Chapter 2- It's Time To Meet His Majesty
2000 Words
Alexa sighed and picked one flower and brought it up to her nose before taking a long sniff
"Smells nice." She giggled and fixed the flower in her hair. She carried the flower pot and walked back into her room.
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Dawn hurried down the stairs and into hallway. Suddenly, she bumped into a wall
"Ouch!" She hissed, rubbing her nose.
" Since when did walls start moving in the hallway?" She thought, confused
"I'm not a wall" an amused male voice said. The voice had a soft comforting pull to it. Dawn flushed in embarrassment.
"Surely, I didn't say that out loud?" She said, looking up to meet a soft but firm pair of brown eyes. The guy laughed
"How else did I hear you?"
"Through mind reading, perhaps?" She suggested, earning another laugh from him
"You're funny. I don't read minds. I don't think anyone does. Anyway you're not hurt, are you?" He asked cautiously and she smiled, waving it off.
"Of course not. It's nothing serious"
" But it's still something. Why were you in such a hurry anyway?"
"I was running from Mr. Greene"
"The man's pretty scary, isn't he?" He asked incredulously and they shared a laugh
"What happened to your hand?"
"Nothing serious. Just a minor burn" she shrugged nonchalantly
"You should be more careful next time. My name is Archer Anderson. What's your name, if you don't mind me asking, pretty face?" He said and she blushed
"I'm Dawn Winslow" she introduced and they shook hands
"So soft!" He complimented, threading his fingers with hers.
"And so small" he said with a short laugh
"What did you expect from a seven year old?"
"Ah so she's seven years old. I guess the two years difference is pretty glaring"
"You really flatter yourself, don't you?" She asked, snatching her hand away
"What can I say, it's not every day you see a cute face like mine"
"Ew!" She exclaimed at his poor attempt to look charming
"You really should work on your charms. It seemed lost on me"
"So what do we have here? Flowers from princess Chambers?"
"They're yesterday's flowers. I went to change them" she explained as he lowered his head to get a sniff
"Still smells great to me. I'm taking one" he said and picked up a dumbbell.
"Y'know, you could be taken for a boy with that hairstyle" he said suddenly and she instinctively touched her hair
"What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing. Actually it looks good on you. But it's popular around here for guys to tie up their hair while ladies leave theirs to fall back"
"Well it's more convenient this way and I'm not exactly a lady. So you're saying I'm that ' handsome ', huh?"
"Well you're a female but yeah, you're that handsome"
"I take it that you're General Anderson's son?"
" I am." He answered in the affirmative. "Feel free to contact me whenever you need something"
"Something like freedom?" She scoffed
"No. Something that's within my power to offer. I think I like you. You'll make a great friend"
"The feeling is mutual. So what do I do about your scary father?"
"Just blow this whistle when you need anything. I live at the back anyway. I've got to go. Catch you later" he said and hurried off while she stared at the silver whistle he gave her.
"Archer, what can I possibly need that you can give me? The questions in my heart, you don't have the answers to them. The things I long for, you can't provide."
She clenched the whistle in her hand before fixing it into her waistband.
"I have work to do. I better get going." She murmured and walked away.
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{THE EMPEROR'S CHAMBERS}
"I'm here to change the flowers. Will you please replace the old ones with these? They're freshly picked." Freya asked a servant in front of the Emperor's Chambers. He regarded her slowly
"You're late again. Has yesterday's wounds healed already? Anyway, if you're here to change the flowers, do it. It's not my responsibility to change flowers, is it?" He asked indifferently
"I cannot trespass the Emperor's Chambers"
"Like as if it's your first time in there. There's no need to pretend. It's a known fact that you're a petty slut. Just go in and do your business already and stop bothering me" he snapped and she held back tears. Taking a look around and seeing no one nearby to help, she decided to go in.
"Your Majesty!" She called softly, knocking on the closed doors. She knocked for sometime and got no response so she opened the doors and stepped in. The room was empty.
"Seems like it's my lucky day today" she murmured, gently setting the flowers down on the table. She quickly rushed out but was stopped just as she was about to cross the threshold of the door.
"In a hurry to leave, Freya?" The Emperor, Alexander Conrad asked amused. Freya closed her eyes briefly and said a short prayer.
"My work here is done" she said, too scared to turn around as she felt him inch closer
"That's for me to determine, little Freya. Now turn around" he ordered and she shivered before turning around
He was wearing just a pair of black trousers. His hair and chest was wet signifying that he just came out of the bathroom.
"Do you like what you see little Freya?" He asked and c****d an eyebrow at her when she didn't respond.
"I like what I see" she said and swallowed dryly
" Good girl. And when you see something you like what do you do?"
"You take advantage of it" she replied in a a small voice as he pulled her close, making her place her hands on his chest. She was shaking in fear.
"Then why are you hesitating?"
He asked and she gulped.
