Chapter 8 Lila +15 Bonus I scrubbed the marble floor , my hands wrinkly from the soapy water . Two punishments in as many days and I was starting to feel right at home . Anger and frustration tangled together in a knot so tight 1 could barely breathe . I had been framed . I didn't know by who or why , but the fact remained I had done nothing wrong , yet I had somehow angered the Lycan King himself . Damon . He had called me an opportunist , accused me of scheming , and dismissed me like I was nothing . I gritted my teeth and wrung out the cloth in my hands , trying to push the memory of his piercing gaze from my mind . But it clung to me , as stubborn as the dirt I was scrubbing away . The meeting hall was a massive expanse of polished floors and towering chandeliers . Everywhere I looked , there were reminders of power , of wealth , of just how small and insignificant I was here ; of how hard it was to fit the role I was supposed to play . The sheer extravagance of it all made my presence here feel ridiculous . One misstep and I could ruin something in here worth more than my entire existence . I hadn't eaten all day , and my stomach churned in protest . Hunger gnawed at me , but I forced myself to keep working . It wasn't any different than back home anyway and complaining wouldn't change my situation . " Elena … " The soft voice startled me . I looked up to see Emma , the girl I had helped when we all arrived , standing nearby . She reached into her pocket and pulled out a wrapped sandwich , and a crisp apple . " Here , " she said , holding them out to me . ta I stared at her , momentarily at a loss for words . My pride urged me to refuse , but my empty stomach made the decision for me . I had barely made it through the day as it was , and my body was already on the verge of giving out . Again . " Thank you , " I murmured , accepting the food . I unwrapped the sandwich and took a careful bite , savoring the taste of real food after an exhausting day . Emma sat beside me , her expression thoughtful . " I heard what happened . " Of course she had . Gossip spread faster than wildfire in this place . +15 Bonus I sighed , setting the half - eaten sandwich on my lap . " I don't know why he was so angry . I didn't do anything . But that man … " My jaw tightened . " I hate him . " Emma's eyes widened , and she quickly reached out , covering my mouth with her hand . " Don't say that " she whispered , darting a nervous glance around us . " Not here . The walls have ears . 1 swallowed hard and nodded . She let go , but the fear in her expression lingered . " You should be careful , " she continued . "You've already made an enemy of Isabella , and that alone is dangerous . " At the mention of Isabella , my stomach soured . " I don't care about her . " I muttered . Emma exhaled , shaking her head . " Well , you should care about where you're sleeping . You missed the room selection . The only one left is next to the bathroom . " A wave of exhaustion rolled over me . Of course it was Emma gave me a small smile , her kindness cutting through the tension of the day. " At least you have me , " she said , giving me a light hug . I stiffened for a moment before relaxing . A friend . I hadn't expected to find one here , but I supposed even in a palace full of vipers , there were still a few decent people . By the time I finished my cleaning duties , night had fallen . The palace halls were eerily quiet , the flickering sconces casting long shadows against the walls . Too exhausted to care about comfort , I curled up right there on the floor , drifting off into a restless sleep . Morning came too soon . I stretched , wincing as my sore muscles protested . I needed to get ready for the first selection briefing , but as I made my way downstairs , I nearly collided with an elderly woman in the corridor . She gasped , eyes wide , her wrinkled hands trembling as she reached for me . " Luna … " My breath caught in my throat . She clasped my hand , her voice cracking with emotion . " Is it really you ? " My stomach dropped . - " " I'm not " I started , but before I could finish , her expression shifted . Confusion clouded her face , and she blinked rapidly , as if clearing a fog from her mind . She yanked her hand away , her face hardening . " I made a mistake . " +15 Bon Then , without another word , she turned on her heel and walked away , leaving me standing there , heart pounding in my chest . shivered , though the air wasn't cold . Luna . The word echoed in my mind , but I pushed it aside . It had to be another case of mistaken identity . Shaking off the strange encounter , I followed a maid toward the grand villa on the palace grounds where we were assigned room It was nothing short of breathtaking , with intricate stonework , towering archways , and designer interiors . I was still taking it all , unpacking my things , when the sound of hushed voices in the hall caught my attention . " I heard the Lycan King doesn't even care about this selection , " one girl whispered . Another giggled . " That just means he'll fall for me as the one who stands out the most " They spoke with such confidence , as if they had any real chance of catching Damon's attention I wanted to scoff . They didn't know him . The only thing he cared about was power , and nothing - not even this ridiculous bride . selection - would change that . A sharp voice cut through the murmurs . " Ladies ! Your presence is required downstairs . " I turned to see the same elderly woman from earlier the Palace Steward , Helen , I was told standing at the entrance . A group of beautiful , elegant women gathered around her , their postures regal , their expressions poised . I suddenly felt out of place among them , painfully aware of my simple appearance . Helen's sharp gaze landed on me , and her lips curled in disapproval . " You definitely won't be chosen . " The words stung more than I expected . Beside her , a girl with an arrogant smirk chimed in . " She's already angered Isabella , " she said . I turned toward her , recognizing the voice before I even saw her face . Memories surfaced of Vanessa as a child , tormenting me , always the leader of whatever cruelty was thrown my way . But she hadn't recognized me . Not yet . I lifted my chin , forcing a tight smile . " Still as full of yourself as ever , Vanessa . " Her smug expression faltered , just for a second . " What did you say ? " Before I could respond , Helen's posture suddenly changed . Her head bowed slightly as her expression softened with an odd mix of deference and caution . A silence fell over the room . I turned , my pulse quickening and immediately was drawn to the entrance where Damon stood . Chupara His expression was unreadable , but his eyes locked onto me with a weight that made my chest tighten . Had he seen me arguing with the other girls ? I braced myself , expecting another cruel remark , another accusation . But he said nothing He just watched me . +15 Bonus And that , somehow , was e was even worse .