Sold AS The alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 12 To Eat or Not to Eat, It Was A Problem

“Don’t feel bad,” Brook said to me as I returned with all of my belongings to the room I’d shared with her. “I’m sure you did a great job as the prince’s personal attendant. Maybe he just wants everyone to have a try.”

I sat down on the end of the bed next to her and smiled at her. She was so sweet, always trying to cheer other people up, always trying to spare people’s feelings.

The truth of the matter was, I wasn’t upset about being

removed from my post by Prince Theo. In a way, I was glad to be back here with the other girls. It would give me more of an opportunity to blend in with them and make sure not to put such a target on my back.

On the other hand, unfortunately, I would have fewer opportunities to run into Prince Warren if I wasn’t in Prince Theo’s wing, which was closer to his brother’s rooms. But I had seen Prince Warren a few times before, so it wasn’t completely impossible that I might continue to run into the person I possibly shared an important history with.

“Ciana?” Brook asked, elbowing me. “Did you even hear me? You have a distant look on your face.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind,” I told her. It still irritated me that Theo had made such strong accusations against me, but I really shouldn’t be so surprised. He already had a bad impression of me to begin with.

–

Brook leaned close, and whispered with a teasing smile on her face, “Are you still thinking about Prince Warren?”

My face was heated up. Thanks to Sophia spreading the rumor, now everyone thought I had a crush on Prince Warren, so eventually, I had to explain to Brook that I might have found the person I’d been looking for.

I shook my head to deny it and tried changing the topic, “No, no, I was just worried about Sophia…”

Brook sighed, “You’re right. Now that Sophia has been announced as the prince’s personal attendant, she will have a lot more freedom to do as she pleases. She can likely go wherever she wishes. I hope she doesn’t try to take any of her anger or selfish behavior out on us.”

“I hope so…” My voice withered away as I considered what my friend was saying. I hadn’t been paying much attention when Beta Xavier had announced the new personal attendant for the prince. I’d only been thinking about how much work I had already done in that wing of the palace and how the next girl should have an easy job of maintaining it.

But I knew Sophia wouldn’t dare lift a manicured finger to clean. And Brook probably had a point. She very likely could take her anger out on us.

“I’m sure it will be fine,” I told her, though I wasn’t exactly sure. “Perhaps she will suit Prince Theo better. They both tend to speak poorly of others behind their backs.”

“They do?” Brook asked, alarmed. “What do you mean?”

Brook didn’t need to know that

I was out of line to even speak

am a little miffed that he wouldn’t let me stay in my role. That’s all.” I pressed a smile to

was too smart for me. “Wait a minute!” she said, pointing a finger at me. “Does

draining from my face. “Prince Warren?” I asked. “Uh, what? Who? Who, uhm, who is Prince

try, Ciana. You’re so silly. Sophia said that Prince Warren was helping you with some of your chores. Are you saying that Prince

says. You know most every word that comes out of her mouth is a lie, don’t you?” I arched my eyebrows at my friend, hoping she believed

broke across Brook’s pretty face. “All right. I get it. This has nothing to do with handsome Prince Warren, a man you hardly recognize when you see him.” She winked at me, and

Do you guys want

be part of

before Sophia showed up at our room. I could tell by the wicked look on her face that she had

Sophia?” I asked her. “Can I

said, “You may call me Personal Attendant Sophia from

“All right then. How

just came to tell you that Prince Theo has ordered that you not be given any food for the next several days for doing such a horrible job as his assistant. He said if

next to me.

for being her friend. Believe me, the orders have already been given. So… I dare you to show up with the other girls to get food. See what happens to you.” She

I knew he probably would

see me being smacked by

“I’m sorry, Brook. It was my fault.

not your fault.” She patted me

figure it out,” I told

nodded, but I saw concern in

The longer she went without food, the paler she became. Someone

other girls in our room were nervous about her, but they didn’t dare bring her back so much as a dinner roll for fear they’d

she swooned to the side. Thankfully, I caught her before she injured herself, but that

bed, I headed out under cover of darkness, thinking there had to be something edible

palace and I’d spent enough time in the woods to know what was edible,

began to hunt around.