Chapter 4

~Eira POV~

As I walked into Emma's room, I found her and Daryl frantically searching for something. "Excuse me, Emma," I said, "I just wanted to let you know that I'll be returning to the dungeon now."

Daryl interrupted, "Hold on a minute. Before you go, you have to return what you stole from me."

I was taken aback. "What are you talking about?" I asked.

Daryl replied, "My golden bracelet got stolen from Emma's birthday party, and we suspect you took it."

I couldn't believe it. "Did you see me take it?" I asked, incredulous.

Emma chimed in, "You look like a thief. I wouldn't be surprised if you took it."

I couldn't believe the disrespect. Despite the urge to retaliate, I knew better than to argue with them. Instead, I turned to leave.

Emma barked, "And don't think you're coming back to the castle. You'll be sleeping in the cage outside."

Without looking back. As I made my way out of Emma's room, I passed by Alpha Ethan and Luna Emilia's chambers. Their heated argument caught my attention.

"You embarrassed me in front of everyone by siding with your bastard son," Luna Emilia shouted at Alpha Ethan. "You know that Luna Isabella was present at the party."

Alpha Ethan said. "Arthur is my son, and he deserves to be here just as much as anyone else. You know that!"

Their argument escalated, and I knew it was time to make myself scarce. But as I turned to leave, someone shouted at me from behind.

"Hey you, stop right there!"

I didn't even hesitate. I ran as fast as I could, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I was running away, I could hear the sound of the person chasing me, I didn't stop until I reached the cage. I was so exhausted and out of breath, but I felt relieved that I made it there safely. I opened the gate and walked inside, closing it shut behind me.

I was greeted by the same old smell of dampness and mold that filled the air in the cage. But it was a familiar smell, one that I had grown used to over the years. I walked to a little corner where there was a small bed, and sat down. I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

Suddenly, I heard a voice from behind me, "Well, well, well, look who is here." I turned around and saw two men standing at the gate, both of them had a smirk on their faces.

I recognized them as two of the prisoners who were always causing trouble in my dungeon. I tried to ignore them and turned back to face the wall, hoping they would go away.

But they didn't. One of them walked towards me and grabbed my hair, pulling my head back. "What's wrong? Did the princess not like you anymore?" he said, laughing.

I winced in pain and tried to push him away, but he was too strong. The other one walked towards me and grabbed my arm, twisting it behind my back. "You know what we do to little maids like you, don't you?" he said, his breath hot on my neck.

I felt tears welling up in my eyes, and I tried to scream, but they covered my mouth with their hands. Suddenly, I heard a loud bang, and the two men were knocked off me. I looked up and saw Arthur standing there, his eyes blazing with anger.

"What do you think you're doing?" he shouted at them. The two men stumbled back, looking scared. "We were just having a bit of fun," one of them said, trying to defend themselves.

Arthur took a step forward, and they both backed away. "Get out of here before I change my mind and tear you apart," he said, his voice low and filled with groosebumps. The two men quickly left, and Arthur turned towards me.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softening. I nodded, unable to find my voice. He walked towards me and pulled me into a hug. I felt safe in his arms, and I didn't want to let go.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, still not sure if I could trust him yet.

"I came to see if you were alright," he replied. "I overheard what Emma and Daryl said to you. I'm sorry."

I was shocked by his words. I never thought I would hear an apology from anyone in this place, let alone from a member of the Alpha Ethan's family. "Thank you," I said, feeling grateful.

Arthur sat down beside me and we talked for a while. He told me more about himself, about how he was born out of wedlock and how his mother died when he was young. He said he had always been an outcast in the family, but he didn't let that define him.

"I know what it's like to be different," I said, feeling a connection to him. "I was never accepted by my own people because I refused to conform to their rigid beliefs that's why I was sold off."

Arthur nodded. "I admire your bravery. Not many people have the courage to stand up for what they believe in."

We talked for a while longer, and I found myself opening up to him in a way I never thought I would. For the first time since I was captured, I felt like I had found a friend.

As the night wore on, Arthur got up to leave. "I have to go now," he said. "But I promise I'll come and visit you again."

I nodded, feeling a sense of warmth inside me. "Thank you, Arthur. You don't know how much this means to me."

He smiled and walked away, disappearing into the darkness. As I lay down to sleep, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, there was hope for me in this castle.