Chapter Three
Two Months Later
Olivia's nights were plagued by nightmares. Even though she was not particularly keen on the method with which she was woken up, she was grateful for anything that jolted her out of sleep.
Just not on this particular morning.
Cold water hit her face that morning— it was the routine every day she did not work nights and she sat up, sputtering. The water had a peculiar taste so she spat out the content that had entered her mouth.
A resounding slap that stung badly made her see stars for a moment too long. "Are you insane? How dare you spit in my face?"
It was Druvidia, the head of the maids. She stood hands akimbo in her stained maid uniform. An ugly scowl was etched on her face as she observed Olivia. Frowns mared her forehead and sides of her long nose.
"I am sorry ma'am," Olivia said standing up. She bowed in apology and continued. "I was trying to get rid of the dirty water in my mouth."
Another slap landed on Olivia's face, causing her to flinch and tears to sit at the corners of her eyes. "How dare you give excuses for your misconduct? Are you sick in the head."
"I am sorry ma'am."
"Keep your apologies to yourself," Druvidia hissed with a failed attempt to flick her short brown hair. "Get to work."
"You will start by washing the chamber pots."
Olivia made a face. That was the chore she hated the most but she knew she had no choice.
"After you are done with that you and a few other girls would join the Cartman to go to the royal farm to get some items that the Alpha and his family would need. Then for some other things you would be going to the market. There will be a banquet."
"Oh! Alright," Olivia said heartily, a smoke plastered on her face. That was one duty she loved the most. Anything that could take her away from this hell house even for just a few minutes.
Once the head maid had left the room, her best friend Cassandra walked in. "I am sorry for not waking you. I went out to bathe and on the way I met the devil herself. She sent me on an errand."
"It is not a problem," Olivia smiled, gathering her things. "I think I will do my chores before having my bath today."
"Let me guess," Cassandra said. "You are to wash chamber pots?"
"You know it Cass," Olivia sighed. "I just wish everyone could be responsible for their own waste products. Why do I have to wash away the feces of people?"
"It's not just you Liv," said Cassie. "It happens to all of us because we are of low blood."
Olivia shook her head and swallowed hard, fighting the tears that threatened to spill from her face as she remembered her life before. She had been an Omega in her original pack but had never been subjected to harsh treatment. Yes she and her mother worked as maids for several high ranking people, but they were never treated badly.
Moreover, they were paid and also fed food of good quality for the work they did.
She felt loved by her family and the members of her pack but since she had been sold to slavery by the man who had helped her, things had taken a different turn.
She no longer worked for a fee.
Now she worked tirelessly for just one meal per day. She was severely malnourished and barely had any strength within her.
Even when she was sick, she was still faced with the toughest of chores and the head maid called her lazy and spoilt, when she complained of her symptoms. Since then, Olivia has learned to keep them to herself.
"I shall see you later," Olivia said to Cassandra, carrying cleaning supplies. "I have to be fast with my chores as I would be joining the Cartmen to go to the Royal Farm and market."
"Oh, me too!" Cassandra said excitedly. "We get to see the city again today."
Olivia smiled. "Let me get to my chores then."
"I am done with mine, would you like some help?" Offered Cassandra.
"No thanks." Olivia had a tight smile as she walked out of the door. She would have loved some help but she knew it was only going to put the two of them in trouble with the head maid if she was discovered.
"How about some company," Cassandra said, running after her. "I have no one to talk to and if the head maid sees that I am done with my duties she will assign me another one. Then I won't be able to follow Cartman to the Royal Farm."
Olivia debated it. "What if she finds out?"
"I shall lie that the deputy head maid also assigned me to chamber pots."
"And if she finds out it is a lie?" Olivia prompted with a raise of her eyebrows. "She is going to ask him."
The deputy head maid was a male.
"Stop being a chicken Liv," Cassandra rolled her eyes. "She should be grateful we are doing our chores."
"Fine then," Olivia said with a sigh.
The chattered as they walked with the cleaning supplies until they got to the chamber room in the pack house.
Very carefully, they removed the chamber pots from where they were kept inside fancy seats for comfort.
"Imagine us using these kinds of chamber pots?" Cassandra said. "I would feel as though I am a princess."
Olivia said nothing, squeezing her nose as they both carried the pots to the outer extension where they were to be washed.
"This smell can kill," Cassandra spat.
"I agree," Olivia said, making a face as she poured the contents of it down the drain.
"I thought I assigned you to chamber pots?" A voice boomed from behind the two girls, causing Olivia to almost drop the chamber pot.