Chapter 3

Hattie's POV

We rode for 6 days and during those times, he didn't say a word to me. Even when we camped, nothing.

After riding forever, we finally reached his kingdom Santol. 

Santol wasn't like I expected it at all. I thought it was a dirty place with savage people, but it was even more civilized than my community. The walls were so large and strongly built. The people didn't look like savages, just a bunch of happy People.

We rode through the kingdom as people stared. They were surprised to see me. I was completely different from them. My clothes were so different. They stared so hard and didn't even try to hide thier amusement.

"I can make them stop staring," said Javier who was riding very close to me.

"No it's fine" I smiled nervously at him, not daring to look at him.

"Why do you always speak with your head down?"  He asked.

Did he not realize I was scared of him?

"I don't speak with my head down, my Lord" This time I looked at him. The amount of chills I felt was able to knock me down from my horse, but I managed to remain calm.

The rest of the ride was in silence until we got to the palace. The gates of the palace were opened after the guards had confirmed Javier had arrived. 

The palace was way more beautiful on the inside, spacious and exquisite.

 

We were still on our horses when I saw a  group people approaching us. 6 maids and an old lady alongside some guards that trailed beside them.

Javier got down from his horse and just as I anticipated, he walked to my horse and brought me down from it. It was a ritual he always performed since we left my clan. He always made sure I didn't come down on my own even though I had already started getting the hang of it. On the other hand, I loved It. I enjoyed the feeling of his strong hands around my waist. The closeness our bodies shared always drove me insane.

"My lady" the old woman bowed to me. I looked at Javier, but he was talking with the guards already going inside the palace.

That was the first time someone had ever bowed to me and I was confused on what to do, so I bowed too.

"Come with me," she said calmly to me. I was hesitant, but I followed her while the maids trailed from behind.

We went inside the palace and into a room where she told me to seat on a stool. I was so confused. No one told me what was going on. They all smiled at me wittily.

"What is this? Why am I here?" 

"We are going to prepare you for the seven-night of fruitfulness," The old lady said.

"What is the seven-night of fruitfulness," I asked puzzled.

"The prince and you will mate for seven nights for a child. It is a ritual done in the royal house"

"But I just got here. Am I not going to meet with the king?"

"It doesn't matter. The sooner the better and you will meet the king at dawn" she turned to look at one of the black-haired maid who never stopped smiling even when the others did. "Take off her dress"

I swallowed hard but didn't stop her when she took it off. 

They bathed me in milk, and cut my hair to shoulder length. They said I needed to look moderate and presentable to the prince. They trimmed my nails and put oil perfumes on me. My lips were colored with strawberries.

When all this was finally done it was already dark. "My lady you are perfect now" the old lady who I got to know her name as Lydia said to me.

"Now what?" 

"You will go to the prince and make him happy" 

"Come with me," One of the maids said and I followed her. Two other maids trailed her from behind as we walked to the prince's room.

When we got to the door, they stepped aside and urged me to go in. After taking some deep breaths, I knock.

"It's me, Hattie," I said. The energy from my voice had all drained as my hands trembled beside me.

"Come in" I heard his voice and swallowed hard. I turned to look at the maids who gave me a head nod. No matter how hard they tried to conceal it, I didn't fail to notice the terror in their eyes.

After opening the door, I walked in and shut the door behind me. My heart went to my throat as I stared at him. He didn't turn to look at me at first as he placed his sword on its rack.

He turned to look at me after some time and began to walk towards me. I froze. His stare pinned me down. I couldn't look away. I just felt so lost in his eyes.

Without warning, I slipped the tiny sleeve of my silk gown from my shoulder and let the gown fall from my body. I noticed how his gaze hardened.

"This is what you want" tears welled up in my eyes. "You can have it. I won't try to stop you" 

He stopped in front of me as he grazed my body with his eyes. It was no doubt he wanted me, but he wasn't doing anything other than staring. "No" he mumbled. "I don't want you like this*

"How do you want me then?" I asked in confusion. "The ritual of the seven...."

He didn't let me finish "I don't care about the ritual. I will sleep with you when I want to" he whispered as he cupped my chin.

He got closer and closer, descending to my face. I felt the heat instantly coursing through my body, igniting me from within. I thought he was going to kiss me, but instead, he whispered. "I want you so badly, but not now my love" 

He stood upright. "Now leave" he ordered. "When I'm ready, I'll send for you"