Chapter 4

George was the man who had seen them. He had watched them come in and ran to meet Calhoun in his chamber, dressing up. He was dressed in a white shirt and grey pants. Then he wore his purple robe over his attire. He stood before the mirror watching as the maids dressed him up. Very soon, it will be Diana, his personal maid, dressing him up so nicely.

"They are here, my Lord." George said, bowing slightly. Calhoun turned left and right before the mirror.

"What do you think, George? Do I look like a man who is ready to accept a woman?" Calhoun asked lightly. George frowned slightly.

"Pardon me, my Lord, but isn't the lady going to be employed as a maid in th castle?" 

Calhoun turned to stare at the man. "Maid? In the castle? No no no no no."

"Diana is going to be bought, a slave for the king. She isn't a maid for the castle. Meaning, she serves only me."

George scratched his head. "I might have misunderstood then."

"I hope you haven't blabbed a thing to the poor lamb." Calhoun said distastefully. He took three steps forward then stopped abruptly. "Do you not know to answer me?"

"Oh? No no, my Lord. I haven't blabbed a word about the business to her. She is as ignorant as her step father would have told her." 

Calhoun smiled. "Good. Now, come with me. We have guests to welcome. Inform Nichole to prepare a mini feast for the guests. Tell her I want blood mixed in the wine. Just like we royals feast."

George bowed in response and turned the other way, towards the kitchen. Calhoun watched him leave, his smile darkening as he did. He turned and resumed his journey to the meeting chamber. 

Once he got in, he went to his seat and sat down, he spared them no apology. They stood up to greet him and he simply waved the greeting off.

"Let's get down to business then. I believe we all know why we are here?" Calhoun asked.

"Yes." Thomas answered immediately. "I have briefed my step daughter about the arrangement."

"Did she accept it?" He asked. Then turning to Diana, he asked as well. "Do you accept it?"

Diana was perplexed. Did he expect her to reject it? "Yes my Lord."

Calhoun hummed. "Well in that case, it's settled. She will begin to live in the castle from now. No need to get her clothes or anything, those things will be taken care of."

Thomas grinned and nodded. "That's good, that's good. Do you hear that, Diana? You get to live in the castle."

Diana managed a smile. She had a gut feeling about the scenario playing before her and it wasn't good in the least.

George arrived. "My Lord, the meal is ready and has been served in the dining."

Calhoun turned to them with a smile. "Let's dine."

Thomas and Diana stood up after him and followed him to the dining. Calhoun sat at the head. Thomas pushed Diana to sit beside him while he sat two seats away.

"Relax, I don't bite." Calhoun whispered to her. Diana shuddered. Why did it sound like a wolf beckoning on a sheep?

She focused on the meal. Whatever went on between the king and her step father, she didn't understand. Not long after, Thomas stood up and requested to leave.

"Alright, it was nice doing business with you. The rest of your package is with George." Calhoun said.

"George!" He called almost immediately after ending his first speech. "See Mr. Thomas out and make sure to give him the remainder of his promised package."

"Yes my Lord." George said with a bow. "This way, Mr. Thomas."

Diana watched her step father leave. Her heart sunk with each step he room away from the room.

"If you want, you can go with him. I'm sure all he needs is a few dollar bills and he can have you back." Calhoun said.

Diana scowled. "Have me back? I don't think I want to return."

"Your expression tells a different story." Calhoun pointed out.

"A different story? What might it be?"

"You look as if you want to follow him. You have that look of longing, like the ones the women who have previously climbed my bed held."

Diana gagged at his words. She glared at him. Was he that shameless? Calhoun chuckled darkly.

"I'm not longing for Thomas, and that is so disgusting! I'm just confused." 

"Confused? What about?"

"Thomas said I was getting married to you. I was wondering why he was leaving without the wedding banquet." She said.

Calhoun laughed. His laughter sounded nice in her ears, but the sound shook her heart. How could one man make her feel different emotions all at once?

"Your step father, told you that you were getting married to me? And you believed him?"

Diana frowned. "What do you mean by 'and I believed him?' Was I supposed to not believe him?"

Calhoun stared fixatedly. "You do what I say. I ask the questions. You haven't earned the right to ask questions yet."

Diana shuddered. "But, if not marriage, then what?"

Calhoun tapped his chin. "If you complete your daily task, you get a chance to ask two questions."

Diana exhaled softly. "What tasks am I supposed to do?"

Calhoun grinned. "I like the sound of that. But I prefer you asking, what do I want you to do?"

"What do you want me to do?" Diana asked slowly. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"First, go to the kitchen and bring me a bottle of wine mixed with blood." He said. Diana stood there, waiting for directions.

"Well, get to it." He said.

"I don't know where the kitchen is." Diana replied. "What's the way there?"

"You haven't earned the right to ask any questions yet. Follow your instincts. Use your sniff to find the kitchen. Don't tell me you're truly a lamb and not even a cub." He teased. Diana turned around and left the dining. The moment she left, Calhoun's jovial expression disappeared. How did Thomas end up telling her that he was to marry her? Did he not tell her he wanted her as a slave? Did he also trick him? He narrowed his eyes.

"Pray to your god Thomas, that she does everything I ask." He murmured. He got up and left the dining, returning to his chamber.