Chapter 39

I look at Bethany, whose chin is down to her chest, her face pale white and from what I can see, completely miserable.

An accusation of murder is a serious one. Perhaps not so much around here, where whippings and poison seem to be par for the course. But back home where I’m from, people generally don’t go around so flippantly with their hatreds and murderous intent.

Leah might hate me, might punish me to the extremes sometimes, but I never feared for my life at my homestead. To her and my parents, I remained a valuable servant, despite the shame I brought to the household.

Here, within these walls, I’ve already been nearly killed so many times that I’m starting to lose track. Here, my life doesn’t feel like my own. The King owes my person now, at least my body. My heart, mind, and spirit remain my own.

But it is those three things – my heart, mind, and spirit – that these other harem members find so intimidating. If I act like a wilting flower who can be intimidated by their words and actions, then they’d likely grow bored from pushing me around.

The King would probably grow bored with me as well.

Yet I can’t bring myself to pretend that I am anyone but who I am. This person that I am has many strengths but just as many flaws.

But they all make me, me.

Having already been exposed to the mind games of Veronica and Nina, and the true threat of death and danger in the coliseum, these verbal antics of these jealous harem members fall flat in comparison.

And to accuse Bethany of murder? Perhaps it is true, perhaps not. But if the King thought she would kill me, she wouldn’t be in this room with me right now.

Caleb has gone to great extents to teach me lessons, but he’s gone further to keep me alive.

He wouldn’t put me in the room with a death snare like the girls are suggesting, no matter how much they want it to be true.

“Do the members of the harem not have other business to attend to?” I ask them. Crossing my arms, I come off as anything but kind. They will soon learn that I will not allow them to use me in their games of manipulation or otherwise. “Or is it simply because you three have lost so much favor with the king that he allows you to wander bored like this?”

“Who has lost favor?” snaps one of the women.

The middle woman rolls her eyes. “We all know he didn’t call on you last month.”

“He didn’t call on you either,” roars the first woman.

“Girls,” says the third, trying to act as some kind of median, but no one is listening to her.

Walking to the entryway, I place my hand on the door knob.

“This is all fascinating. Truly,” I say. That’s a hard lie. I’d rather listen to nails on a chalkboard than hear these three debate the last time the King showed up to bang them. “But my handmaiden and I have much to attend to before tomorrow night.”

They look at me like they want to say something. Before they can, I slam closed the door.

When I face the room again, Bethany watches me with a wide-eyed expression. She’s still pale, but not as death-white as before. Now, at least, she doesn’t seem like she’s going to faint.

“That’s better, isn’t it?” I say, returning to Bethany’s side.

Closer to the door, I can still hear the three women harping behind it. They are furious with my action and taking it out on each other. Good, let them bite and tear at each other’s necks.

Honestly, I feel liberated. Maybe in the past, their bullish words and tactics might have led me to retreat into myself. But after facing feral gladiators, hungry lions, and the rage of the King himself, I’m not going to be put off by the attitudes of three jealous harem members.

Away from the door now, at Bethany’s side, I can’t hear them chattering anymore. It’s as good as pretending they are no longer there.

“Do you want to tell me what they were talking about?” I ask.

“No,” Bethany says.

“Is it something I ought to know?” I ask.

Bethany lowers her head again. As I debate whether to continue to probe or to let it go, Bethany speaks for herself. “My last mistress died rather horribly. I had nothing to do with it, but as I was the only one with her at the time, I have caught the blame among the other harem members.”

“How did she die?” I ask.

“She was stung by a bee. Maybe it was my fault, to an extent. I was the one who left wildflowers on the table, and I was the one who opened the window. But I had no idea she was so allergic.” Bethany quietly shakes her head. “They think I’m responsible, but truly, I liked her. She was a woman of no consequence. We kept mostly to ourselves. I’m not sure the King ever visited her…”

Now that does seem like a peaceful existence. The glamors of the palace life, without the expectations. Not that being here at all is a boon. I’d rather be somewhere else entirely. But if I had to be here, I’d rather be unnoticed.

Since my arrival… No, even before.

Since the royal messenger showed up at the door, I’ve had a big target painted on my back. It’s still there, bright and bold as ever.

“I’m sorry that happened to her,” I say. “And to you.”

Bethany looks up at me in bewilderment once more, like she can’t believe I just said that. With the regular type of people around here, I guess I’m not surprised that kindness would be in limited supply.

Glancing away, I suppose I better let Bethany get to the point of what she’s doing here.

“You don’t need to tell me more,” I say, not that there’s more to say. “At least, not about that. Instead, why don’t we focus on our purpose, okay? You were to prepare me for my new duties as a harem member.”

“Right,” Bethany says. Her confused expression doesn’t totally clear, though it does sink back for a little bit, as determination and purpose come forward. “As a harem member, your purpose is mainly two-fold, though there are occasionally other duties delivered at the King’s whim.”

“Of course,” I say. There’s no real telling what those could be, but I imagine more massages. I just hope for no torture or being sent back to the dungeon or pit.

“The first duty that you must always perform,” Bethany says. “You must be ever ready for the King to request you for carnal duties.”

By carnal duties, she undoubtedly means sex.

That’s the duty that I have been anticipating. It’s no secret that the King is virile. And with how slutty everyone dresses, it makes sense things would often lead one way to another.

I’m not the biggest fan of not having a choice in the matter. But, then again, that’s been the same since the moment I arrived.

When the King wants me, he has me. Being a member of the harem or not, that doesn’t seem to matter.

“What’s the second purpose?” I ask.

“The King’s harem is a direct representation of him and his power,” Bethany says. “You must appear compliant to his will at all times. If you show even the slightest reluctance of the King’s commands, particularly in front of others, including his honored guests, then you embarrass the King himself.”

“What happens when someone embarrasses the King?” At this point, I’m almost afraid to ask.

Bethany’s face tightens into a grimace. “They die.”