Share
45
Related chapters
To live or to love 46
Miranda and a few other maids are pushing the carts filled with leftover food from the royal chambers back to the kitchen. They were chatting amongst themselves, mostly about their plight as slaves in the arena. One maid, Lila, was saying that she couldn't take it anymore and that she was planning to escape."I'm sick of being treated like an animal. I want to be free," Lila said, pushing the cart with all her might."But where will you go?" Miranda asked, feeling a pang of sympathy for her friend."I don't know," Lila replied, her voice cracking. "Anywhere is better than here."Another maid, Shira, chimed in. "But even if you escape, where will you go? You have no family, no money, nothing.""I don't care," Lila said, her eyes determined. "I'll find a way. I can't live like this anymore."Miranda didn't say anything. She knew how Lila felt, but she also knew that escaping wasn't the answer. She had seen too many slaves try to escape, only to be caught and punished even more severely.
To live or to love 47
Aurora slowly opened her eyes, feeling a bit groggy and disoriented. As she blinked a few times, she realized that she was lying down on a soft bed. She looked around and saw that she was in a small, cozy room. The walls were painted a soft shade of blue, and there was a small window that let in some sunlight. She saw Derek sleeping next to her, his hand holding onto hers tightly. She smiled at the sight of him, feeling grateful to have him by her side.As she tried to sit up, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She lay back down and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to steady herself. After a few moments, the dizziness passed, and she sat up slowly, looking at Derek again. He looked so peaceful and innocent while asleep, and she couldn't resist running her fingers through his hair. It was soft and silky to the touch, and she enjoyed the tender feel of it.As she leaned down to kiss his cheek, Derek suddenly stirred and opened his eyes. He sat up quickly and looked at her w
To live or to love 48
Fel was still drooling at her beauty when Miranda snapped her fingers to call her out of her reverie. "I said, how do I look?" Miranda asked, still smiling.Fel quickly composed herself and leaned towards Miranda, still staring at her intently. "Breathtaking," Fel said, her voice barely audible. "You could be mistaken for a princess."Miranda's countenance suddenly turned a little serious. She walked closer to Fel, holding the bars. "Shall I tell you a secret?" she asked, her voice low and conspiratorial.Fel's eyes widened in excitement. "Yes, please do!" she said eagerly."Well, the truth is...I'm not really a commoner," Miranda began slowly, her eyes darting nervously to Fel's face.Fel's expression changed from one of amusement to one of surprise. "What do you mean?" she asked."I mean, I'm not just a maid," Miranda explained. "I'm actually a black blood.”Fel's eyes widened even more in shock. "You mean a witch?" she asked, almost breathless."Yes, from a highborn witch family.
To live or to love 49
Ragnar's chambers were grand and opulent, with high ceilings and a grand fireplace that burned bright orange in the corner. The walls were lined with shelves full of ancient tomes and priceless artifacts. The room was dimly lit by a few flickering candles on the shelves.Ragnar was sitting at his desk, his face twisted into a scowl as he read through some scrolls. The silence was broken by the sound of the door creaking open, and Derek walking in.As Derek entered, Ragnar's eyes darted up and he glared at his son. He quickly scanned Derek from head to toe before picking up a nearby potted plant.With a swift motion, Ragnar hurled the plant at Derek. The plant went flying through the air, its leaves rustling as it spun towards Derek's head. Derek barely had time to react, and the pot smashed into his temple with a sickening thud.Derek fell to the ground, his hand clamped over his bleeding head. He groaned in pain as Ragnar stood up from his desk, a look of disgust etched across his fa
To live or to love 50
51.Fel weaved through the crowds of people, feeling overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the festival. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meat and incense, and the colors of the decorations were almost blinding. The noise level was intense, with people shouting and laughing and children running around, but it was the sound of the local drums that caught Fel's attention.At first, the sound was just a faint beat in the background, but as she got closer to the center of the festival, it grew louder and more insistent. The drums were being played by a group of musicians who were gathered around a large fire, and the rhythm they were playing was infectious.The beat was primal, with a deep thump that seemed to resonate in Fel's chest. It was like a heartbeat, steady and unrelenting, with no breaks in the rhythm. Fel found herself swaying to the beat, unable to resist the pull of the music.As the musicians played on, the beat became more complex, with different rhythms layer
To live or to love 51
Fel weaved through the crowds of people, feeling overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the festival. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meat and incense, and the colors of the decorations were almost blinding. The noise level was intense, with people shouting and laughing and children running around, but it was the sound of the local drums that caught Fel's attention.At first, the sound was just a faint beat in the background, but as she got closer to the center of the festival, it grew louder and more insistent. The drums were being played by a group of musicians who were gathered around a large fire, and the rhythm they were playing was infectious.The beat was primal, with a deep thump that seemed to resonate in Fel's chest. It was like a heartbeat, steady and unrelenting, with no breaks in the rhythm. Fel found herself swaying to the beat, unable to resist the pull of the music.As the musicians played on, the beat became more complex, with different rhythms layered on
To live or to love 52
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing his energy on the task at hand.Ragnar watched him closely, his eyes fixed on the diviner as he began to chant strange words under his breath.Jethro's voice was low and guttural, and he repeated the same words over and over again, his body beginning to sway with the rhythm of his incantation.As he chanted, he began to shake on his mat, his movements becoming more intense with each passing moment. His eyes remained closed, but his face contorted with concentration as he delved deeper into his divination.Ragnar watched in silence, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He had started to have little faith in the diviner's abilities, but he had no other options. Jethro was the best he knew of. The chanting continued for several minutes, and then Jethro suddenly fell silent. He opened his eyes and took a deep breath, his body still shaking slightly."Well?" Ragnar demanded, his voice sharp with impatience.Jethro took a moment to co
To live or to love 53
Miranda walked into the maid's room and positioned herself in front of the mirror that hung on the wall. It was an old, vintage piece with intricate designs etched into its golden frame. It was a full-length mirror, standing tall and proud against the wall. The glass itself was slightly warped, adding a subtle distortion to the reflection it cast.The surface of the mirror was speckled with tiny spots, some of which appeared to be smudges or dust, while others were the result of years of wear and tear. The edges of the mirror were lined with delicate floral patterns, the vines curling and twisting around each other in a graceful dance. The ornate details of the frame gave the mirror an elegant, almost regal appearance.Despite its age, the mirror still managed to capture and reflect light beautifully. The sun's rays shone down upon it, casting beams of light that danced across the room. The light reflected off the surface of the mirror, creating a dazzling display of colors that danc
Latest chapter
