~Steph~

'Morning sis," I mumbled, styling my hair backwards as I stared at Emily dashing to the bathroom.


'How are you always up before me?" She shouted, making me chuckle.

After about a minute, I was done styling my hair. 'What next?" I muttered, my eyes darting back and forth.

'Yes, my sketch pad," I squealed as I dashed to my wardrobe in search of it.


Today threatened to be challenging, one more day with Crystal in the normal kitchen was surely more frustrating than dining with a serpent.

'You're a lowly excuse for a human," her voice echoed in my head.


Weeks ago, her words were surely bound to get me curled up behind the castle, crying my eyes out.

But since I met him, her words have had no impact on me anymore. I guess I grew up to be stronger just like he advised.

Flashback

'How dare you?" Crystal barked, her eyes blazing like primal fire. 'I'm sorry ma'am," I begged, my eyes downcast as I wriggled my fingers nervously.

'Sorry for your pitiful human self," she spat. Before I knew it, I felt a cold sensation with a splash of liquid all over me. 'Get out of my kitchen, you useless human," She sparked, throwing the empty keg towards me.

My whole body was drenched, my hair soaked in oil. All eyes were on me, some etched in pity and others gleaming in excitement.

Out of shame, I dashed out, tears all over my face as I ran to the only place I could find comfort, behind the castle.

The castle was bustling with people and court maidens moving up and down, leaving the back lonely and isolated.

As I got to my usual spot, just under a pine tree, I sat down immediately, pouring out my tears freely.

'I fucking hate this place," I cried, fresh tears streaming down my face.

'Yh, yh, I hate it too pal," a masculine voice said. 'Huh!" I exclaimed, my eyes darting back and forth as I searched for the sight of anyone.

'Who's that?" I asked, standing up immediately as I picked up a peckle in case of any attack.

Suddenly a man jumped down from the pine tree, his hair covering his face with a tobacco joint between his lips.

'S-stay back," I stuttered, pointing the stick at him as I took a few steps backwards. 'Relax, I'm harmless," he muttered, an evil smirk on his face.

He immediately shoved his hair backwards, revealing his face properly.

'Fuck," I muttered underneath my breath, my eyes widened in shock. Standing in front of me was the most attractive mortal I had ever laid my eyes on.

His eyes were a deep green with a white dew in the middle. He had the most perfect set of lips I had ever seen with a dimple at his left cheeks that made my tummy flutter.

His hair was wet, packed backwards with a few strands scattered around his face.

'Hello," he muttered, waving his hand over my face as I jolted out of my thoughts.

I had been so engrossed in his charm that I didn't realize he was only an inch away from me.

'Uhmm, uhmm, I'm sorry," I stuttered, biting my lower lip nervously as my gaze drifted away.

He chuckled slightly, turning my chin to face him. 'Why were you crying?" He asked, his green eyes piercing into mine.

'Uhmm, n-nothing," I stammered, trying to move back but he pulled me closer, making my body rest on his chest.

'I hate weak girls, so you have to be strong," he muttered, winking at me before letting me go. 'See you around," he added, walking away.

'Wait," I shouted, making him stop on his track. 'What's your name?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

'He turned back to face me, a small smile on his face. 'Luther, your future King," he replied before heading out.

His words struck me like lightning as I froze on the spot. 'He is the king's younger brother?" I asked, my eyes widened in shock with my palms over my mouth.

'I'm dead," I added.

Flashback ends

'Oh, you waited," Emily said, jolting me out of my thoughts. 'Huh!" I replied, blinking my eyes severally.

'Aww, you waited for me today," she said, a small smile on her face. 'Oh! That, I didn't wait," I replied, winking at her before dashing out.

'You wench," she shouted after me, making me chuckle.

________


'I hope I see him today," I muttered, smiling sheepishly as I walked to the kitchen.

'You are late," Crystal shouted immediately as I entered, her eyes blazing in a fit of rage.

'I'm sorry ma'am, it won't happen again," I replied, a small smile on my face. She had a shocked look on her face, her eyes fixed on me, my response obviously came as a shock to her.

I quickly dashed to the inner room, to take my first job for the day. 'Let it be his room please," I mumbled underneath my breath.

'Steph," Crystal called, her voice firm and harsh. 'Ma'am," I replied, dashing towards her.

'Take this, take it to Luther's chamber," she said, handing me a tray filled with steak with an evil smile on her face.

'Alright ma'am," I replied, my eyes dancing in excitement.

Without waiting for any other assignment, I dashed out of the kitchen to avoid her changing her mind.

My wish had been granted and I couldn't let anything get in my way, not even Crystal and her unnecessary tantrums.

Luther's chamber was the last on the hallway, so it was easy to locate. 'I bet he will be pleased to see me," I thought, smiling sheepishly.

Finally, I was in front of his chamber after walking through the deafening hallway.

'You can do this, Steph," I muttered. ' Just go in, drop the tray and smile," I added, adjusting my dress before knocking.

'Come in," his voice came in from the other end, making my heart skip a beat.

'Phew!" I exhaled, gulping down an invisible lump in my throat as I twisted the door open.

There he was, shirtless, his snake tattoos glistening in the dark. He was backing me, his gaze fixed on what he was watching through the window.

'Good morning, my lord," I muttered, my voice calm and tender. 'Drop it on the table and leave," he replied coldly without sparing me a glance.

I stealthily walked to his table, my heart beat increased with each step I took.

His room was better than I expected. Contrary to his rough appearance, his room had a calm and soulful interior.

The walls were painted white with red stripes at each corner. The chandeliers were also red but dim.

'Why are you still standing there?" He barked, still backing me.

'Uhm, i-i'm sorry," I stammered. 'I thought you needed a little company," I added, biting my lips nervously.

My words probably struck him, as he turned slowly to face me. 'The only company I need is that of Emily, fetch her for me," he muttered, raising his head to look at me.

'Huh!" His words felt like a spear piercing my soul. 'I-I thought….."

'What? You thought I loved you?" He asked, cutting me off. 'You are not your sister," he added, his face twisted in a frown.

I couldn't hold it back anymore, I let the tears flow freely as I dashed out with tears all over my face.