The Alpha King's Hated Slave
The Alpha King’s Hated Slave Chapter 47

Danika reached the underground bedroom to see Baski walking out of the door with a bowl of water and closing the door behind her.

Baski saw her coming, taking on the fear on her face, her swollen eyes, the tentative way she walks and the red mark on her arm.

“Please, how is Sally?” Danika asked, her heart in her throat.

She was most surprised when Baski’s eyes teared up.

“Oh, Danika….” She dropped the bowl of water to the ground and walked to her. Danika was shocked when Baski wrapped her arms around her.

“You made him sleep…. He slept because of you…. You don’t know how happy you made me…!” Baski cried in a whisper.

Stunned, Danika remained still until the older wan pulled away from her.

She had a smile on her face as she looked up at her, “I checked on him twice and he was still sleeping…” Baski said with awe.

“Uhm…does it mean that the king doesn’t sleep so well?” Danika asked, confused, “I know he’s awake most of the time but I thought it was his choice.”

Baski shook her head. “It was never. The king hasn’t slept well in fifteen years.”

“Oh No!” Danika’s eyes widened. That’s a long time for a person not to sleep well. Guilt joined when she knew that it’s because of her father. She didn’t bother to ask.

Baski nodded her head sadly. “He’s able to sleep last night, I’m so happy about that. I’ve made so much portions…” she took a deep breath, and stared up at her, “Don’t worry, I’ll give you portions for the aches and sore muscles.”

Danika nodded gratefully. “Thanks, Baski.”

Baski wiped her eyes and composed herself. “I bet you must be famished. Uyah brought in your food and Sally’s food early. Come on, let’s go in. We wouldn’t want more people to know that we’re here and why.”

Danika dug into her heels, forcing her to stop. “What a-about Sally, Madam Baski?” She asked again, her voice fearful.

“She’s holding out fine. Opened her eyes hours ago and looked for her princess. Then, she closed it right back again.”

“What?” Danika’s heart squeezed guiltily in her chest, “She looked for me and I wasn’t h-here…”

“Don’t go about beating yourself up, she’ll be awake again.” Baski consoled, “But, until she is, you have to eat, take your bath and freshen up.”

Danika agreed but she still needed to see Sally. She followed Baski inside the room and stood at the door. She watched Sally there on the bed.

Sally’s sleeping position has changed and now, she laid on her side. There’s a towel to her head, her eyes still closed.

Danika watched her labored breathing to satisfy herself that she’s still alive, before she took the food from the table and ate. Then, she entered the bathroom.

She bathed and came out of the bathroom to see new clean clothes of hers folded on the bed. Uyah brought them in. Baski finished mixing another concoction which she forced down Sally’s throat.

The concoction reminded Danika of something important. She waited until Uyah went out on the errand Baski sent her to.

She walked closer and sat down on the bed beside Sally. She took Sally’s hand into hers, squeezing lightly.

Baski was stirring the small pistol vigorously, mixing her herbs. She threw her a glance, “I’m making the portions. I also added herbs that tighten up those overused muscles too. I’ll be done in a little bit.”

Danika cleared her throat. “Uhm…Ma’am Baski, can you make me portions that will prevent a baby….? You know….the one you made me before…?”

Baski’s hand paused, her face paling. For a few seconds, anger and resentment crossed the older woman’s face as she stared at Danika. Then, she looked away.

The question hung in the air, tense and uncomfortable.

Danika didn’t know what she said wrong to emit such reaction from Baski. She has no idea why Baski suddenly withdrew from her.

“Do you hate him so much that you can’t even bear the thought of having his child?” Baski asked at last, her voice low and resentful.

Danika’s eyes widened in surprise. She didn’t expect such a question.

Baski abandoned her herbs and turned fully to face her. She crossed her arms, “Do you hate him that much? Does the thought of having his child sicken you?”

Danika opened her mouth….closed it. She opened it again….snapped it shut. The question rubbed her of speech.

Baski turned and faced her herbs again, her shoulders tensed, her pose screamed anger and resentment. She picked up the small wooden pistol and started mixing her herbs again.

“It’s actually the other way around, Baski.” Danika whispered at last, her voice small.

Baski turned and watched her warily.

She lifted a shoulder and allowed it to fall. “It’s the other way around. The king hates me too much. He hates me too much for me to bear his child.” her eyes pinned Baski’s own, “I am Cone’s daughter. Cone’s daughter can’t bear a child for the king Lucien, he hates me too much to ever take that well.”

Before Baski could say anything, Danika added, “Let’s not forget what happens to any slave that allows herself to carry the child of her master. It’s not law, but most masters find it an offense punishable by death. They kill the slave for that.”

Danika looked away then, shaking her head. “I’m barely surviving here, Baski…I don’t want to get killed for committing such offense.”

Her words settled between them and the silence stretched.

Finally, Baski took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing. “The king is not like other men, Danika.” She said calmly. “He hates you, yes, but he’s not like other slave masters. You should already know that by now.”

“Yes. Yes, I know.” Danika admitted.

Baski nodded and started stirring her potions again. “You don’t have to worry about carrying his child. You can be with him as much as he wants you to, and you don’t have to worry about bearing him a child.”

“Oh….” Danika thought about that, trying to understand. Then, her eyes cleared in understanding, “Is it because of the herbs you gave me before? Are they still working and effective? For how long?”

“For months to come.” Baski answered reluctantly.

“Okay.” Danika took a deep breath.

Finally done with her herbs, she offered the portion to Danika. She took the wooden cup from the older woman and drank the bitter liquid.

“You’ll feel better in no time.” She reasurred, taking the empty cup from her.

“Thank you so much, Baski.”

“You’re welcome.”

Danika bit her lips. “Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?” Baski started packing her med-bag.

She doesn’t know how to ask that. But she pushed the words out nonetheless… “Who’s Declan?”

Baski’s head whipped up, she whirled around so fast she was spinning as she faced Danika. “How did you hear that name?”

She worried her lower l*p, “When the King’s mistress tortured me, she kept hitting my back with the whip, saying that I deserve to go through everything Declan went through—“

“No one deserves that.” Baski inserted flatly, her lips pursed in disapproval.

“—-and then, last night the king spoke his name before I entered his room. He was having a nightmare…” she paused, “he told Declan that he’s sorry. I heard him say that.”

Baski’s eyes watered. She blinked rapidly to clear her eyes, she turned back towards the table and continued packing her bag.

“Who’s Declan…?” Danika repeated softly.

Baski didn’t answer. The question hanged in the air for so long, Danika knew she wouldn’t answer.

“M-My… P-Princess….”

She stilled at the hoarse sound of Sally’s voice. Her head whipped around and she stared at Sally, who’s eyes fluttered open.

“Sally…! Oh Creator…Sally!” She climbed onto the bed, crawling towards Sally.

Sally’s eyes found her princess. “M-My… P-Princess….”

“How do you feel, Sally…? How are you doing…?”