Chapter 17

• HAERA
• The preparation for the rematch today was more hectic than the one for the first one. Or maybe the first Duel was equally as hectic as this and I wasn't around yet to be part of it. Whatever the case may be, everyone was on edge about the entire thing. There was something that made today different. And I could tell it was the uncertainty of who would finally become the Alpha of the pack. I'm sure us maids have it worse. Even worse than the two Princes who will be having their final fight today. Orders were being barked around and I'm shocked Gennora isn't the only one who makes maids shake in fear when she speaks. Dina, the Head maid of the Imperial place was equally as cold as Gennora. She was older but looked like she has served the royal family all her life. Her eyes flamed whenever someone is doing something wrong or just not doing it the way she liked. Her high-pitched voice claimed the air and almost drowned the sound of punching doughs, clattering plates, boiling waters and every other sound in the large kitchen. Reminds of me of Gennora every single day at the Moonstone pack. But I didn't even need too much of a reminder because Gennora was right with her in the room, doing just what she knows best. Now imagine the both of them in a single room together? Total chaos. The maids were all going crazy. I could literally feel them shaking beside me. Some of them were just like me. Unbothered and more focused on getting the work done faster so we can get our asses out of there. I heard others whisper about regretting choosing the kitchen instead of being outside, making decorations around the venue for the Duel. I regretted nothing. I enjoyed cooking and not even old and cranky Dina or moody and bitter Gennora can make me run away from it. "I've been serving the Royal family all my life. I've seen two generations of the Alpha line and I have served the diligently. I worked hard to get to where I am. I didn't do it by being lazy and working with noodle arms like the ones you all I have. When I first came here..." If Gennora told boring stories like that one, I wouldn't have lasted as long as I did as a maid in the Moonstone pack. And Dina has been at it since we started the preparations early this morning. The major difference between the two is their taste in fashion. Dina really went all in into designing a perfect and better-looking for the maids of her pack. It was a peach coloured dress that looked much the same with the design ours has with only a few twitches on the sides and maybe in front. It doesn't even matter. At least it has colour unlike ours that makes us look like we're at a funeral procession. I was paying half attention to the two women though. I was beside one of the maids of the Imperial pack as we both punched into the dough to make short cakes as snacks for the Duel. She was focused on what she was doing but I could sense that she knew I was watching her. Well , not until she finally voiced it out. "Keep staring like that and Miss cranky there will kick you out." She said. I loved the soft stiletto of her voice when she spoke. So much that I ignored the fact that she was obviously warning me to stop looking at her. "A maid can't admire good fashion?" I countered with a side grin. She stopped punching into her dough and looked up. She was a pretty blonde with sharp eyes that looked bored at the same time. As if they have seen all of the world and want more than what they have seen. I expected her look to morph into that of disgust at my face or maybe she would throw an insult at me. "You don't have much friends do you?" She asked. I shrugged. "I don't have any." Her eyes raked up and down my body. Not in a disgusted way. It seemed more of someone trying to prove a point. "I see why." She muttered. For some reason, I liked her cold outlook and response to everything. "Wanna be my first friend?" I teased. She rolled her eyes, returning to her dough. "Maids don't make friends." "They make enemies?" "I was going to say gossip partners but that works fine too." She said. I grinned. She was cool. Too cool. "My name is Haera by the way." I said. She didn't say anything and just stood up, obviously done pounding her portion of the dough. Without sparing me a glance, she turned to leave. I sneered at her retreating figure but the sneer froze on my face when she whipped her head around to look at me. "Opaline." She called out above the imminent noises present in the room before she turned around and left to another side of the kitchen. I grinned sheepishly. Her name is Opaline. "I'd smack that stupid smile of yours face if I get closer to you Haera." Gennora's voice ahead of me made my blood run cold. I've been avoiding her all day and I've been doing a good job at it. She seemed to be steering clear of my way too as she hasn't pinned a glare or even a simple stare on me since we began. "You look excited today." She said. "Maybe it's the festivity." I replied. Taking my distress at her attention out on the dough before me as I pounded into it. I didn't want to look at her. Her words from the night before almost kept me up all through the night but I was finally able to sleep after a few hours. I woke up feeling excited and energized. Her words were still there, at the back of my mind but I let the excitement of what's going to happen today to take over the rest of my mind. My life was going today change either she liked it of not. She said nothing after my words but when dared