The morning air was thick with the scent of freshly baked bread and simmering stews as Odi stood in the kitchen, mindlessly peeling vegetables. The servants moved around her, engaged in their various tasks, exchanging quiet whispers and occasional laughs. Despite being given special treatment in the palace, Odi still found herself drawn to the kitchen. It was one of the few places she could blend in, away from the prying eyes of nobles and the ever-looming presence of King Darius.
The door creaked open, and a hushed silence fell over the room. Odi looked up to see Princess Valerie stepping in hesitantly, her hands trembling slightly. Her usually fair skin appeared ghostly pale, and the dark circles under her eyes had deepened considerably since the last time Odi had seen her in the auction where she was caught. Valerie's usually neat hair was slightly disheveled, her lips chapped as though she had forgotten to take care of herself.
"I need some salt," Valerie said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The other servants stiffened but did not react, as if ignoring the princess's presence was their best course of action. Odi, however, took a step forward and reached for the jar of salt, handing it over carefully. "Are you alright?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.
Before Valerie could answer, a senior servant turned sharply toward Odi, eyes blazing with disapproval. "Know your place. You are not to speak to nobles unless spoken to."
Odi felt anger rise in her chest. She clenched her fists at her sides, barely restraining the urge to snap back. But before she could react, Valerie swayed on her feet. Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed.
Chaos erupted in the kitchen.
"The princess!"
"Call for the doctor!"
Odi was the first to move, kneeling beside Valerie and gently cradling her head. Her skin was ice-cold, and her breathing was shallow. Without hesitation, Odi lifted her in her arms and rushed out of the kitchen, ignoring the protests from the other servants. She pushed past them, carrying Valerie toward her chambers, where the noblewoman's personal attendants scrambled to open the doors.
By the time they reached Valerie's chamber, the news had already spread. The moment Odi set her down on the grand canopy bed, footsteps echoed through the halls. A tall figure appeared in the doorway, King Darius.
Odi froze.
This was the first time she had seen him since he had purchased her, and the sight of him only reignited the fury she had been trying to suppress. She wanted to scream at him, tell him how much she despised him for treating her like property, for buying her as though she were nothing more than a trinket to be owned. But this wasn't the time. Valerie needed help.
The moment Darius saw his sister lying unconscious, his composed expression faltered. His deep blue eyes darkened with concern as he rushed to her bedside.
"What happened?" he demanded, looking around the room.
"She collapsed in the kitchen," one of the maids explained nervously. "Odi brought her here"
Darius's gaze flickered to Odi, his expression unreadable. He parted his lips as if to say something, but before he could, the royal physician arrived, pushing through the crowd.
"I need space," the physician said urgently.
Darius took a deep breath before stepping back, his eyes lingering on Valerie's frail form. Odi took this as her cue to leave. She turned on her heel and hurried out of the chamber.
She barely made it out of the hall before she was intercepted by the senior slave who had scolded her earlier. The woman's face was twisted in fury. "How dare you leave your duty post?" she hissed, grabbing Odi's wrist tightly. "Who do you think you are, running around like you're more than what you are?"
Odi yanked her hand free. She was about to snap back when a deep, authoritative voice interrupted them.
"Is this how you treat the servants?"
The senior slave gasped, immediately bowing low. The other servants followed suit, their heads down in submission. Odi turned slowly, finding herself face-to-face with Darius once again. He stood just a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest, his expression carefully guarded.
"My King, " the senior slave stammered, but Darius raised a hand, silencing her.
His gaze shifted to Odi, and for a moment, she thought she saw something akin to guilt flicker across his face. But it was gone just as quickly as it had appeared.
"She saved my sister's life, that's why she left her duty post" he said, his voice firm. "And you think you have the right to scold her?"
The senior slave's face paled. "I—I meant no disrespect, my King. I was only reminding her of her place."
Darius's jaw tightened. "Her place," he repeated slowly. "Tell me, what is her place?"
The woman opened her mouth but quickly shut it, realizing there was no right answer to that question.
Darius sighed, shaking his head. "Return to your duties. Odi is not to be reprimanded for this."
The senior slave quickly bowed again before scurrying away. The other servants followed suit, dispersing without another word. Soon, it was just Odi and Darius standing in the hallway.
Odi expected him to walk away. To pretend she didn't exist, just like before. But instead, he did something that completely caught her off guard.
"Thank you," he said.
Odi stiffened. "What?"
"For helping Valerie."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "I didn't do it for you."
A small, tired smile tugged at his lips. "I know."
She crossed her arms. "What do you want from me, King Darius?"
For a moment, he simply looked at her, as if trying to find the right words. Then, with a quiet sigh, he said, "You don't need to know yet."
A long silence stretched between them before Darius finally spoke again. "You should get some rest," he said. "I'll make sure to reward you for this."
Odi hesitated, then turned without another word, walking away before he could say anything else. She didn't want to think about the look in his eyes. She didn't want to think about how, for the first time, the mighty King Darius seemed... human.