~Serah POV~
The other maids didn't lift a finger because Lydia had ordered them to stand and watch, arms folded, mocking smiles curling at their mouths.
"Why should we scrub, when the former Lady herself is so eager?" one sneered.
"I said scrub harder!" Lydia's heel clicked closer, she stopped beside me, her shadow falling over my back. "You wanted attention, Serah? You've got it because now everyone will see you for what you are .... a servant with delusions! And mind you, as from today you will address me s my Lady."
I was shocked and raise my head, "What?'
"Are you deaf?" Lydia was furious.
"No..." I bow my head.
"No what...?"
"No my lady."
"Good!"
I bit my lip, the taste of blood filling my mouth, every instinct screamed to lash out, to remind her that I too was a vampire, not a weakling. But the chain, my pregnancy, and Jethro's cold rejection shackled me tighter than iron ever could.
When Lydia finally left the hall, I dared to raise my head, Jethro's tall figure had entered, his presence enough to silence even the giggles of the maids. His crimson eyes settled on me where I knelt on the floor, hands red and raw from scrubbing.
"Jethro," I whispered, crawling a few steps closer. "Please… I can't endure this, not in this condition. I'm carrying your heir—"
"Enough!" His voice was sharp as the crack of a whip. "You carry my child, yes, but that is the only reason you're still breathing and do not mistake that for privilege! You forfeited your place when you disgraced this house."
The maids stiffened, I could hear their hearts thudding, the way prey reacts when predators circle. But it wasn't fear for me ... it was awe for Jethro, always him.
"Jethro, I beg you..."
His hand struck the column beside me, marble cracking under the force. I flinched.
"Begging is beneath you, Serah, so if you want mercy, learn silence." His lips curled, exposing fangs still glistening faintly from his recent feeding. The metallic tang of blood clung to him, and my throat ached with thirst I dared not voice.
He turned without another word, cape snapping against the air, leaving me collapsed on the floor.
The moment he was gone, Lydia reappeared, smug as ever. "Did you hear that? Even your husband finds you pathetic." She smile, "Maids, listen well, from this moment, Serah works alone, every dish scrubbed, every hallway polished, every garment washed, not a single servant will lift a hand to help her....she need to be useful."
The maids bowed, eager to obey and their grins widened.
I was still on my knees, trying to steady my breathing, when the heavy palace doors opened. A familiar scent of lavender swept in before I saw her, my mother.
For a moment, my heart dared to flutter with hope maybe she will pity me now in this condition. But her gaze slid past me as though I were invisible, her arms opened, not for me, but for Lydia.
"My darling queen," Mother cooed, embracing her with pride that stung like fire. "Look at you, radiant, glowing, beloved by Jethro, just as I always dreamed."
My blood went cold and my nails dug into the wet rag in my hand until the threads tore.
"Mother?" My voice cracked. "I'm here… don't you see me?"
She turned at last, her expression hard, mouth pressed into a line of disappointment. "Yes, I see you. A disgrace, crawling on the floor like a rat, if you had listened to me, you would not be suffering this shame or did you think casting you away that night was a mere joke?"
Tears blurred my vision, but I pushed to my feet. "I am your daughter! And I still carried Jethro's child! Doesn't that matter to you? Mother, Lydia is my step sister and you should be mad at her for taking my place!"
Her palm struck my cheek before I could blink, the sting radiated though my skull, humiliation worse than the pain itself.
"You ruined everything," she hissed. "Lydia might be your step sister, but she's still the queen now because she has what you lack .... dignity, obedience. You think a swollen belly makes you important? Jethro's heir will belong to the throne, not to you because you are nothing!"
My knees buckled and I swayed, catching myself on the bucket at my side, blood pooled in my mouth where her slap had split my lip.
"Enough!" Lydia said sweetly, taking my mother's arm. "Don't waste your hand on her, she enjoys pretending she matters let her serve until she remembers her place."
Their laughter trailed away as they left me alone in the echoing hall, chained, humiliated, and broken and from the corner of my eye, a shadow detached itself from the darkness and my heart stilled as I saw Tristan.
He moved soundlessly, tall and cloaked, his eyes burning with restrained fury. The scent of his hunger hit me first, rich and intoxicating, sharper than I remembered. His fangs glinted as he came closer, and for a dangerous second I thought he might lose control and drink from me.
"You shouldn't be here," I whispered.
"And leave you to this?" His voice was low, vibrating with anger he barely contained. "I saw what they did, I heard everything. Serah you cannot endure this, I won't allow it."
"I can endure," I lied hands trembled and my lip still bled.
He crouched, brushing the back of his knuckles against my cheek, careful not to smear the blood. His touch lingered, hesitant. "You smell like despair and it tempts me more than blood." His jaw tightened as he pulled away.
"But listen .... I am planning to endure a little longer and I will come for you, I swear it."
"Tristan…" I wanted to believe him, but his presence was dangerous if Jethro sensed even a whisper of his nearness, war would ignite. "If they catch you—"
"I don't care!" His eyes glowed, sharp as blades. "What I care about is you, and the child they would use like a weapon. Hold on, Serah just hold on for me."
Before I could answer he vanished and swallowed by shadow, I sank back onto the floor, chest heaving.
But Lydia's voice soon dragged me from my thoughts, she entered again, clapping her hands, smiling like a serpent.
"Serah," she said with venomous delight, "I have decided on your next task by tomorrow evening, the Council gathers here for a feast and you will serve them. Wine, food, whatever they ask, on your knees, in chains, in front of everyone."
Gasps rippled through the maids and my stomach twisted.
"I can't..."
"You can!" Lydia cut me off, eyes gleaming. "And you will, I can't wait for everybody to laugh you, Jethro will watch, and you will know what it means to be nothing! Do not think your swollen belly protects you, tomorrow, Serah the whole Council will see you crawl."
Her laughter echoed like a curse, and I realized this humiliation had only just begun.