Chapter 8 Reinstatement

I have never had such treatment in the 18 years of my life. I put on the beautiful gown. While dressing me, they smartly avoided the hair on my right side. I knew that they still secretly despised me. After all, having different colored eyes was a weird thing for them. If it were not for Vincent, I would probably never be reinstated my entire life. A seed of gratitude was planted in my heart, and I named the seed Vincent. After getting dressed up, I headed over to the council chamber. All of the royal members of the Georges were there. I have never once entered. I could feel their scathing glares on me. I mustered the courage and stood straight up, learning from Diana. Then, I walked to the middle of the council chamber. My father was up on stage, with his palms together on his head. "Today is my daughter, Jasmine's reinstatement. May Selene, the moon goddess, watch over her and keep her safe." Everyone put their palms together. I followed suit. When the ceremony was over, Diana brought Vincent over to me. She gave me a hug. "Congratulations, Jasmine. You're now officially my sister." She then whispered in my ear. "So what if you're a princess? You'll still have to obey me." The contempt in her tone made the smile on my face stiffen. When she let me go, her tone turned gentle once more. She sure knew how to change expressions quickly. Vincent approached me. My heart was beating wildly. He swept the hair covering my right eye back. I panicked. Was he trying to humiliate me? I immediately put my hair down, since the color was really out of place. Everyone glared at me even more. They started murmuring too. Vincent shot them a sharp and vicious gaze. The council chamber was instantly in pin-drop silence. Vincent said coldly, "So, what if you're a Heterochromian? In the wolf tribes, it is all about strength. There's a place for you even for a Heterochromian. It's all up to you how you forge your own path." Then, Diana led Vincent out of the council chamber, with her arm around his. What Vincent said gave me courage. I was going to make something of myself. I put my hair up, openly showing my black eye. My father did not dare to say anything. After all, the person who said that to me was Vincent of Houghton. My father approached me. "My dear daughter, I've already told the entire wolf tribe that your status has been reinstated. As long as you are good, you will surely have a happy life in the future." He might sound like he was happy for me, but in fact, he was threatening me to not cause any trouble, or I would be much worse than before. I nodded. "Yes, Father." My father called a servant, who looked like she was around my age, over. She walked over to me. He said to me, "This is Wendy. She will be your personal servant from now on." I looked at Wendy. Wendy said in a trembling voice, "Princess Jasmine, I will be your personal servant from now on. I'm here if you need anything." She would not end up well if she stayed with me. I looked at my father. "Father, I don't need a personal servant. I'm fine alone." My father did not look too pleased. He looked at Wendy and she was trembling. He said, "Since Princess Jasmine doesn't want you, you'd be banished from the tribe." My father was just about to get the guards to drag Wendy out, when Wendy grabbed my leg and sobbed, "Princess, I will surely serve you well. Please take me in." I felt sorry for her, so I said to my father, "Father, I'll take her. Please don't banish her from the tribes." My father waved his hands and the guards stood down. Wendy knelt in front of me. "Thank you for saving my life, Princess." I helped her up as she looked at me, her gaze filled with gratitude. I led her out of the council chamber to my room. I listened to Wendy telling me about her life. She was 17 years old. She has no family, so she sold herself to our tribe. We had a rule in the tribe stating that unwanted servants would be banished. Other than the five great tribes, there are other smaller tribes. However, they were all evil. Being banished from the wolf tribes would mean that you ended up dead. Wendy's experience was a lot like mine, and I could not help but pity her. However, I could not even protect myself. Would I really be able to protect her as well? Wendy suddenly knelt. "Princess, I heard people saying that you're a Heterochromian, but I never believed any of the rumors. I only know that you gave me a second life. I will repay you. I can cook. I can do laundry. I can do any chores as long as you don't send me away." I helped her up. "You don't have to do anything. Life has dealt us both a bad hand. I might not be able to give you much, but I'll try my best." Wendy smiled at me. Her smile was very calming. "Thank you, Princess." "When we're alone, you don't have to call me Princess. You can just call me Jasmine. Anyway, my princess title is just a title. My fate is still the same as yours." Wendy held my hand. "Alright. I heard what King Vincent said to you today. He is right. You could carve a path of your own. I definitely can't. I do not have the powers like you to awaken your wolf. You can do it. I believe in you." Other than Vincent, she was the first one who believed in me. Tears fell instantly and I hugged her. "Wendy, thank you!" Right at that moment, there was a knock on my door. "Jasmine, come out now!" It was Diana. It was time for her to take my blood again. I let Wendy go. "Stay here. Don't come out." Wendy obeyed. I walked out of the room to see Diana with her arms crossed. "Why are you so slow? Do you think you can slack off just because you're a princess now? Go to my room!" I lowered my head and followed her to her room. I saw the needle on the table and the doctor. I walked over to the doctor and sat down, rolled up my sleeves, and reached my arm out for the doctor. Diana chuckled. "See, even if you're a princess, you'll still have to obey me. Jasmine, remember this. I own you. Forever." I bore through the pain and nodded. Once the doctor was done taking my blood, he left the room. Diana poured my blood into a wine glass. I was just about to leave when Diana called after me. "Jasmine!" I turned around with a lowered head and asked, "Yes, Princess?" Diana swirled the glass and took a sip before saying, "You don't have to come tonight."