Chapter 64

• HAERA
• The days that followed my punishment were nothing short of hell for me and really, even if I've said it more than I necessarily should, the Alpha should have just killed me instead because having to walk around the pack with everyone pointing accusing fingers at me as the maid who tried to kill their Luna,was a greater punishment on its own. And as if getting pointed at and having my name being chewed on everyone's lips wasn't enough, Dina became a personal watchdog for the Alpha or so she claims because in reality, it seemed like she was the one who ordered herself to watch my every move like a hawk. Every ingredient, every seasoning, spice and all, was duly checked and monitored by her and I knew she was just being careful so there wouldn't be such an occurrence as the last time again. "I'm not going to let anything you do pass by me unnoticed. Who knows what you'll add into her food next." Those were her exact words. Dina wouldn't even let me add water without checking to see how it tastes, it's color, it's smell...ughh! I was suffocated and cooking almost became a burden to me. So much for beating the princess and her old witch at their game. It felt like all I and Dezra had was our pride and the chance to curse at the princess behind her back.Asides that, I concluded we were hopeless at playing games. Dina's watchfulness didn't hurt me as much as the next order she gave did. "From now, you are banned from cooking the breakfast for the next day late at night. We can't have you being all by yourself in the kitchen." She went through with her every command. I was stopped from cooking late at night even if I pleaded with Dina, it was hopeless. I had to change my rendezvous point with Tybalt because we both couldn't be at the kitchen anymore. Dina's eyes made sure to watch my every move at night too to be sure I wasn't going against her command. I was certain she even put some of the maids up to it, so they could watch me and report to her. Without food, my relationship with Tybalt didn't seem to dwindle. We just had to adjust to the new situation. Most times, we just sit outside at night stargazing while we tell horrific stories to scare each other. However, being with Tybalt was like another form of escape for me since cooking was now out of the question. He made me happy and talking to him eased all of my worries during those moments. Tybalt shared his childhood stories with me but refrained from bringing Alpha Zachary into his stories. I didn't let my curiosity get to me knowing what bad blood flowed between both brothers. Most times, I contemplated telling him the truth about his brother and I seeing as we shared everything with each other. I felt guilty for leaving that one information out. Tybalt hated his brother. That much was evident but he wasn't a bad man and I tried to justify every of his hatred directed at his brother. He is the legitimate child and had more rights to the Alpha title. It's okay, I would say, anyone would feel the same way. I was conflicted about the strength of both brothers because Tybalt would have made a great Alpha yet Alpha Zachary was doing so well too even if I was starting to feel frustrated by him. Ever since the day he punished me without listening to my own side of the story or making proper findings about how the shrimps got into the meal I cooked, I've been avoiding him. In all possible way; eye contact, body contact and even from a distance, I steer to a different corner the moment I see him coming up ahead. My excitement stopped altogether. The excitement of seeing him, serving him and seeing him eat my food with satisfaction all stopped. I put a stop to one of them myself after realizing that it hurts to even be beside him considering all the drama that have gone down in the dining hall. If I didn't know better, I'd say the dining was cursed–with me as the ultimate target. It was hard to convince her but I got one of the kitchen maids to start serving him instead. Afterall, I was the assistant chef and my job was to cook. Stepping into the dining hall automatically means stepping into a complete void, to me. A void where I zone out on words that go around the dining hall so I won't me heartbroken again when I hear something I shouldn't. A void where I see only me and no one. A void where the only thing I listen for is the sound of spoons hitting ceramic plates. Alpha Zachary penetrated that void unexpectedly once after I stopped serving him. "Why have you been the one tending to me?" He had asked the maid while she was spooning his food into his plate. The young girl who had never been talked to by the Alpha before was ridden with shock and it struck her so hard that she froze. I had to save her even if it meant leaving my void. "It's her job and I apologise for not letting her do it all this while, I do hope you don't have a problem with that Alpha?" I had said, locking my eyes with his for something that seemed like the first time in days since he punished me. I wasn't sure if he was really taken aback that day or it was just my imagination. "Of course not." He had replied. I was back in my void