Page 28 of Heir of the Beast

That thought unnerves me.

I look back to the headmaster to see if any recognition lies in her gaze. Come on, Pierce, make her remember! I need out of here STAT.

“Yes, the amnesia girl with the discolored eyes. Level five, if I’m not mistaken,” she says, and grabs my wrist to confirm. “Yes, she is one of us.”

Thank you, Pierce!

The headmaster inspects Mort and confirms we both are Garthorn, Sector 5 slaves. I risk a glance at Apollo and bite my lip. I’m such a coward.

His expression is unreadable as he stares, and the attention he is showing me is starting to draw more stares.

“Well then,” he murmurs. “Welcome back.”

My skin prickles and alarms are ringing in my head. The way he said it didn’t seem like a ~welcome back~, but rather a ~don’t get comfortable~.

I hear Mort’s breathy giggle behind me as we are dragged off.

And this is only day one.

Chapter 7

The hallways are towering and forbidding. The Gothic craftsmanship seems impossible to construct, but I also don’t know what kind of technology inhabits this place.

A thrill shoots through me, and even though I am a servant, I will admit that this is still awesome. Seriously, when we go into room after room, I must make sure my mouth is not hanging open.

I feel like I’m starring in my own movie, and all this scenery should be bright green in the large green room, with the complex special effects to be added later.

The walls look like they’re made from a dark, organic material that reminds me of granite or marble. I don’t think a bomb could take out this place.

I have so many questions. My curiosity is banging on all cylinders now. But I’m not dumb enough to ask the headmaster, ~“These walls are fabulous. What are they made out of?”~

Yeah right.

And then, ~“What’s your favorite color? I’m a purple person, myself.”~

The headmaster does not strike me as a chatty sort.

With heads lowered, nobody talks—ever. We all follow the headmaster to our next duties. We have already beaten the carpets in some of the spare bedrooms and replaced all the linens.

Apparently, kingdoms from all over are coming for the Garthorn festivities.

Rumor has it that grand balls will be held because Prince Apollo needs to find a dearly betrothed. King Augustus’s last dying wish is to see his eldest son married.

Mort confirmed earlier that she thought the king’s sudden health decline was caused by foul play, and Apollo could be next.

Someone wants the throne, and I would assume they do not want to see Apollo be king. Perhaps a younger brother? An uncle? Hard to say.

I can’t find out much being a slave, so maybe the other girls are having better luck. Ivy is the spy, and I wonder what dirt she is uncovering being next to the Queen.

The footman caught up with us on our cleaning spree and ran up to the headmaster. After a few words, the headmaster claps her hands.

“Attention! The House of Galleon has just arrived. Split up into pairs and see to their needs right away!” She points at two girls to my left. “You two go to the queen and the princess immediately.”

~Galleon.~

Apparently, I’m their lost princess.

“Mort,” I whisper as we scurry off to help the royal family.