In desperation, Y/N accepts a job as Commander Lexa's handmaiden with hopes of earning enough money to buy her father some well-needed medication. But the Commander makes it very clear how much she doesn't want nor need a handmaiden, only making Y/N...
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"I need to see the Commander," I told the guards outside the throne room doors.
When they realised it was me, they nodded and stepped to the side to let me through. I thanked them before entering, expecting to find Lexa by herself, but she was stood over a table with Titus having a semi-heated discussion.
"–not expecting her, so why has she suddenly changed her mind?!" Lexa was saying to Titus, voice holding a restrained irritation despite how calm she sounded. "She cannot just appear out of nowhere and make me look a fool!"
"She was invited," Titus retorted with frustration. "And as the Commander, it is your responsibility to accommodate her. You knew what you were asking for when you proposed this coalition–"
"Don't tell me what my responsibilities are!" she cut him off with a fiery glare, making me second guess entering at all. "I know!"
"Then why are you–?!" Titus began, but paused when he saw me awkwardly lingering by the doorway, too afraid to step inside further. "What are you doing here?" he snapped, taking his anger out on me instantly. "You shouldn't be here."
Gulping nervously, I approached the table. "Sorry to interrupt." I bowed my head before looking to Lexa and doing the same. "Heda. I just wanted to let you know that the shirts you asked to be tailored are in your room. I left them on your bed so you can try them on when you have time. I'll also be heading out to pick up some medicine. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Lexa had been kind enough to let me nip out to get another round of medicine for my father during the day when she was busy rather than late after work. I just needed to let her know when, like now, but I was beginning to regret that choice when I felt Titus' stare.
"You interrupted because of that?" he asked incredulously. "How dare you–"
"Titus!" Lexa interrupted sternly, fixing him with a glare. "She isn't apart of this. She didn't do anything wrong."
"She's just the handmaiden–"
"Yes," she cut him off again, "the one you forced me to have, so you'll treat her with the same respect you treat me."
Titus narrowed his eyes as they fell to me, and I'd never felt more uncomfortable in his presence than I did now. I didn't expect him to respect me as he did the Commander, but she still had the authority, so he bowed his head somewhat respectfully in my direction.
"My apologies, Y/N," he forced himself to say.
I nodded awkwardly, before looking to Lexa when she began to speak.
"Thank you for letting me know," she said to me with a softened expression, glare long-gone. "And that's fine, you can go get the medicine. Take your time."
I nodded, though my eyes flickered between her and Titus, taking in the thick tension in the air. Whatever they'd been arguing about clearly was a sore spot for her, and I told myself I was only asking because it was my job when I said, "Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
