Imogen forced her eyes opened, glancing around her cosy room, she stretches her body and sat upright on the bed. She raised her slender hand and placed it on her head which was throbbing hard from a persistent headache, she knew not how she got in the room as the only thing she remembered last was the horrific scene she had never experienced before in her entire life till now.
The door to her room bursted open, Aria and Poppy the head of slaves made their entrance in.
"You are awake" Aria said and went to sit beside her on the bed.
"Yes, what happened?" Was her first words."Don't you remember, you fainted after seeing Mira body" Aria replied.
"Mira?"Imogen said with shaky voice and shallow breathing."The slave whose head was cut off" Poppy answered this time while Imogen sighed in fear.
"Thank you for bringing me to my room"
"It is ok, you must have been frightened, you get to see that on your first day." Poppy paused, Imogen facial expression gloomy. "But that is just how life is here, we are slaves. We get punished if we steal our master's belongings, we get hurt if we try to run away, and we die if we failed to satisfy our master needs. That is the fate of slaves, your fate from now on" Poppy said and left Imogen and Aria in the room.
She knows that already, but why does it terrify her when she said those words. Why does her heart beat so fast in dread?
"Why?" She said but she already knows the answer to that question.
"Because this is hell" Her subconscious answered while she swallowed the lump in her throat.
"It is is hell"
**********
The silence that encapsulated the room got disrupted as the maids served different kinds of dishes on the table.After they were done serving, they move a few steps away from the table and then came in the Splauding family and Lord Simon, they all took a seat."It is my pleasure to have you to din with us" Maverick Splauding said but Simon replied not.
"Why are you not talking my lord? Is there something wrong?" Lady Gila questioned with a smile on her face.
"I just don't feel the need" Lord Simon said coldly as he munched on his food while the family of Splauding cleared the throat due to the embarrassment.
The Splauding family is one of the prominent family in the kingdom, known for their wealth and connection to the royal family. Respected by the society because of their family ties with prince George, even though the rest of the world knows the Splauding would have been nothing without the prince, they take such huge pride for being the Splauding and also for a fact that Lady Gila is engaged to lord Simon.
"I apologize for that, we are just happy to have you here. Less, I forget my Lord. Did you hear about the full moon tonight, people are talking about it. People say if two lovers go too deep inside the mountain to see the full moon then their love will last more, so I was thinking we should go together" The lady demanded but the lord just gave out a sigh.
"What is it, my lord?"
"Are you ignorant about courtesy and manners or you just decided to skip that today? And also I don't believe in superstitions, it never works when it is supposed to" He nagged in a very harsh tone, his voice coated in frustration.
"I apologize" Lady Gila said regretfully. Maverick looked at Simon with hatred then at his pitiful daughter.
"Let's eat" Maverick said to her daughter and she nod. They picked the cutleries and started digging in the food. But, their attention was fixated on Simon.
They were making it so noticeable that it made Simon so irritated and he found it disturbing.
He dropped his fork on the table, "What is it?" He quizzed using his napkin to clean his jaws.
"I don't understand you, My Lord" Lady Gila said.
"Is that so, Lord Maverick?" Simon inquired staring at him.
The old man cleared his throat and proceed. "When precisely are you going to get married?"
"Father" Lady Gila urged, not that she didn't want him to speak. But she prefers him to be comprehensive with his statements.
"Don't stop me, Gila. I have been patient enough" He faced lord Simon this time.
"You and my daughter have been engaged for two years, many men have asked for her hand in marriage but she rejected them. She has spent two years waiting for you, however, you don't seem to be interested in her, I will have never agreed to this marriage if it wasn't for Prince George, I only agreed because of him. But am starting to regret having my daughter engaged to a man who is sulking up about his past lover betrayal" Lord Maverick commented while his daughter gasped.
"Father, that is enough" Lady Gila warned with a shriek of terror, seeing how lord Simon look changed to a murderous one.
"Let me be Gila, I can't stand this insult anymore. If you know you aren't interested in my daughter, then let me know right this moment" Maverick spurt not caring about the consequences of his words.
