Craving Prince Charming

The duke’s invite

CHAPTER FOUR

~GISELLA~

I watched helplessly as my painting was sold off to the duke. Miss Jezerel’s eyes flashed with greed as she took the money from him.

I was sad that my painting had to go. It was the only memory I had of that night but at least, the duke paid a huge amount for it and it covered a significant part of my debt.

“Quickly! Paint as many similar pictures as you can so we can sell more to the duke. He seems to be interested in those,” she said as soon as the fair was over.

I frowned. She had just stolen from me. The only thing I ever thought to keep for myself was gone.

The next day, I got to work, painting my hands away. There was no break for me, maybe a few hours during the weekend but I spent it at my part-time job.

Suddenly, the door opened and Miss Jezerel burst into the painting room, an unreadable expression on her face.

“The duke is here to see you,” she said and left.

I c****d my head to the side. Why would the duke want to see me?

I stood up and went to meet up with him. He was standing outside, staring into nothing, his two hands behind him.

“Your grace,”

He turned around to face me. His eyes lit up.

“Jezerel told me your name is Gisella,”

I nodded.

“You’re a brilliant painter, Gisella. I took your painting to the palace and the king loved it. The muse looks exactly like the prince but his face cannot be revealed till his twenty-first birthday which will be happening tonight. So tell me, have you met with the prince?”

My eyes widened! I met the stranger at the palace stroking his c**k. That means he’s the prince. The infamous prince Xavian whose face cannot be revealed till his twenty-first birthday because of tradition.

I saw him first, and I painted him. But I can’t let anybody know that. I may get in trouble if word gets out that I saw the prince’s face and he f****d me before his big reveal.

“I guess it’s just a coincidence,” I shrugged, trying so hard to hide the shock on my face.

“I see. Well, I have good news,” he dug his hands into his pocket and brought out a letter.

It had the royal seal crested on it.

“The king was so impressed that he invited you to join the royal painters. It’s a huge opportunity that comes with a good salary,”

My mouth flew open in shock as my shaky hands received the letter. I never thought I’d get recognition, and from a powerful lycan King like King Corin. I felt seen and appreciated.

“Thank you so much, your grace,” I bowed a million times till my head hurt. What an honor! Tears spilled out of my eyes and I let them flow freely. I haven’t had good news in a long time.

I so so excited that I smiled till my cheeks hurt.

He instructed me to read the letter and get back to him at night. With the royal envelope, I can gain access to the palace.

He dismissed me and I went back into the academy.

“I was listening to your conversation,” Miss Jezerel couldn’t hide the jealousy on her face. “You shouldn’t take the offer. You need to keep working to pay your debt,”

I ignored her and went to the painting room, locking the door behind me. I read the contents of the letter. I was entitled to a room in the staff quarters in the palace as well as free food and a fat salary of eight thousand dollars.

I jumped up in excitement. It felt too good to be real. With this amount, I can pay up my debt and have enough to take care of Dad. My only issue was the prince. I guess I just have to stay away from him.

******************

As I walked through the cold street, I suddenly remembered that today is the full moon. The full moon, which happens every two months was the time wolves get to find their mates. I could spot a bunch of lovers around.

I didn’t think I had a mate. The moon goddess is probably too busy to remember me. I got into the palace after showing them my letter. I entered a majestic ballroom, fit for only the most affluent in society.

I glanced at my dress. I am wearing the best gown in my closet which was a plain red satin gown. It was decent, and it helped that I had curves to make them look even more appealing. A violinist was playing music in the background. Rich people were scattered around, laughing, clinking glasses, and doing a bunch of rich people stuff.

My eyes darted around as I suddenly began to feel nervous. I need to find the duke. Just then, someone bumped into me, her glass of wine spilling on my dress.

I gasped.

“Watch where you’re going?” She thundered angrily and walked away. I sighed. Now I need to clean up.

Suddenly, my senses became sharp. I felt something pull me like an invisible thread towards a particular direction. Everyone else in the room got blurry. My wolf howled inside of me.

“Mate!” She leaped desperately, leading my feet. I took some steps forward, not sure where I was going but I kept moving. The pull was getting even more intense. It was like a magnetic force I couldn’t control.

I kept moving till I went upstairs to a hallway and I paused.

“Mate! Mate!” My Wolf howled intensely. I could see a figure at the other end of the hallway, walking towards me with the same intensity as I was. The light from the chandeliers blinded me and I couldn’t see who it was.

Suddenly, he came into view. I gasped. It was him, the stranger I had a one-night stand with. Prince Xavian.