Ten Virgins For The Alpha Prince

CHAPTER 1

I knew this was selfish of me. I was entering a dangerous game, but I had to do it.

I had to become the mistress instead of the slave.

I've always wanted to go to the capital... the royal court, but there had been no chance. The only opportunity I got was accompanying our mistress to the capital. Being close to the royal court's gates was as far as I could get.

If only the competition hadn't been biased. If only noble ladies weren't the only considerations, then maybe, just maybe, a slave like me would have gotten the chance to join the competition without having to choose a deadly path.

But then, achieving my far-fetched dream literally came to me on a platter of gold that evening. Since our pack was the farthest of all, we had left early enough, but still, it felt like an unending journey.

That fateful evening, we were all getting drained as the journey became tiring and exhausting, but thankfully, Lady Selene told us to stop.

"Are you sure about this, Lady?" one of the guards questioned as we all halted at her command.

I lifted the veil of her carriage, and she looked at everyone before speaking.

"I'm sure. We'll be there soon, so it's best to take a rest now. Even the horse is tired already. Let's just take a little break," she replied gently, smiling at all of us.

Lady Selene had always been the good and considerate one. She treated everyone equally. If she ended up being chosen as the Luna Princess, then the royal court was in safe hands. But who knew she wouldn't even get the chance to enter the capital, let alone the royal court?

"I have some honey baklava. Let's share it," she suggested, and we all shook our heads and hands in unison, even though it was obvious we were all hungry. I mean, the last time we ate was in the early morning before we set off on the journey.

"No, we can't, my lady," the other guard handling the horse said. I glanced at him before turning to Lady Selene, who also shook her head in response.

"No, I know we are all hungry. Let's share it together. Come over here," she insisted, waving at the three of us. I was the only maid escorting her, while the remaining two were guards. Though, she was the only one who would enter the royal court.

We all rushed towards her, and while sharing the honey baklava together, I knew I had to go ease myself. I had been holding it in since we left our pack, not wanting to disrupt the journey, but at that moment, I couldn't hold on any longer.

"Lady Selene, can I disappear for a minute? I'm pressed," I said, squeezing my thighs together, and she immediately bobbed her head.

"Run along."

I dropped the remaining baklava and rushed into the forest. Looking for a clearer space, I bent down to ease myself, but just as I was peeing, a shriek filled the air.

I scrunched my brows, wondering where it came from, but before I could process it, another noise rang out, sending panic through my body. What was going on?

Quickly, I pulled up my clothes and rushed out. But before I could step out of the forest, my eyes caught sight of a tall man slaying the mistress. Oh no! Were we getting attacked by rogues?

My eyes widened as I let out a gasp. Quickly, I slapped my hand over my mouth and hid behind the trees. My heart pounded in my chest, the weight of terror pressing down on me. Thankfully, my gasp wasn't loud enough to call attention. What the hell was happening?

As I hid behind the trees, I watched them look around before dragging the mistress into the forest. I placed my hand over my mouth tightly to block any noise, and when they thrust the sword into her stomach again, it took all the willpower in me not to scream.

Oh my goodness! I could feel my whole body trembling as other masked men dragged the lifeless bodies of the guards into the forest. My stomach churned, nausea rising as the metallic scent of blood filled the air.

Did I just witness the assassination of Lady Selene and the guards? I couldn't wrap my head around what had just happened. It was just too much for me. The only thing I knew was that I had escaped death narrowly. But why were we attacked? Who wanted them dead so desperately?

"Are you sure she's dead? We don't want the boss finding any loopholes," I heard one of them say as he headed to where Lady Selene's body had been dropped.

And did I just hear him say boss? Did that mean we weren't attacked by rogues? They were sent by someone who wanted Lady Selene dead? But who could ever want such a sweet soul like her dead? Could it be related to the Luna competition?

I was confused as hell. Confused and beyond stunned.

But as he leaned closer to the body, he removed the mask from his face, and I was able to see him clearly. I saved his face in my memory. I was certain I would recognize him anywhere.

As they left the forest, I remained rooted in my position for quite a long time until I was certain the coast was clear and they were not going to come back. My legs felt like lead as I finally moved, forcing myself toward Lady Selene’s lifeless body.

I couldn't believe she was dead. I couldn't believe we had only been talking and sharing food earlier, only for all of them to end up dead. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I knew there was no time to mourn them there. I had to leave soon.

Just as I walked out of the forest, a thought struck me. It was the most unimaginable thing, but the only way I could ever get close to my revenge.

I was going to the royal court. I was going to join the competition as Lady Selene.

And I was going to find out who ordered her murder and avenge my parents death.