ran to the door, threw it open, and bolted out before he could recover. Her breathing was ragged, her legs running without care for who might see. She didn’t stop until she reached one of the nearby rooms. The door was slightly open. She stepped inside without knocking.

Michelle was there, arranging a pile of cloth near the window. She turned, slightly startled by Elena’s sudden entrance and pale face.

“His Highness isn’t here,” Michelle said gently, eyeing Elena with concern. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Elena stood frozen in the doorway, her hands still trembling, her breathing uneven. For a moment, she wanted to tell Michelle everything—about Razan, about the awful thing that had almost happened. But her words wouldn’t come. Her eyes locked on Michelle.

No. She wasn’t ready. The fear was still too fresh in her body.

“I... I’m just tired,” Elena whispered.

Michelle sighed softly and walked over to her. Her warm hands held Elena’s wrists, feeling the slight trembling there.

“Sit down for a bit. You’re pale.” She gently pulled Elena toward the sofa. Elena followed, though her mind was still clouded with fear and disgust.

“You should shower and get ready. Where’s Hera? I’ll take care of you until she arrives.”

Elena didn’t want to move, but Michelle guided her by the shoulders until she stood up. She felt like crying but didn’t know how. She was still too shocked by what had just happened. Her eyes were blank, and she didn’t even realize she was already in the bathroom. It felt like she had walked through many rooms without noticing.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but it seems like I missed something. If you want to talk, I’m here,” Michelle said as she prepared the bath supplies. Elena stood still, not reacting to Michelle’s words or actions.

A few minutes later, she finally came back to her senses. She looked around and realized she was in the bathroom. She let out a deep sigh and ran her fingers through her messy hair. She touched the small puddle of water at her feet, then looked toward Michelle, who had finished preparing everything.

Warm water began to flow slowly down Elena’s body, soaking her pale skin, which still held the tension of earlier. Michelle bathed her, her middle-aged hands moving gently, as if trying to wash away the bad memory that still clung to her.

But Elena knew no water or perfume could wash away the fear still trapped inside her. Tonight was the masquerade ball—a party that should’ve been full of beauty and light. But for her, it was hell wrapped in fancy cloth and golden masks.

Michelle dried her with a soft towel, then brought over the party dress that had been prepared. It was dark red, hugging her figure with an open neckline at the chest and back. The sheer fabric flowed to the floor, barely covering her slender curves.

“I hate this,” Elena said, staring at her reflection in the large mirror. Pale cheeks, fearful brown eyes, and that humiliating dress.

Michelle watched her through the mirror, still adjusting the ribbon at Elena’s waist. “I know,” she said quietly. “But this is the King’s command. We don’t have a choice.”

Elena closed her eyes, and the memory of her first experience came crashing back. Four kings… old men with filthy hands and savage gazes who never forgot how easily they had humiliated the Princess of Emeria.

Lucian had saved her that time. Her body had remained untouched, though her pride was shattered. But tonight… Lucian couldn’t help. She would have to face everything alone, or hope for a miracle.

Worse, there was a new honored guest tonight. Prince Damien of the Kingdom of Nubile. His name troubled her the most. How could she serve a man she had known for so long? What would he think of her?

Did it even matter anymore? Still, she didn’t think she could bear the shame afterward.

“Michelle… If… if something happens tonight…”

Michelle paused, meeting Elena’s eyes in the mirror. “Don’t think about the worst. Just focus on surviving. Everything else will pass.”

Elena didn’t know if she could survive tonight—or the nights to come. She always felt like her life could end at any moment unless someone saved her or a way out appeared. Should she just give up? Should she let herself become that weak?

She didn’t know. Once again, she had no idea what her fate would be. She felt completely powerless in front of those powerful men.