Filed to story: The Alpha Kings Hated Slave
Baski chuckled, entering the room and closing the door. “I wasn’t coming to suggest broth, you grumpy swollen-belly.”
“Leave me alone. I want to sleep the day away. I’m so tired.”
“Not happening missy.” Baski’s smile widened. “It’s a big, big day today. You need to get up and face the day!”
“A big day?” She raised her head. “What’s happening today?”
“Now, you won’t know if you keep lying on the bed, will you?”
Danika glared at the older woman, followed by a shake of her head. “I just want to sleep.”
“Not today. Come on,” Baski strode closer and patted her arm, urging her out.
Danika sulked for a few minutes, but Baski couldn’t be deterred. In the end, she rose reluctantly from the bed, muttering and murmuring her displeasure.
The older woman only smiled harder. “Wrap the bedsheet tighter around yourself. You’re about to have company.”
Not company. She wasn’t ready for any company. “I’m not ready for any com-“
“Come in now!” Baski yelled.
Her door opened. Six maids strolled in one after another. They reached closer to her and greeted her at the same time.
She responded begrudgingly. Then she turned to her pain-in-the-neck self. “What are they doing here? Whatever it is, they have to go and come back later. I need to take my bath and get ready for the day like you told me a million times in the last five minutes.”
“That is exactly why they’re here, my Danika,” Baski responded with a consoling smile. Danika didn’t understand. The older woman turned to the maids and began issuing instructions. “Alah and Maye, both of you are in charge of putting this room back in order again; air the windows and change the sheets too. Uyah, you and Nala should run a nice bath. Use lavender leaves and sweet ointments in the water.”
“Yes, Madam Baski,” the four responded at once and scattered around the room to start doing their jobs.
“I don’t need help-“
“You don’t have to worry, dear. Everything will be alright…everything.” Baski was already ushering her to the bathroom as she spoke.
Danika took three steps and winced, which caused Baski to grin at her mischievously. “Poor woman. Didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, did you?”
A blush crept up her cheeks. Baski nodded understandably and patted her on the back. “It’s okay, dear. I’ll make herbs to ease those pleasant aches, and don’t worry, it isn’t harmful to your condition. You needn’t limp and wince while you walk today-especially today.”
Danika stopped and observed the woman carefully. “You’re very happy today.”
“I am in the best of moods.”
“Can you tell me why?”
“It’s a surprise.” She grinned.
Danika was already excited. “Will I like this surprise too?”
A look crossed Baski’s face, and her happiness dimmed. But only for a moment. “I’m sure you will, dearie. It’s the best gift of all. I’m sure you will crave it.” She turned on the tap, and the rush of water filled the bucket.
“I will?” Danika thought about it. She brightened. “I’m sure the best gift I’ll love now isnot to eat that herbal chicken broth ever again.”
“Not on your life, swollen-belly. Your condition needs it. Trust me, when you give birth, you’ll love that I gave you broth.”
“I doubt I’ll ever thank you for that,” she grumbled.
Baski only smiled. She turned off the tap. “You’ll see. Your bath is almost ready.”
A thought came to Danika. “Before I bathe, I want to do something. I’ll be right back.”
Vetta heard the door open. She was awake but didn’t open her eyes or move from her sleeping position. She didn’t turn to see who it was. She did not need to-not when the king’s scent filled the air. And yet, she knew it wasn’t the king.
The silence in the dungeon became as loud as a gunshot-time dragged by.
Then the door opened again and closed.
Slowly, Vetta uncoiled from her sleeping position and turned and stared at the empty space. The smell of fresh rice and its soup caused her belly to growl. Danika put it in the exact place she had put the pie the day before.
Why did the woman keep bringing her food? The food she ate on the night before wasn’t poisoned, and she’d half-expected it to be. What could Danika be playing at? What is her plan?
Vetta was baffled. Whatever it is, she will think about it later. Now…
She said no words. Instead, she got up and walked closer to the food. She followed herself to the ground beside it, picked up her spoon and began eating.
Danika was baffled as she sat in the tub while the maids bathed her. The sweet scent of royal ointment filled the air. She was grateful that her baby also liked the scent. If not, she wouldn’t be able to spend more minutes inside. Memories of all the times she’s been bathed this way filled her head.
A huge weight settled in her chest. Royalty. When she was a princess. She missed her status so much that tears burned the back of her eyes.
“The other leg, my lady,” one of the maids requested softly.
She presented her with her left leg, watching carefully. The king was right, she thought with a small sad smile. Being royalty is something that can never be forgotten.
“You haven’t told me why I’m having a royal bath, Baski.” Danika turned to face the woman and stared intensely at the new dress the seamstress had brought in. Frown lines marred the older woman’s face.
“I already told you the king summons your presence in court,” Baski let out distractedly.
Just like the first time, Danika’s heart jumped in her chest. Court-the one place she never wanted to be again. Why would the king summon her there? Her options didn’t look favorable, so she shut the thoughts away.
“Will this dress even fit without strangling your belly tightly? I told Yana that the dress had to be loose around the belly. See the sides, it’s looking tight,” the older woman stated angrily.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?