The Lycan Prince Maid

Gina POV

Sheila Adam had never thought of herself as special; being born an orphan meant the odds were always truly stacked against her, and she had never found a place to belong.

So here she was staring at the ragged ceiling of a cave, looking at weeds growing out and stones of various shapes around, seeming to fit into the desolate life she had always belonged to.

"How fitting," she said into the air. The last thing I remember was being in a shootout with a bank robber who was holding some children hostage. I got shot while trying to save them, but now I'm suddenly here?

While trying to figure out what was wrong and the sudden change in locations, she heard voices from afar.

"Men search all the caves here, don't let her escape, she is our key!"

"Are those men looking for me? How did I get here?" Confusion reigned supreme in her thoughts. It made no sense, the switch in her location or her sudden weakness, such that she was unable to lift her limbs.

Or am I high on drugs, so I am just hallucinating?

"Let's search quickly before she recovers?"

"I have found her!"

A dark-skinned man with an ugly beard and sunken eyes spoke rudely while staring at me.

"Oh, you little bitch, you think you can run? Just forget it, you can only live the way we want you to.

No more, no less."

Another man entered and said, "Great, you found her, take her, let's go."

Boss Dane, "Should I carry her? The poison seems to have weakened her limbs."

"Yes, Idiot, that's why poison was added to her food. Carry the fool so she can be ready for tonight.

Don't touch her unseemly; she has to remain pure. She is the sacrifice to save our village," he stated.

Sacrifice? Saving?

What in the absolute hell is happening here, and why is this man rough-handling me?

He tied my already weak hands and legs, and I tried to struggle, but my limbs were too weak.

I wonder what poison was used to make me weak but alive. Oh no, not alive, I think I actually died, and then I took over somebody's body.

"The Lycan household steward is making his rounds this evening. Let's go and prepare for him," another man said.

"Make sure she is properly scrubbed by the women and wears something more presentable than these rags on her," Boss Dane stated directly.

I couldn't struggle anymore, my eyes grew dim again, and then it all went black. By the time I woke up, I saw a group of women surrounding me and sponging my body fiercely like I had a stain stuck to my skin.

I felt a bit of strength return and tried to pull from their hold, but this one woman held me down.

"Don't make any trouble, Gina. The more you struggle, the more your pain increases. Be still!"

By now, I truly realised I'm no longer in my own world. The last thing I remembered was saving those kids and the sharp pain of a gunshot, but now I'm in another body, totally helpless and confused.

By the time they were done with me, I was pomaded and dressed in a white flouncy gown. The dress was ugly, with the flaky green flowers attached to it, but I couldn't see how I looked in it since I had no access to a mirror.

I noticed my hair was dark brown and long, extremely long. I have always had pixie short brown hair, but now I am in a body that has long hair to the bum.

I felt like lying down more, but I was seated in a chair facing a green door with my hands tied.

I heard voices close to the door. A man said, "Is she clean and dressed now?"

"Yes, master," I recognized the voice to be the woman who called me Gina.

Then I realised that the name of this body was Gina.

So, Gina, who are you? I asked myself, but no answer came.

I thought, according to novels, when you move into someone's body, you gain their memories and abilities.

Why is my own different?

I'm so f*cked, like I have the worst luck. I escaped death in New York 2025 and got into another place as a weak nobody? At least that's what it looks like to me now.

While thinking about the disaster of my so-called new life, another person entered.

It was the pervert who carried me previously.

"My oh my, you are a pretty little thing, ain't you. You might not be as pretty as our lady princess, but you are not too bad," he said while looking at me with his tongue roving over his lips and his eyes blinking suggestively.

I couldn't help myself, I spoke out, "Stop staring, you deranged pervert!"

Though my voice came out like a croak and a whine, the effect I wanted was achieved.

He stopped staring like a deranged animal, and his eyes turned cold.

"So, you can now talk, you stupid bitch. I thought you were a mute and a fool before."

He squeezed my shoulder harshly, and I groaned in pain.

"Ahh..."

I guess I miscalculated. I shouldn't have provoked the pervert.

