h4Chapter 61: 61 - spilt it out/h4

    61

    ~Lisa’s POV

    "Lisa," the head maid, Matilda, called. "Sweep the main hallway and mop it twice. The Alpha’s guests are arrivingter today. I don’t want any dust."

    "Yes, ma," I replied quickly, taking the broom.

    I got to work, my hands already aching even though I’d just started. I didn’tin. Comining only brought more chores, or worse, punishment.

    A few hours passed. The sun had climbed high, shining through the big windows. My back hurt. My arms felt like jelly. I wiped my forehead with my sleeve and moved on to the next section of the hallway.

    That was when I heard soft footsteps. When I looked up, Cecilia was standing there.

    "Lisa," she said gently, holding a tray. "I brought you something."

    I blinked. "For me?"

    She smiled. "Yes. You’ve been working hard. You look tired. And I promised to get you something nice this morning,"

    She walked closer, and my mouth watered as the smell hit me. Freshly baked bread, grilled fish, rice with thick sauce, and cold orange juice on the side. My eyes widened.

    "I... I don’t know what to say," I stammered.

    "You don’t have to say anything," Cecilia said. "Just eat. But maybe finish this part of the hallway first so no one yells at you."

    I nodded slowly. "Yes, I’ll finish here first. Then I’ll eat."

    "Alright," she said softly, cing the tray on the low table nearby. "I’ll be back in a few minutes."

    She walked off, her white skirt swaying as she disappeared down the corridor.

    I turned back to my cleaning, my eyes drifting to the tray now and then. The smell was driving me crazy. I cleaned faster, my heart a little lighter. Maybe eating the food wouldn’t be so bad.

    But just as I was finishing thest tile, I heard footsteps again, heavier ones this time. I looked up and saw Petra, one of the maids, storming down the hall.

    She spotted the tray and narrowed her eyes. "What’s this?"

    I opened my mouth. "It’s... it’s for me. Cecilia..."

    She snorted. "You? Are you joking?"

    "I’m not. She said I could eat after..."

    "Oh, shut up," Petra snapped, grabbing the tray. "You don’t deserve this."

    "Please," I whispered, stepping forward. "I haven’t eaten..."

    "Then go find some leftover scraps," she hissed. "That’s all you measly humans are good for."

    My heart sank.

    I reached out instinctively, trying to stop her, but it was already toote. She had turned her back to me and settled into a low stool by the corner of the room like she owned the ce. With no shame, she peeled the foil from the tray and began digging into the food like a starved beast.

    She picked up the grilled fish first, a beautiful golden-brown piece Cecilia had carefully garnished. Without even using cutlery, she bit off a huge chunk, the sound of bones cracking under her teeth making my stomach churn. The sauce smeared around her mouth as she chewed noisily, pieces of the fish falling from her lips. She didn’t care.

    I just stood there, frozen, helpless, watching her eat what was meant for me. My meal. My one act of kindness for the day. My small moment offort. Gone.

    She picked up the cup of fresh juice and gulped it down in one breath. The ss clinked loudly as she mmed it down, juice running down her chin. My fists clenched at my side, so tight they shook. My jaw was locked, but I could feel my lip trembling. I wanted to scream. I wanted to grab the food back. But what good would that do?

    "Stop staring like a beggar," Petra snapped between chews. "You should be grateful I didn’t throw it out."

    Her words stung more than her actions. My eyes burned with unshed tears, but I quickly bit down on my bottom lip to stop them from falling. Crying would only give her more tough about.

    I turned slightly, about to walk away, when I heard footsteps. Familiar ones. Light but fast.

    Cecilia.

    She walked in carrying a small white napkin, probably to wipe off the tray or bring more for me. I saw the brightness in her face falter as soon as she noticed Petra sittingfortably, scarfing down thest of the meal. Her eyes darted to the half-empty tray, then to the ss, and finally to Petra’s greasy fingers.

    "What are you doing?" Cecilia’s voice cut through the air, sharp and ice-cold.

    Cecilia walked closer, her eyes locked on Petra, who was still munching with loud, shameless bites.

    "Why are you eating that?" she asked, voice tight and sharp.

    Petra paused mid-chew and looked up, clearly confused. "What? It was just sitting here. I thought it was for everyone."

    "It wasn’t!" Cecilia snapped, stepping forward. "That was for Lisa!"

    Petra blinked, then scoffed. "You’re giving her proper food now? Since when? What for? She’s nothing but a stray you picked up."

    Cecilia’s expression changed. Her annoyance turned to something else, fear. Her eyes widened, her lips trembling slightly. She looked at the nearly empty te and then at Petra again.

    "You... you have to stop eating it," she said, her voice suddenly shaky.

    Petraughed. "Oh, please. What are you talking about? What, you think she’s a princess now? Getting special treatment?"

    Cecilia didn’t smile. She looked dead serious now. Her hands were trembling as she pointed at the tray. "That food wasn’t... it wasn’t normal. It wasn’t meant for you. Spit it out!"

    Petra snorted, clearly enjoying the drama. "What are you going on about? It’s just rice and fish. Tasted better than the usual garbage."

    "No!" Cecilia shouted. "You don’t understand. That meal had a special blend. It was for her body, not yours! It was tailored, for her! It’s not safe for anyone else."

    Petra frowned, suddenly unsure. "Wait... what do you mean?"

    Petra’s smirk faded. Her eyes darted around nervously.

    Cecilia stepped even closer. "Spit it out, Petra. Now. Before it starts working."

    I watched, confused. "What... what do you mean?" I asked.

    Cecilia didn’t look at me. Her focus was entirely on Petra. "Spit it out now, bitch!"

    Petra stood up, annoyed. "Why are you yelling? I already swallowed..."

    She stopped.

    Her eyes grew wide. She clutched her stomach. "Wh-what... what did you put in that food?!"

    Cecilia stepped back. "I told you not to eat it."

    Petra dropped the cup of juice. It shattered on the floor. She groaned, bent forward, and then...

    "Bleeegh!"

    She vomited blood.