I find myself trapped in a cell, consumed by an overwhelming sense of worry. The place is utterly chilling, with its cold, dark, and damp conditions. The sight of blood stains covering the floors only adds to my distress, sending shivers down my spine. As I sit on the bench, facing the solitary cot, I can't help but feel incredibly unsettled in this desolate cell.

"While we obtain the children's accounts of the incident, I ask that you remain here as a safety measure," the man with blonde hair states. "Rest assured, I will promptly return to interrogate you." Concerns fill me as I realize that a stranger, whom I have never encountered before, is locking the cell. His brown eyes are concealed by a noticeable scar, his hair is closely cropped, and his presence does nothing to alleviate my unease about this dreadful place.

I could just teleport out and run away, but I can't bring myself to do that. I don't want to live my life as a fugitive here. I genuinely wish for this place to be different, a place where I can make a real home.

So, for now, I'll reluctantly sit here and comply.

**

"I go by the name Trevor, and I hold the position of Beta," the blonde declares as he walks back in and nods his head at me. He confidently pulls up a chair and positions himself in front of the cell, facing me.

"I am Zerro, a raven." I say politley

He studies me for a moment before running a hand through his hair. The events that have happened seem to weigh heavily on his face, and it's concerning to see. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath as if trying to calm himself, but I can't shake off the feeling that he sees me as an enemy, which is quite distressing.

"Where were the children kept." The tired eyes looking at me through the cold, steel bars do not match his strong voice.

"A warehouse, I don't know this land. I could show you, though." I anxiously fiddle with my hands, desperately hoping that my nerves aren't mistaken for guilt.

"I would like you to provide me with a detailed account of the events that transpired from the very start." He breathes out, observing my movements with his eyes.

"I witnessed men forcefully dragging Will, anxiously tracking their every move to a warehouse. I sneaked in right after them, only to come face-to-face with the sight of other children." I anxiously fidget in my seat, fully aware that my honest account might not be enough to persuade this skeptical man.

"I then teleported out of the cell to grab the key -"

"I'm curious, so you mean to say that you had the ability to teleport all along? If that's the case, I wonder why you didn't use it to escape before now," Trevor inquires, his brows furrowing with confusion.

"I wanted to show I meant no harm, that I could be trusted." I mutter, tightly hugging myself in a feeble attempt to shield my body from the relentless chill that mercilessly infiltrates the confines of this dank cell.

He remains silent for a moment, with his unwavering gaze fixed on me, causing concern to bubble within me. As a regular bird shifter, I would have instinctively recoiled from the overwhelming force emanating from him.

Of course, I was only an abandoned princess back home, so being a royal means absolutely nothing here.

"After I got the kids out, I brought them to the spot where I saw Will getting grabbed. While we were on our way, we came across more guys trying to grab them, so I took care of them." Trevor's eyes widened as I told him this, and I tried not to look away. "Finally, we arrived at the place where Will got taken. The kids knew where to go from there. I stuck with them to make sure they got home."

I can see that he leans forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees while clasping his hands together. He asks, "So where are you from then?"

"I'm from underground." My voice is trembling, and I desperately attempt to suppress it by coughing, hoping he doesn't notice.

Trevor's eyes widen as though this information sounds familiar to him. "Underground?" He repeats mostly to himself.

"Yes, I'm a princess from there, I escaped and came here. That's when I saw Will." I find myself uneasily fidgeting with my hair as worrisome thoughts of anxiety begin to invade my mind.

I'm really anxious about the possibility of being forced to go back. I know that if I have to go back, it will definitely result in my demise. It's distressing to think that I've already abandoned my chance to become queen, leaving me with nothing now. Going back is just not an option for me.

"Escaped? So you were running away." he states as a fact instead of a question as if he had heard something like this before.

"Yes," I suddenly find myself curious about how effortlessly he was processing this.

"You may reside here for the time being as a maid. Once our Alpha returns, I will relay the information you have provided today to him, and we will determine the course of action to be taken thereafter." He explains, and then he nods to another man I hadn't noticed before, who steps towards the cell and proceeds to unlock it.

*
I'm led into a grand palace, where I notice a number of individuals who cast curious glances in my direction before resuming their tasks diligently. Descending multiple flights of stairs and taking a right turn, I proceed along a corridor adorned with numerous doors until we finally halt at the one at the far end. Trevor, crossing his arms, then faces me.

He opens the door, and I step in. "I am considering the possibility of hiring you as my wife's personal maid. It appears that the two of you share some common interests." I can't help but feel curious as he trails off, causing my eyebrows to furrow. I remain silent, unable to fully grasp his meaning.