"Because I'm not done with my work." She tried to give a lame excuse
"It can wait"
"I haven't showered" she said and he nuzzled his nose against her neck.
"You smell just nice" he replied nonchalantly.
"I'm not feeling well" she tried again and he smirked.
"My body will heal you" he replied, nibbling her ear lobe.
"I...." She trailed off, racking her brain for excuses
"Are you done? You're out of excuses already?"
"I have stomach ache. It's my time of the month" she lied, praying that he buys it.
"Not a problem. When we get on the bed, we'll confirm that story and for your sake I hope you are telling the truth" he said, circling her like a predator about to devour its prey. She shivered and closed her eyes tightly.
"Today is definitely my last and I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to Dawn." She whimpered in her mind as he pushed her on the bed. With a lot of force, he tugged her hair free throwing her copper hair pin to the floor carelessly.
"God please spare me this once."
She prayed in her as she struggled to hold back tears. It would offend the Emperor to see her crying. Her eyes flew open as he placed his hand on her chest, about to rip her clothes off. She quickly placed her hand on his, stopping him. He frowned at her.
"Freya" he called, a warning note in his voice. She gulped in fear as her throat clogged up
"Your majesty, I do not wish to stop you deliberately. But I'm afraid I have no other clothes with me if you tear this one up." She said, breathing hard as she shrank under his intense gaze.
"Clothes? I can send for some if that's the problem" he said and proceeded to tear her clothes but she didn't let go.
"Freya" he growled out and she quickly let go of the fabric.
"Your Majesty, I dare not wear the clothes you intend to send for. I'm only a slave of lowest status. I dare not go beyond my boundaries" she pleaded and he looked at her. Without another word, he took his hand off her chest and placed it on her waist, loosening the string holding the clothes together. With a sigh she fell back on the bed, feeling her heart race as he placed his hand on her bare stomach moving up to her bra.
"Put your hands on my chest" The command snapped Freya out of her dazed state. She quickly complied
"Now kiss me!"
She stuttered
"Your Majesty...."
"Do it now unless you want your daughter to assist you with it" he said with a smirk, knowing he hit a soft spot. She quickly placed her lips on his, kissing him as she felt a stubborn tear roll down her cheek.
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{CONSORT IRENE'S CHAMBERS}
"Susan, which of these hairpins should I use?" Consort Irene said as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Susan who was styling Consort Irene's hair paused and looked at the three hairpins on the table.
"The peach blossom hairpin suits your dress better, your highness "
"Hmm, is that so? Alright then." She said softly and Susan bowed gently before fixing the hairpin into her hair. She brought out matching earrings and fixed them into her ears.
"Your highness, it's all done." Susan announced and Consort Irene stared at her reflection thoughtfully.
"Bring me the jade bangle my mother gifted me. It's in a glass box in my treasure chest. Be careful not to break anything." Consort Irene ordered and Rong Rong went to bring the bangle.
"Your highness, is it the white jade bangle or the green jade bangle?"
"It's the green jade bangle." She replied and Susan brought it and helped her wear it on.
"Something is still missing. Redraw my eyebrows. I also need to comb out my lashes and touch up my lipstick."
"Yes, your highness." Susan responded softly and set to work. She carefully redrew the eyebrows and combed the lashes while Consort Irene touched up her by lipstick herself.
"Something is still missing. I don't like this makeup. I want to go with a tearful makeup"
"Your highness, why are you preparing so much to meet his majesty? You're almost like a new bride."
"You don't understand. I have to compete against every consort and concubine for his majesty's attention. I intend to capture his majesty's attention tonight so that I can finally sleep with him. It will be great if I can give him a son. That will raise his majesty's opinion of me."
Consort Irene stared at the new makeup with a satisfied smile.
"Paint my nails red. Add some glitter to it."
"Your highness, in my opinion a nude colour will be better. It'll suit your attire better." Susan said thoughtfully.
"Whatever. Just paint it any suitable colour." Consort Irene said dismissively.
"You look very beautiful, your highness. I'm sure his highness won't be able to take his eyes off you." Susan praised when she finished with the last nail.
Consort Irene smiled proudly.
"That's exactly what I want. Susan, draw a peach blossom petal on my forehead."
"Yes, your highness." Susan said with a smile and drew three small petals on Consort Irene's forehead.
"Perfect!" Consort Irene beamed and stood up.
"Susan bring me my best perfume." Consort Irene said.
A few minutes later, she was done with all her preparations and a satisfied smile graced her lips.
"Is the carriage ready?" Consort Irene asked and Susan bowed.
"Yes, your highness. The carriage is ready."
"Good. Get me the food box. It's time to meet his majesty." She said softly with a soft smile.
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{FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER}
{THE EMPEROR'S CHAMBERS}
"Leave!" The command sounded like it was gritted out
"Yes, your majesty!" She said as she scrambled around for her clothes.
"Looking for this?" Alexander asked as he held up her bra. Freya gulped, looking up in embarrassment.
- Writer
