Chapter 2

The day had started with her being in the kitchen, doing the dishes. One would assume that living in such a large and beautiful house, she would be treated like a princess. Well, the case was different for her. Only she knew what she was truly facing at home. Her step father would not allow her have freedom. She never went out except he came along. She never had any friends, except the ones he approved.

Anything in general that had the potency to cause her freedom was disapproved of by him. She was literally living as a maid in her own house. After losing her father, her mother had remarried. The man had treated her nice until her mother left. He was the legal custodian since his marriage to her mum was legal. The day her mother died was the day she lost her freedom. That was the reason they had maids in the house but she did everything.

Gradually, the man had gambled the house and her father's wealth away, leaving her to suffer extreme poverty and still be in debt.

"Diana! How long will it take you to finish doing the dishes?! We need to hurry and leave!" He yelled from the sitting room. Sighing to herself, Diana rounded off the washing and cleaned the kitchen counter surface, making sure everywhere was shiny.

She went to her room to bath and dress up. They were supposed to attend an elite party and although she wasn't interested, her step father would never want to catch wind of her lack of interest. 

"Mingling with the rich and clueless is the surest way to make enough money." He would always say. 

Diana picked a fancy dress. It was one out of the only three dresses she had left. Her fancy clothes had been sold off by her step father to clear some outstanding debts.

The man hired a cab to the venue. Diana was surprised they were using a cab. Where did he find the money to pay for it?

"You must be on your best behavior, Diana. We can't afford to screw this up." He said softly.

Diana was also surprised he was speaking so softly to her. "Why is this one so important?" She muttered.

"Well because we shall be meeting a lot of wealthy people. Ah, we might even find a good husband for you! You have to bring out your charm, be ready to enchant all the young and wealthy men out there."

Diana scowled at him, but she turned her face to the window so that he would not see her scowling. What did he mean by find a wealthy husband? Was he about to sell her off as well? She would definitely not accept it.

When they arrived the venue, Diana looked around the environment. The house seemed like a castle. There were different cars parked in and around the building. Diana felt like she was walking through a maze as she walked between the cars which were parked in a pattern. Occasionally, she would stare up at her step father.

"Raise your legs!" He scolded with a glare that seemed to be piercing her heart. Diana shuddered in fear. Being in the castle made her feel very unnerved.

They entered into the ballroom, unnoticed. Everyone was concerned about making friends. She was standing to the side, silently counting the hours to the end of the party so that she could leave.

"Diana!" She groaned silently, hearing the gruff voice that belonged to no one else but her step father. Changing her scowling face to a slightly smiling one, she turned to answer him.

"Sir?"

"Free yourself. Make some friends, don't just stand there like you have no life!"

Diana chuckled lightly. "Alright. I will do as you have said."

That was what led to the incident with the strange and powerful man. After listening to his instructions, she couldn't find him anywhere else so she stayed at one spot.

Diana didn't care about the repercussion of her actions. She had had enough of him. Yet she couldn't do anything to him. Absolutely nothing.

The masked man stood above them, watching the interaction between the girl and the man. He could tell that he must be her father. He smirked when she turned around and didn't find him. But instead if saying the truth, she said nobody.

But when she trailed off in her sentence, he couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. His right hand man stared from the girl to him. Was this nobody amusing to his master?

He watched the entire drama, smirking to himself. Diana was her name? And the man was here to find a worthy mate for her? Well, he needed someone to break his curse and she seemed like the right choice. No one else was willing to give their daughter out.

He signaled for his assistant to come. 

"See that man over there, the one wearing a green cloak?"

"Yes sir, I see him."

"Good. Follow him. I want to know his house. Then send an invitation to him. He must meet me here tomorrow by noon. We have a matter to discuss."

"Is it about the girl whom you find amusing? Is she about to become your queen?" 

"George." 

"Yes Master." George answered.

"Never question my order. Whatever I say, you comply with no questions whatsoever."

"Yes, master."

"Good. Now go after the man and make sure you do not lose him in the crowd."

Diana had no idea what was being planned about her. She only managed to escape and took the very long walk home. But she was grateful for the walk because it helped her to clear her head. That was what she needed. 

Getting home, she broke into an emotional mess. She climbed up to her room sluggishly, her eyes were getting wetter as she did and once she entered her room, the water works began. She had no control over them again.

Diana cried and wished that her sorrows would be over. Somehow, she just wanted a miracle to happen. So when her step father returned home and began to yell curses at her, and then he got interrupted by a visitor.

She tried to listen to the conversation but she didn't grab anything. All she knew was that the person who had come was her savior. Who was he anyway? And what had he told her step father to have him calm suddenly?