Breeding for the King

Extraordinary

“I have always wondered what my destiny was. This vampiric witcher believes it’s to bear his pup, and to drink from me.” – Frida King

…

A total of 5 assistants came into our rooms, minutes after with trays. Contained in them were adornments.

I narrowed my eyes wondering what these were. A closer look told me it was for us.

“Milady,” my assistant said stepping nearer. “We were told to give you this, and make sure you liked them.”

“Of what use?” Lisa let out with a scoff.

The other three females in the room looked at her confusingly. A look of amusement replayed in my features though. “They’re trying to season us, I guess?” I retorted.

“I’d rather walk the plank.”

“You should do as they say.” Lisa’s assistant said.

I folded my arms wondering what this castle held.

“And why is that?” Lisa replied her.

“Because we watched the other girls who were resistant.” my heart gave an overwhelmed feeling that minute. Other girls...? It was my assistant who said it this time and it felt strange.

“They unalive you; you are treated like no prize at all.” It was Lisa’s assistant this time. She held the tray firmly dropping it on Lisa’s table. Mine did the same too.

“Can you help us?” I asked. I needed to get to my parents and the best way to was if I did blend in.

“Of course. That is why we were sent here.” Lisa’s assistant said. “The panels understand that everyone needs a little support.”

“She is right. Moreover, it helps if you work in pairs, you’ll get the best support system and will easily catch the eye of a high rank.” my assistant said.

“A high rank?” Lisa stated.

“Yes.” she replied.

“And, how long will this take?”

“Sorry?” my assistant asked at my question.

“The entire game.”

“As long as required. There are three winners but only one royalty. Whoever catches the eyes of the King becomes his Queen automatically. She is the leader of the board.” she replied.

“I see.” I replied with thoughts on the one that could lead me to my parents. The King.

“The three winners are all breeders of aristocrats that wield power, right?” Lisa said in a curious tone.

“Yes, they consist of the King’s breeder, the general’s breeder, and the priest’s breeder.”

“How do we put these on?” one, out of the three girls stated. My eyes connected to Lisa’s which had a questionable look in them.

“Your assistant will help you with whatever you need, you need those for the second trial although, it’s not now. Only soon will the second trial begin.” Lisa’s assistant said.

“And what might that be?” I asked politely using my court accent.

“You’ll be told soon.” they chorused at the same time. “We have to go now though. We were only told to drop these here and give brief lectures.”

“Okay, thank you!” another female amongst the three girls said.

The assistants walked out the door closing it gently. The three females gathered examining each of the items.

“These are so pretty!” someone said excitedly, but I sat staring at them from a distance.

As a Princess, I grew up having accessories and I was a little used to it. The accessories were an eyeful but didn’t make me feel elated anymore.

“No way.” Lisa mumbled. “I’m not sitting here whining over my respect being exchanged for a tray of accessories.”

I watched as she stood up walking to the direction of the door. “Where are you going?” I asked her, hands on hip.

“I’m about to walk around a bit, with no one on my neck.”

“But-“ she didn’t wait for me to complete. Holding her gown up, she walked out the door with her chin up.

I wriggled my eyes not sure of what to do from here. Staring back at the three females in the room they seemed to be so distracted by the accessories.

Quickly, I went to the rest room figuring this was the only time I had. Nynaeve made it clear before I left.

She said to give her an update of the situation through my wolf spirit. Before I left, she had synched it with hers.

She ordered that whenever I did this I should shift to my Lycan. Thus, my hands twisted the lock making sure it was secured so no one came in.

Binding my clothes to my legs, I shifted to my Lycan making sure I was on my kneel so it didn’t hit the ceiling.

“Dearest Nynaeve, I am currently participating in a survival game.” I started. “To gain power required to find my parents, I need to rise to the rank of an aristocrat. It is also required be a breeder but I have it under control.”

It seemed her synched spirit wasn’t active at the moment so I withdrew. Shifting to my human form, I was aware she’d get the message once she came to spirit form.

