Chapter 24 Sabrinaâs POV:
The Kingâs order loomed over my head like a perpetual cloud of darkness that was near impossible to shake off.
Four days.
Going back to my duties in four days after all that had happened in that cell after just four days of rest sounded like a sure death sentence. But of course, what did I expect? That he would relieve me of my duties? Ha! It will be a freezing day in hell before such a thing happens.
But surprisingly, I didnât think about it that much.
âDo you hurt anywhere?â Caldan asked. He watched me from a distance as I struggled to get et out of bed and go to the bathroom. He has offered to help, but shame wouldnât let me.
I want to pee. Thereâs no way I want him to help me to the bathroom.
âIâm fine.â I said honestly. My body wasnât aching as much as it did yesterday. It still hurts, but the pain was reduced by half.
I hobbled all the way to the bathroom and did my business. I felt embarrassed that Caldan was in the room, and he probably heard me peeing. But getting him to leave was next to impossible.
âWhat if you slip and hit your head?â He had said when I had protested.
True. What if I did slip and hit my head? Who would help me then? Still it was embarrassing.
The rest of the day went by uneventful. According to Caldan, we were in his private wing of the pack house. I was really grateful for that, it meant I wouldnât have to bump into Blair or any of her minions for the duration of my healing. At least Iâd be drama free.
Caldan took it upon himself to take care of me.
A kind faced servant delivered three meals to me, and I didnât need to ask to know that they were made by the Royal chef.
Everything tasted divine, even the water was strangely refreshing. I had loose flowing dresses provided for me, and when I complained to Caldan that it was too much, he told me I needed all the care I could get.
And care did I get.
For the next three days, I felt like a real princess.
I got to bathe with the finest body washes that smelled like they had been made in the high temples of the mood goddess. I ate like a king, and dessert was that amazing chocolate cake that got better as the days went by.
like By the morning of the second day, the bandages on my wrists unraveled on their own to reveal smooth skin. It nothing had ever happened, my skin was as smooth as ever. Hard to believe they were broken a week ago, black and blue from the internal bleeding. By the morning of the third day, I was completely healed. My back was free of any marks, all the scars had vanished. I stared at my bare back in the mirror, and my jaw dropped in shock.
Caldan noticed the bandages were all off, and I didnât miss how confused he looked.
âYouâre healed. He said, his eyes wide with shock as he looked at my wrists. âHow is this possible?â
âI donât know,â I shrugged.
Does this normally happen to you?â He asked. He walked closero me and took my hands in his. Very gently, he turned my hands left and right, inspecting my wrists.
JE 22:04 Tue, Nov 5 GA Chapter 21 âI canât tell, I havenât gotten this hurt in the past.â
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A heavy silence came between us as the implications of my words sank in. He grit his jaw and nodded tensely. âI see. He said and released my hands. He sat on the chair beside my bed and motioned for me to sit too.
âRina?â He called, his bright eyes focused on me.
I clasped my hands in my lap and stared at him. âYes, sir Caldan âYou can call me Caldan.â He said. âJust Caldan. Thereâs no need for formalities between us.â
âI canât do that, sir Caldan.â I said, placing emphasis on the âsir.
He nodded to himself. âStubborn, but that aside. Why havenât you accepted my offer?â
I raised a brow. âWhat offer?â
The offer I made you, to be mine and let me take you away from this place.â
I swallowed, tense. There it is again.
âRina, I make you this offer again. Come with me, be mine. And leg me end your suffering.â
âWhat are you bringing this up again? I already told you my answer, âBecause I cannot bear to see you suffer in this place any longer. It wasnât meant for you to be a slave.â
I stared at him. âWhat does it mean to be yours?â I asked.
âAny title you want to put on it, thatâs fine by me. Youâll belong to me. Away from this harem, from being a slave to girls who are younger than you. Youâll live with me, right here. Well spend our days and nights together.â
1 felt my stomach twist. âWill this involve us doing more? More than just kissing?â I asked.
âOf course,â He said softly. âYouâd belong to me, as much as Iâd belong to you. Spirit, soul, and body.â
And body huh?
I felt flattered that a man as handsome as Caldan would want me to be his mistress.
But again, at the same time, wasnât this the very same reason I scorned Blair? I felt uncomfortable as I gave more thought to his words Belonging to him. Living with him. During the day, Iâd probably wear cute dresses and order maids around. And at night...my cheeks turned bright red and I looked away from him If Iâm not sure of anything in this world, itâs the fact that I will never be able to stomach being a fuck toyâcanât even think of myself existing for nothing more than a manâs pleasure. To hang on his arm during the day, a perfect Arm candy. And at night, to please him.
Even though heâs very kind to me, and he has taken care of me lot. These past three days proved it to me how much of a good person he is. Without him Iâd probably still be rotting away in that cell.