Gila looked at Simon expecting him to react, though her expectation got turned down. But Lord Simon shocked them by only laughing like a manic, Gila and her father exchange glares.
They wondered what is funny about the conversation enough to make him laugh so hard.Simon chuckled, stood to his feet and picked a knife in front of him and walked to Lord Maverick.
"What are you doing, My lord?" Lady Gila demanded but got no response. Instead, he gave her a dreadful look that almost send a cold shiver to her spine.
"What do you think you are doing? Do you know who I am?" Lord Maverick questioned trembling on his seat.
"I am the Prince uncle" He reminded but it doesn't seem like Simon cares.
"From his mother side" He corrected when he got to lord Maverick. He placed the knife on his throat, as it his pressed on lord Maverick shoulder giving him zero chance to escape.
"Father" Lady Gila called scared.
"Do you know the kind of people I hate most? The one who talks and lie a lot, like you. What? You only agreed to this marriage because of prince George?" Lord Simon queried then chuckled.
"Everyone knows you sold your daughter for your greed interest, to get involve in politics. That is what you are, an old greedy man who only care about himself. How dare!" he shouted. "How dare you talk about her like you knew her or anything about my life?" He yelled frightened the Splauding.
"You are just a little pig I decided to keep under me because prince George asked me to. But I guess that ends here, if you had been quiet, you could have saved your neck."
Hearing lord Maverick clasped his two hands together. "Please forgive me, I am sorry. Please forgive me, my lord" He pleaded for his life. That is the only way he could survive right now, if he ended up dying no one will hold Simon for it, not even the prince.
Yes, Prince George is the most powerful man in the kingdom. Not his father the king, and for a fact, George favours Simon more than his siblings, it will have been a different story if Simon tried to hurt lady Gila but for lord Maverick. No one will care about the third most powerful man killing a disrespectful noble, who has no title or power in the Kingdom.
That is why he fears for his life."Why? Are you scared now? You don't feel scared when you said those words" Simon stated, his face beamed in excitement, placing the knife tighter on his neck that it was almost cutting his flesh. That makes him so damn excited, nothing entertains him more than seeing people in fear.
"I am sorry, my Lord" Lord Mavericks apologized, Lady Gila watches her father pleading for his life in the hands of her beloved and she could only watch.
No, seeing this earns her to be more specific for one thing. She must have the dread lord to herself.
"Hmm," He dropped his knife. "You are no fun, Maverick" Simon uttered disrespectful, slapping his fat cheeks.
"I guess this dinner is over" He said and left the table. Lady Gila also followed him leaving her shocked dad alone.
"My Lord" She called running after him. Gila breathe heavily when she finally catches up to him. She hold his right hand, but he gave her a cold glare in return making her let go of his hand.
"What is it, M'lady?"
"I will like to apologize for what my father did, it was out of line to mention someone who is no longer in your life" She mentioned but that brings Simon more pain.
"You want to apologize, tsk. That is quite humble of you, knowing that I almost killed your father in there" He raised his eyebrows anticipating her next reaction.
"I don't care, you are my future husband. I will choose you over anyone, over my life. I will never betray you or let go of you even if you push me away, I promise that. You may not know but I love you more than anything" The lady said desperate and eager to do anything.
Simon smirked and took a step closer to her, Lady Gila moved back till she hit the wall, and Simon put his left hand on the wall. He raised his right hand and placed it on her hair, caressing her hair slowly.
The lady could feel butterflies in her stomachs, due to his touches.
"Can you die for me then?" His questions surprised her but she will answer anyway.
"Yes, I will" She replied. Lord Simon smirked and bring his head closer pretending like he was going to kiss, Gila closed her eyes in the process but time went past but nothing landed on her lips, and his touches stopped.
"What to do? I still don't like you either way" He expressed coldly and left the poor lady alone.
She hold the hem of the dress filled with sadness.
Lady Gila Splauding, a lady in her early 20's, considered the most beautiful noble lady in the kingdom, daughter of Maverick Splauding, prince George favourite cousin, engaged to the powerful dread Lord Simon Sebastian.
