CLAUDIA “Shhh!” He placed his finger on his lips, and I bounced my head and clasped my lips. My heart kept racing as I stared at him in disbelief. ‘How am I able to see ghosts?’ “I need you to come with me. We have things to talk about.” He stretched his hand to me and my eyes widened. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to take his hand. “Ermmm, I don’t think I want to go anywhere with you alone. I’m scared,” I mumbled, taking a step backward again. He heaved a sigh and bounced his head. “I understand you think I’m dead, but I’m not.” He bent down and picked up a stone. I expected it to fall off his hand but it didn’t. “Can you see now? I’m not dead. If you want to know about your father’s death. You’ll come with me,” He said, and I gulped hard. “Claudia!” I heard Clarence call from behind me. I looked back and saw him carrying a cup in his hand. His eyes were on Alpha Joachim. He had the same confused look I had on my face. I turned to look at Alpha Joachim again. “Can I go with him
CLAUDIA Getting to the packhouse, I stormed to Annette's chamber and threw a heavy kick on her door. “Open the bloody door, Annette!” I banged on her door with my hands. “Claudia, please take it easy,” Clarence said, but I didn’t listen to him. Only I knew how hurt and angry I was. I could feel the wild in me arise in great rage. “Annette, if you don’t…” I stopped yelling when her door finally gave way. She was about to talk when I grabbed her freely loosed her and pulled her out of her chamber. I dragged her out and let go of her with great force that she fell to the ground very hard. “What the bloody hell!” She barked and sprang to her feet. Before I could do anything, she threw a very hot slap on my face, and I staggered backward, holding my chin in pain. “How dare you lay your filthy hands on me!” She yelled again, and Clarence moved closer to us. “Can you two please calm down?” He asked, and I shook my head. “Not until I vent all my anger on her. She killed my father, Clarenc
CLAUDIAI walked down the dusty roads with Nellie, and some other female maids, following behind me closely. They carried big pots and drums that were filled with food for the Wagner Clan’s youths. The guards at the packhouse wanted to follow me but I refused. I could go anywhere without them because I’m not a bad person. They should keep their eyes on the evil king instead. My conversation with Thorsten last night didn’t go as I planned it would go. I thought he was going to carry me swiftly in his hands and run out of the packhouse. But instead, he told me to be patient and give birth to Alpha Everett’s baby before running off. I was headed to the site where the youths of the Wagner clan were forced to work. I needed to see things for myself. I knew Alpha Everett wasn’t going to do anything about my compliment. He could even make the work more tedious for them because I confronted him. We arrived at the site shortly, and I saw that everyone was very busy. Those that carried sand
CLAUDIAI held mother’s hand and pulled her back to the site nervously. ‘What could have gone wrong this time? Why are the king’s officials invading the place all of a sudden?’ As we got back to the site, I saw the men in uniform jump down their horses. All the youths were standing in front of the house, waiting to hear the news these man had brought. I slowed down and stopped walking, also waiting to hear what Alpha Everett was planning this time. “Who is Thorsten?!” One of the men on uniform asked, and my gaze narrowed at them almost immediately. ‘Thorsten? What do they want from Thorsten?’ I stared at Thorsten from where he stood among the other youths, and I watched him step out. I wanted to interfere, but I kept my cool. I needed to know the reason they were after him first. Immediately he got in front of the official that had called him out, the King’s official lifted his hand in the air and threw a large slap on his face. “Ahh.” I gasped in awe, and so did everyone that wa
EVERETTI got to the palace and headed right to Claudia’s chamber. I had gone on a business trip for a month, and I had not set my eyes on her since I left. After I banished Thorsten, she never talked to me. All she did was ignore me until I left. I missed her and couldn’t wait to see her and her protruding stomach. Getting to her chamber, I knocked on the door and waited for her response. “I’m coming.” I heard Nellie’s voice loud and clear. She opened the door and when she saw me, she immediately lowered her head. “King Everett,” She said and made way for me to go in. I looked at the bed, and I saw Claudia sitting on her bed, her back was on the backrest, and her legs extended under the bedspread. “Claudia.” I divulged a very elegant smile as I approached her. She had that same angry look she had on before I left. “You are back. Welcome.” Her voice was low and cold but I didn’t care. I sat next to her on the bed and reached for her hand. I held her slender hand in mine and looked
CLAUDIAAfter Everett walked out, Nellie walked into the chamber and locked the door. She looked at me with a bright smile. I furrowed my brows and watched her approach me. “Why are you smiling?” I asked, and she sat on the bed. “Didn’t you notice something is off about the King? I don’t mean off in a bad way, but a good way. He seems…” She paused to find the right word to use. “Nice?” I asked, and she hurriedly bounced her head. “Yes! That is it. He is nice, and he even smiles freely now,” She added, and I chuckled. “I noticed it too, and I am as shocked as you are, Nellie. I don’t know what they had fed him on the business trip he went. He must have eaten something strange,” I said, and she broke into laughter. “I wouldn’t mind eating something strange too. I love how happy he is now. He even brought you gifts.” Nellie looked at the bags in front of the closet, and I heaved a sigh. “I still find it hard to trust what he is doing. No matter how hard he tries to be nice, it doesn’t
CLAUDIAThe evening drew in very fast and almost everyone in the packhouse was busy except me. I guess they were busy with the big King’s dinner get-together. I was standing in the middle of my room, dressed in my elegant outfit. It was a cage Caroline skirt, covered by white printed wool, and on top of it was a neatly trimmed and super fitted corset. I wore a blue boot which couldn’t be seen because of my skirt, it covered the whole of my legs and even swept the floor. I took another look at my dress, feeling the texture in my hand when the door opened. “Queen, the king wants you there now,” Nellie said as she hurried into my chamber. “So soon? The food has been served?” I asked, and she bounced her head. “Be ready, Queen. Everyone is seated, waiting for you. Even Beta Annette is at the table,” Nellie added, and I chuckled. “You didn’t have to tell me about her,” I said, and she bounced her head slightly. She held my hand and we both walked out of the chamber. Before we got to the
CLAUDIA “Can… can you please excuse me? I need to use the toilet,” I mumbled as he hugged me, and I felt his grip around my back loosen. He bounced his head and looked at my teary face. “Don’t stay long. We are yet to eat,” He said and cleaned my tears off my face with his hand. I nodded and turned to leave. I lowered my head and hurried out of the sitting room. I could feel everyone stare at me as I headed out. I got to the corridor, and I began to run. I headed for my chamber. The guards at the door opened the door when they saw me approaching, so I ran right into the room. They shut the door behind me, and I rested my back on the door. I was panting very hard, and I slowly held my chest, directly on top of where my heart was thumping against it. “What is going on?” I mumbled and grabbed my head. I moved away from the door and dragged my feet on the floor to my bed. I sat on my bed and lowered my head. Many thoughts rushed into my head, and I began to overthink them. ‘Why is he s