"Were you pretending all this while to be a mute? If not, I was warned not to cause you injuries; I won't mind having a taste of you before sending you off," he said with menace.

With a cold smirk, he dragged me off the chair roughly and pulled me towards the door.

I wanted to pull my arm from his large hands, but the weakness had not worn off. My strength barely made an impact, and I fell to the floor as my knees gave way.

He brought, or rather dragged me, down the stairs, and I was forced to rest my whole body weight on him.

I was taken to a larger blue-painted room with wide windows and brown-colored curtains.

"What a horrible décor", I said loudly into the room.

"Shut your mouth, you fool," someone replied to me fiercely. I didn't see anyone as I had looked around the room previously, so I didn't know that someone else would hear me.

I turned around and saw another man. He was bulky and had a scar underneath his eyes and a large black goatee with a mix of white beard. He had cruel eyes and age lines showing on his face. But I don't think he was that old; maybe 45 years old at the most.

He looked at me hard, as if he was assessing me like I was a market item.

Then another man entered, the one named Boss Dane, and he spoke, breaking the tension in the room.

Master the Lycan's steward is here, and he seems to be in a rush and cannot stay the night; so, he requests we present the gift now.

'I see' the bulky man said.

Untie her hands and bring her with you.

Boss Dane untied my hands. I tried to wrestle him, but the bulky man spoke first, "Dear daughter, you need to make use of this golden opportunity that the clan has given you."

Daughter! My head exploded

I spoke out, stunned, "I am your daughter?"

He nodded, "Of course you are, and from this moment, you are a gift from the Wolflane Clan to the Lycan Royals. Since you have been useless all your life with no wolf and no strength, this is the best we can do with you," he said with disgust.

"At least you have to repay us for the 18 years of nurturing, and this is the least you can do for us."

"Remember to be on your best behaviour and don't shame us. This is more than you, though I doubt your addled brain can fathom what's going on here," he said.

He might be a jerk-faced father to this body, but he is right about one thing: my mind is addled, and I can't seem to figure out why I am in this so-called place with no strength, memory, or beauty if the pervert is to be believed, but yet I am here.

I wonder why?

Chief steward, apologies for keeping you waiting. I'm glad you honored our pack!"

I heard my so-called father say as he approached a wiry-looking man with gaunt but stern features. His stance showed he was probably someone to be respected, especially with the way my father was currying favor towards him.

"Well... Alpha Hane, I do not have much time to spend here. You sent a message that you have something good for the palace this year?" he asked, but it was more of a statement.

My father had ignored me, concentrating on the steward like his life depended on it, even though I was dragged by boss Dane to this waiting room.

The steward was eyeing me on the side like I was prime meat, ever since my father and I entered; I can guess from the cynical expression on his face that he was weighing whether I was worth the effort of his coming.

"Oh yes, chief steward."

My father moved close to me. "I am offering my dearest daughter to the royal palace this year. She has been specially tutored and can fit into any role you want her to play."

"Can't you?" he asked, turning to look at me with an expression that says I'm not allowed to ruin this for him.

With a forlorn expression, I replied tersely, "Yes."

"Is this voluntary alpha? I don't want to hear rumors that the royal family kidnapped people from your clan," the steward stated with his bushy eyebrows raised in a query.

"Of course, chief steward, I am her father, and I have the final say; she is only 18 this year, and though she is a bit stubborn, she is trainable and can take orders well."

I stared as my 'father' kept spouting trash from his lips.

If not that, I don't understand this world here. I wouldn't have been willing to participate, but as an experienced police officer specializing in negotiation and ransom.

I know my best bet is to cooperate and not allow them to subdue me any more than I am. I would prefer not to be dragged and drugged again. I prefer to retain my senses, thank you.

Rolling my inner eyes, I listened to their conversation, and for certain I know this steward is not to be taken for granted before if I can escape, I will have to learn as much as I can and regain my strength.

This body is really weak; I will need to work up and build my strength. After all, the previous owner exhausted herself to death.

