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Chapter 2 - CHAPTER TWO

Gilly was led to a room where five other maiden of her kind were assigned too as a slave and was given an arch-grey uniform to put on. Although it provided some comfort, the realization that everything that was said about this place was true only brought more fear into her heart.

The pain from the brand on her chest was unbearable,and she suddenly wished she had been born male. If she were, she would still be in Ashmere with her mother, and far away from this dreadful place. 

The image of the girl they killed wouldn't leave her memory and she felt sorry for the mother back at home. The pain she was feeling now is nothing compared to the girl's life they've taken without any mercy, like she was some animal. 

A servant stood at the entrance, asking them to follow. Gilly looked at the others, seeing their worried faces. They followed the servant down a hall that seemed to get progressively narrower, stone walls with no windows, only the sound of their bare feet. 

She saw servants scurrying around, all dressed in ash-gray. Some pushed up carts of wine, bread, and meat, all their faces were looking pale and gilly pitted them. They were all from Ashmere and she imagined what their life in this place must have been like for them. 

Just then a woman approached them and the servant girl bowed her head then left. The woman was looking 50 or more and was wearing no gemstone, but a plain high-collared black gown.

"I am Mistress Halda, Keeper of the Lower Hall. New slaves will serve here. You'll wake before the sun and sleep when ordered. You speak to no one only when spoken to." she said, looking at each girls

"Do I make myself clear? She asked and they all nodded their heads in response.

"Follow me." Halda said and the girls trailed behind her. They passed through an iron gate and Gilly couldn't help but cover her nose from the unpleasant smell of animal waste that hung in the air. 

Halda stopped in a small cramped room where one could see the outline of other rooms in the corridors . "These are your quarters," she said, stepping inside a room. "You will keep them clean and tidy. Failure to do so will result in punishment."

Gilly's stomach knotted at the thought. She looked inside the room, and could smell the musty odor . A very small window was visible and the amount of light coming in did little to brighten the room. There was not enough room for movements, but the mattress fit well on the floor.

"Come along." Halda said walking in another direction, they came to a stop and she whispered something to one of the men's ears.

Gilly was pushed along a corridor that vanished into the dark. She followed a girl ahead of her until they reached the kitchen.

"These are the new slaves," The man said to someone Gilly believes to be the head cook. He pointed at her and another.

 "Two of them would work in the kitchen." The older lady looked at them then nodded.

"The others follow me." Instructed the man while walking out the kitchen with the remaining girls trailing behind him.

Gilly looked around her, the kitchen was a busy place, full of people doing stuff under the stone arches. Some servants chopped veggies while some made dough, their hands covered in flour. 

The kitchen had a nice smell of stew with roasted meat, and spices all mixed together. 

The head cook was barking out orders, making sure every dish was perfect for the nobles.

On the wooden shelves, jars of spices, fresh vegetables,crisp carrots, vibrant bell peppers, and hearty onions were arranged. Beside it were vessels of olive oil and dark vinegar. Next was sacks of flour, sugar, and many other items that were ready for the next grand feast

"Get those onions peeled." The head cook pointed at the sack of onions leaving no room for argument. Gilly nodded.

After hours of pilling, gilly felt dizzy. Her back was soaked with sweat, her eyes wet from peeling the onions and her hands were red. She could still feel the impact of the slave brand on her chest adding to the burn beneath her fingertips. Her stomach hurts from hunger, because she hadn't eaten anything since they left the village. 

"Girl," Gilly heard the loud noise calling behind her. She looked up to see the head cook with meat cleaver in one hand frowning.

"She's new," she heard another voice saying at her side. "She will learn."

"Pill faster." The woman said, turning away.

Gilly glanced over to see a woman beside her, clad in the same rough grey uniform. The lady had a kind, round face and gentle dark eyes.

"I'm Sira," she said

Gilly smiled, grateful, but Sira did not return the gesture, she simply resumed her work without waiting for Gilly's reply.

The loud sound of a bell rang out and the kitchen went still for a split second, then everyone rushed to get to work. Gilly was confused, wondering what the bell meant. Trays were loaded fast, wine was poured, and smoked ribs, sweet bread, and liquor-soaked fruit were piled on plates. Utensils were sat next to neatly folded napkins. 

Gilly then heard the voice of the lady who had introduced herself, saying 

"It's time to serve the royal house" she said " But firstly, avoid eye contact, and make sure your head is bowed at all times, you don't want to draw any trouble from the royals."

The Dining Hall of Thornmere 

Gilly walked in with her eyes cast down, carrying a wine jar. The floor beneath her feet was well polished.The king she believed he was sat at the head of the long table and his queen at his right side, to his left and right, his sons sat, each of them wearing fine Leather tunics with wolf-fur cloaks that spoke of their nobility. They laughed heartily over something and their voices were echoing through the hall.

The doors by each side came open, and a group of women danced in. They wore outfits that showed off their chests, while their feminine parts were covered. Their backs were bare and they were here to entertain the royals, and their skin seemed to glow. They danced and laughed as drums beat, each woman touching herself in a way that made the room feel charged with lust. The men were hooked on their every move.

Gilly didn't dare lift her head to see them clearly as Sira instructed her not to look into the faces of the royals. 

Sira was ahead of her, placing a plate near the end of the table. Gilly followed, walking slowly, and trying not to shake or spill the wine jug.

She bent forward to pour from the wine jug when she saw a hand suddenly catch Sira's wrist off guard.

Gilly froze on her spot as his hands traveled up Sira's bottom.

"You still tremble like a virgin," the man said, his hand now inside Sira's thighs. 

"And they say you've worked in the kitchens for six months." He was a noble, Gilly turned her head slightly to him. A prince, she guessed, since the other servants froze and he just smiled, which confirmed it.

He kept pulling Sira's hand to his crotch, putting her in a really bad spot. Gilly noticed the fear in Sira's eyes and how she was clearly in pain, making tiny noises. 

"Scared looks good on you." Gilly heard him say again. She felt like she had to help Sira because she had saved her from the woman's anger in the kitchen, but how?

Then she felt the sudden dizziness again and this time it was stronger. Before she knew what was happening her fingers slipped and the wine didn't go into the cup but across the prince's lap.

The prince let go of Sira's wrist and stood. The hall went quiet. Gilly looked up at the prince who had a long scar crossing the bridge of his nose making him fearful. She immediately felt her body go cold. 

The prince looked down at himself, then up at her. He stepped toward Gilly, taking the goblet from her hand and throwing the remaining wine across her face.

"Did you do that to be bold?" he asked her. "Or are you simply as clumsy as a cow?"

"I didn't mean.." Gilly mummered, taking a few steps backwards, ahead of her, Sira stood frozen, her eyes wide with panic.

The prince looked down at himself once more feeling the range within, he watched Gilly like a bug he's considering to crush with his bare hands.

Just then his hand came down hard and fast, grabbing her by the collar and hitting her face so hide on the cheek enough to ring her ears and draw gasps from the corners of the hall.

Gilly's head snapped to the side, her face stinging from the slap. 

The prince turned away, wiping the wine off his clothes in irritation.

"Strip her and Tie her hands, with ten leashes. Let the servants watch, that should teach other servants of their behavior around the royals."

He looked directly at the guard captain by the door.

"Take her away." The captain nodded.

"No… please," Gilly cried out, scared because she was at a disadvantage.

"She's nosing," another prince said. "Get her out of here at once."

The king told the musicians to keep playing.

As the music continued,the guard captain grabbed Gilly's wrist, about to drag her away, but then someone showed up at the hall entrance, and everyone stopped.

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