But sull, I canât accept this offer.
âSay Caldan,â I started in my most amicable voice I raised my head and met his steady gaze. âI really appreciate this kind offer of yours. The thought and consideration you put in this must have been a lot. But unfortunately, I canât accept this offer. Iâm sorry.
Tue, Nov 5 Chapter 24 âRina?â He leaned forward in his chair, his brows furrowed. âArenât you tired of letting your life waste away like this? In this harem as a slave?â
âEither way, my life will still waste away.â I said calmly. âItâs a lose lose situation. And in that case, I would rather live with m pride left for me and continue to live as a slave, than to be someoneâs fuck toy.â
âRina, youâre not a fuck you. Youâre more than that. Donât reduce yourself to a mere tool.
I stared at him. He canât be serious right now, right? âIn which world will a prince marry a slave? Thatâs right. Itâs never happened before. And it never will.â
âRina, take time to think about this, okay? I want the best for you I shook my head and smiled. âI understand, sir Caldan. But Iâve made up my mind. Iâll be just fine. As Iâve always held up. Iâ
continue to do so.â
He sighed and rubbed his temples. âThereâs no convincing you, is there?â
I shook my head, âNo.â
He raised his head up and met my eyes. âVery well. Before I forget, Iâll be leaving for a trip again. Iâm not sure when itâll be, but it can be anytime soon.
Another trip. My heart fell into my stomach. How long will he be gone this time? A day? Two? A week? A month? I donât even want to think about it that much.
âI donât feel comfortable leaving you alone, Rina. Iâm worried that something like this will happen again while Iâm gone.â
Iâll be fine. I said with a reassuring smile. I donât even believe my words right now, but I have to. âBut Iâll miss you.â Thereâs no point denying it now. Itâs the truth.
Iâll miss you more.â
I felt my heart lurch, and I gripped the fabric of my gown tight.
But I must ask, why do you travel a lot?â
âItâs nothing too serious. He began to explain. âI represent my boother, the King. He canât come out in the sun, so I have to attend all these meetings in his stead and report back to him with everything that happened.â
My eyes went wide. âThe king canât walk in the sun?!â
He nodded. âYou didnât know this?â
âNoâ I gasped. âI had no idea. Iâve never really thought about it, or had any reason to even suspect such a thing.â
He laughed softly. âI understand that reaction. Not many people know of this. Maybe just myself and Nitra, but keep it to yourselfâ
âWhy canât he walk in the sun? I asked.
âTd rather not talk about my brother now.â He said.
âAli I guess he doesnât like talking about his brother, Maybe they do have the best relationship. Still, I wonder what their dynamic like. What kind of relationship do they have? The last time I had seen them both together there was just this palpable tension between them.
22-04 Tue, Nov 5 Chapter 24 rry for asking.â I said, and I really meant it.
âIâm sorry Caldan smiled and shook his head. âYouâre curious, thereâs no crime in that.â
Ah, all is forgiven.
He got to his feet. âTâll let you get some rest now. Tomorrow is your last day of rest, you should enjoy it to the fullest.â
âWonât you spend it with me?â I didnât know where that came from, but I had to ask.
He raised a brow. âOf course I will.â
I got to my feet and walked over to him. âThank you, sir Caldan. For everything youâve done for me.â
Youâre welcome, Rina. He said and turned to leave. I reached out and grabbed his sleeve. He turned back to me. âIs anything the problem?â
1 nodded. My cheeks turned pink and I wondered if I should just let him go than ask what was on my mind.
âCould you....give me a hug?â I asked.
He turned to fully face me. âI told you, Rina. You donât have to ask He did say that, but still I had to ask.
My eyes drifted to his lips, and for a split second I wondered what they would feel like pressed against mine. Sabrina! What the fuck?!
I moved closer to him and hugged him. He hugged me back, his arms and body warm.
Iâm going to miss this a whole lot. I wish I had more time to spend with him, but alas I have to return to being a slave. Caldan didnât pull away till I did. And even when I did, it was reluctantly.
liking.
The last day of my rest was spent taking a walk through the gardens, resting, and reading. And it went too fast for my The day I returned to work came by faster than I would have liked. That day, I woke up early and left for the white wings. Most of the girls were still asleep, except lady Nifra of course, âWhere are you going?â She stopped me as I headed to the kitchen to get started on yesterdayâs plates.
I turned to face her. âMy duties, maâam.â I said.
âThereâs no need for thatâ She said calmly. âYouâve been moved from the White Wing to his Majestyâs private wing.â
âWhat?â I asked, my voice a shocked whisper.
âDid I stutter?â The icy woman spat. âYouâre serving his majesty from now on.â
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