Before I could blink, Boss Dane dragged me outside, and we left my father and the steward inside. He was busy licking his boots, not even caring about the fate of his daughter. It was already dark, and I couldn't see through the darkness.

He opened the door to the back seat of a car: Oh, so they have a car here, too. I actually thought I was in medieval times, but I guess not.

The journey was silent and long; my strength had returned for a while now, but my hands were still bound. I kept staring around to see the grounds, but everywhere was underdeveloped, just a little bit of rural settlements here and there.

I didn't want to speak, and the guard sitting with me also did not look like he wanted to converse with me.

After a period of time, I guess two to three hours, because it was pretty late and the night moon was shining brightly as we got to a large expanse with an amazingly large castle that had multiple wings in sight.

It was a sight to behold!

I could not help myself. "Is this the Lycan royal palace?" I asked.

The guard sitting with me grunted in answer but kept mum. He stepped out immediately after the car parked and pulled me out.

"Oh, I see." That was all I could say, stunned.

There were two cars that were parked. The one I came in with and the other, I guess, took the steward.

With no words spoken, I was taken into the castle through a side door, and I was handed over to a madam.

"So, is she the new addition?" she asked.

"Yes, my lady, she is from the Wolflane clan," the guard stated.

"She doesn't look like much. That useless Alpha has dropped his reject on us, a human for that matter," she stated with annoyance.

"Hey girl, what's your name?"

I looked at her stern face, stunned for a second, then it occurred to me, she was speaking to me.

"Shei.... Hmm, no, Gina, my name is Gina."

"I see, take her to the west wing for the rest of the night. I will attend her tomorrow..." she replied.

I was settled into a shabby room that looked like an abandoned store room, my exhausted mind and body couldn't be bothered, so I just lay on the hard mattress and fell asleep.

Dreaming of my life and quaint little apartment in New York, I could feel someone prodding me, and that was truly annoying. I had not slept enough...

"Who is that? Bug off!" I said, not bothering to open my eyes.

"Hey, you, the lady maid asked me to wake you up," someone said.

Then it dawned on me, "Lady maid? Gina?" My eyes snapped open.

"So, I am still here?" I said out loud.

"You poor thing, you must be truly stupid has been rumored. What do you mean you are still here?"

"Hurry up and clean up, make sure to change into this," she hands me a maid's clothing; "You have just five minutes," she said, stepping out of the room.

Five minutes later, I was out into the hallway, my mind and body were tired from the whole stress, and I had not rested properly since I got to this world.

"Hey, what's your name?" I asked.

She turned her eyes, assessing me from top to bottom, and answered, "My name is Lila, now follow me and no more questions."

By the time we got to a larger hallway, it struck 5am on the dot, the large clock in the expansive brown and gold-colored room showed.

I can't believe they woke me up before 5am, I grumbled to myself.

In the room, there were other maids standing rigidly, like they were set for inspection; they looked neat and prim.

I joined immediately, so I don't stand out too much. Lila stood on the opposite side of us. The madam I met yesterday came in from another door as if she knew we were all here, ready and waiting for her.

"So, you are the new maids. This is the royal palace, and there are laid down rules to follow."

"The most important rule is never to address or initiate a talk with the royals.

You are at the bottom of the hierarchy, and you should act like that.

If a royal member orders something, you provide it.

Never look a royal in the eyes or else meet the consequences."

"You will learn the rest as you work, but these three rules are what you should live by, or else death for you and your clan."

"Oh, wow," I murmured.

"You there..."

What is she pointing at me?

I looked around to be sure I was imagining things.

"You! The one turning" I looked at her, a question burning through my eyes at her.

"Step forward, your name?"

"Gina," I answered.

"So, Gina, share with us what you were mumbling about."

I was shocked. She heard me?

"Oh yes, I did," she replied.

Can she read minds, too?

She replied, "I can't read your mind, Gina, but your thoughts are clearly written on your face."

"Let this be a lesson for you all: never speak unnecessarily. I will hear, if I can, the royal family can too."

She turned to me, "As for you, you were supposed to serve the royals directly, but I can see that you are not suitable."

