Chapter Three

Suddenly the door opened with a loud sound, halting his move.

"The King wants to see you now Nikolai," a loud voice said. I raised my head up to find a young man in shinning armour staring at us. I let out a breath of relief as Nikolai left. That was so close, tears burned in my eyes as I realized more of this would be happening.

"Why is she such a mess, getting herself into trouble on the first day." I hear one of the maid servant say.

I sank my teeth into my lips as I tried to stop myself from crying. One thing I have to do to survive in here is to make sure to avoid Nikolai no matter what the cost might be. He is totally a bad news.

******

I was given a room to share with one of the chosen maidens. The room was surprisingly big enough for two people to share. It was an ensuite and it had all the needed things we need. A bathroom and a wardrobe where the clothes and garment we were given were kept. We were accessories as well. The chosen maidens were fifteen all together, five of us were virgins while the rest were not.

Nala the maid servant that was assigned to us will be here in two hours to get us ready for dinner in the harem arena, a place where other women, including concubines of the king were kept. I sat on my bed and stared ahead, trying not to think of how my life turned around just within a day. Of course, news would have gotten to my parents that I have been chosen. My dad would be sad, but my mum would be glad, because she has always seen me as someone who would bring peace into our land, her silent wishes of me being the queen and birthing the heirs to the thrones would start raising her hopes high. I scoffed loudly, I know the king can't get a liking to me. I have seen other chosen maidens, Lola was beautiful. Not only her along, there are few others who will stand a better chance at getting the king's attention.

Memories of what happened in the wash room flashed through my mind. Nikolai would have ripped off my clothes if the messenger hadn't informed him about the king's call. I thought we belonged to the king, why is it that another man asides the king is interested in seeing us naked.

"What is your name?" The girl opposite my bed asked.

I raised up my head gently to stare at her.

"Maya, my name is Maya." I replied. She is tall, and she has an hour glass figure. Her auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, a tiny black birth mark was on the tip of her nose, she has high cheek bones, a pointed nose and a plump pink nose. Her eyes are a little bit big, green eyes.

"You have a beautiful eyes," I said absent minded.

"Thank you, I get that a lot." She replied smiling.

"You are welcome,"I said, returning the smile.

"You have a beautiful long hair," she pointed to my hair.

I laughed out loud before whispering a thank you.

"My name is Pamela." She said, licking her lips.

"It is nice meeting you Pamela." I whispered softly, I was being sincere because I believe we are going to be great friends here, this seems like a good start for us.

"Have you seen the King before?" She suddenly asked.

"No, at all. Why do you ask though?" I enquired.

"I am just kind of scared, I heard he is hideous and scary. Almost like a monster." She replied fearfully.

My chest tightened at her words, I was a bit scared but I masked it up with a laugh.

"Where did you hear that from, this is my first time of hearing it. I bet it is just a rumour. A monster can't rule us." I said, trying to sound real. I don't know what the King is like, but this rumours about him is making me get tensed up and my imaginations about him wasn't helping matters.

"I don't want to be here, if the King is truly a monster. I won't serve him, I'm going to run away." She said bluntly. I just stared at her, not too sure of what response to give. I know she was expecting me to say something. But I can only stare at her in shock. The door of the room suddenly opened.

Nala the maid servant that was assigned to us stepped in with some clothes.

"I'm here to get you ready." She whispered timidly.

She dropped the clothes on the bed and began to pick out some Jewelries.

"Tonight is your first night in the palace and you will be having dinner with the King's concubines. You have to look good or you will be made fun of." She added.

"The king concubines? What are they like?" Pamela asked.

"I'm not allowed to talk about them but his favorites are a little bit aggressive and judgemental." Nala whispered

"Oh!" Pamela exclaimed loudly, getting up from the bed.

"Then I need to look good, really good." She said out loud.

"Make us look good Nala," Pamela added, with an hint of mischief in her eyes.