THE LYCAN PRINCE AND THE SLAVE

Chapter 5

Three weeks had gone by since Lizzy's life had changed and two weeks since she last saw the Prince. The Prince, they said left for one of his missions. Lizzy didn't know how to feel about that. It would have been easier for the Prince to be killed on his mission, but she found herself not wishing for that. In fact, she whispered to herself two days ago, in the early hours of the day, before she left to make the daily bread, she when realisation stuck at her heart. Lizzy had opened up the window and plainly looked at the beautiful wild trees that seemed colourless to her. She had sighed and said a name, so lovingly she never knew she would have called the name in her life.

"Nathaniel." She had whispered.

Afterwards, she gasped as a result of shock. Her lips quivered as she placed her hands on her lips as if unbelieving of the recent event that had occurred.

That was when she knew it. She had missed him. But she was too ashamed to admit it. She just wanted to be around him..just see him or feel his presence in the castle. Right now, her life had no excitement, nothing to look forward to.

The dinner ball the Queen was to host was tomorrow, so the kitchen was a lot busier and more populated than usual. The Queen had other cooks come to the Castle from different parts of Gordon. This event was really important to her.

The Queen had grown a liking to Elizabeth. She enjoyed her bread and cakes. Because she wanted her event to be marvelous, only Lizzy was in charge of the Cakes and other pastries.

Lizzy woke up earlier than usual. She wanted to knead the doughs properly, incorporate a lot of air into it, to achieve the soft effect. She was in the kitchen before the rest woke up and got to work. She enjoyed baking with all her heart. It was an escape for her most times.

She had already put the first set of cakes into the traditional oven before Cassie made an entrance. Cassy had a smile on her face, seeing Elizabeth awake very early in the morning, so serious about her duties.

"Elizabeth. "

Lizzy looked up before placing a warm smile on her face. Even though she didn't know everything about this woman, she knew for a fact that this woman bore her best interest at heart. And she was the closest person she could trust around her.

"Morning." Lizzy spoke in laboured breaths as she kneaded another set of dough.

"A beautiful morning indeed. The Queen shall be impressed."

Lizzy smiled.

"The Prince shall grace us with his presence today. "

That got Lizzy's attention. Her hands froze for a bit, before she recovered. Excitement seeped inside her being at the thought of seeing his face. She knew for a fact now that the Prince would never take offence for casting her gaze upon his face.

"I see you're getting a bit too friendly with the Prince." Cassy commented. Lizzy, had in fact, been waiting for her to confront her about it, since her relocation.

"No. Why do you think so?" Lizzy pretended to play the dumb cow, so in that case, Cassy would think she was overthinking. "

"Don't fret me child. I know what my eyes saw. Remember, the Palace has ears, so does it have eyes."

This made Lizzy's heart skip a bit. If Lizzy knew, how many other people knew?

"Whatever you would do, remember you're destined to have a mate. You just haven't found yours..yet. "

"So does he." Lizzy stated a fact. Everyone has been destined a mate by the moon goddess.

"No, he doesn't. "

Lizzy looked up in shock, confusion and excitement. Part of her was happy about him not having a mate. More like a relief. She was just too ashamed to let it show. She knew it would give her out.

"He wasn't destined a mate? Why? Is he cursed? Is this the reason he took us in as slaves for his harem?"

Cassy looked around in fear, hoping no one heard their conversation. No one was allowed to speak of the Prince and his ways. It was just a well served torture if you were heard.

"Shh! Lower that voice of yours. It's not that he doesn't have a mate. His mate died."

Lizzy closed her eyes in a painful understanding. She could imagine how the Prince felt. Growing this old without a mate to be with. Now she understood why he was this arrogant and distant, why he invaded their clan for it's women. It, although didn't justify why he would kill her uncle."

"Is that why? By whom?" Lizzy asked Cassy with pure curiosity, without looking up as she made to remove the first batch of cakes that were ready before replacing the oven with a metal bowl, filled with kneaded dough, for bread.

When Cassy didn't provide an answer, Lizzy looked up and gave her an intense stare. Cassy knew what Lizzy was trying to do, but she still didn't give in.

"I shall not tell you, for I, too, do not know."

Lizzy sighed. "Yes, you do. I can see it in your eyes. You're just not allowing me to access it. Why do you hide such things from me?"

Lizzy was frustrated at this point. First, she hid the why she left their clan, now, about who killed the lycan Prince's mate!

"Fine. I have no wish to hear it. "

She didn't stare at Cassy as she made that statement. Cassy didn't feel bad for depriving lizzy of such information. Some things, were just better left unsaid.

Just then, some cooks started arriving. Everyone, doing the particular tasks assigned to them. They chatted as they cooked, but Lizzy didn't talk unless she was spoken to. She may have been removed from the servant quarters to a better room but her rank still remained a ..slave.

Lizzy took some of the cakes she had baked, the bread and some pieces of the vulture to the dinning Hall, hoping to hear the opinion of the Queen on the issue. She arranged them carefully in the middle of the dinning table.

