Alicia's POV
The Royal harbingers ambled inside the prime minister's manor immediately after I wrapped up scrubbing Lady Dia's feet. I swerved in respect and watched with half-lidded eyes as they matched forward to the giant entrance of the building while the guards scurried to open the portico.They were definitely here to convey an important message.I stretched my back and wiped the sweat on my forehead the moment they entered.It had been an exhausting and dampening day. As usual, I wasn't able to avoid Lady Dia's typical abuse of my face. Every single time her eyes came in contact with me, she would land a stinging slap on my cheek, including other unnecessary mistreatment at any slight mistake I made. Lady Dia wasn't that antagonistic when I first got peddled to the family.According to what I heard from the other servants, her severe rigour and bitterness towards me were a result of the crown prince noticing my presence during a ball I was appointed to be her entourage.A prince I didn't even set my eyes on , and it will be over by dead body to be in any way in an intimate relationship with the son of a person that massacred my parents. What hurt me the most was that he bears the same name as my childhood lover.Lady Dia's fetish attitude towards the so-called prince is an issue that needs a thorough understanding.It had been two years since then, and the prince was still yet to ascend the throne as he was still having issues considering that he was an illegitimate son. He was supposed to be the Emperor of the great Genovia a year before which was after the death of the Emperor , but no one knows the reason for the delay. Aside from my dislike for the populace of this country, I loathe the Royal family that had steered the unforeseen and agonizing combat on my once serene park and that of my childhood lover.It had been fifteen years of dire and tormenting experience. I was collared and traded to a peddler whom I was fortunate that he was constantly on a trip. For eleven years, I lived with the merchant until he sold me to the prime minister at a high price.I was like an asset to the merchant and he had pawned me for a mouth-watering amount of money. When I got to the Prime Minister's villa, I had thought it was a God-sent prospect to find my way into the palace and take revenge on my people, lover, and family.I was naive.I wasn't even able to kill an ant. Slowly, my determination to revenge diminished and I lived in agony with the only hope of finding my childhood lover, Arnold. All I did was cry when I was bullied by the other maids. They were jealous because the prime minister's first son has some sort of feeling for me whose heart is for no one but my betrothed childhood aficionado.A night wouldn't pass without me worrying about him. When we were in my homeland, my father would tell me that I needed to be prudent from hazardous encounters when I went out with him anytime he came from his village to visit. I felt safer whenever I was with him because he was a great warrior even at his young age.I was ten while he was fifteen.He will be thirty this year while I will be twenty-five.Our last meeting was when we strolled around the market. I was mid-smart but not bold or courageous. My father was from a low status and my mother was the Luna of the park signifying that I would be the next Luna.Dad was a diligent farmer, and I had accompanied him to the location of the ore mine which was a bit far from our homeland. It was in a hideous location.Father explained the benefits it would have on our park and the next day when Arnold visited, I told him about the ore mine as we were to rule our parks as Alpha and Luna when we grow up.I thought that there shouldn't be a secret between us. I thought it shouldn't be a big deal to report it to my soulmate.Since then, Arnold did not come by to visit me, which I don't know the reason for. A week later, an envoy from Genovia announced that we should surrender the ore.It's a mystery about how they got to know about it.Of course, my parents forbade me to tell anyone. To our surprise, they went back to their country only to come back and trap the whole park.They captured both the Tiger and Greenland Park.Father had instructed me to pass through a secret route out of the house while I heard the scream of torture of my parents as they were slaughtered like animals. I had escaped death but was held captive as a slave with other people in the park.They had no idea that I was the next Luna of my tribe.Since we were the ones who knew the location of the ore mine, I still don't know why Greenland Park was punished and how the news about the ore mine got to the hearing of the wicked Emperor of Genovia.I jolted out in fear when Bona, my only friend tapped me "What is with you drowning in deep thoughts, huh. You don't want Lady Dia to catch you slacking around do you?" she asked and urged me to