MAJESTICA

Chapter 5

ROYANNA

Four days later….

My eyes snapped open as I felt the carriage pull to a halt after an eternity of galloping. I rubbed my eyes and noticed the sun was starting to rise, but it didn't seem like the merchants were making the final stop. It had been four days since my journey began, and the merchants kept taking stops, but something about this one felt different.

One of them showed up, opening up my cell, and roughly pulling me out. His grip on my arm was hard and painful, but it was nothing compared to my bleeding heart.

I was led to another carriage parked just a few miles from the merchant's. Two hefty-looking men stood by the side dressed in the same tunic attire and leather pants, and a woman with a veil was in the middle, dressed in a flashy red silk gown that exposed her cleavage, her head was draped in a black lacy veil, that covered most of her features, except her eyes. She was covered in more jewelry than I had seen in a lifetime, from her neck, to her hands and legs.

The merchant holding me tossed me towards the strange trio. I stumbled and fell flat on my stomach, dust plunged into my mouth, and I coughed out a bit of it before strong arms grabbed my tiny arm once more.

The veiled woman approached me and touched my face, her fingers sliding down my chin, and then she retracted them, wiping off the invisible stain on her fingers.

“What is this?” She asked the merchant,like I wasn't a living being. I stood there like a prey waiting for the fate the predator had in store for me.

“A witch.” The merchant replied, “The king loves valuables like this. I am sure he will take a liking to her.”

The veiled woman scoffed, “Witches are forbidden in our territories,and you know that. You should have killed her rather than stain our soil with tainted blood.” She said, her voice laced with venom. Her eyes met mine, and I saw it, from the way her eyes narrowed, she was scowling under her veil.

“She's not an actual witch.” The second Merchant finally spoke. “She's cursed, but not useless. Believe my words, Mistress Sansa, the king will definitely take a liking to this one.”

Mistress Sansa tore her gaze from me, letting out a long sigh. She tapped her hand on her cheek, and the numerous gold bangles on her wrist dangled in a flow with her movements.

“Load it in the carriage, I must arrive back at the brothel before the king shows up for his weekly pick.” She stated, snapping her fingers. The man holding me began pushing me in the direction of the carriage.

I was tossed in without any ounce of care, the door slamming behind me and clicking shut.

This was it, my life, in the blink of an eye,I went from a noble man's daughter to nothing.

The carriage began to move, and there was a window I could peek through.

For a long while, the creaking of wheels was the only thing I focused on, trying to shut out my mind from recalling everything that had happened days ago.

But then the distant cries of crows caught my attention, I looked out the windows and a gasp escaped my lips.

Brittle branches of trees clawing at the sky caught my gaze. The sky was dull, not a sight of birds or any other flying creature in the sky. The clouds looked bloated and grey, and there was barely any greenery in sight. We approached giant walls that bled rust. My skin crawled and I adjusted in my seat, gulping down my spew.

The carriage came to a halt, and I saw the banner, instantly recognizing what kingdom it stood for.

Majestica!

My heart sank to the depths of my stomach. Majestica, a large kingdom compared to my small village, was rumored to be hell on earth,having the worst king to ever live, Alpha King Troy.

A ruthless beast that has lived for thousands of years, feeds off his own people, and is so power hungry that he destroys five villages a year to extend his territories.

It couldn't be. My father didn't sell me off to face such a cruel fate. I have caused them pain, but not to this extent. This can't be happening.

But it was, because the carriage resumed its pace, heading into the hell hole.

I buried my face in my thighs, pleading with the Goddess to save me,and make all of this go away; it's probably a dream or a vision.

“Please Goddess, please…”

The carriage halted for the third time in one day, and I heard keys dangling.

My heart rose to my throat as the door opened and the hefty man returned. He tried to reach for me but I backed up, shaking my head and muttering…

“Please…”

He ignored my pleas, grabbing me by the leg, pulling me out, he grabbed a handful of my hair.

“Ahh!” I winced, but a sharper sting ran across my face.

“Silence.” He warned and I clamped my mouth shut as fresh tears escaped my eyes.

Taking in the sight before me, my stomach churned. I had been brought to an insignificantly large building, and every angle was filled with women; they moved about like shadows draped in silk, their eyes hollow, but their bodies painted with gold. Some were laughing too loudly, their giggles sharp and forced, echoing in my ears. Others looked dead behind the eyes, and they sat by each other, completely bare and holding on to their assets. They were waiting, desperately waiting to pleasure…

Mistress Sansa, as the merchants called her, came to me, staring down at me before clapping her fingers.

Two ladies, dressed like her but less flashy, came running towards us. “Welcome Mistress.” The women said in unison.

“Clean her up and put her with the others. I need to prepare for Alpha Troy's arrival.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

They took me, leading me to a chamber with velvet curtains blocking out every shade of light. The women washed me thoroughly, as if trying to wash off the color of my skin and reveal something else. After a while, they stopped , while my body throbbed from their continuous scrubbing , they cleaned me dry, and dropped a small lacy gown on me. They tightened my hair in a bun and excessively sprayed all kinds of perfume they came across.

By the end of it, I could barely breathe with all the heavy fragrance surrounding me. They led me out of the chamber to a large hall where a number of women, old and young, stood.

I joined the

line, swallowing my guts, and I waited for my fate to be decided by a beast.