The Alpha King's Hated Slave

Part 2: Chapter 51

In their world, in their time, two people did not marry for love. They arranged marriages. Brides were betrothed to their husbands at a very young age. Love was rarely a consideration, and when it was, it was mostly after marriage. Marriage for love was rare in their world.

That was why their relationship fascinated King Lucien as much as it gladdened his heart. If any man deserved such luck and fortune, it was Chad.

He turned towards the girl that would marry his good friend and scrutinized her again. They were both damaged people. Could she handle him? “Chad, he…” The king paused. “He has some problems. After we were enslaved, he went through some horrible things that damaged him. Do you know about this?”

Sally nodded because Chad had told her all about it. She knew about his sleepwalking problems and the rapes the kings subjected him to. Chad also told her it affected him because his body became used to the horrors he had endured. She did not understand what he meant, but she knew she would stand by him. She loved him too much.

The thought of their wedding night filled her with nerves, but she didn’t have to think about it beforehand. She did her best to put it out of her mind.

“He told you?” The king was surprised. Chad was tight-lipped and very private; he did not confide in people much, just like the king.

“Yes, he did, Your h-Highness.” The reminder made tears burn through Sally’s eyes. Whatever she had been through was nothing compared to what her Chad had been through.

The king saw her fighting tears and most of the coldness left his face. A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Lately, he has looked… better. Happier. I see a different man, and it gladdens my heart. If any man deserves to be happy, that man is Chad.”

And you. But Sally knew better than to voice her thoughts. If only the king would give her princess a chance.

Then he pulled away from his desk and walked around it. He opened the cabinet and withdrew a small, wrapped bag.

The king walked up to Sally. “You make him happy. That is enough for me. Take this.”

At the soft but firm command, Sally reached out with both hands and took the wrapped package. Her eyes widened. It was a small bag of coins.

“You can pay your dowry with that,” he said.

“Thank you so much, Your Highness! Thank you so much!” Sally gasped; her heart filled with gratitude. Her hands trembled as she held the unexpected gift with both hands like the cherished feat it was. She had been worried sick about how to get this money, and even though she had saved up, it would never be enough. She had hidden it from Danika so that her princess wouldn’t worry. And here the king is, offering her this large amount of money. Her knees hit the ground; her head lowered. Tears of gratitude spilled from her eyes as she thanked the king over and over again.

“You are welcome, Sally. I want you to get married and live well. Also, from today, you cease being a palace slave. Chad is marrying a young, beautiful common girl. Not a slave. I already gifted him with a small but comfortable house just outside the palace. It is a wedding gift,” he stated.

Sally’s eyes widened with fear. She couldn’t stop being a slave because it would tear her away from her princess. She’d have no reason to be in the palace anymore.

When he saw her face, the king added, “Do not worry. You can work as a palace maid afterwards. If you want to.”

A heady wave a relief washed over Sally. She thanked him again, never expecting such kindness from him. She had always known—and heard—that the king was a good man, but the things he went through hardened him. Today, she witnessed firsthand how thoughtful and kind he was. Her mind went to Danika. Her poor princess. She wished one day the king’s heart would heal completely and he would forgive. She wished one day her princess could witness his kindness and mercy, too. She wished that one day he would remove the collar from Danika’s neck and free her, too.

Sally thanked him again, and he nodded curtly before he ordered her to go. She was on her way out when his deep voice stopped her.

“Sally.”

She turned. “Yes, Your Highness?”

He kept silent for a long time. And then, “You are a good girl, a loyal companion. I appreciate your selfless sacrifice. Chad is exactly like you. I know you both will have a good life.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Her head reeled as she walked away. Her selfless sacrifice? Could he be talking about that day she took her princess’s place in the courtroom? That day the kings brutalized her? But why would he appreciate her for that day? Could it be that he’d felt relieved—even happy—that she took Danika’s place?

Sally stopped outside his chamber and looked back at the door in puzzlement.

Could there be any chance—any chance at all—that the king had feelings for her princess?

It had been five days since Baski confirmed Danika was still carrying the king’s child inside her, and four days since the king had summoned Sally, but the time that passed did nothing to solve Danika’s problem—to ease her worries.

Danika woke up on the morning of the sixth day feeling sick. One good thing about it was that she already knew her symptoms for what they were as she ran to the bathroom and disposed of her stomach’s contents.

How would she tell the king about this child? What did she do? What if the mistress finds out? Five days hadn’t given her an answer to those questions. She pushed it all to the back of her mind, wiping her mouth clean.

She had been avoiding the king, and every night, she went to bed with her heart in her throat, praying that the king would not summon her for the night. She missed him, and she craved being in his arms so much it was almost physical pain. But a lot was at stake now and coupling with him was dangerous for her—for her baby.

“No, Danika,” she muttered, shaking her head. “This isn’t the time to think about this. It’s a special day today.”

“My princess! How do I look!?” Sally shouted happily as the door of the bathroom burst open and she waltzed inside.

Danika took one good look at her, and a smile spread across her lips. “You look beautiful, Sally.”

Sally whirled around, a big smile on her face. She was marrying Chad today, and Danika wanted this day to be beautiful for her. She had been happiest when Sally narrated her confrontation with the king: the gift he gave her, setting her free, and giving her a chance to work in the palace. Emotion had welled up in Danika and tears had filled her eyes. She was most happy. Sally deserved every happiness in the world, and she was determined to make sure that today remained good for her.

Sally had always been protective of her; it was Danika’s turn to protect Sally and make sure her morning sickness did not ruin her day.

“Are you alright, my princess?” Sally asked worriedly, glancing at the vomit Danika had just disposed of.

Danika had tried to keep the knowledge of her pregnancy to herself, but was forced to tell her when Sally woke up in the middle of the night and caught her crying. She’d told Sally, who had been as horrified and as helpless as she was. She couldn’t have made it through these past few days without Sally’s encouragement.

“Everything will be alright, my princess. You will be fine, my princess. Carrying a child is a blessing and not as evil as slave masters’ make it look like. You will be fine, my princess.”

“Yes, I’m fine. This dress really matches you, and you look so good in it.” She grinned at Sally, shoving her problem down.

The worry dissolved from Sally’s face was replaced by a smile. “I know, right? Are you feeling queasy?”

“A little,” she admitted. “But I’ll be fine. Come on, let’s get you ready for your wedding. You wouldn’t want to be late.”

She prayed the creator would help her today. She had been feeling faint and dizzy a lot lately because of her condition, and she would give Sally away in front of many people—even the king, if he would attend.

What if she felt dizzy during the ceremony? Or worse, what if she fainted?

Heavens, please help me, Danika thought as she led Sally out of the bathroom.