The maid quarters were a stark contrast to the vaisa quarters Gabe had grown accustomed to. These rooms were smaller, colder, and entirely devoid of comfort. There was no attached bathroom, only a shared communal bathroom down the hall, which he'd now have to share with other omegas. The thought made Gabe's chest tighten, but he steeled himself. If others could endure these conditions, he could too. He didn't have a choice.
The small, lumpy bed in his room was as hard as a rock, and the single window, barely bigger than a mouse hole, let in only the faintest trickle of light. Gabe stood in the dim room, his shadow stretching on the bare, cracked walls. He forced himself to focus on the bright side. Far worse things had happened to vaisas who had fallen out of favor. At least he hadn't been banished from the palace entirely, left to fend for himself in the harsh and unforgiving outside world. He should be grateful for that, even if the gratitude felt hollow.
The day had dragged on, heavy and relentless, and Gabe realized he hadn't eaten anything since morning. He hadn't felt like going to the vaisa dining hall for breakfast; too excited for his lesson with the King. By lunchtime, he was already packing to leave the vaisa quarters, too preoccupied to eat. Now, as the sky outside darkened, it was dinner time, and Gabe's stomach twisted in protest.
He placed his few belongings on the cold, uneven floor, deciding to organize them later. Voices and footsteps echoed in the hallway as the maids began making their way to the common dining hall. Gabe joined the flow, keeping his head down and his steps steady. But the attention he drew was unmistakable.
The looks the maids gave him weren't subtle. Their wide eyes lingered on him like he was some kind of exotic animal in a zoo, or perhaps a cursed being better avoided. Whispers floated in the air around him, hushed but deliberate, like poisonous vines coiling through his mind. He didn't have to hear the words to know what they were speculating about. The curse. How he'd been marked by it. How he had ended up here.
Gabe clenched his fists, trying to shake off the sting of their judgment. He told himself he didn't care what they thought, but the truth was far more painful. Deep down, he did care. Every whispered word and every lingering stare felt like a dagger to the heart.
When Gabe finally entered the common dining hall, he was met with a wave of noise and chaos that made him stop in his tracks. The space was crowded, packed with soldiers and guards who dominated the area, their presence overwhelming. They towered over the women and omegas who hovered at a distance, clutching their empty plates as they waited for their turn at the food.
Gabe's eyes flicked to the soldiers' plates, piled high with food that nearly overflowed. The stark difference in treatment was glaring. The soldiers, loud and boisterous, shoved their way through the line without a second thought, while the women and omegas stood quietly, shrinking into the background.
A lump formed in Gabe's throat as he moved to join the others. His empty plate felt heavier than it should, and he forced himself to keep his head high despite the sharp glances and muttered words that followed him.
"What are you looking at?!" barked the soldier whose overflowing plate had caught Gabe's attention. His tone was sharp, and his glare was as cutting as the words.
"Sorry," Gabe muttered quickly, lowering his gaze. He understood how the man might feel, he'd probably be annoyed too if someone stared at his food.
The soldier's lips curled into a sneer. "Aren't you the vaisa who got cursed by the beast?" he asked, loud enough to carry across the dining hall. His voice was laced with humor, mocking in a way that made the hairs on the back of Gabe's neck stand on end.
The question was like a spark to dry tinder. Heads turned, conversations stopped, and suddenly all eyes were on Gabe. The weight of their curiosity was suffocating. Some of the diners even left their seats, craning their necks to get a better look at him.
"Look at that robe," one of the guards muttered with disgust, his eyes trailing over Gabe's finely woven attire. "It must be worth more than our salaries combined."
"Do they really give them those robes for everyday wear?" another guard asked, his voice dripping with disdain.
"I guess so," the first guard replied, laughing bitterly. "They have to look good for the royals, after all."
Gabe clutched his arms, his fingers digging into the fabric of his cursed robe as he tried to push past the growing crowd. He kept his head down, but he could feel their gazes like needles piercing his skin. Their whispered comments followed him as he made his way to the end of the line, where a petite girl stood quietly, waiting her turn.
The wait felt excruciating. The Alphas in line ahead of them took their time, heaping their plates high with food as though they were the only ones in the room. Gabe shifted uncomfortably, his stomach growling softly. By the time it was his turn, the trays were nearly empty.
Gabe glanced towards the kitchen area, silently willing someone to come out and refill the containers. But no one did.
"Take whatever you can, or you'll starve," the petite girl in front of him said, her voice soft but matter-of-fact. She scooped a small portion of cabbage salad onto her plate.
With a resigned sigh, Gabe followed her lead. He spooned some of the same limp cabbage salad onto his plate, then moved on to what little was left, a small ladle of pea soup and a hardened loaf of bread. That was his dinner.
Gabe looked around the crowded hall, scanning for an empty seat, but every table was packed.
"Come this way," the girl from earlier said, taking his hand and leading him towards a shadowed corner of the dining hall, partially hidden by a thick stone pillar. A group of women sat on the floor there, eating quietly.
Sensing his hesitation, the girl gave him a knowing look. "This is the best place to eat," she explained. "Away from the gawking eyes of the Alphas."
"On the floor?" Gabe asked, his voice tinged with disgust. The idea made his skin crawl; he could imagine the grime and dirt from countless footsteps.
"It's good, trust me," the girl replied, smiling faintly. "In some kingdoms, it's tradition to have meals sitting on the floor."
"Come, sit," she added, tugging him down.
Gabe hesitated for a moment but realized he didn't have much choice. The only alternative was standing, which wouldn't work with the precarious bowl of soup he held. Reluctantly, he sank to the ground, doing his best to avoid touching the floor more than necessary.
"What's your name?" the girl asked as she tore into her bread, her hands stained with dirt and her nails dark with soil.
"Gabe Kirk," he replied, carefully sipping his soup to avoid spilling it. "What's yours?"
"Minnie," she said with a mouthful, her voice cheerful despite her shabby appearance.
Gabe nodded, unsure of what else to say.
He tore a piece from the loaf the bread and dipped it in the soul. The first bite of bread dipped in cold soul was like heaven after being hungry all day. Around them, the quiet murmur of conversation continued, and for a moment, he allowed himself to focus on his food. It wasn't much, but it was something. And tonight, that was enough.