THE FOUR WOMEN

The four women froze in their respective places as they watched the scene happen. The skinny galley slave was pulled out of the cell with force, until he tripped and fell onto the dirty tile floor.

The tall bodyguard angry with the kitchen slave's calm demeanor, as if she was not afraid of their feared reputation

One of them pushed the galley slave with a stick, forcing her to walk in front. the elite guards followed behind her. One of the guards poked the slave's weak body with the tip of a stick, urging her to move faster.

Sandra could shudder, tears flowed from her eyes, she felt sympathy for the slave. She couldn't imagine being treated like that. At that time, she was not sure which fate was more unlucky.

At this moment, Sandra's empathy began to emerge, and she imagined herself in the position of the kitchen slave.

The thought of being subjected to degrading treatment made her shudder. Tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of sadness and anger coursing through her veins.

As Sandra wiped her tears, a deep realization dawned on her. She reflected on two unfortunate circumstances that troubled his mind – the life of a lowly galley slave and the sufferings of a woman forced to satisfy the lustful desires of a royal official.

After her bodyguards had disappeared, Sandra knelt on the floor panting.

Kea reached out and gently placed her hand on Sandra's shoulder, helping Sandra sit on the edge of the bed, giving Sandra a glass of water. Sandra accepted it with trembling hands.

"Are they going to kill him?" Sandra asked in a trembling voice.

Kea sighed, "I do not know. But it like that?"

Sandra's eyes widened in fear as she looked at Kea, hoping for another answer. The thought of the galley slave being killed frightened her.

"But... why did she have to be killed? What did she do wrong?" Sandra becomes sympathetic.

"None of our business!" Kea said in a cold voice.Kea was concerned about the kitchen slave. When dhe fell earlier, the kitchen slave's lips were bleeding.

The elite guards were known to be heartless, their faces looked cruel, as if they were used to killing people without feeling.

A kitchen slave should not be treated so harshly, even though she is a lowly slave, but isn't she a weak woman? Her body was thin, it was clear that she didn't eat enough, she rarely even ate.

Kea remembered that the kitchen slave didn't have time to eat breakfast or drink.

Kea didn't know that Clara Diana was someone who rarely ate. All she had to do was swallow a magic pill from the lake of life and she would be full for a week.

"The slave is young, she shouldn't be killed!" Sandra said with a sad face.

"What's wrong with you guys? Why are you thinking about the fate of that kitchen slave? Do you think our fate is better than that slave?" Maria said with an angry face. These two people like to change their minds. Previously, these two people agreed that the kitchen slave had to be moved, no matter where they were taken, but now Kea and Sandra felt like they had lost the kitchen slave.

"That's ridiculous!"_ Maria cursed quietly.

"But... what did she do wrong that she had to be killed?" Sandra shed tears. She regretted being rude to the galley slave.

"Listen, you guys remember carefully. Remember that disgusting kitchen slave's disease, her body was black as if she had just been roasted on a fire. Apart from that, her skin had scales like a snake and smelled. It was not an ordinary disease, it was an illness caused by a curse!" Maria said she was deliberately exaggerating to scare them.

"Haa...!" Sandra's eyes opened wide, horrified.

Kea was silent, but she also thought that the kitchen slave's illness was the result of a curse. However, she never thought that the kitchen slave had committed heretical acts (the practice of forbidden black magic). However, Maria's suspicions could be true, the kitchen slave was cursed for using black magic.

Shandra arched her body, she was getting more and more scared. In her mind, the slave was cursed by Madame Butterfly for stealing and killing members of the slave traders, Madame Butterfly who was a Crimson Magician cursed the slave, then she gave the slave to Master Gilbert, and made her a lowly kitchen slave.

Kea and Sandra were silent, they were horrified to imagine the punishment meted out to the kitchen slave.

The galley slave may have been punished for murder, but in what way? Did she die by beheading? Or was she sentenced to be burned alive like the previous heretics? Or was she executed in front of the crowd, as a terrible spectacle and a threatening lesson?

**"**

Bella shook her head, annoyed with Maria. Maria is outrageous, how could she make up a slanderous story like that? Does she enjoy seeing galley slaves suffer? They didn't even know what mistake the galley slave had committed and earned him the death penalty, why should they slander the slave?

"Have you finished making heretical slander? Are you sure about the accusations? think about it before the guards hear what you say!" Bella said sarcastically to them.

Maria said angrily, from now on her relationship with Bella could no longer be repaired.

Bella snorted, she said to Kea and Sandra, "You guys clean the dirty dishes, roll up the carpet and clean the floor!"

"WHAT?"

Kea and Sandra screamed.

Bella ordered them to clean the eating utensils and clean the slave's bed. Even though they grumbled, they were forced to carry out Bella's assignment. Now these two women regretted the kitchen slave's departure, otherwise the kitchen slave could have taken over their duties in this cell.

***

In front of the dungeon door,_

Clara Diana remembered the previous incident, it was these four guards who took her to this underground prison. At that time they lifted Clara Diana by holding Clara Diana's wrists and feet. They carried Clara Diana like an animal, as if she were not human.

In today's society, galley slaves are the lowest class of slaves, barely considered human. The kitchen slaves were placed at the back of the palace (the outermost kitchen or wet kitchen). They were forced to work, doing all the manual labor in the outdoor kitchen, such as carrying goods, chopping firewood, making charcoal, lighting fires, carrying water, sweeping and cleaning the kitchen and yard. They are not allowed to leave the kitchen area and are considered not to have human rights.

***

Elite bodyguards took Clara Diana to a large and luxurious room. This is Mr. Gilbert's place of work and residence.

"ENTER!" a guard pushed Clara until she fell. Clara Diana's jaw hit the floor hard that her lip was bitten until it bled. The man's eyebrows rose, he was surprised and annoyed, Clara Diana's face showed no pain. Clara Diana glanced, and looked at high speed. With her super eye abilities, Clara Diana observed the condition of the room.

Mr. Gilbert's study looks luxurious and elegant. The walls are decorated with precious paintings and the furniture is made of high-quality materials.

This room is equipped with a private library which contains a collection of rare and valuable books.

On the work table there are several documents and thick books. Is Mr. Gilbert a librarian? _ muttered Clara Diana.

Clara Diana never imagined that the head of the palace household would have a luxurious residence like this.

As someone who had once been the leader of the kingdom's elite troops, Master Gilbert was dedicated to protecting Constantine's kingdom. And now he is trusted by the queen, managing and take care of all the royal family.

Mr. Gilbert has full authority and responsibility for the management and administration of the palace household, including managing the palace interior, servants, courtiers, slaves and pets.

Mr. Gilbert manages the interests and needs of the royal family. In short, the king, queen and the entire royal family depended on Mr. Gilbert.

Mr. Gilbert came out of the big door. Behind him walked a woman with graceful steps. She was a beautiful middle-aged woman with a gentle gaze. She is Mrs. Melani, the Palace cook.

Mr. Gilbert waved his hand at his bodyguards. The guards bowed respectfully before leaving.

Mr. Gilbert sat in his luxurious work chair made of black leather.

The man was silent for a moment while looking at Clara Diana carefully, as if he was observing Clara Diana.

"Please, sit!"

"Oh...!" Clara Diana was surprised. Her sore lips formed an O shape. "Did Mr. Gilbert tell me to sit in that soft mahogany chair?"_

"What are you waiting for, hurry!" Mr. Gilbert was angry that Clara Diana ignored his orders.