after that. Everything else was like a repetitive process and a chain I wanted to break away from. I know when to give up and when to keep trying but sometimes, the line gets blurred and I get confused as to what to do. But to hell with that anyway, I was going to break free. And that freedom starts tonight. Dina would probably kill me and offer me to the rogues like she has always threatened but I had every intention to go against her orders and cook tonight. I already had a plan set in motion and even informed Tybalt about it the night before. He sounded concerned about me and tried to talk me out of it but I assured him that it would be fine. My plan was simple. Serve the Alpha his food, pretend to be sick that I won't even join the maids to do the used the dishes, retire to my room and pretend to sleep. That should throw the people Dina had ordered to watch me off my back and then when they're all back in their rooms, I would sneak out of mine and head to the kitchen. Cook as fast as I can, clear every sign that I was there and then retire back to the room. Simple and doable. The first few ones were already in motion. Dina totally bought the fact that I was sick and could contaminate the kitchen as well as her and so she let me go. I stayed behind at a distance to watch her talk to the maids ordered to watch me. "You don't have to come here tonight, she'll probably be in her bed all night with the kind of Cold she came down with." Bingo. I hid away until Dina and her private investigators left and then slowly returned to my own room, talked to Opaline to while away time and snuck out the moment her head hit her pillow. Most of the other maids were awake and gossiping as usual but it was like I didn't even exist when I passed by them. I looked behind me with each step I took towards the kitchen to be sure I wasn't followed. The fire touches in the kitchen were four in all and they were off. To avoid attracting attention to myself, I lighted just one and began to cook. The burden my body carried that seemed to weigh more than me and my wolf altogether, became light as feather when I began to cook. I got the freedom I so much yearned for and even if I got caught at that very moment,the punishment would be worth it. I had told Tybalt to meet me here against his discretion but he couldn't turn me down and I knew he wouldn't disappoint me. Halfway into cooking and he still hasn't showed up and until I finished making the food, I didn't feel his presence around. Did he bail on me? That jerk! He better not. I decided to wait, even whiled away time my cleaning the kitchen to rid it of any implications but he still didn't show up. The food had gone cold and I would have to throw it out if I waited any longer. Now that's going to be a big problem because it would be a dead giveaway if the thrown out food is found. I might really die this time. Realizing I couldn't wait any longer; mad and frustrated, I packed the food up and went to find Tybalt. The only place I could go was the open space where we both sit and gaze at the stars. I wasn't allowed in his quarters but I could stand outside and peep in. He's got some explaining to do once I get hold of him. I walked for a few seconds to get to the open space but he wasn't there. That left me no choice but to go in search of him around his quarters. What makes the guard quarters different from that of the maids was the two different sharp corners, one was empty and led to a path I've never explored while the other led to the quarters itself. When I got to the middle of both corners, I made to turn the corner that led to the quarters but stopped abruptly when I saw someone coming out of the deserted corner, looking around nervously. I didn't know who it was but their eyes glowed in the dark while the rest of their features were nearly bleak. I didn't wait to confirm though, I swerved back to where I came through and stood there, my heart racing. Did Dina catch on to my lies? I was sure the person didn't see me but I needed to confirm if it was one of Dina's watchdogs. Slowly and carefully, trying not to make a sound, I put my head out to peep again and God... I wasn't prepared for what or should I say whom I saw. I turned back immediately , shocked. What the hell was princess Ilvira doing out late at night? And of all places, the deserted corner? For some reason and with the way she looked frantically around, I couldn't help but think she was up to something that could definitely not be good. My instincts told me to run before she sees me but I couldn't. I couldn't leave without finding out what in the world she was doing. Slowly, with a swallow of saliva down my dried throat, I slowly peeped out of the corner I hid at. If I palm hadn't been fast enough to slap over my mouth, I would most definitely have screamed when I saw that the princess wasn't just alone. Her not being would probably not have bothered me much like the way it bothered me if the person she came out of the corner with wasn't so familiar. Too familiar. The very person I came here to find came out of the same corner with the princess. Tybalt. Tybalt and the princess.