Being summoned to his room after such an event was not her idea of fun. His mood would be sour, and she feared that he had only called her to be a replacement for the queen. Everyone knew he held a sick yearning for the queen. That he was, for a brief time, the queen's lover and that was how he became the young sick king's friend and Second.

The nightdress she wore was revealing and the straps hung off her shoulders. He had sent maids to her room with the dress and ordered her to appear before him while wearing it. It was to his taste, the amount of skin that showed, left her wondering if it could even be considered clothing. Standing before his door she whispered to herself,

"Everything will be alright."

She was called to his room many times before, but only to entertain him with song, dance, or even sometimes storytelling. The last time she was in his room he did give her hope of something more happening, but he was called out of the room by his chief officer, and she was sent to her room disappointed. That was months ago and now she stood in front of his door dripping in fear of what would happen. She heard a rumor that a prisoner escaped right from under his nose and it sent him on a bloody rampage. So the fact that she was called to his room did not bring her the least bit of joy like it usually did.

She took in a deep breath and tapped the door.

A low voice came from the other side,

"Enter."

The words 'let him not see your fear' entered her mind as she walked into the room her head held high. She slowly made her way in as if she were dancing across the floor. Her heart echoed into her ears with each step she took and she managed to curl her lips up in a smile as she fluttered her eyelashes. She paused in the middle of the room and waited for him to make a move or speak.

His eyes scanned her as she slowly made her way to him. He placed the cup he drank from onto a table and took off his robe. Shirtless, he walked up to her gently placing his right hand on her waist as he slowly fiddled with her hair with his left. His breaths softly reached her ear and a shiver ran down her back.

"So they delivered the dress. It looks good on you, better than I imagined."

She stood firm trying her best not to move. Biting her bottom lip she struggled to keep from moaning. The desire to have him grew as he pressed up against her, but she was not ready to submit to him. Her heart belonged to him, but he did not know how to keep it safe. She knew very well this relationship was one-sided. He'd just hurt her like he always did then what would she be left with. Just pieces of her heart to mend together. This was just a game to him, something to pass the time as he waited for the next best thing.

"Your Grace, you have summoned me. Do you wish for me to dance for you tonight?"

He smiled and placed his finger on her bottom lip and whispered,

"You always do know how to flatter me. No dancing tonight."

"A song perhaps then?"

"Must I say what I desire? You should already know."

"Your Grace, if you do not tell me how am I to know."

He pressed his lips to her neck. The softness of them felt good, but she knew she couldn't give in. The same thing happened last time and she became overly excited only to be left to fester for months listening to rumors of how he would visit the sleeping queen every day and sit there for hours. His hand that rested upon her waist slid down her hip halfway then returned to her waist. He was toying with her emotions as he already knew for some time now she was his completely. The sadistic smile across his face was hidden from her eyes as he lined her chest and neck with kisses. He slowly guided her towards his bed.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, deciding that if her willpower were to break that it would be better if it happened while her eyes were closed. Not wanting to be a witness to the betrayal of her pride, her heart was about to commit. She was after all just a young lady struck with a sickness called love.

He pulled her in close so that their bodies were pressed close then pressed his lips to hers. Pulling away from her he pushed her back onto the bed gently then climbed on top of her.

"After tonight you will become my mistress and as my mistress, you shall do a simple task for me."

She gasped at the sudden push but kept her eyes closed as he hissed into her ear. Her lips pressed together she muffled a small moan.

"You don't have to answer me. It doesn't matter if you love me or fear me, I only have one thing I need from you and that is your skills. I will make use of them to get me what I want."

She whimpered as he playfully bit on her ear.

"What is it that you wish for me to do, Your Grace?"

"You will go to Ay Su and get a job in the castle as one of the maids. There you will find out where Princess Loraz is."

"When I have this information how do I relay it to you?"

"We will discuss the matter after, but first we need to make sure you don't ever betray me."

"Betray you, why would I ever..."

Looking down at her he held a syringe with the same serum he used on Gotte and injected it into her arm. Emptying the syringe he pulled the needle away and threw it on his bedside table. He watched as she laid there trying to figure out what was going on.

"Now you are mine and should you ever betray me you will punish yourself by taking your life."

She felt pain and opened her eyes as tears fell from them. Her hands pressed onto his chest as the pain grew. Her vision then began to fade and the pain slowly became numb.

"Your Grace..."

A smile on his lips. He leaned in and kissed her. Then slowly forced himself inside her. He gripped her breast and kneaded them between his fingers as she moaned softly in his ear.