"As punishment for your unruliness, you will be assigned to kitchens as a scullery maid."

A scullery maid, what does that mean? Is that bad?

An alarm banged loudly in my head, especially after the reaction of Lila when the lady's maid pronounced my punishment. Lila's eyes went wide, then switched back to their dull look. I almost didn't catch it.

"Lila, take Gina to the kitchens, I am sure they are in need of her," she announced with sternness.

Without a word, I was dragged along by an inexpressive Lila.

I followed her down a narrow staircase, then it opened to a much larger hallway that smelled divine; my stomach grumbled at the assault of delicious scents. I haven't eaten since I came into this world.

"You'd better learn to control yourself, you have been downgraded to the lowest of maids, and it will take a miracle for you to survive here or to ever be promoted. So, learn fast and keep your head down," Lila stated as she walked ahead of me.

I looked at her, shocked by how much she said.

That was the longest words of advice anyone had ever spoken to me personally since I got into this body, but the bluntness of her words and tone covered the care in them.

We got to a massive kitchen that was as large as a penthouse space; I saw people in chef's clothes manning the cookers and maids going to and fro, lifting heavy items.

My eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.

"Peter!" Lila yelled above the hubbub of kitchen noise.

"Hey, Lila!" A clean-shaven, shaved rotund man wearing a chef's hat and robe appeared in front of us.

"Peter, this is the new maid the lady assigned to work here; make good use of her."

Peter stared at me and said, "A Human," with an expression that looked like he tasted something bitter.

"Yes, a human," Lila replied.

He sighed, "What's your name?"

I replied, "Gina."

"OK, follow me."

He took me to the extreme end of the kitchen.

"See, that's Mary, she will tell you what to do."

After pointing out to me a lousy auburn-haired maid, he turned and left without any proper introduction.

Wearing my big girl panties, I stepped forward to the busy maid.

"Hey, Mary," the maid washing the dishes, turned to me. "Hey," she replied, turning to face me with a kind smile.

"I'm Gina. Peter said, I should meet with you, you will show me what to do."

"Oh, I see, hello Gina, well, we wash the plates here and take them over there for use."

That was how my new career as a kitchen maid began.

I had no complaints, at least it was less intense than in my past life, and hopefully I don't get killed washing a few dishes...

By evening, all I had eaten was a bun with thick porridge that Mary brought.

How could I be working in a kitchen and yet so hungry and exhausted? If I wasn't washing dishes, I was hauling crates of ingredients, wiping stainless counters, or dodging the chefs yelling for more seasonings.

For a place that looked like a medieval palace from the outside, the inside ran like a high-end 21st-century restaurant. There were industrial refrigerators, electric mixers, sous-vide machines, and more stainless steel than a Manhattan hospital.

"Don't stare, Gina," Mary warned as she caught me staring at Peter, the chef working the grill with practiced ease. "They don't like humans staring at them, especially when you are looking lost like that."

I snorted faintly. "Too late."

Mary bit her lip like she wanted to smile but thought better of it. "Just...try not to stand out.

I understand her kindness, but that was easier said than done when everyone here had a wolf side except me.

Every time a Lycan walked past, the air shifted, like static right before lightning. Their sense of presence is high; even the low-ranked wolves had an unusual weight in their footsteps, like the ground knew who its masters were.

This world is truly strange.

Mary had explained everything the night before when I collapsed beside her during the break: the so-called Lycans were superior in strength and influence, and the wolves were beneath them; still, humans or wolf-less humans are at the very bottom.

Even with this hierarchical system, the royal family stood above them all: the King, the Queen, and their only son, Prince Caleb. "So, you all bow to their orders and just grovel?" I asked. She looked at me strangely, as if I had spoken blasphemy.

"You'll learn quickly," Mary replied and continued to scrub the pots beside me.

By the third day, I was getting used to the work. I wake up as early as 5am and rest by 10pm.

I was too tired to think about anything or formulate an escape plan to leave this prison.

Maybe tomorrow an opportunity will present itself...