LOGINAdriana felt everyone's eyes including Erica's on her as she followed the maid out of the quarters.They got to the kitchen and everybody welcomed her.Greg went up to her and smiled at her. “You didn't come yesterday.”Adriana was a little surprised by their hospitality and she shook her head.“I… I was told to rest.” She lied and he nodded.“Well, welcome back. Prince Marcus came here this morning and said you should serve his meals from now on." Greg told her and Adriana nodded.Greg went to the counter and took the tray of food he had made since the early hours of the morning and handed it over to Adriana.“Make sure he eats it okay? The Prince hasn't eaten well for days and he has a fragile heart.”Adriana nodded her head again and took the tray from him and went out to the Prince's chamber.She tapped softly on the door when she reached and it opened softly.Prince Marcus stood there wearing just his robe and nothing else.He stared down at Adriana and she shifted her weight fro
Adriana shifted a little for Erica to sit on the wooden bed.The healer stood up from where he sat and excused himself.“How are you feeling now?”Adriana nodded. “You know you scared me.”“I'm sorry.”“Running away and then the next morning, you are being whipped.” Erica turned her head away.“Are you crying?”“Of course not,” Erica said, but Adriana could hear her sniffles, and her hand came up to pat her back gently.“I'm sorry for making you worried.”“Why did you run in the first place?” Erica turned back to face her.“Anyone else can ask me that question, but not you.”“But I'm worried. Where did you run off to?”Adriana bit her lower lip. “I couldn't bear to think of myself pleasing a total stranger. Or my body being used as a tool to satisfy a man's lust. It was too much for me and that was why I ran off.”“Where did you go?”“The stables.”“Ohh,” Erica said and Adriana nodded but she didn't tell her about Prince Marcus.Their little rendezvous was going to be a secret.“I wi
Kallias tried to persuade the ministers to wait for a month but Maxwell wasn't making it easy for him.“I am closely following the physicians’ progress and they should be done within a month,” Kallias said to them amidst their murmurings.“And what if they don't?” Maxwell asked and Kallias clenched his teeth.“Are you trying to argue with Your Majesty?” Ventimus finally spoke.“We are not trying to argue with the king. We're simply saying that we need the antidote as soon as possible.”“And he said it would be available within a month. Surely you don't doubt the King's integrity?” Ventimus asked and Maxwell shook his head.“Of course not.” He forced a smile at Ventimus.“My beloved Ministers, we should all calm down and believe in the king. A month is all he asks of us. A month of more deaths, and then the antidote will finally be brought to us.” Maxwell said and Kallias felt like snapping his head.He retained the urge and leaned on his seat, his eyes holding his cousin's own.The mi
Kallias waited for the attendant at the Royal Council Hall to announce his presence before he walked right in.The ministers were already on their feet as usual and as he walked on, he saw someone rise slowly and he halted when he saw who it was.Maxwell.He was grinning at him and Kallias clenched his hands.He continued walking until he came to the seat at the head and sat down.And the rest also took their seats.Kallias glanced at Maxwell, who was seated at the far end of his left side opposite Ventimus.“Prince Maxwell, you surprise us with your presence.”Maxwell gave him a grin. “I just wanted to attend a royal council meeting for the first time in centuries, Your Majesty.”“It's all about politics and welfare, it's no fun as you think it is,” Kallias said but Maxwell shook his head.“I seek no fun. Politics has become an interest of mine, and I plan to devote myself to it.”“Devote?”Maxwell nodded. “I wanted to bring it up later but I think it would be better with everyone ga
The guards stared at her and Erica shouted again.“She isn't breathing!”Then they rushed to her and gently turned her over.A guard checked her pulse, it was faint.“Is she dead?” Another asked and he shook his head.“What should we do? Should we inform Mistress Miranda?”“No, the mistress is exhausted. Let's just take her to the slave healer and we'll inform her later.”“Please let me go with you,” Erica said to him and he nodded.He lifted Adriana into his arms and Erica ran after him till they got to the healer.The healer led them into a room, and Adriana was laid on the bed with her back facing upward.The healer went out and came back later with some leaves which he handed to Erica.“Take these and grind them until they turn into a paste.”Erica took the leaves and went to do as he instructed.“I'll be going now.” The guard said and the healer nodded.The guard bowed and left.Erica finished grinding the leaves and brought the paste to the healer.The healer went to Adriana and
Miranda limped her way out of the royal quarters. Her legs and back ached badly and she whimpered as she took a step at a time.Prince Maxwell had not been gentle with her, thrusting hard from behind while digging his claws into her back, all this with his head guard present.Miranda felt humiliated and she couldn't wait to get her hands on that wretched slave.She moved cautiously to the slave quarters and a guard ran up to her when she was spotted.“Mistress.” He bowed his head. “We found the slave.”Miranda halted and a shaky smirk crossed her lips.“Where is she?”“In the dungeon.”“Good.” She nodded. “Keep her in there till the next morning when she will be dealt with.”The guard nodded and he helped her to her cabin.The next morning, Miranda felt a little relief from the painful ache between her legs and throughout the rest of her body.She stepped out of the cabin and ordered that Adriana be brought to her.The other slaves in the quarters were already outside and they wondere
Adriana held the wall for support, feeling like her world had come crashing down.She couldn't deny what she had heard within this door.Xavier was having an affair with her sister.The realization hit harder than their words and her despair turned into rage.How dare they?How dare he deceive her
Footsteps echoed on the marble floor as people bustled around with trays of food, drinks, and flowers. The air was misty with the scent of the delicious food being prepared and mingling with the flowers hung on the walls.A woman with grey hair tied into a tight bun barked out orders and tapped her
Adriana watched Lady Amelia and Leah walk out of the kitchen and her stomach cried in protest.Someone patted her shoulder, but she didn't move.She couldn't believe her days of having delicious food were over and she felt like weeping.“Are you sure the Prince will eat the food, Greg?” One of the
Maxwell opened the window of his carriage and poked his head out as they drew closer to the Citadel.He breathed in deeply and a smirk formed on his lips.It had been ages since he had last come here. He had left in Kallias' third year as King. He knew his cousin had felt an immense pleasure when h







