Chapter 1

(Zephar’s pov)

The cups shattered on the floor, I stood outside the door waiting to be called in. Prince Valen Crowe and his lover were at it again, always fighting and arguing about the soul keepers. My head was already banging from their morning duo and now, I'm about to be called in to sweep out the broken cups.

“One, two, three,” I snapped my fingers.

“Zephar!!!!” My name roared from inside and I slammed the door open and ran inside.

“Yes, my prince,” I bowed my head to him.

“Pack this out, I don't want my lover injured.” Prince Valen Crowe carried his silk floral gown and jumped over to the other side of the room. Miss Fiora hissed and angrily walked out of the room, I focused on picking every piece not to be called back into his chambers.

“I didn't let her win this time, and she's angry….humph,” 

“You should have, my prince, you know how long her anger lasts…… she might behave like the last time and jump into the river,” I reminded him. The broken pieces shined through the sack, I laid them on the table and went close to the prince.

I carefully arranged his hair, then his collar and then carried the sack and left to the firehouse to incarnate them back to raw material. It was time for the servants meal. The bell sounded across the whole palace wall and I quickly ran to get my plates and stand in the line. My monthly wage was already little, so I squeezed my last money and waited for my turn.

“Hope they don't fight for the food again,” I hissed and hugged my plate.

“Just pray, Zeph…..,” Selith echoed in my ear.

“Selith! And what are you doing dressing up as a boy, what if you're caught?”

“No one is catching anyone unless one of us speaks of it….. are we still meeting at the veils ceremony tonight? Malek asked.

“Of course, we're still meeting but the problem is Zephar,” Selith said and turned to me, “you're coming, right?”

“I need to tend to the devil tonight unless he changes his mind and attends the ceremony,” I replied calmly.

“Zephar!!!!” My name sounded from afar until it came close. Elsin ran to us. She stood firm holding Malek to catch her breath. The line moved and I quickly brought out my plate to receive my soup.

“Why were you screaming his name?” Selith asked.

“The sixth prince is coming here, and I think it's to come get you….. he's not going to forgive you for calling him the Palace Devil….. oh! my friend.” Elsin talked more.

I didn't say anything, everyone kept quiet when they heard the horse of the sixth prince neigh from the front gate. My mind scanned through my last stay with him but couldn't find an error in my errands. My heart skipped when he appeared inside the food ground, everybody paved way for him and avoided his eyes, including me. He approached my table and I stood up immediately.

“Sit, we can leave when you're done,” He said and I bet no one heard him apart from me. I was nervous, my spoon fell off my hand and I bent down to pick it up. I took a deep breath before raising my head again. Others can sense my fears, I was trying to be careful.

My meal went down fast as I scooped each spoonful. “I'm done, my prince,” I stood up and informed him. His eyes were closed while he faced the sun.

He didn't say anything, he clutched his sword and left and I followed behind. He got on his horse and strode ahead slowly while I walked. We got to his chambers and I knelt down and my head bowed . Prince Darius Crowe pulled off his coat and threw it at me. I picked it up and folded it.

His wine placed opposite him, he poured a little content into his silver cup and glumped it down at once. His blond hair covered his eyes and I stared at him unconsciously.

“Too handsome?” His deep voice shook me off.

“No, my prince….. it's nothing,”

“Get my dress ready for the veils ceremony, father has sent me an invite and you're going with me….. have my bath prepared, tell the cook I'll have light savory bread and raspberry pie,” Prince Darius Crowe instructed me.

“Understood my prince.” I stood up and left with his coat and passed it to his cleaning lady and went to the kitchen. The line was exhausting, I couldn't wait and then be scolded by him.

“Coming through, an order from the sixth prince.” I announced, they made way for me to go forward in line. I handed his meal list to the meal record keeper and left to prepare his dress for the event.

My friends were at the gate when I got there and almost passed them before Malek dragged me back. I followed them to our secret hideout location and sat down to eat the scrubs Elsin brought.

“You mean the eleventh prince is very ill?” I asked. The news was new. I munched on my pie.

“His mother silenced everyone who knows about it, just I left because I've been faithful to her,” Elsin boasted.

“You mean sucking her breasts and……,” Selith said and I covered her mouth. Elsin angrily stood up, she didn't say anything and left. Malek went after her.

“Why do you always have to spill out like this all the time? We all know she's doing that to keep cultivating her powers, so, quit reminding her.” I shunned Selith and quietly ate.

Malek ran back sweating, Selith and I got up immediately to run. He called my name and we stopped and looked at him.

“Prince Darius Crowe is at the dress bunker…… and you don't have his dress ready,” Malek stuttered and his breath shaking.

“I'm doomed.” I dropped my pie and ran off straight to the bunker and knelt down in front of him. He swung his leg as he sat looking at me. My hands were shaky, I couldn't get myself to talk, it was like I lost my voice. The sixth prince sharply got up and unsheathed his sword and pointed it to my neck.