to look up at her, I knew there was something different about her. I just wasn't close enough to know what it was. She rounded another corner of the kitchen and soon left me to myself. I was done pounding my dough moments later and got up to pass it over to the next ones who would cut it into short sizes to be baked. I helped cut the dough and bake it. I loved cooking and even gladly took on the work of others who were more than willing to let me. The drums outside the kitchen got louder. Signifying that the Duel was about to start and that the Princes were already at the venue. It saddened me that I wouldn't get to see him. My mate whom I was rooting for. I so badly wanted to see him again. It was like I needed to see him to confirm that he's really and none of what happened to me yesterday was a dream. He's going to win. I'm sure of it. The conviction in his grey eyes yesterday when I asked him to win was enough to convince me as well. The fact that I won't get to see him fight is what hurts me. The maids will probably be here while the guards stay at the duel to protect the people of the pack from any danger. "You,you,you, you, you and you." Dina's voice came out of the blue. I had no idea about the people Dina was pointing at but the last you was directed at me. I froze. Did I do something wrong? "Me?" I asked hoping I heard her wrong or saw her point wrong. She ignored me. "All six of you will be at the Duel to serve the snacks and to tend to the dignitaries. I won't say it again." And she really didn't. She was back to barking orders at the other people in the room. I waited for Gennora to object. At least do something to try keeping me from going to the duel and being close to my mate but I heard no objection. I guess there's nothing she can do about it this time. She can change all other things but not my fate. A smile found its way up to my face Well today is my lucky day. I beamed a smile and excitedly joined the chorus of "Yes Head maid!" Soon we were done in the large kitchen. Everyone of us returned to our assigned rooms to wash up again. While the others were still waiting in line to get washed up, I went back to looking for that one thing that has had me on edge ever since I woke up this morning. My sash. It was nowhere to be found. I've looked under the beds, inside of carelessly disposed uniforms, the trash, the floors. Every single place but I couldn't find it. It suddenly disappeared when it was just right behind me yesterday as I Iaid to sleep. Ever since I woke up, I've been on edge looking for it. Considering the number of people I shared the room with, I could only conclude that someone took it thinking it was trash that needed to be disposed. I wasn't sure of how I felt about losing it. It's probably the one thing that my mate remembers me by and I planned to wear today for when he comes in search of me when he wins or when I go in search of him. I shrugged it off after realizing I was running late. I could as well rip another off the multitude of statues that stood in the corners of the Imperial palace. I joined the five maids and dutifully carried the containers filled with the short cakes and other snacks while others carried small plates and exotic wines. Opaline's blonde hair was unmistakable as she walked ahead of me. I rushed to meet up with her and she stopped short, surprised to see me before she continued walking. "I guess we'll be seeing more of each other than we thought." I said, gesturing toward the bottles of exotic wine she carried. "Unfortunately." She said. It didn't come out mean but it definitely came out cold and cool. I figured out that's just how she is but still teased her. "Ouch." I said. "Word of advice though, keep your mouth shut while you serve the Luna. If I find you annoying, then she'll surely find you more annoying and you don't want to know what she does to people she finds annoying." "See? Looking out for each other. That's part of what friendship entails isn't it?" I nudged her. She merely walked faster, away from me. I followed with rushed steps. We were out in the open in no time. The sound of the drums were now louder and closer because we were right there. As I stepped closer to the lined seats of the dignitaries who got a free ticket to the front row view, my eyes caught the two Princes. I immediately found him at the left end of the podium. He looked just as calm as the first time I saw him. He was shirtless and the sun bounced on his exposed skin. I fought to take my eyes off him as I walked closer to the dignitaries. I and the other maids began to serve the snacks on small plates and pour their wines into golden cups. With our heads hung low and faces away from their view. I did my best to avoid breathing too loud or even breathing at all while serving Luna Hegna. I didn't even need Opaline's warning. I already had a short encounter with her that's enough to scare me for life. The Alpha and Luna of my pack were also seated there in the midst of the people of Royal blood. I looked around for the princess but she was nowhere around. It was weird but I didn't dwell too much on it. She can do anything she wants and that's the privilege I don't share with her. When we were done serving, we all rushed to an empty part of the front row seats and lined together, side by side. "THE DUEL REMATCH SHALL NOW BEGIN!!!" A deep loud voice announced. With bated breath, I watched the two men stalk closer to each other. I closed my eyes. Dear noon goddess....