Chapter 7

(Zephar's pov)

My food couldn't get past my throat, his every stare made the food stuck in my throat.

“My prince, can I ask you something?”

“Ask,”

“Ehrm… why are you always looking at me, I'm not doing anything wrong,”

“Just eat.” He stood up and went to his bed and laid down facing up. I felt quite at ease, I happily munched on the chicken laps and focused on the berry pie crust, it was only made for royals and can't be seen in an average family's home.

The raspberry juice smiled at me and I took the jug and helped myself into my cup and glumped down every drop, I lost myself in eating and forgot I was eating the prince's meal. An expensive fruit cultivated only for the royal family, I ate the grapes and left none of it.

“I didn't know you have a large stomach,” I heard the prince say just when I was about to pick up the dried persimmon and drop it.

“No, help yourself.” I watched him walk behind me and loosen my hair tie, my long hair fell in its length and he dug his fingers into it and started massaging my head.

My heart already knew how to beat faster in this type of situation. My hand started shaking as I picked up the persimmon and put it close to my lips and bit it.

He wouldn't understand how uncomfortable I am right now.

“I'm so sorry, my prince, I had forgotten myself and finished your grapes.” I apologized, he didn't reply, he kept massaging my scalp and I stood up and faced him.

He pushed me to the table and kept his hand on it and the other on my chin and lifted it up. He looked from one eye to the other, to my nose and then my lips. He stared at it for so long before standing straight, his hand on his waist and the other on his sword.

He gestured for me to turn and I did, I felt his hand on my hair, he caressed it to the tip and back to my head.

“It grew longer, Zeph,” He spoke at last.

I faced him, “I like it long, my prince,”

“You said that before,” He came closer and touched my hair again and I moved aside.

“I…. I ehmmm, my prince, thank you for the food and the wine…. I enjoyed myself.” I counted my words, my heart racing fast. I don't know what he's thinking of doing to me again, he zeroed in from my head to my toe.

I was already sick of it, why did he have to hear me speak bad about him? Everyone talks about how devilish he is, so why did he only hear mine?

I was worried for myself. It was already too much that I wished the lock-in would be lifted, I need to leave these cage chambers to the dormitory.

The sixth prince hissed and went close to his window and squatted in his cultivating position. His legs crossed and his eyes closed.

Is he going to cultivate with me in his room?

He charged and the acrid tang of smoke swept the whole room forcing me to cover my nose.

After a few minutes, the smoke became pungent and bearable. I watched his body glow in seven power stone light, showing the levels he had surpassed. Sparks of energy level flickered across his skin, he drew in slow breath guiding the restless force within his body through his veins, pushing it towards his core.

It felt like watching Selith and Elsin cultivate their power and rank them in speed. I've never watched him meditate and cultivate before.

Each movement tested his endurance, forcing him to strengthen both his body and spirit.

Suddenly, his power became unstable and that was one thing with having the sovereign power without training through ranks.

He retreated into solitude and practiced ancient techniques. He took his sword and tore his skin, letting droplets of blood fall to the floor and slowly surround him. My mind became jumpy, my pulse spiked, I sharply backed away.

He groaned when his muscles trembled, sweats were already soaked through his clothes.

As his cultivation deepened, the changes became noticeable. His breathing grew steadier, his senses sharper, and his presence more intimidating. The energy that once threatened to harm the both of us now obeyed his commands.

He fell sideways from the breakthrough revealed from another realm of power and I ran into a far corner of his room to shield myself from harm.

His groaning increased and I went to him, the room was now shadowed and smelt earthy.

“Make my bath hot.” grumbled.

I left his room and informed his maid that he needs a hot bath. A few minutes after delivering the message, she came back with those responsible for carrying his bath water and I took them one after the other and emptied them into his bathtub and quietly requested a cold bath for myself.

Prince Darius jolted up and moved to the tub and sank into it. He gave me a piercing gaze and I left the bathroom. From his yelping, his powers were rising and spiking his pulse.

“Ahhhhhh!” His voice was loud and strained.

“Bring my sword to the door and do not dare enter or peer into here…. be careful with my sword so it doesn't burn you and don't think of dropping it.” His voice was like thunder to my ears. 

I panicked from his words, my skin crawling, I shut my eyes and held my racing heart. 

“No mistake and no dropping the sword, Zepher.” I took my time and examined the sword and the seal around it. I went close the the sword and gently grabbed it and unwrapped it from the healing seal.

It felt heavy for the first time, as I stood up with it, it burnt my palm and I dropped it.