Elizabeth awoke to the sun's rays shining directly on her face, causing her eyes to snap open instantly. Instinctively, she tried to move her body, only to find herself restrained by the clinking of chains. Glancing beside her, she saw Nicholas lying on the bed. Her attempt to move again jolted him awake, the chains making a noise.
Nicholas's eyes swiftly moved to his side, where he saw a naked Elizabeth writhing uncomfortably on the bed, a smirk playing on his lips. He raised his head and supported his chin with his hand, staring into her eyes and then admiring her curves.
"Oh, you're already awake? You look quite beautiful in this position, my dear Elizabeth. Perhaps I should keep you as my bed slave," he taunted.
Elizabeth's eyes widened, and she shook her head vigorously, mortified by his statement.
He chuckled at her reaction and got off the bed, wearing only pants with no shirt. "Come on, there's nothing you can do about it if I decide to do just that."
Nicholas reached for the keys on the headboard, leaning towards the bed to unlock the chains, starting with her legs. "By the way, if Arabella asks, tell her you've been properly punished by me."
Elizabeth straightened her legs, relieved to have them free. Her body felt stiff and heavy from last night's ordeal, and she knew walking would be a challenge.
He then unlocked her hands, and Elizabeth let out a sigh, glad to move her sore arms. "Now get up and get moving. Make sure my chamber is clean and spotless." With that, he walked into the bathing area without sparing her a second glance.
Elizabeth sat up on the bed, using her hand to cover her chest. She felt humiliated and used, and her body ached all over from the thrashing she received last night. The words "bed slave" echoed in her mind, and tears streamed down her face. She wanted to retaliate against Nicholas for treating her this way but felt helpless.
She stood up on unsteady legs, her body aching as she prepared to carry out her duties. For now, this was her life, and she felt like nothing more than a pathetic slave.
---
Elizabeth made her way to the slave bathing area for her morning bath. After last night's encounter with Nicholas, she felt dirty and in need of a cold bath, though she doubted it would wash away the emotional turmoil.
Inside the baths, she began to scrub her body vigorously, feeling both dirty and disgusted. She noticed some of the other slave girls stealing glances at her, likely shocked by the fresh welts on her body.
"Serves her right," Bella, who was bathing alongside Lisa, muttered. "She thought she was all that!"
"Bella, she can hear you," Lisa scolded.
Elizabeth acted as though she hadn't heard them, finishing her bath quickly and leaving the bath.
Afterward, Elizabeth settled inside the room and had her usual breakfast of plain porridge with Alice, who sat across from her on the mat.
"Everyone has been talking about it," Alice said, peering into her bowl of porridge. "How did you get those welts, and why didn't you return last night?"
Elizabeth sighed, pushing her spoon aside after only a few bites. She was tired of the repetitive food. "I don't want to talk about it. Instead, let's talk about something else."
Alice raised an expectant brow, and Elizabeth continued, "The Royal Family."
Alice dropped her spoon in surprise and looked at Elizabeth, a bit confused. "What would you like to know about them?"
"Everything you know, Alice. Their hobbies, weaknesses, strengths, and relationships."
Alice hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Alright, so King Murdoch has two sons, Prince Nicholas, the crown prince, and his half-brother, Prince Jack."
Elizabeth's brows furrowed in confusion. "They're half-brothers?"
"Shh," Alice motioned to keep her voice down, and Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, they are. I heard the previous Queen was killed some months ago."
"So that was Nicholas's mother," Elizabeth realized. "So, the present queen is Prince Jack's mother?"
Alice nodded. "Queen Clara is Prince Jack's mother, and unlike Prince Nicholas, Prince Jack is kind, gentle, and considerate. He loves horse riding and reading. He's often at the stables in the morning."
"What can you tell me about Prince Nicholas?"
"He's ruthless, Elizabeth. You shouldn't cross him; he kills without hesitation. He's not much different from King Murdoch, and since his mother's recent death, he's become even more brutal."
Elizabeth was a bit confused but not surprised, considering Nicholas had admitted that his gentlemanly act was just that—an act. She wondered how he managed to maintain it.
"And he's also engaged to be married."
Elizabeth nodded, recalling the woman from last night. They probably deserved each other.
But another thought weighed on her mind. "Do you know how the previous Queen died?"
"I don't know," Alice admitted. "I'm sorry, but I heard it was a brutal death."
Elizabeth's heart sank at the thought, but she refused to believe her father could be responsible for such a heinous act.
"There's also a rumor that she was pregnant," Alice added cautiously, increasing Elizabeth's anxiety.
Alice stood up, taking both bowls with her. "I have to go to the stables now."
"Will Prince Jack be there?"
"Yes," Alice replied suspiciously. "Why?"
Elizabeth stood hurriedly. "I want to be among the people cleaning the stables on the morning shift."
"I don't know," Alice said slowly before her eyes brightened. "Maybe you could swap with Lisa; she always wanted to go during the evening shift with Bella."
"Perfect," Elizabeth agreed, relieved to have found a way to get closer to Jack. She had noticed the way he had looked at her the few times their eyes met, and she intended to use that to her advantage. It was crucial for her plans.
"Let's go talk to Lisa," Alice suggested, motioning for Elizabeth to follow.