come along."I am sorry" I mumble and carry the big bowl while walking beside her in the direction of our quarter.Bona suddenly stopped and faced me with a suspicious stare "I heard something strange from the cooks about Prince Arnold summoning a particular maid. I guess it's just a rumour but I guess that you are the one"My heart beats in dread as I clutch the bowl tightly "You must have heard wrong. I don't have any relationship with the royal family whatsoever""Really?" She gasped dramatically and proceeded, "The others also mentioned that a year ago, he had commanded the prime minister to take good care of the maid but out of jealousy, instead his daughter had secretly maltreated the maid""The only one that seems to fit this is you, Alicia. The ruthless Prince of Genovia has come to take you" She says and raises her hands.I hissed angrily, and stomped into the quarters. My stomach grunts and my body shivers in anxiety. Different thoughts overshadowed my mind.What if the greedy people know that I'm the supposed Luna who knows the location of the ore mine?Will they kill me just like they did to my parents?I screamed in distress and fell to my knees as that had been my only option for letting out my sorrow.It's too much. My back, fingers, and legs hurt.My heart clenches.Immediately I heard Bona's hurrying steps, I wiped my face and pretended like nothing happened.She was breathing heavily like someone who had run a mile. "They are here, Alicia. They are here to take you away. What have you done?" She mutters repeatedly and worriedly."I told you to stop spouting nonsense. I might vow not to talk to you anymore" I warned and sniffed shakingly."The Royal messengers are outside our quarters now. I saw them with my own eyes, Alicia" she panicked.In the blink of an eye, realization dawned on me that I was called upon. My breathing became erratic as it fell out of rhyme.Alicia's POVLady Dia wandered in before I could utter a word. She was fluttering like an edgy kitty. Her exquisite face was now clouded with fear. She rushed to me and squeezed her hand with mine. With an unwilling smile, she stammers "I ha..ve no idea why the Prince had suddenly summoned you, but you need to understand my reason for maltreating you." She whiffs shamefully. "The first time he acknowledged me was the day he told me to take very good care of you. I was bedazzled by my obsession and hadn't taken his instructions earnestly because I thought your beauty might have overshadowed mine even in your less pricey dress. I still wonder how he saw you when you were not inside the venue" She bites her lips and I gazed at a frozen Bona who has her palm on her mouth in stupefaction."If the harbingers see you in this situation and tell the Prince, it's the end of everything for me and my family" She shudders her head and quivers once more. I abruptly had the notion to embrace her an
Alicia's POVMy body quaked for a few jiffies by his intimidating voice. I stood up with my trembling leg and stared at him affectionately. It was like I was possessed because I couldn't figure out the fact that the man standing before me was infuriated by my gesture. Why would he be in the first place? He is my betrothed and childhood lover! I expected him to reciprocate the embrace more because I knew him to be the one who loved me the most. He was my saviour in multiple circumstances when we were young. I mobilized the gutsiness to step forward. It was at that instant that I felt the sexual magnet. My body jostled and my core bulged. The only explanation for such a body response could be yielded by nothing but the first meeting with my mate. My eyes burn up lustrously and luminously while my mood swaps into a more thrilling way. I dared to gaze at him as it was an attraction that was transpiring between us. No way he would try to refute me.I thought naively. "Arnold" I calle
Alicia's POV The moment I anticipated one last deep cut, a notification came from a thick voice guard "The Princess of Oceania has arrived, your Highness!!!""I will be there in a few minutes" he answered. "Yes, your Highness," the guard answered loudly. "I want to go back" I whispered. "Just let me go. I promise not to tell anyone about the Prince in disguise" I weep as my lips tremble. I was beginning to feel feverish. "You are still as naive as I could remember. You are not leaving until I tell you to. It's a command, not a statement and if you try to escape, you will be killed by the security guards before I might show up. Be obedient" He muttered rudely and motioned towards the entrance of the majestically built room. I followed behind while blood continued to drop from my neck. I placed my hand on the spot to stop the bleeding until two guards tugged me from the back. I cried out but one of them hurriedly used his strong hand to clasp my mouth. Arnold didn't make a move ab
