The dark prince

Luciana stood on the highest point of a cliff with eyes closed, listening to the peaceful sound of the river. Just one step forward, she would fall to her death. But that doesn't scare her. In fact, that was what she was fantasizing about.

The wind blew her long red hair to her face, and the ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. She imagined herself just walking that step, and her life would be over. What could be more fulfilling than that? What was there to live for when she was all alone?

Just as she decided to move one leg forward, someone had to distract her.

"Luciana! What are you doing? Get off there!" Annalise called worriedly. She quickly ran over there and pulled Luciana away. "What the hell are you thinking? You want to get yourself killed?" She scolded. But the ever strong-headed Luciana turned to her with a very stoic expression.

"I am sorry for getting you worried." She then walked past her.

Annalise stood there confused, her heart still beating in nervousness of what she almost witnessed. Was Luciana going to kill herself?

She then pulled herself out of her thoughts and ran after her.

"Luciana! Wait." 

She pulled her by the hand when she finally caught up to her.

"Why are you doing this? You can talk to me. You got me scared."

"I am sorry for scaring you." Luciana said without looking at her.

"We need to go back to the inn as soon as possible. I heard that there is a buyer available. Rumour has it that he is rich. What if he is a marque, or an Earl, or a count, or a viscount." She gasped. "Or even a Duke. Life could be better for us. And if you use your feminine charms well, you might be able to get one to marry you." Annalise shared her supposed brilliant thoughts with Luciana, only to be met with a blank disinterested stare.

"I don't want to get married Annalise."

Annalise rolled her eyes. "You are such a joy killer. I would have left you alone, but I am afraid you might jump off the cliff."

Luciana smiled a little.

Annalise then grabbed Luciana's hand, and walked her back to the inn where they had been staying for the past two weeks. They didn't even know the kingdom they were in, as they were taken away as slaves.

"Where were you Luciana?" Lady Rowena questioned her as soon as she saw both girls. "You don't want to keep our buyer waiting."

Luciana almost rolled her eyes. Of course, they were waiting for their buyer. A person who would buy them. Nothing irritated her more than that.

Just two weeks ago, she was living happily with her family, before catastrophe befell them, and she was taken away. Every now and then, a wealthy man or woman, mainly the supernatural beings would come to purchase them, as if they were goods. Many of them were bought either to be used as slaves or to make more money for their masters through immoral means.

Luciana had not been bought because everyone she was presented before didn't find her appealing enough. They mostly complained that she lacked manners, and she looked too thin. She had ended up receiving a few beatings from the inn's guard anytime they complained about her.

Now was another time to receive a beating, and she prepared herself. It was nothing to her anyway. 

Lady Rowena gathered all the ladies outside, and lined them up so that they all face her.

"You all know that an important personality with a high social standing would be coming here to make his purchase today." She began as she slowly walked from one girl to another. "So I expect you all to be on your best behavior, and also remember to look your best. If he touches you, give him your most charming smile. This is a new customer, and I would like to make a good first impression."

Murmurs were heard among the girls before lady Rowena shut them up. 

"Any questions?" She asked.

One of the girls raised her hand.

"May we know who this personality is my lady?" She gave a polite bow.

"It's the prince of Durville."

A gasp was heard at the mention of the prince. He was well known for his ruthlessness, and thirst for power within and outside his kingdom. He had conquered many kingdoms, expanding his father's already large one. He was also known for his obsession in buying slaves. No one knew the reason.

They live in a society where power rules. And it is believed that the bigger the kingdom, the more powerful the king. The prince was an asset to his father.

"You all should calm down. Be respectful, and do whatever he says. You will be alright." Lady Rowena said.

"Now you have five minutes to dress up. Make sure you look your best. Use scented oils on your hair and skin..."

Luciana wanted to roll her eyes. Lady Rowena always made them dress and appear their finest whenever a buyer was coming, making them appear like they were cared for.

"Monica." Lady Rowena called the girl that had at first asked her a question. "This might be your chance. You were almost taken by the viscount's son last time, before he noticed Gwen."

Monica nodded. "I will do my best my lady." She bowed.

Lady Rowena liked Monica because she was very polite and obedient. She looked beautiful and healthy too. She would fetch her a lot of money.

Then she moved to stop in front of Luciana. "And you. I don't want you giving me a bad name, so you better behave."

She then inspected her. "You have gotten thinner than the last time we had a buyer. Do you eat at all?"

"Yes my lady." Luciana replied with a dull tone.

"Nobody will buy you at this rate. And it cost me money to continue feeding you." Lady Rowena complained.

"I never asked you to feed me my lady." She then looked up at lady Rowena, meeting her eyes. "You were the one who chose to burden yourself."

Lady Rowena would have slapped her, but she didn't want the prince to find any of the girls out of shape. Not that she wasn't already looking bad.

Annalise who was standing beside Luciana gently tapped her, reminding her her position. She was already used to Luciana's sharp tongue, but she feared it would get her in real trouble one day.

The inn's guard passed by, and his gaze met Luciana's. She knew she was in trouble. He was going to beat her with his super human strength again. He was a werewolf. They should try something new.

"Now go." Lady Rowena ordered.

The girls quickly left to get themselves dressed. As much as they feared the prince, they saw him as an opportunity to climb higher the social ladder.

Annalise brought dresses for her and Luciana, but she came out only to meet Luciana lying on the bed, not minding the girls turning the room upside down, wanting to look perfect.

"Luciana please. This is your chance to leave here." Annalise pleaded, knowing how mistreated Luciana was.

"How are you sure life with the prince would be better?" She asked with a dry tone.

"You get to live in a castle. You get to meet nobilities from far and wide. If you know how to use your charms, you might catch the eyes of one. Who knows, they can help you find your family."

Luciana's eyes closed, and she gulped down saliva.

"I don't need the castle." Her voice came out low, unlike her.

"You will find them alright?" Annalise encouraged.

Soon, Lady Rowena called them out again.

The girls lined up quietly with their heads bowed, as they had been taught to do.

Soon enough, voices and footsteps were heard, and they guessed that the prince was there already, but they were not permitted to look up to see him. 

When the prince began to walk in front of them, some of the girls cowered as they remembered some rumours about him.

Lady Rowena took him to Monica, hoping that he would be pleased with her and buy her, but the prince didn't even look at her. His eyes just scanned the line of girls, before turning to lady Rowena.

"How much?" His deep voice rang.

"For who your highness?" Lady Rowena asked respectfully.

The werewolf guard that had looked at Luciana before, walked up to him.

"If I may your highness..."

He began to point out girls for the prince, encouraging him to purchase them. Then he pointed at Luciana and said something she couldn't hear, but she guessed it would not be something nice. He then pointed at another girl, and whispered something to the prince with a boyish grin on his face.

But when the prince turned to him, the guard stepped back. The prince stared at him like he just said something he shouldn't have said, and he wondered if he had crossed the line with the ruthless prince.

Before he could say one more word, the prince grabbed him by the throat and turned him around, so that the guard's back was facing him. Before anyone could react, he brought out a dagger from beneath his sleeve, and slit his throat, letting him fall to the ground. Dead.

He then turned to lady Rowena who had an appalled look on her face. Her mouth was hung open, and she looked like all colour had been drained away from her.

"Now how much for all of them?" He asked, while he brought out a white cloth to wipe the blood off his dagger.