Erica's POV :

I was being dragged towards the garden by Linda and Rosa. Once the garden was in my sight the both vanished. I don't like this idea of wearing a maiden's dress. I'm feeling uncomfortable already, my body part are evident on this dress.

I was more than nervous, my hands became watery. What will be Stevens reaction? Why do I care?

Suddenly I started feeling hot. I think I'm now anxious. How is the king going to tell everyone about my change of status?

"Erica." I heard my name from that sweet voice of his.

No denial, It's true even though I hate him.

"What?" I asked nastily staring at him as his eyes were wide open in shock.

I guess I look stupid.

"You're... You're so fucking beautiful." He blurted out as his eyes sparkled while I grinned in anxiety.

He was drooling over me in seconds. He was shocked at a spot for a minute.

Then Steven walked closer to me and started caressing my cheek bone with his index finger. "I don't want to take my eyes off you ever again. You're eye catchy pretty." He complimented staring deep into my eyes with admiration.

Okay this is weird. At those spoken weird I felt funny in my tummy. Are his words affecting. No... no, it should. No he's too close. He needs to move back a little. "Keep your hands off me weirdo,"  I said rudely slapping his finger off my face and moved back a little.

At such action, I could breath better.

The grin on his face widened both with his eyes. Why do I feel that if he doesn't stop his face will tear with all those grinning and his eye balls will fall with all does staring. He then placed his both hands on my shoulder as he caressed my arms and held my both hands.

"Erica dress like this often. Damn this part of you is just you. Princess Erica is your name so act like a woman for once." He told me as I stared deep into his hazel orbs.

Is this man hypnotize or what. I snatched my both hands from his and a scowl appeared on my face. "What part of keep your hands off me you don't understand vampire?" I told him arrogantly.

My reply only made him smile. Guys guys something is wrong with this man. Why isn't he yelling or calling me name? What's with the smile and honest compliment.

"Feisty isn't it? I like your kind. Next time drop your red hair Instead of packing it up." He told me dragging my nose as he held my wrist firmly but lightly dragging me to the garden stand.

"Listen everyone." He called out grabbing everyone's attention.

Both guards, maidens and staffs where present even with his subjects and councils.

"From this day present, Erica isn't a slave in my castle anymore. For she has proving to us here she's worth the post of being a royal maiden and a protector of the royal family. I've granted her the privilege of associating with everyone here and she should be treated with respect for she has saved my family and deserves to be compensated."
"Erica step forward." He ordered as I did.

His always ordering me around.

Immediately I stepped forward everyone gasped at my appearance.
"Is that she? They all questioned themselves being astonished.

Everyone was surprised with my change of identity.

"And keep your eyes off her." Steven warned as I snapped my head towards his direction.

He must be joking. What's the meaning of that?

"You may all dismiss." He told them arrogantly as all they dissolved to different direction.

Right then and there I was attacked by a hug.

"Erica you look so beautiful. Be a woman more." Emma told me.

"I told her same thing." Steven replied with a smooth voice.

Then again I was attack by another hug. What's with people hugging me today, huh? When I look to the right I saw it was "Nora". She's added body after some months.

"Erica, I've missed you," Nora said with baby eyes. Being happy I hugged her back. I was truly happy she's okay. Then came in a joy of seeing her again.

"I've missed you too." I told her breaking the hug.

"I'm glad you're alright." She told me sincerely.
"Just look at you, being a woman fits you more," She said tapping my right cheek.

Why are people telling me this? Come on I also look handsome dressing like a man.

"Who's this." Emma asked eying Nora up and down not acknowledging her being close to me.

"This is Nora. We were both hostages when we got here and then later separated." I summarized.

"Yes. I'm her best friend." Nora told Emma boldly emphasizing on the word 'best'.

Okay that isn't the right time to say that Nora.

"What? That ain't possible because Erica here is my best best friend." Emma proclaimed holding my right wrist firmly.

"You're joking princess because I met Erica first." Nora claimed holding my left wrist also firmly.

Alright this is getting out of hand.

"Can we settle this." I told the girls.

"Not now Erica." They both replied glaring at me.

I shifted my gaze to Steven hoping he could help.

"Let her go servant." Emma warned.

"I ain't scared of you princess. You let go of her." Nora replied in a nasty tone.

"Enough. Because Erica here has always been my friend," Steven said with a smug smile.

I scoffed. "Since when?" I asked narrowing my eyes towards him.

I mean what such of lie is that.

"The first day I met her and placed her in the donjon for a month." He told us trying not to laugh.

"Brother what such of friendship is that?" Emma asked with frowned eye browns.

"Only Erica and I understands."

This is why I said that this man is insane.

"Whatever. Erica is my friend and mime alone." Nora claimed.

"Over my dead body you arrogant vampire pet," Emma said rudely and Steven isn't helping at all.

"This won't settle this girls." Steven told them.

"What can we do to have Erica for myself brother?" Emma asked.

"You two will have to do anything to win Erica's friendship. Prove to her that you're meant to be her deserved friend." He told them.

"Sire you ain't helping." I told him with gritted teeth.

He's going to make this two fight.

"Fine by me." Nora accepted.

"I'm cool with it." Emma agreed.

This is a disaster.

"And I'll partake in this tournament," he said proudly.

"You want to be my friend." I asked in confusion.

"Who wouldn't, that's a step for me to take to get you to forgive me." He told me.

"You're wasting your time." I replied faking a rude tone.

I'm finding it hard to be cold to him when he's acting all nice and free.

He's so stupid.

"You two should stop the glaring." I told Emma and Nora slapping the back of their head, heading towards my room.

Heavens why is everyone here being so  insane.

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

So who love this chapter 😁.

Bringing in Nora after a while is going to make the story jolly.
For reminder, Nora and Emma are same age.
Enjoy and,

Watch how Emma, Nora and Steven fights for friendship.

Steven can do anything to get what he wants.
I mean anything.

I love you all for reading this chapter
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