Immediately she was done, she turned to leave, taking a few steps before another maid caught her arm. She hadn't seen her here before, so she knew it wasn't part of the slaves from their clans.

"Best to stay here. The royals are on their way. The prince takes it badly when he encounters a maid leaving before he takes a seat."

The Golden doors opened immediately the maid ended her statement. Lizzy was still confused, but decided to stay quiet and obey. Besides, she wanted to see the Prince. She stood by one of the corners of the halls as the royals filled in, this time, with a lady walking by the Prince's side.

Lizzy felt a pang of jealousy hit her cheat. She had a lot of questions. Who was she and why was she this close to him? She knew the Prince was the only child of the Queen. So, her being a sister to him was out of question. Of course she couldn't be his sister! The way she stared lovingly at him was choking Lizzy. Was this the reason why he left the castle for a week?

The royals took their seats before the maids proceeded to serve them whatever dish they wish for.

"Is that cake? Serve me some." Lizzy heard the Queen speak. She smiled softly. The Queen really had a sweet tooth.

"Try it, my love. It tastes wonderful. " Queen Sandra urged the king. Lizzy itched to look at the wonderful couple, cast her gaze upon the King's face, but she knew she couldn't, not without reason and permission.

The Queen, from observation was the lively one in the relationship. The king was the quiet one. Opposites attract, they said.

"You like it?" The Queen asked.

She wasn't sure of what the king said but the Queen giggled before saying, "Have some more."

"You should try it too Nathaniel. It's delicious."

There was no reply from Nathaniel. Of course there wouldn't be. It was the prince, after all.

"Elizabeth has good hands. You should try it too, Annalise."

"Yes, my Queen. I shall. "

Other than that, the dinning Hall was quiet. Just the sounds of cutlery clinging against plates and light chewing of food.

"Call for Elizabeth please. I should discuss the activities of tomorrow with her."

The maid close to lizzy nudged her by the shoulder. That was when it dawned on her that she was supposed to announce her presence.

So she stepped forward, leaving her corner and curtsied. "I am present, my Queen."

Lizzy felt her heart beat faster as she felt gazes on her. She was more aware of Nathaniel's gaze on her, for it warmed her skin and sent chills down her spine. Lizzy didn't understand it, how her body responded to him.

"Oh marvelous. I enjoyed your cakes today." The Queen spoke cheerily. "Didn't we all?"

"I feel it's too sugary."

What was her name again? Annalise?

Lizzy closed her eyes in annoyance. It wasn't enough that she was seated close to the Prince, she was even criticising her? She must be joking!

"Oh hush. It wasn't. " The Queen argued.

"Right, Nathaniel?"

There was silence. Lizzy didn't know if she noticed the silence because of how aware she was of him, but she still did.

"It tastes just as it looks."

Goosebumps decorated Lizzy's skin. Was she the only one that got the meaning of his words? Or her mind was just dirty?

"I shall adjourn to my morning room, my love." Queen Sandra informed the king before turning to Nathan. "Nathaniel, do be nice to Annalise. "

Lizzy still kept her eyes downcast as she heard the Queen place a kiss on the King's forehead in a loud smack.

"I have duties. " Nathan's voice echoed in the hall.

The Queen sighed. "Take her with you."

Lizzy heard a chair screech back. "I certainly can't go hunting with a human female!"

"Do not speak to your mother that way."

For the first time, Lizzy heard the King's voice, loud and strong.

"I shall take my leave."

Immediately he said that, he walked past Lizzy and left the dinning Hall. Lizzy caught a whiff of his perfume and almost moaned out.

The king groaned. "He shall never change. His acts just keep getting worse."

"It shall be well, my King. I still have hope. For now, don't be bitter about it. I'm sure he'll warm up to Annalise."

"I think not. He acts as though he has no memory of their childhood together."

"Annalise, we shall retire to the drawing room then, design some patterns of embroidery. Elizabeth, we shall discuss our plans over dinner."

"Yes, my Queen."

The crown left together in a sour mood. Elizabeth helped in cleaning the table before she took her leave. She was famished but she couldn't sink her teeth into what she made because she wasn't given permission to.

She went back to her room after taking part in cleaning the kitchen and the dishes to take a warm bath. She knew warm water would be available by her tub.

She stripped and took a clean bath, washing her hair with the rose scented soap before drying herself with the wrap available for her.

She walked back to her room and sat down on the dresser to comb her hair dry when she saw a figure sitting on the left side of her bed, ice blue eyes staring directly at her, with..desire in his eyes.

Lizzy stood in shock, not knowing what to do or what to say. She wasn't afraid of the Prince, no matter how he tried to intimidate her, it just could not work on her. Lizzy matched his gaze, with equal intensity.

The Prince stood up quietly and matched towards her, with his gaze still on hers. Lizzy wondered when he entered the room and for how long he had been here. Had he come here immediately he left the dinning Hall?

Nathaniel bent low, as he came close to her and titled her neck to the side, giving him enough room to fit his nose on her neck, taking in her scent.

"Grant me permission, to bed you."