Madam Jolie entered the chamber with a deferential bow, her head held low in respect. Yohana stood beside the chaise on which Iskander was seated, exuding grace and poise.
"How long have you been in this palace?" Iskander inquired, his tone calm but authoritative.
"It has been more than forty years, Your Majesty," Madam Jolie replied with a respectful tone. "I beg your pardon for troubling Yohana. I punished her because–" She paused mid-sentence as Iskander raised his hand to silence her, indicating that he wished to hear no more.
"Yohana already informed you that she was with me outside. How dare you punish my attendant?" Iskander demanded an explanation, his tone cold, indicating that he expected a satisfactory response.
Yohana looked at Iskander, feeling a mix of surprise and curiosity. She wondered how he had discovered that she had requested Madam Jolie not to punish her, knowing that she was simply following the King's command.
Madam Jolie immediately dropped to her knees, her head bowed in supplication as she begged for Iskander's mercy. "I will never repeat such a mistake, Your Majesty. Please forgive me, Yohana, for my unjust punishment," she pleaded, her tone filled with genuine remorse.
Yohana felt a pang of sadness as she watched the elderly woman humbly apologize to her. Despite being upset by the punishment, she couldn't help but feel empathy for Madam Jolie's remorseful demeanor.
"I don't forgive, Jolie. You are aware of this," Iskander coldly stated, causing the three of them to glance at him. "You have turned pretty old. I think it's the time you shall retire in the countryside home." He was in the process to make a decision.
"Your Majesty, this palace is like my home. I have given the service here since my youthful days. Please reconsider your decision," Madam Jolie pleaded with him.
"Jolie, I wanted a satisfactory explanation," Iskander pronounced. "Sadly, you failed me to give one." He was ready to call the guards to throw out Jolie from his service when Yohana intervened.
"Your Majesty, if you allow can I say something?" She asked for the permission, keeping her gaze low.
"No. I don't wish to hear anything," Iskander refused to listen to her.
"Madam Jolie has served you for so many years. Her action was justified since the other servants would have considered it partiality," Yohana spoke up despite Iskander had refused to hear her. "Please let it go this time since the inner court rules must be followed," she added.
Iskander was impressed by Yohana's act of compassion in coming forward to defend Madam Jolie.
"You punished my slave, yet here she is, saving you," Iskander remarked, casting a glance at Madam Jolie.
"I was wrong to punish her, Your Majesty. Please reconsider your decision," Madam Jolie implored, her voice filled with remorse.
Iskander nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging her plea. "I forgive you, but let this be the last time," he proclaimed, his tone firm yet merciful.
Madam Jolie expressed her gratitude to the King as Iskander dismissed Ria and her.
Iskander glanced at Yohana with amusement, intrigued by her actions. "Why did you not let me remove Jolie from the palace?" he inquired.
"Loyalty is important, Your Majesty. Besides, you cannot take a stand for a slave," Yohana replied sharply, meeting his gaze with firmness.
Iskander rose from the chaise and strode toward her, closing the distance between them until his towering figure loomed over her. A smirk played on his lips as he reached out to grab a few strands of her hair, inhaling her scent.
"You are a special slave indeed," he remarked teasingly.
Yohana met his gaze unflinchingly. "I've heard that the King never took a werewolf as his slave. I want to know what he truly wants from me," she stated boldly.
"Who told you this? Ria?" Iskander asked her.
"Does that even matter? I am wolf-less, yet His Majesty wishes to keep me by his side," said Yohana while squinting her eyes in suspicion.
"Because you are wolf-less, that's why I bought you. Is that enough to end your growing curiosity?" Iskander replied, arching an eyebrow at her. He released her hair strands and clasped his hands behind his back.
"A wolf-less werewolf is of no use to you," Yohana asserted.
Iskander shrugged dismissively. "Well, I'm bored. You will prepare a dance for me this evening. I wish to be entertained, and perhaps I'll reward you if your performance pleases me," he declared, swiftly changing the subject of their conversation.
'Reward me?' Yohana was now curious to know what he could give her.
"I thought His Majesty wanted a group dance performance," she proclaimed.
"You wanted that for me," Iskander corrected her. "I am interested in seeing you watch you dance," he stated.
"Will His Majesty reward me anything I want?" Yohana inquired.
"Anything except for your freedom," said Iskander.
Yohana sighed as she wanted it the most. However, it seemed the Werewolf King wasn't ready to free her this easily.
"I wish to rest for some time. Be ready for the evening. You are dismissed," Iskander said and went toward his bedchamber. Yohana took a sigh of relief as she finally could rest. But the question was where her room was?