But right now, that is all it will ever be. When exactly will he consider her to be his future wife? When will he fall for her? Those thoughts filled her with pain and despair, when? But one thing is certain, she won't give up.
*
**Imogen stared at the moon through the window, the night feel so peaceful and the sky looks so beautiful.She envies the calm night, she wishes her life could be as peaceful but in here. There is no peace, the fear of death always torment her every night since her arrival.
The only thing that keeps her half calm is her friendship with Aria and her closeness with Poppy.
"Mmm," She sighed, her eyes wandering around her surrounding until her eyes finally landed on his blue deeps.
"Those beautiful deadly blue eyes, but looks so angry" Imogen thought but her heart panicked in fear.
She hurriedly closed the window, breathing heavily. She remembered Aria words, "you must never make eye contact with the Master."
What will happen to her now that she has made eye contact with him.
Will he have her beheaded?
She prayed in fear, prayed to whoever is listening. To help her from what might happen to her.
******
Simon forced the door opened in great annoyance
His angers knew no bounds that it seems like he could harm anyone that dares to disrespect him or come his way."That old sly, how dare he lecture me? Who the hell does he think he is? How dare he mention her?" He strives with fury, removes his coat and throws it on the ground.
"Burn that" He ordered his guard carter while carter bowed saying nothing. At this stage, he knows talking will escalate matters.
Simon balled his fist trying to suppress the void he is feeling inside in, no matter how hard he tries to control it. He can't help but lose control whenever she is mentioned.
"Tell the maids to bring me my night robe...." He said half-calmed.
"Yes, my lord" Carter bowed and turned to leave but his master stopped him.
"Tell the head of the slaves to come to my room" He said authoritatively while Carter gulped down his saliva nervously.
Why does he need the head of slaves? Fear gripped him, not because of the head of slaves but because of a particular slave.
"I understand, Master" Carter said and left his room.
A few minutes later, the guard Carter came in with the head of slaves, he had already informed her of the master condition.
"Master, I learned you request for me"
"Yes, I did. I need a slave to pass the night with" He answered filled with pride, his hand resting on his kneel.
"I understand, I will bring in Isabelle"
""No, not her. I want the new slave" He said.
"Bring Me The New Slave"
"Bring me the new slave." He ordered while his guard and Poppy exchanged glares. Most importantly, Poppy fear Imogen. She knew she is young, both in mind and body, unlike them. Though she might try acting tough and prepared, Poppy knows she isn't ready for the master yet. "But Master, you told me that I should train her for a week. She isn't fully trained, she needs more time to....." "Silent" Simon said authoritatively before she could finish her statement. "Are you defying my order?" He questioned and his guard Carter drag out his sword and point it towards Poppy. "How could I?" Poppy instantly said and get on her knees with her head on the floor. "I apologize, Master. I will have her prepared and sent to your room" She shivers, panicking. Simon raised his hand, signalling that his guard should put back his sword. The guard bow understanding what he meant. He put back his sword to it
"Strip!" His voice was hard and authoritative that Imogen shook."Strip!" she trembled in fear. She was just ordered to strip and she knew that she might lose her head if she doesn't follow his order.However, she didn't think she could obey his order, going entirely naked in front of her brutal master. She wasn't prepared for that.Simon looked at her with nothing but hatred and lust. The hatred was not for her only, but all "Women". His slaves are just the unfortunate ones who get to feel his wrath and hatred for women.He will never forget that day, the terrible mistake he made because of a woman. That made him lose the people he cherished the most, he will never forget and he will never forgive.His gaze fell on Imogen, he could sense her fear and reluctance. It despised him and also excited him at the same time, of course, the fear kept him entertained but surprisingly he found her reluctance entertaining too.Was it because of he
