Chapter 1

• The sharp cry of, “Wake up, everybody! Wake up!” pulled me from sleep like a hook yanking a fish out of water. My eyes fluttered open, and I blinked in confusion at the still-dark sky outside. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, its hands pointing to 4:30 AM.
• Around me, the other servants were already stirring. Sophia, my roommate, emerged from the bathroom, her damp hair clinging to her face, a towel wrapped tightly around her.
• “Why would the queen want to see us at this hour?” she muttered, her tone tinged with irritation as she dressed quickly.
• I dragged myself out of bed, hurrying to the bathroom. By the time I was ready, Sophia had already left. Alone in the room, I found my thoughts spiraling, wondering what this early-morning meeting could possibly mean.
• I pulled on my dress, frowning as I glanced down at my scuffed, worn-out shoes. They were a glaring reminder of how far I was from the grandeur surrounding us. I’d meant to request a new pair from my superior but kept forgetting. With a sigh, I slipped them on, hoping someone would notice their condition and offer a replacement soon.
• By the time I arrived at the grand hall, the queen was not yet present, and a nervous energy filled the space. Servants stood in rows, whispering among themselves. I scanned the faces around me, searching for Sophia, but she was nowhere to be seen.
• “Where could she be?” I muttered to myself, worry creeping into my voice.
• “Looking for someone?”
• The voice startled me. I spun around to find Reuben standing behind me, his signature mischievous grin firmly in place. His piercing blue eyes sparkled with amusement, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. Reuben was, without a doubt, the most charming—and infuriating—of the male servants.
• “M-me? No, I just…” I stammered. “Have you seen Sophia?”
• “No, but I thought you two shared a room,” he replied, tilting his head curiously.
• “We do,” I admitted, biting my lip. “But we didn’t leave together. She should be here by now.”
• Reuben raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. Just as my worry began to deepen, Sophia appeared, weaving through the line to stand beside me. Her face was pale, her usual cheerfulness replaced by unease.
• “Sophia! Where were you? I’ve been looking for you,” I whispered.
• “I was… I don’t know, Cathrin. I just felt uneasy,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.
• Sophia was usually the life of the servants’ quarters, her laughter and endless gossip keeping everyone entertained. But now, she seemed a shadow of her usual self.
• “What is it? Did you hear something?” I pressed.
• She shook her head, her lips trembling slightly. “I don’t know. I just have a bad feeling about this meeting.”
• Before I could say more, the room fell silent. All eyes turned to the grand entrance as queen Victoria strode in, flanked by her personal guards. The queen's presence was imposing, but today she seemed unusually at ease, her smile faint but present.
• We all bowed deeply as she approached her seat at the head of the hall. “Good morning, everyone,” she began, her voice calm yet commanding. “I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’ve summoned you at this hour.”
• Murmurs rippled through the crowd before silence fell once more.
• “I have news,” she continued. “Some of you will no longer be serving in this kingdom.”
• A collective gasp swept through the hall. I felt my stomach drop as the queen's words hung heavily in the air.
• “You will not be dismissed,” she clarified, “but transferred to Rebar kingdom.”
• The room grew colder at the mention of “Rebar” . Whispers of fear spread like wildfire. King of Rebar was no ordinary monarch; he was a beast, both in nature and reputation. Stories of his cruelty were enough to keep anyone awake at night.
• The last time the king of Rebar had visited, one servant was killed simply for sneezing during a meal. The memory was seared into my mind: the beast who accompanied him had slit her throat without hesitation, her lifeless body collapsing to the floor as the others continued eating, undisturbed.
• The queen stood, signaling the end of her speech. “The selection process will begin shortly. You will be notified if your name is chosen.”
• As Queen Victoria left the hall, the tension was palpable. Some servants broke into hushed conversations, their faces pale with dread.
• Sophia grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin. “Cathrin, I can’t go to Rebar . I can’t!” she whispered urgently, her voice trembling.
• I had no words to comfort her because I felt the same. The thought of serving under Queen Victoria sent chills down my spine.
• “Let’s not think about it,” I said finally, forcing a shaky smile. “Maybe we won’t be chosen.”
• Peter, another servant, joined us, his face just as troubled. “He said only a small number will be sent, but… what if one of us is chosen?”
• “I just hope my luck holds,” Sophia said, her voice trembling. “I pray my name isn’t among those chosen to serve that beast who has no pity for humans.”
• Her words sent a chill down my spine. I could hear the fear in her tone, and it only made my own anxiety grow. “I hope it’s not me either,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve heard terrible things about Rebar Kingdom—the way they treat their servants, the cruelty they endure.”
• Sophia nodded solemnly, her eyes darting nervously around the room. “Everyone has heard the stories,” she replied. “That’s why we’re all so scared. No one wants to be sent there.”
• The weight of her words hung heavy between us. For a moment, we stood in silence, each lost in our own thoughts, each praying we wouldn’t be among those chosen.
• Sophia looked down, her usual spark dimmed. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” she muttered, her voice breaking.
• The three of us stood in heavy silence before Sophia broke away, heading for her duties. I lingered for a moment before retreating to the kitchen.
• I tried to lose myself in my tasks, chopping vegetables and scrubbing pots, but the unease lingered. Around me, the other servants whispered about the horrors of Rebar, their voices barely audible over the clatter of dishes.
• I kept my head down, focusing on my work, but the thought loomed in my mind like a storm cloud: What if my name is called.