Alicia's POV"Arnold, I beg of you. For the sake of my deceased parents and that of yours, don't do this" I lowered my voice after realising that crying out made him more enraged. He yanked me by my arm with one swift motion and shoved me to his bed. I tucked my knees into my legs and quivered backwards while still whimpering. I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together as tears dropped continuously. My head was banging earnestly. Arnold sank his knee on the bed and motioned towards me with his manhood dangling shamelessly by his moves. I stiffened when he lowered his mouth to my ear. He then whispered "You don't dare disobey me, Alicia. I don't do mercy. You felt the attraction and arousal in the afternoon, didn't you?""Answer me!" He howled and I sobbed out with my tiny voice. I composed myself and nodded my head. My eyes itch. I was vulnerable. Aaron suddenly snickered, "Will you tell me the location of the ore mine or should I continue?""I will tell you, your Highness"
Alicia's POV I was feeling edgy every time I saw the guards scoop their food into their mouths as begging them for some food seemed to be the only option left since the evil server did not show up. I couldn't bear the hunger again and I resolved to wander over to the other side to beg for food but as I was ambling towards that direction, I heard murmurs and silent laughter from the guards that were settling opposite where I was situated. I continued walking and the laughter resumed until I abruptly got dragged into a nearby corner in between two tents. It earned a surprise howl from the guards. I made an effort to cry out but my mouth was covered which made me unable to make any more sounds. The anonymous limped me farther away from the crowded location to through the backyard of the tents. He suddenly halted and shoved me away. I winced as my already weak bone hit a tree. "What do you want from me?" I requested and shifted away as suspicion was slowly building up. Wait w
Alicia's POVThere was a solemn silence. A quietness that took an extended time than I had anticipated.I challenged the likelihood of Arnold standing before us and made an effort to peep. I lifted my head slowly but my eyes only met with the vicious smirk of a guard instead. The guard seems like he was delighted that the half-burnt guard was in trouble. "Abel, meet me later" Arnold muttered softer than I had predicted. "Yes, your Highness" the half-burnt guy who I now acknowledge as Abel responded."And you," Arnold sneered and lingered, "Come with me" he instructed. I have no idea why I wasn't spooked nor fearsome of anything he would do and with the way his voice chimed harshly, I bet his facial expression was like a rotten tomato.Humph!I waited for him to leave before bringing up my head. I stood up to stroll out of the kitchen tent when Abel stood up also and suddenly cautioned "Be careful of your words in front of His Highness. Don't act abnormal as you had jus
Alicia's POV Arnold tweaked his knuckles and proposed coldly "I want you to be my mistress"My heart slipped and my heart clenched tightly as I was beginning to breathe in short gasps but thankfully, I was able to compose myself as I was already used to getting disgruntled by him. I fluttered my eyes severally to rub out the signs of tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes.I gazed at my foot and lifted my head to stare at him but before I could mutter a word, he declared "I will get married to the Princess of Oceania in a few weeks. Having you as my mistress is a one-in-a-million opportunity, especially because you are a servant"My internal system coiled in repulsion. I was mute as I was fighting between speaking humbly or yelling at him and taking the repercussions later. "I am not enough to be your mistress, your Highness, and I would never dream of that" I muttered with a tight smile. "You don't have to pretend. You and I know that you desperately want me. Aside f
Alicia's POV Arnold angrily stormed towards me. The smirking guard hurried to us with the thought that their Prince wanted to mishandle me. Instead, Arnold hauled me in his arms and threw me to his back as if I weighed nothing.What the hell?!I was embarrassed by the reaction of the cook and guards. I badly wanted to jerk out of his grasp but I settled for a humble manner. After walking deep into the mountains, I sought Arnold's attention and whispered to him "I need to get down"He dropped me on the rough cliff and I almost stumbled into an unnoticeable but deep hole. I winced in misery and silently cursed at him. He didn't turn back to stare at me nor did the guards attempt to help me up. I wailed dramatically and it made all of them halt. Do they even know where they are heading? "Will you get up or I instruct them to lug you over?" Arnold seeks my answer without glancing back. I dragged myself up and scurried to meet them. I felt someone's eye on me and I gli