Chapter 9 Nightly Consummations

• “What the hell did you think you were doing there? Huh!”
• Tania angrily snarled.
• The minute I excused myself, to the changing room to contemplate Lady Rook’s identity.
• She stepped from the shadows, just like she had been watching me.
• “What do you mean?”
• I arched a brow, asking like in unawares.
• Like Emily said, I would get lots of enemies around here.
• I already thought these through before I even started, in the first place.
• “Trying to seduce the beast, and sneak in some points?” she stated, once more.
• I held the hems, of my dance attire, looking at her confidently.
• “I have no idea, of what you’re talking about, Tania,”
• I replied.
• “You don’t?” she snarled.
• “Then maybe this will remind you,”
• She cornered me, with her hands fisting. Next, she raised them up to hit me.
• I noticed she had no weapons.
• This made me reflexly used my arms to block her fuming outburst. I was about to bring out my dagger from my underwear, when a voice spoke.
• “What’s happening here?”
• It suddenly called out.
• I looked towards the direction, and so did she, only to see Knight Lydia, with her assistant coming in through the door.
• “What you think you’re doing, Tania? Attempting to hit the beast’s chosen?”
• Lady Lydia stated.
• “The beast’s chosen? Aren’t we all?” she asked.
• “Wasn’t this game, the survival of the fittest, Knight Lydia?”
• She savagely added, with a frown on her face.
• “It still is,” she answered. “But since tonight, that changed for Ava here. Getting the beast to throw his Royal clothing, signifies she’s now one of his favorites,” she explained.
• “You don’t want to be responsible for harming his favorites because it’s a crime punishable by death.”
• Lydia constructed, before swaying her hands, towards the door.
• “Now, scurry away,”
• Just as Knight Lydia rounded it up, Tania gave me a death glare.
• If looks could kill, I would be six feet under.
• Tania slammed the dressing room’s door, in anger. The moment she was out, Knight Lydia turned to face me fully.
• “Number 100,”
• She called out.
• “Somehow, I didn’t notice you around here.” she remarked.
• “What is your name, dear?“
• “Ava…Ava Goodchild,” I replied affirmly.
• “And, what district are you from?”
• “Demon Scavengers,”
• I answered.
• “Hmm…interesting. Another one from a brutal village, you must be quite intelligent and manipulative, for gaining the attention of the beast tonight,”
• She stated.
• “Flattered you think so, Knight Lydia.”
• I replied, with a slight bow.
• “You do not have to be. Focus more on the game to survive dear,”
• She answered.
• “Felicia,” Lydia called out to her assistant.
• “Yes, Knight Lydia?”
• “Lead her to the beauty room. Make them prepare her for the beast tonight,”
• “Your wish is my command, Lady Lydia,”
• She answered.
• Before we left, Knight Lydia drew closer to me. With a hand on my shoulder and a look of trust and responsibility.
• “Using your opportunity tonight matters, as well, remember.”
• I nodded in response.
• Before following her out of the dressing room, with my heart thudding at each walk, towards the beauty room.
• …
• By the time the welcome party was over, I became more nervous than ever. Reminding myself, over and over again, as to why I was doing this.
• I reminded myself of why I was playing the game.
• And why I had to survive.
• At every moment of this, at all costs.
• People relied on me.. without me, Piper wouldn’t be the same.
• Mother won’t be. Neither will Moses. I watched mum cry, so much after Jasmine’s demise.
• I couldn’t add to that.
• I just couldn’t add to that.
• “Pick a color, My Lady,”
• One of the maids, told me.
• Setting various colors of robe in front of me.
• “Anything that looks good, I guess.”
• I retorted, unsure of what color to pick.
• “Then this would do.” she smiled saying. “Pairing it with this of course.”
• Her hands spread out on an underwear, really exposive.
• “You think so?”
• I said, after seeing the blue beauty she just set aside.
• “Yes, I do. It would compliment your raven dark hair and glow, just like the stars in the sky.”
• She explained.
• “Thanks, I’m Ava. What’s your name by the way?”
• “Cassandra... It’s strange you’re asking because, no one has ever asked me for my name,”
• “I feel so honored, My Lady,” she stated, curtseying.
• As she did, I noticed more of her stature.
• Cassandra was a little plump, with a wavy hair and some freckles just at the sides of her cheek.
• Couldn’t deny the freckles made them rosier and prettier.
• “Then get used to it. Cause you deserve so much more.”
• I said.
• She brought some vanilla scenting oils, applying them on my hands and the part of my skin that showed.
• After a few moments, she worked my hair, preparing me to stand up.
• “You’re ready,”
• She breathed out, smiling at my reflection.
• I looked into the mirror, unable to recognize myself.
• “How does this work?”
• I asked.
• “My lady, what do you mean?”
• “The breeding, I mean. How does one breed a baby for the beast.”
• I stated.
• “My lady, surely your mother would have explained it to you. I’m quite sure you’re aware of it.” Cassandra said.
• “She didn’t. That’s why I’m asking.”
• I said, taking her hands in mine.
• Mother always restricted me from these topics. And, I was left wondering, most of the times.
• A door suddenly opened, with another maid rushing in.
• “I’m afraid we must head out now, milady.”
• She said, with a submissive stance.
• “Yeah sure,”
• I said, taking one last glance at Cassandra. She gave me an assured look.
• The maid led me to a guard, who introduced himself as Jaskier.
• He took it from there, leading me to the beast’s chambers. The minute I got in, I found myself almost hyper ventilating.
• I mean, what if I failed everyone?
• I risked it all to get here, and I didn’t even know how to breed his so-called child.
• I had never felt so powerless in my life.
• The door slammed shut, as soon as I got in.
• On my spot, I trembled, with my hands shaking.
• “Welcome, little Ava.”
• A sinful voice let out.