4. Unrecognized

She froze when he said that word. She couldn’t respond like she was paralyzed. His lips wandered on her neck as he smelled her with growls at the back of his throat. 

She didn’t respond when he left marks and he unbuttoned her uniform. His hands were on her butt and the only thing she could see was the ceiling with a diamond chandelier over the bathtub. 

She couldn’t think right. She couldn’t feel anything at all while he was harassing her. 

“Your majesty!” Paxton exclaimed. “This is an emergency and I am sorry to interrupt.” 

She didn’t move like she couldn’t hear them. 

“What?” He roared as he glared at Paxton. 

“Grand Duke is here.” He said. 

“My brother?” He frowned. “What is he doing here?” He said as he frowned. Paxton didn’t say a thing as he looked at the girl who seemed to be paralyzed. 

“Is she alright?” Paxton asked as Dominick realized something. She must have been flustered as he gently kissed her forehead and fixed her dress in front. 

“Stay here, I’ll be back.” He grabbed the towel as he covered his front and Paxton left quickly. 

She was momentarily puzzled as she reached that warm kiss on her forehead. But who was that man? Calling her mate? That can’t be. Because her mate is already dead. 

******

He dressed up casually, his hair was still a mess as he headed down to meet his brother who bows at him. 

“Brother!” He smiled. “I heard you found your mate in the city. I am here to offer some help.” 

“There’s no need.” He glared at him. “Go back to your castle.” He was ready to go back to his room. 

“I went here for a long way, brother.” Grand Duke Ceil said. 

“Prepare his room on the west wing.” He told everyone. 

“We should have dinner together.” 

“No.” He headed back to his mate. Upon reaching the bathroom, the woman was there hugging herself in the corner like a terrified little girl. She looked cute like that. She’s harmless. There’s no way that she’s an assassin. Paxton was once mistaken. 

He approached her, took a towel, and placed it over her. She must be scared. But he shouldn’t be sorry. She was his and he will do everything to have her and bear his heirs. 

He placed it around her to be squatted. 

“Baby girl, was it your first time?” He asked. She didn’t respond. “We can do this tomorrow. It has been spoiled so you need to be here tomorrow.” 

“I am not your mate.” She said, “Mine is dead.” 

“Really?” He scoffed as he reached her chin. “But you are mine.” He caressed his thumb on her lips. “Tomorrow, you will prepare my bath as soon as I wake up and do it again before dinner.” 

She turned her head away as she stood and the towel dropped. She then left the room, soaking wet from the water. She needs a better plan on how to kill him. 

She headed to the maid’s quarter and she was given a room closer to the King’s room. 

“You will be living in luxury too.” Miss Gigi said with brows raised. “He wanted your room to be close to his. We only have a spare room for that and its storage. It was small but you could run to grant his commands.” 

She was silent as always. They could all say bad things about her. She was already dead inside. 

“Why are you soaked?” The Lady asked as she reached her collar to check on something. The woman pitied her for a while but then, she handed her bags and uniforms. “Go now.” 

**** 

Dominick was trying hard to catch her scent in the bathtub. But it was gone after he accidentally flushed it. He was pissed. But he won’t stay in the bathtub anyway. 

When he left the bathroom, her room was clean again with the dinner and drinks he wanted. He meant to share it with his mate but she was too scared. Or was she scared? He remembered that she didn't react to his kiss like she was a corpse. 

He froze while staring at his bed. It wouldn’t be fun if his mate didn’t react while he was making love to her. He wanted all of her reactions, pleasure, pain, bliss… He sat down in front of his table to eat his dinner, but thinking that his mate hadn't eaten anything made him frown. 

He stood and went to the room that was reserved for his mate, not for a maid. He found her by the window, her back on him and staring out. She’s weird. But there’s something wrong with his mate. 

“I’m entering.” He said as she nearly jumped or did she act like his voice was someone to be scared of? She turned to him and timidly bowed her head. 

“What can I do for you?” 

He took heavy steps toward her as he reached her chin. 

“You know what I want. But can you do it?” 

She pressed her lips. 

“There are other maids there that would love to do all sorts of things, my King. But why me?” 

“Because you are mine.” He frowned at her. “Tell me, Bella. Do you want your mate to be mated with another?” 

“I am not your mate, your majesty. You might be mistaken.” 

“Either way, I’ll have you. Come and join me for dinner.” 

“I must decline.” 

“It’s not a request.” He said as he reached her neck, his big hands around it. It was slender and easy to snap. But he won’t do such a thing to his mate. He will lure her to his bed. And if she retaliates, he will just have her tied until she gives her bed to his heir. 

He moved his lips closer to her ear. She seemed to be fresh from the bath but her scent was so good. It was almost a faint smell, others might not be able to smell her this close and he’s glad that only he could. 

“Didn’t you just say that you’ll do as I wish?”

“Yes,” She stared at nowhere as his hand rubbed her waist. 

“Now, my little mate.” He has to crouch down to be able to reach her. “Let’s have dinner and I’ll show your main role as mine.” 

She gaped a little and he wanted to devour those lips badly. He caressed her lower lips. 

“How many men have you slept with, little mate?” 

“Many.” She mumbled. 

“I see.” His hand went to her abdomen. “No one can fill this but me. From now on, no one will ever touch you. Give me the names of those who touched you.” 

“You, King Dominick.” 

He laughed, his voice was like a base… a baritone voice. She was curious as to why it sounded good in her ears. Even when he laughed so sarcastically. 

“You are a smart girl, Bella.” He picked her up like a bride as he carried her to his room.