Chapter 4: Anabel's defiance

"There you are!" Sarah jumped out of nowhere and grabbed Anabel's arm. Her grip tightened on Anabel's frail arm, causing her to whinge "Ow! That hurts, let go!"

With a face full of contempt, Sarah yelled "I knew it! You were trying to hide away from me. Who do you think you are? Do you think you're free off duty because you're out of the cell? Her Highness hasn't had anything to eat, and you're busy lurking about in a dirty uniform. Do you want to be chased out in the streets?"

Anabel was dragged to the maid's quarters, and a fresh uniform was given to her. "Change into these," said Sarah. She was behaving like a nagging mother that no one wants.

Anabel frowned, why did she have to change into this? She should be in Canada right now, swimming in money, signing autographs, and meeting fans. Instead, she's here playing dress-up maid.

Anabel had no choice, this was her life now, at least till when she dies again and gets back to her world. For now, she'll just play along.

Anabel entered Katy's room with a tray of sumptuous meals in hand. Katy sat in her vanity, adoring herself in the mirror. She noticed Anabel's entrance and frowned.

"Anabel, place my food here"

Anabel walked further in and placed it on the table. She was just about to leave when Katy cleared her throat.

"You're leaving; you haven't apologized to me yet," she said.

Anabel fought the urge to roll her eyes. She just promised to help Kaius by making Katy fall for him. She needed to play it cool. Sighing, Anabel said "I'm sincerely apologize Princess"

"Hmm," Katy tilted her head, her lips curling up. "Get on your knees and beg my forgiveness, only then will I forgive you"

Anabel clenched her fist. Was the princess this annoying in the game?

Slowly, Anabel lowered her height and said again "I sincerely apologize, Princess"

Katy smiled, "that's more like it."

As if kneeling wasn't embarrassing enough, Anabel's stomach grumbled. Her cheeks turned rosy red.

"Hungry?" Katy asked and Anabel looked up. "Here, have some." Anabel watched as Katy began to pour a portion of the food on the floor. "Go on, I am being generous; go down and eat like a dog," Katy ordered.

Anabel's mind snapped. Today has been a hell of a day already; she found out she was a side character and not the lead, her name was no longer hers, she got slapped hard, locked in prison, dirtied, apologized for something she knew nothing about, and now this...

Cruelty was not one of Princess Katy's attributes; she was kind, loving, and compassionate. Regardless, if this is how she truly is then Anabel won't sit quiet.

Maybe the old Anabel would have gotten down and eaten, but this Anabel would show hell.

Anabel grinned, her face darkened. "No, Princess," Anabel picked up the plate. "Why don't you join me, and we can both eat like dogs" She emptied the entire plate on the ground, smiling like a madman.

Katy's face twisted in outrage . "How dare you!?" Katy yelled, slapping Anabel's cheek with a resonating force.

Anabel chuckled and retaliated with a sharp slap of her own.

A short gasp of incredulity escaped Katy's lips. Her gaze hardened, her teeth clenched.

"What? You thought I wouldn't fight back?" Anabel asked proudly.

•••

"How did I end up here?" Anabel asked herself, seated in the same spot, in the cell behind bars.

"What was I thinking?" She smacked her forehead, "I slapped the Princess, I'm definitely going to be beheaded"

"You are one stubborn woman aren't you?" Said Ceaser standing before her cell.

Anabel stood up immediately, pleading with her hands clasped together "I really didn't mean to, I just-"

"Slapped the Princess of the Azurean Empire, the only daughter of King Dimitri" Ceaser cut in. He scoffed "You have a death wish? If not the chief maid begging in your stead, you would be beheaded at sunrise tomorrow"

Anabel gulped, her voice hesitant; she asked, "What…is my sentence now?"

Ceaser simpered "You'll either give up your title as Katy's maid and become a stable maid, or be awarded 30 lashes. I'm sure wearing dirty clothes and cleaning animal dunk all day fits someone like you"

Anabel's eyebrows furrowed. Wait, why was he even here? Should he be the one to tell her these things? Anabel's mind snapped "Wait, what did you say?"

"Are you deaf, you bedheaded woman? You have until today runs out to make your choice, you should be happy you won't get decapitated for laying your hand on Azurean's precious jewel." Ceaser walked away.

Anabel's face went blank, recalling what he said. She would either give up her title or get whipped 30 lashes. But she needs to be Katy's maid in order to put in favor for Kaius.

"What now?" Anabel asked, staring deeply into a distance. 30 lashes wouldn't be that painful, will it?. The thought of how her skin would look after, caused Anabel to smile bitterly.

In her old world, her skin used to glow, they had a porcelain texture. Even now, Anabel's body isn't so bad, but from tomorrow... Only God knows.

"Anabel!" Whispered Sarah, sneaking in with a small tray in her hand.

Shocked, Anabel stood up and walked up to the bars "Evil, I mean, chief maid Sarah? What are you doing here?"

Sarah's eyes darted around and when she saw no one, she opened the tray, revealing bread and some fruits. "Here, have this" she whispered and passed each food to Anabel through the bars.

"Huh? What's this for?" Anabel asked.

"You silly girl! Aren't you hungry?" Sarah asked, still whispering. Anabel nodded, but she didn't understand why Sarah would bring her food, she was supposed to be the evil chief maid.

"Listen, the king has given you a choice to make, so make sure you choose correctly. Mending the stables is better than getting whipped, I'm sure you know this" said Sarah

There was a shift in Anabel's expression.