He saved me

Luciana didn't know how long she cried in the duke's arm. She didn't even know when she became this vulnerable. She pulled away from him, and Elric held her shoulders at arms length.

"Everything is going to be well Luciana." Elric reassured her. He then wiped her eyes with one thumb.

Elric felt like his heart was in tremor. It hurt him to see her sad, and every of her sobs made his heart squeeze. He combed his hand through her red hair, offering her comfort in the little way he could.

"I want to know everything about how you ended up here." He asked curiously.

Luciana nodded. "After my family was killed, Lord Kruger took me and sold me as a slave." Her eyes burned again, and she tried hard to steady her breathing.

"The prince bought me."

Elric frowned, wondering what he bought her for. Rich men usually buy female slaves for their own pleasure. He really hoped that was not the case.

"He saved me. He didn't use me for any of the usual things slaves were used for. He saved me from... m