Seize Her

Seize Her
My heart pounded in my chest as I observed the two maids, accompanied by three guards sent to escort me to the West Pavilion. I glanced around uneasily, my eyes searching for the one person I desperately wanted to avoid.

Who is Jess Smith?

Asked one of the maids, clad in a simple grey gown that reached her ankles, who had her bronze hair tightly pinned in a bun. Her voice echoed through the hall like a lion's roar.

From her demeanor, it was clear she was the leader of the group tasked with bringing me before Princess Melissa, likely in chains. Whispers and murmurs filled the air among the physicians and aides in the administrative quarters; they cast glances in my direction but dared not speak.

With my head bowed, I wished for the ground to open up and swallow me, to escape this predicament. I attempted to speak, to inform them that I was the unfortunate prey they sought in the dead of night, but the words remained trapped in my throat.

Unable to bear the scrutinizing eyes flickering my way, pleading with me to spare them, I slowly stepped forward and presented myself as the wanted sacrifice. It had always been that way; things never seemed to go my way. No matter how much I kept to myself and avoided getting into trouble, trouble always seemed to find me.

Size her

Their leader commanded, her eyes devoid of any emotion, as the two guards surrounded me like a hawk in no time.

Tears flowed down my cheeks as I recalled why I had originally come to the hospital estate—a place I had long dreamed of working in since my teenage years. What once felt magical had transformed into my prison, where I found myself caught in a crossfire I never sought, simply because the crown prince had taken an interest in me.

As the guards gripped my elbows and urged me forward, I shut my eyes, acutely aware of the curious stares and the murmurs circulating among the onlookers.

What could have happened?

One observer turned to another and asked.

What could have happened?

Do you think it has something to do with Princess Rose? Asked another observer, intrigued.

It’s best to keep quiet and avoid spreading rumors, or we might end up as scapegoats like Jess. I truly feel sorry for her; she’s barely been here a month and is already on the princess’s radar, another observer commented.

I gathered my strength and held back my tears, reminding myself that I had done nothing wrong and had nothing to fear. However, my emotions overwhelmed me when I overheard the helpers say that I must have been born under a cloud of bad luck.

This remark opened the floodgates of memories, bringing back the songs the villagers and children had written about me, a fiery-haired girl who supposedly brought misfortune to their once-peaceful village, which had known no tranquility since her arrival.

My heart shattered, and tears streamed down my face as the guards escorted me away.

Stop!!!

A stern voice interrupted my thoughts.

I looked up in distress as Christine approached, her usual playful and cheerful demeanor replaced by a serious expression. I nudged her, silently urging her to choose her words carefully and not to get caught in the crossfire that had clearly been laid out for me. Ever since the arrival of Princess Melissa and Princess Rose, I had been treading carefully, living in constant fear.

And who are you? One of the maids demanded.

The assistant warden appointed by the director, she asserted firmly.

I gasped at Christine's boldness, yet she remained unfazed. Noticing my widened eyes, she subtly nudged me with a reassuring look that made me feel safe.

In the absence of the director and Walker Lane, I am in charge,” Christine declared with a sly smile.

The maids and guards visibly trembled, which puzzled me, but the profound silence that followed Christine’s declaration left me baffled, making me wonder if they were familiar with one another.

Release her!

Christine declared emphatically, casting a sharp look at the guards to ensure her message was clear to them. The guards shared hesitant glances with the maids, uncertain about their next action, when a thunderous voice resonated from across the hall.

Did you not hear the lady’s command to release her, or do you need a reminder of your place, Eleora?

Daniel stepped out of the hall, clad in a simple robe, his eyes puffy and weary.

He emerged looking exhausted and frustrated, as if his rest had been disturbed. He glanced at the guards before narrowing his gaze at the maid, who quickly averted her eyes, her confidence waning.

But what will I say to Princess Melissa? She whispered under Daniel’s intense stare.

If she has any grievances with any staff members, particularly those directly supervised by the director, she is welcome to address them with him tomorrow after the opening ceremony in the admin hall. Is that understood?

Daniel bellowed.

Eleora scanned the room, meeting the eyes of the entire staff fixed upon her, and clenched her fists. She had gathered such a large audience to publicly shame the lady because of whom her friend Loren had lost her position, but she never anticipated that the tide would turn against her.

Release her,

Came Eleora's command, and the guards, taken aback, complied.

Return to your duty posts.

Daniel instructed, and the crowd promptly dispersed in different directions without hesitation.

Daniel approached Christine and me slowly, and what he said next sent a shiver down my spine.

My brother is waiting for you at the small inn outside the estate. Hurry before he storms in here in a rage and takes it out on poor Christine, who already has two strikes against her.

He said as he winked at Christine, who looked away.

I cannot wait for my brother to finally marry and stop disrupting my peaceful sleep with his emotional turmoil.

Daniel declared as he walked toward the private estate on the opposite side of the admin hall.
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