"Why do you wear this mask all the time? Shouldn't you at least let it be removed for the time no one is around you?" Yohana asked as she brushed Iskander's hair gently.
"Why are you interested in knowing my face?" Iskander looked at her through the mirror.
"I said that for your own comfort," Yohana replied.
"You may get scared," Iskander stated.
"Of?" Yohana stopped brushing midway.
"Of my face," Iskander replied.
"I won't," Yohana said. "But it's fine if you don't want to show me your full face. I think you are uncomfortable to show your weakness," she muttered.
"My weakness? Why do you think that this mask is my weakness?" Iskander was inquisitive to know. He looked at her through the mirror. "Do the work quickly. I have a meeting to attend," he commanded.
Yohana turned silent and did her work. "I'm finished, Your Majesty," Yohana said. He rose to his feet and gestured to bring his official robe. She brought it to him, and helped him put on this royal robe.
"See me after I finish my breakfast," Iskander instructed her and left the chamber. After he left, two maidservants walked in to clean the chamber. Yohana gave them the instructions and thought to have some food too. She was hungry, but the servants were not allowed to eat before ten in the morning.
Outside the chamber, Yohana discovered that the entire corridor was deserted. She turned to her left, retracing the path Baxter had guided her through. Pausing near the balustrade, Yohana glanced downwards and noticed two carriages parked below. Two men emerged from the carriages, while Baxter greeted them.
"Who could they be?" Yohana murmured to herself, her curiosity piqued. Suddenly, a hand rested on her shoulder, causing her to jump in fear. She turned to see Ria standing beside her.
"Ria!" Yohana exclaimed in surprise.
"What are you looking at?" Ria asked, also peering down the balustrade. "Oh, the two princes are here. They are the brothers of the King: Prince Angelo and Prince Melvin," she told Yohana.
"Didn't they use to live here?" Yohana curiously asked.
"No. They were in the Northern and Southern borders after the conquest began. Because it was over a few days back, the King finally called them back," Ria explained to her.
"I see." Yohana recalled she should be in the dining room, where Iskander was having his meals. "Ria, where is the dining hall? Can you show it to me?" She urged.
"Sure." Ria led her way and they reached the dining hall. "You have to do laundry, or Madam Jolie will scold you. Make sure to wash the clothes well," she informed Yohana.
"But the King said I have to go accompany him for some work," Yohana told her.
"Is it so? You should tell Madam Jolie before leaving with the King. I will see you later," Ria said and left her sight.
"Why does it already feel tiring to me? I am hungry, but I cannot have meals on my own," Yohana murmured as she complained. A slave's life was the worst. She had to listen to the commands of everyone around her.
Yohana remained standing at her place, waiting for Iskander to come out of the dining hall. Finally, half an hour later, he emerged and she lowered her eyes to bow to him. It was all a part of the act, so that he could grant her freedom if that would be possible.
"Your Majesty, I have laundry to do. I don't think I can accompany you outside," Yohana humbly said. She had no desire to go out with him because she knew he would make her run after the carriage. Earlier, she was excited about going out, but now, she wanted a rest.
"Someone else will do that," Iskander said and walked past her. She followed his suit and raised her hand to hit him from behind. But she only pretended to do it. As she lowered her hand, she heard Iskander say, "Only cowards act from behind."
Yohana's eyes widened and she decided to remain silent. Because her head was hung low, she didn't see that Iskander had already stopped in his place. In turn, she bumped her head against his solid chest.
"Ahhh," Yohana cried in pain as she raised her head to look at him. "Can't His Majesty walk straight?" she muttered.
"Greetings to Your Majesty," a male voice reverberated through the corridor. Yohana quickly took a step back while Iskander turned his back at her to look at the source of voice.
"Angelo, Marvin!" Iskander smiled to see his younger brothers. As they stopped in front of him, they both had a hug with Iskander. "You still wear the mask. Remove it to feel better," said Marvin to Iskander.
"I feel better this way," Iskander replied. "I thought you both would return in the evening," he stated.
"We thought of giving a surprise to our big brother,"Angelo stated.
"You two should take a rest. I will see you both in the evening," Iskander suggested. "I have a piece of important work to finish outside," he affirmed.
"We understand," Marvin said when his eyes fell on Yohana. "Did His Majesty appoint a female in his service? That's strange because he always preferred Jordan by his side," he remarked while arching his eyebrow in suspicion.
"I am Yohana Arlington. His Majesty bought me as a slave after threatening my pack's alpha," Yohana was quick to respond since she felt it was her chance to get free of Iskander's clutches. His brothers seemed gentlemen to her unlike Iskander.
Angelo and Marvin exchanged glances with each other while Iskander glared at Yohana. "Your brother sold you for the freedom of his pack. Also, keep your mouth shut, Slave, unless I ask you to open it," Iskander sternly said.
Yohana made a face at him and averted her gaze from him. Angelo and Marvin took their leave while Yohana wondered why they both didn't say anything about her.
"You'll run behind my carriage. If you fail to do that, you'll not be given any food," Iskander said.
"Are you serious? I have a life too. You cannot treat me like this," Yohana protested. She didn't even have her breakfast and he wanted her to run behind his carriage.
"Yes, I can. Because I'm your master," Iskander reminded her and walked ahead of her.