OLIVIA STAFFORD
"Here, this should be the last set for today"
The maid sneered, dumping a huge pile of clothes on the floor, close to the bowl.
I looked at her "I am tired"
she laughed, crossing her arms, disdain overflowing from her eyes.
"And you think I care?... finish your work and you might be lucky to have some bread crumbs for dinner" .
"That was what you said yesterday, and the day before...I haven't eaten in two days now"
as if on cue, my stomach made a loud noise and she laughed.
"How's that my problem?, you should direct your complaints to the madam of the house" She said, glared at me and sashayed out.
I stared at the mountain pile of dirty clothes, not knowing what to do.
This has been my life since the day I became knowledgeable.
as an illegitimate child, I was treated even more lowly than the maids, I relied on only leftovers to sustain myself and I did the most dirty jobs.
"When you are done washing, make sure to come over to the kitchen, their are some dirty pots that need your attention"
the kitchen maid said, patting me harshly on the back.
...
"The patriarch is calling for you"
"Huh?"
The confusion was apparent on my face.
I was still holding a black sponge that I was using to wash the pots.
"are you deaf or what?, the patriarch has summoned you" she glared at me.
I quickly kept the sponge and rinsed my hands, following after her.
"No father! their is no way you expect me to be with that beast!"
I shuddered at the loud and shrill cry.
that was my elder step sister and the rightful lady of the Stafford Family.
"Shut your mouth you child, don't you know the walls have ears?!" I heard the patriarch, who also happened to be my own father berate her, though it was in a loving tone.
immediately I walked into the large meeting room.
Keila rushed towards me and pulled me towards my father.
"Dad, look at Olivia, she can go in my stead, Olivia won't mind" she said.
my heart chilled when I heard her words, what was she up to this time.
Keila hated me so much and saw me as scum, she never put me in her eyes at all, but now she was holding and clinging onto me.
My father rose from his seat.
My father who was the patriarch of the Stafford Family was a tall and handsome man....was that the reason my mother had fallen for him....
"Olivia...I think your sister is right, you will have to go in her stead" My father said.
Keila's eyes brightened in happiness and she unhanded me, rushing to father.
"Go where?" I asked.
"To Amaestrus, the capital and the werewolf kingdom, you shall be among the women...."
"Who will contest to be the king's bride?"
I asked in disbelief.
My father nodded, he walked to a shelf, taking a well decorated gold pipe, he lit it up and took a puff.
"Your elder sister can't go, she has someone she loves plus she is the heir of this family" My father said.
I clenched my fists "What if I have someone that I love too?" I asked.
I was filled with dread,I didn't want to go to a strange place.
I didn't want to be married to a man I didn't know, ive heard horrible stories about the werewolves.
"You dare indulge in debauchery you young child, how dare you sneak out to see a man!" my father yelled loudly.
I smiled wryly, such double standards.
having someone i loved meant i was lustful but for Keila, it meant that she was virtuous.
"I have no one in my heart father but I am not going to any strange place neither will I be among the king's women" I said, breathing heavily.
This was the first time in many years that I had defied my father.
"Do you think you have a say in this?, Guards! seize her, dress her up appropriately so that she looks like a young lady!" My father suddenly yelled.
instantly, four hefty men bounced into the room and seized me tightly.
"The King's men would soon be here to pick her up, make sure she is ready before then".
"Unhand me!, let me go!" I screamed loudly as I was pulled out of the room.
the last thing I saw before the door was shut was keila's victorious smile.
....
They said my mother was a whore who had come to the east with the Dwarves Tarvan.
she had seduced my father with her outworldly beauty.
wrapping the man around her pinky...until she became pregnant.
"Urgh, I can't believe I am serving you"
the maid said in a gagging tone as scrubbed ny back with a sponge.
Once she was done, she threw a towel at me and said "Towel dry yourself while I go get your outfit ready" she sneered and walked out of the bath house.
I slowly cleaned my body, lots of thoughts going through my head.
A few hours later, I was dressed up in a green butterfly dress that wrapped round my body.
I had no curves to show, many years of malnutrition and eating crumbs had made sure of that.
light make-up was applied on my face and a butterfly hair ornament was placed on my head.
"You look seductive, just like your whore of a mother" the maid sneered.
I ignored her just as I always did.
"The King's people are here, hope you are ready"
My father said immediately he saw me.
"what if I refuse to go?"I asked.
"Then your mother will pay the price, you don't want her to accident
ally die...do you?"
he asked with a cunning smile and my pupils dilated.
"Good, now be a good girl and follow them"