The room may be small and vacant, but it has a cozy charm. In one corner, there is a small bed that offers a snug spot to rest. Across from the bed, a wardrobe stands, providing convenient storage space. Though the room may not be spacious, it feels quite spacious to me compared to my previous living arrangements. The walls are painted a bright white with elegant black trimming, giving the room a stylish touch. As I walk on the smooth, dark wood floor, I can't help but appreciate the comfort it brings to my bare feet. I excitedly approach the door and joyfully open it, revealing a charming small closet filled with four beautiful dresses. As I glance at the door, my eyes catch sight of a paper, neatly outlining the occasions for which each dress is intended to be worn.

I noticed that there was a grey dress which could be worn either when serving someone personally or whenever requested. Another dress mentioned was navy blue, specifically for wearing while cleaning or serving a normal dinner. The third dress, with its black color and v-neck, exudes simplicity yet elegance, making it a perfect choice for those special occasions. On the other hand, the last dress in a neutral brown shade is meant for leisurely strolls around the castle, providing a option when not engaged in work. I close the closet door and eagerly open the door beside it, revealing a charming small bathroom with a delightful sink and a refreshing bath tub. My eyes light up with joy as I catch sight of the tub, realizing that it has been far too long since I last indulged in a proper bath. With a skip in my step, I swiftly approach the wardrobe and effortlessly find undergarments in my size.

I turn towards the door and am pleasantly surprised to see a bright young girl who looks to be about thirteen years old. "Hello there! I'm Abigail, and I'm excited to share with you all the ins and outs of how things work around here." With a cheerful demeanor, she confidently takes a seat on the bed.

As soon as I sat down next to her, she couldn't contain her excitement and asked me, "What's your name?"

"My name is Morsthiana Zerroian Castrana," I proudly state, with my fluent accent on display.

"Wow, Thiana! Can I actually call you by that name or anything else? I hope I'm not being offensive with my question," she says with a touch of hesitation.

I scratch the back of my neck. Of course, my name is rather long and can be a bit difficult to pronounce. "Zerro or Thiana is good."

She crosses her legs as she glances at me. "Alright, Thiana, let's begin by discussing your tasks. Your main responsibility will be to clean the castle. It's important that you steer clear of the Emperor and his betas' room, as well as any nobles. To help you navigate your way around, there are maps placed in every hall. Additionally, every morning, you will find a schedule outside your door, so you'll always be aware of the day's events." I nod, doing my best to take in all the information she shares with me.

"Now for the rules, you must obey, especially since you are still considered a rogue, which means people won't be nice to you. Most aren't anyway, but it will be worse than normal. You are not to look anyone in the eye. Your head is always bowed down. Don't speak unless told or spoken to. Be respectful. If they hit, don't hit back," she explains as I start biting my nails.

"I have question," I say, to which she nods, encouraging me to continue. "What is a rogue?"

Her face slightly darkens, but she quickly tries to hide it with a smile. She even hesitates for a moment. " A wild wolf or creature with no pack. They normally try to cause chaos." I can't help but feel concerned as I remain silent for a moment, processing the description that has been assigned to me without my consent. It's alarming to think that I have been labeled in a way that does not reflect my true actions. Despite my efforts to comply since I arrived, this name continues to follow and define me.

"Only 15 minutes left until lights out!" a booming voice exclaims, causing me to jump.

"Well, it's almost time for bed! I have to go," she cheerfully announces, skipping out of the room.

I eagerly search through the wardrobe, where I discover a beautiful night gown. With a smile on my face, I swiftly grab the soft, white cloth and make my way to the cozy bathroom. As I start my bath water, I can't wait to indulge in a refreshing bath. I quickly undress and happily step into the warm water, enjoying the relaxing sensation as I cleanse my body and shampoo my hair.

With a sense of contentment, I step out of the tub and reach for a fluffy towel to gently dry my body. As I carefully pat my hair dry, I feel a wave of satisfaction. I gracefully slip into the night gown and happily run a brush through my hair. Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I can't help but appreciate the unique tattoos, or as humans call them, birth marks, that adorn my body. Alongside those reminders of my past, I notice the scars, a symbol of strength and resilience from my previous home life.

I proudly sport a stunning tattoo of a raven on my right wrist. Additionally, I have the remarkable black wings inked on my back, evoking a sense of power and grace. The intricately designed black crown tattoo beneath my belly button and at the back of my neck perfectly complements my fair complexion. This is no ordinary crown; it signifies my rightful position as the undisputed heir of the underground kingdom. My brother, on the other hand, has a crown tattoo solely on his stomach, leaving no doubt about my rightful place. Though the crown on my neck is surely faded since I had given up the claim.
Scattered throughout my body, my scars bear witness to the journey I have endured, each one representing its own unique memory.  I take a contented sigh, I turn off the light, settle into my cozy bed, and effortlessly drift into a restful sleep.

***