The Forced Maiden For The Cursed Alpha King by Josephine Ivy

Chapter 38

SABRINAS POV

I’ve never been to a festival so naturally I didn’t know what to expect.

SO

But it certainly wasn’t so many people packed under the sky, and so much going on that I felt dizzy just being here. Sounds sights, smells, everything made me so dizzy

“Are you okay?” Caldan’s voice brought me back to reality. I looked at him and nodded, a small smile on my lips.

Im fine.” I said. Tm just a bit just a bit overwhelmed with everything”

“Your first festival?” He asked, a gentle smile on his face. His eyes were so bright, and so blue.

My heart caught in my throat and I nodded. I opened my mouth to reply but someone popped up in front of me and made me pause. A young girl of about fifteen, carrying a tray of shiny red apples.

“Hello miss, you look lovely this evening! May I interest you in trying out our candy apples?” She asked, her freckled face full of bright smiles

“Candy apples“” I asked.

“Yes! My mother made these herself? They re made with the finest produce of the seasons. You should try one, and your lover

too

“Um… I hesitated, my eyes roving between the apples on the tray. My cheeks turned pink as she referred to Caldan as my lover. “I don’t think I should

“How much are these going for?” Caldan stepped forward and asked. He slipped his hand into mine and squeezed reassuring

“A silver coin for two sir!

“I don’t have any money. I numed to Caldan and said. It hadn’t hit me then, but I had literally no money to my name.

“Rina, relax. You don’t have to pay for anything, it’s my treat, okay?” He said. He took out a silver coin for the girl and took two apples from the tray.

“Thank you sir!” She said with a bow. “And allow me to say, the both of you make a very beautiful couple.”

That’s very kind of you.” Caldan said.

“Thank you.” I said. feeling shy from her compliment. As a force of habit. I looked down at my clothes. But if I must say myself, I look pretty cute.

Nena, the girl who had given me the basket had quickly become somewhat of a friend to me. All the harem girls in fact, they had warmed up to me over the past three days. At first I had been suspicious, but I learned that they meant no harm. Somehow they had been able to coax lady Nifra into providing a selection of gowns for me. The one I wore now was one of

them

pink gown with sheer long sleeves. Flowers and butterflies motifs were sewn onto the sleeves and the belt of the bodice. I looked like a sugar plum fairy wearing it Xena and two other girls. Bell and Chrissy had made my hair When they heard that I was going to the festival with sir Caldan they all went wild. They fussed all over me, rambling about makeup, and appeal and looking my very best. They put flowers in my hair, doing elaborate braids and ringlets. Even though I tried to tell them that it was not a date, they still made me look pretty. I liked it, for the first time I felt like

one

time. I felt like a real tribute and not a slave.

terribly skinny, I didn’t loathe my reflection for one. The soft pink

up at the candy apple girl. She was still staring at me with wide shiny eyes.

just so beautiful.” She said, and before I could

PM ₫

Chapter 38

one of the

took the apple from

was in full swing. Stalls and stalls of fresh farm produce were lined up. The air was laced with the smell of various foods, music floated in the air mixed with the sounds of conversations. The harvest moon overhead seemed

fishing game!” I turned to Caldan, my face aglow with smiles. “Can we go there, please? I want to catch a

For

[course. Let’s go.”

heard the loud wailings of a child, sniffles. I looked down to see a girl of about two or three years old, clutching to my skirt and crying. Her small hands

But I

festival swamped out by a sharp ringing sound in my ears. I stared at the child, frozen, unable to speak or do anything. The ringing in my ears mixed with her

smelled like wildflowers and poppies. Her blond hair soft and tickling my chin. Her tiny body trembled with the weight of her sobs, and I felt

moved before I realized I was speaking the words. I stroked the back of her head,

my name, their voice sounding so far

heard someone

grabbed the hair at my nape, and I let her. My vision went blurry, and before I knew it I was crying too

of my own, one of my deepest rooted wishes. A wish that never came to pass. Something that cost me my

baby bump. She probably

whispering soothing words to her.

I crying? Why

screech filled the air. “Eloise! Where

head up and

cleared my eyes. “Your mama?”

cheeks and nose were red from crying so Much. Without thinking. I wiped her blotchy cheeks. She

whispered

up to me, heaving and sweating. She favored

so much and

sorry, she ran to me crying

girl went over to her, she held her, and her

your gown! It’s

D