Chapter Two: Whine and Dine

After the ordeal with Ariel and Killian I headed to my room. Well it’s not actually my room, it’s a room they keep to upkeep the look that I’m not mistreated. After entering my room I decided to bathe myself. I scrubbed the dirt from my body and washed my hair. By the end I smelled like ginger and jasmine. After I felt clean I exited the bathroom where a maid was waiting. I didn’t exactly know who she was since I rarely worked inside the manor. 

“Hello miss, my name is Marie and I will be getting you ready.” Her warm voice said. It caught me off guard since most of the help treats me like I’m nothing. 

“H-hi Marie.” I said before sitting in the chair so she could do my hair. She smiled faintly before starting. Once she was done I looked unrecognizable. She had my hair braided beautifully to the side and my red hair framed my face perfectly. My makeup was light. Only pink blush and mascara. Once all that was done the dress arrived. It was quickly put on me. 

I silently gasped when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was beautiful and the dress was just as breathtaking. It was light blues and whites and reminded me of falling snow. The way the whites cascaded into the blues. A simple pendant was put on my neck. It was a owl holding an arrow in its claws. This pendant was representative of the Goddess Lyra who is the Goddess of purity and warfare. It was such a funny combination if you asked me but every unwed girl had to be her servant until marriage. Then they would take on the Goddess Nyri who is the Goddess of fertility and obedience. 

“Miss, are you ready to head down?” The maid chimed, pulling me out of my thoughts. 

“Oh yes.” I nodded before following her out of my fake room. The maid led me to the dining hall. I was never allowed in this room unless it was for appearances. I was never welcome to eat here otherwise. Most of the time my father just excuses my absence as me having a “weak constitution” so they can keep their way they treat me a secret. 

Maria pulled out my chair for me so I could sit down. The rest of the family hadn’t shown up yet. The first one to come in was Killian and he sat to my right. Thereon entered shortly after and sat to my left. I’d be a liar if I said they didn’t make me nervous. My father and his wife entered and took their places at the head of the table. The room was silent and I didn’t dare speak unless I was spoken to. My sister, Josephine Rose Sparrow was still abroad at a special academy. It was kept as a secret on her whereabouts. Killian and Theoran were discussing the state of the empire with each other when our butler came in to announce the arrival of the royal family. 

Enoch was the royal family of the empire and was the one of the four oldest families. We all stood as they entered the room. King Atticus entered first, he was a handsome man for being in his forties. After him, Queen Mia entered, she had perfect laugh lines that showed she was a kind and gentle soul. Lastly, Thorn Enoch entered, he was the crowned prince and he looked like the God Rif had cut him from his own cloth. The crowned prince is beautiful. He has dark brown hair and a strong jawline with green eyes that seem to glow. We all bowed or cursied and then the feast began. Thorn took his seat directly across from me. I averted me eyes as his bore into me. 

The sight of him made my breathing labored. No man should have this kind of effect on women. But it’s not like he’d ever look at me as a love match. Not if he knew the truth about me. I was illegitimate and would never be able to marry above my station. Even if he ignored all that my father would use my weak constitution to sway him from wanting me as a wife. It’s worked for all the suitors I had thus far. I still had the exceptional looks of a sparrow and was made out to be quite beautiful even in rags. I never saw it but the others did.  

“Nyx.” Killian growled lowly enough for only me to hear. It pulled me out of my inner thoughts. 

“Huh? Sorry.” I shook my head lightly to clear my thoughts. 

“Prince Thorn asked you a question and you basically ignored him.” Killian stated in a calm voice. Only I wasn’t calm upon hearing that. My eyes widened at the realization of what I had just done. The punishment father would cook up for it would be less than fun.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me, I was distracted.” I said as calmly as I could. Thorn sighed and asked again. 

“How have you been feeling Lady Nyx? You never attend the parties, such a shame such beauty is hidden away in the musty manor.” He huffed almost like a child who didn’t get his way would. It made me want to laugh but I knew better. 

“Well your Majesty, my illness comes and goes quickly. So I do tend to miss those events. I’m sorry.” I felt so stupid having to play the weak and sickly lady. He nodded in understanding and continued a conversation with my brother Theoran. I snuck a peak at my father and his face was stoned but I could see the slight anger he held in for when our guests were nowhere near. I felt my stomach fall, I knew the punishment of ignoring the crowned prince. Whether it be on purpose or accident would be the worst punishment I would receive.  I ate lightly in silence as those around me discussed different things. I occasionally caught Thorn looking at me. I pretended not to notice but would sneak peeks at him. I felt my face flush as he caught me looking at him. He smirked, making my stomach do flips. After dinner we moved into the tea room but instead of sitting with the family I went out to the terrace. I sighed and breathed in the cold air getting lost in my thoughts. 

I guess I had been completely lost in my thoughts since I didn’t realize a presence next to me. I turned to see the crowned prince next to me. 

“Your Majesty.” I said in a flustered tone before I turned to curtsy to him.

“Please, don’t. “ he said, putting his hand up in a stop motion. I nodded and turned back to look at the courtyard. I breathed deep as I leaned into the stone railings.

“Nyx,” He said and waited for me to look at him before continuing “you seem so unhappy here, why? He questioned. Shit I didn’t know he caught onto my unhappiness here. I need to cover it otherwise my father would be even more angry. 

“Um, no I just haven’t felt the best lately and doing this dinner takes a lot out of me your majesty.” I slopped out in a fatigue manner to make it believable. I turned to look at him and our eyes locked. His beautiful green glowing eyes captivated me. Everyone knew the Enoch family were descendants of the Gods. and Goddesses. Before I knew what happened he leaned down and pressed his soft lips to mine. The kiss was absolute bliss but soon the panic began and I pulled away abruptly.

“Your Majesty, I’m so sorry, I-I can’t…” I stuttered out whilst shaking my head and started backing away. He just stared at me until I disappeared inside the Manor with apologies leaving my lips the whole way.