I wore my clothes walking out the door. The sooner I came out I looked around only to see the room empty.

“Huh?” where were they?

I couldn’t help but notice this seemed similar to the other day at the ship. Taking some steps towards the door, I twisted the door knob.

There were two paths. The first was the obvious way everyone would take, however the other seemed to lead to nowhere. It seemed blocked.

Arching a brow, I walked towards the other path only to see a tunnel. There was no one around. So, I used this opportunity to go in. Maybe I was going to find something.

As soon as I got out, I heard a seemingly piper song come from far ahead. The paths ahead were filled with forest.

“Hmm,” I said in my green dress walking right towards where the piper’s tune came from.

I couldn’t help but notice the tune seemed distant. And with even more curiosity I began to pace my steps only to be welcomed with the sight of Captain Draco.

He was in his dark cloak and once more our gaze met.

I stared at his coal-dark hair, with the loose strands that were at his face sides demonically. I noticed another strand of yellow rose in his hands.

This time, I was opportuned to move closer.

I sized up the grave stone in front of him only to see some words engraved on it.

“Rest in peace, little Ravenhood.”

It said, thus confirming my suspicion that the grave occupant was indeed his son.

As I closed the distance between us he stared at me with his eyes. This time, they were dark however. One thing I noticed was that the crows were no longer present.

It seemed like they somehow flew while I wasn’t looking.

King Draco brought his hands forward to my chin holding me firmly. His other hands which contained the yellow rose, halted to my red hair putting his hands amidst the curls.

“Why are you here?” he asked staring at me. His eyes lurked right to my chest again and once more, it seemed like they made me feel so naked. I didn’t prepare myself for whatever I said next.

“Choose me.” I said only for him to arch his brows at me curiously.

“Huh?”

“I’ll tell you if you choose me as yours.” I murmured.

I knew deep down that sooner or later the survivors of the game will be displayed. They will be presented to the aristocrats.

I had little time so worrying over what I lost won’t get me far.

“I can have you beheaded for trespassing my son’s grave.” he stated. “But here you are, asking that I choose you. I never told you I didn’t have a Queen, girl.”

My eyes widened in shock that instant. The King had a Queen. Why didn’t I think of this? Of course he did. This was his son’s grave, there was definitely a wife somewhere— his Queen.

“I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry,” I said slipping from his grasp with thoughts on the last encounter. He had asked me if I was here as his breeder.

I expected he gave a reaction but he smiled. He moved to drop the yellow rose on his son’s grave. “It’s fine.” As he added those words he stared straight into my eyes. “I’m used to ladies throwing themselves at me.”

“I hope you accept my apologies.” I muttered once more knowing that any plan I had was shattered as of now. “I thought you needed a Queen, I was wrong.”

“Your apologies are accepted, girl but what you haven’t told me is why you are here?” King Draco answered.

“I came because I heard the piper’s tune. Someone played it, so I followed trail.” I told him.

“Oh.” he muttered. “The tune is coming from there.” he said pointing to the castle. “It’s because the next game has commenced. That is, the Great Dance, aren’t you supposed to be there?”

“I am?!” I replied on alert. “Please what’s the nearest way there, my King?!”

I didn’t even prepare. Why did no one tell me? I thought of this, with thoughts that I had to go in right now.

“I’ll drop some fig leaves so you don’t get lost. With that, you can follow my trail after I’ve left and find the entrance to the castle.” King Draco said bringing a mirror from his back pocket handing it to me. “Here.”

“Huh?” I let out wondering why he gave me that.

“You seem to be in dire need of it,” he said walking to the castle. Staring at his retreating figure, I looked back at myself only to see that I was covered in dark smears.

It was the tunnel.

As I came out of it earlier, it had stained my clothes. My face was a bit stained but not totally. What should I do? I was late already. I couldn’t go back to the room so as to not to be disqualified.