18. Enslaved!

Author's POV 

Layla was getting Emerald ready for the auction. She was wearing a rose gold gown with a rose pattern, the glittery net was covering her hands and the mermaid shape was hugging her curves. The shoulders were open, hair was tied up so her neck could be visible, and he was doing it intentionally to show people his victory. 

Emerald touched the thing around her neck that he had tied, and a bitter smile appeared on her face. Tying a collar around her neck was only someone's wildest dream and Egon conquered it. 

Her insides were on fire, the lava was boiling inside. He wanted to light the fire in her, he is not yet aware that he did; it's going to burn everything soon. 

Layla curled the loose hair of her bun.

"Enough, Layla... You are getting me ready like I'm the one who's gonna be auctioned."

She got up with a bitter smile.

"Or am I?"

Layla looked down nervously. 

"I just want you to look your best, queen... You are a beautiful woman"

"No, Layla... This is where you people fool yourself."

She placed a hand on the old woman's shoulder.

"I am an ugly woman... Isn't that why your master has collared me like an animal?"

Her eyes stared hatefully at her neck in the mirror.

"Men only collar beautiful women..."

Layla mumbled while placing makeup back in its box. 

"They don't waste time on ugly women."

"Who is talking about beauty this face holds..."

Emerald touched the mirror and looked at her reflection like she loathed herself.

"This woman is the ugliest woman I have ever seen... She destroyed my life."

Layla couldn't say anything, Egon has damaged her to the extent where she has started hating herself.

Emerald moved her neck to loosen the tight collar around her neck, which was choking her a bit, giving her a sense that she was enslaved. She closed her eyes and recalled how Egon's strong hands tied this delicate yet most damaging thing around her neck and she couldn't even do anything. 

Now he will take her to the auction, where people from the dark world will be present. They will see her miserable life, they will laugh at her, they will make fun of her and they will celebrate her doom. She will be embarrassed and humiliated publicly in front of the people who feared to even talk in front of her once. 

This is what Egon wanted to do; that's why he brought her out of the basement, and this is why he was grooming her. Now she understood. 

Layla walked out of the room and she was still standing in front of the mirror, looking at herself. 

Egon saw her from the door frame, and his time stopped for a moment. She was looking breathtaking in a rose gold gown, exactly the way he imagined her to look. Her face was glowing, and for the first time, she was looking angelic with no makeup look. 

Earlier she used to use dark shades for her makeup, which would make her look bold and evil. Now she was looking soft and vibrant. He was in awe of her beauty, but only if her heart were as beautiful as this. 

She is the most beautiful yet the ugliest woman he has ever seen.

He has tied a collar around her neck, and for some reason,  it's giving him unethical satisfaction. He is hard since he has put that collar on her. The feeling of owing her is richer than being the king. 

He walked behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes as his lips touched her shoulder and then her neck on the collar belt. He was mocking her. 

She still hasn't talked to him and she has nothing to say. 

"You are looking stunning, my love."

He smirked. 

She felt the tug in her chest, he knows that he shouldn't use those words yet he does that just to squeeze her heart in pain and guilt. 

"Let's go!"

He wrapped his hand around her waist and led her out. Emerald's heart started picking up a beat with each step. At this time, she would prefer to die instead of going out in public with a ruined empire, as a captive, defeated and with a collar around her neck. This is the most shameful thing for her. 

He forced her inside the helicopter and they reached the city in no time. The chopper landed on the roof of the building, and he led her towards the hall through lavish hallways and a rich smell. 

The huge glass doors slid open when they got closer. Egon looked at her when her hand unknowingly curled tightly around his arm, her breathing was shaky. 

He opened his mouth to talk, but then stopped. He sighed and led her inside. The hall was huge and they were supposed to descend the stairs to enter it as they came down from the rooftop. 

Everyone and everything froze as they saw Egon with her. She kept her face straight, not showing anyone what she was actually feeling. She gracefully grabbed her dress to avoid it coming in her way. 

The whispers and mumbles got louder, and people were more shocked and surprised than amused. 

Many eyes fell on her neck and the black leather collar, and the murmurs got louder. 

"Is that a collar? Fucking hell, can't believe he really did that to her..."

She ignored the whisper which was loud enough for her to hear. 

"She is still alive... I thought she would have been skinned alive by the king... What's really happening?"

Another whisper weighed on her chest.

"She deserves the worst death to be honest but I am really feeling pity for her... Such a shameful defeat for a woman like her... Death would have been much easier, isn't it?"

Emerald halted in her place when she heard that. 

Egon tightened his hold around her and led her to their seat. The host announced the start of the event, and as Egon took his chair, Emerald sat beside him, trying to keep her breathing calm and slow.

She was still avoiding the curious gaze on her; all those stares were mocking her. 

The auction finally started, and she was expecting him to auction her property, but no, what he was auctioning was more than just a property for her. It was more valuable.

She looked at Egon in disbelief, he was really trying to hurt her. She could see that in his eyes. 

"Tonight will be fun, enjoy it beyond limits. My queen!"

He smirked.