Imogen opened her eyes, and discovered she was still in lord Simon's room, did she sleep off?" She recalled what happened yesterday clearly, the pain and how she fainted due to how weak she was, but she was surprised that he didn't throw her out. Next to her was the dread lord still sleeping, Imogen stared at him with nothing but hatred. She rise from the bed and winced, feeling pain within her, she is feeling sore down there. She get dressed up and left the room quietly, making sure she didn't wake her master. She went to her room with a blank expression. She encountered Aria and Poppy near her room, tears slowly flowing down her face when she saw them. Judging by her tears, Aria and Poppy could tell she had a bad night with him. Aria moves closer to her and pulled her into a hug, "it is alright, cry all you want" She said patting her back making Imogen to shed more tears. Poppy stared at her with pity, but something more important th
"Lucien is back" Prince George disclosed while Simon's smile faded away quickly."He came back yesterday, but not as a normal noble. I heard that the king of Norva owes his life to him and he cherish Lucien a lot...." He said and looked at Simon. "And if my reign is going to be peaceful, I need to be at peace with the neighbouring kingdoms especially with the Norva Kingdom, that is why Lucien is off-limits" He explained but that only infuriated Simon more.The bastard that killed his parents is back and he can't harm him because he is protected by a king, it annoys him so much that he feels like he might just explode out of rage.He clenched his fist and sighed "Did he come back with her... I mean with Annabelle""Yes, he did. And he came with their baby" George answered while lord Simon puffed out heavily, filled with rage, hatred and pain.The life he had planned since he
Lord Simon exhaled deeply as he opened his carriage window, his eyes roamed around the street and was fixed on three boys running around with wooden swords in their hands. His lips twisted into a smile then suddenly went to the normal cold expression."Lucien is back" The prince words rang in his head and all he could feel was unlimited anger inside him.There were days when he will have been delighted to learn that but not anymore. He betrayed him and killed his parents, stealing the woman he used to love.He can never forget and will never forgive, the only thought in his head is separating Lucien's head from his body and punishing Annabelle for her sin by making their child parentless as they did to him.That is the only way he will ever forgive them."Stop the ride" He authorized and the lift came to a stop. He opened the entrance and got down, he was feeling stuffy and uncomfortable
He howled as he entered his room and remove his clothes throwing them on the floor. Carter picked it up and put it at the right place, following his lord.Simon picked up his red robe, and put it on, he paced around his room before he finally sit on his wooden chair.Carter could see how troubled he looked, was it because of him or the slaves? To be honest, he knows his lord knows about his betrayal. That he was the one that told Aria about the secret passage, but he found it strange that he decided to punish the most innocent in this issue, and let Aria and him go without any punishment.Is he planning on punishing him later? Maybe chop his head off and make him a scapegoat to others. He is curious, why is he so silent to him?"Is there something you'd like to say?" Simon asked and looked at carter. 'This is it, is he going to punish him now? What exactly is going to be his punishment?' Carter thoug
"An intruder" Simon mumbled as he rose from his seat, he went outside of his room to another room in his chambers, where different types of weapons were stored, swords, daggers, axes, all kinds of weapons needed for murder. Simon grabbed a sword and went outside to meet Carter and some of his guards, securing his chamber. His guards bowed when they spotted him "What are you doing here, you shouldn't be here" Carter said alarmed, out of concern for him. "I am no coward, where is the intruder," Simon asked, his eyes gleamed with excitement. An intruder in his castle, an intruder the same moment Lucien came back. This is his justification, to get rid of
Edward looked to his left and right side as he tiptoed out of his room, making sure there were no guards in view."What are you doing?" Someone questioned him and he gasped, tripped and landed on his butt."Young master?" His servant called and helped him up."God! it is you, Marcellus. You scared the hell out of me wait, You are back? so did you find out anything about her?" Edward asked excited, his lips curled into a bright smile.Marcellus sighed and let go of his lord's hand. "Are you certain that this lady exists, or was it your imagination?""What do you mean? Did you find nothing?""Yes, there is no noble lady in this castle with such a name. Are you certain that you weren't fooled by her? She could be a slave who ran away from her master and just lied that she is a noble" Marcellus spatted, totally stressed out and out of options.