THE LYCAN PRINCE AND THE SLAVE

Chapter 7

Lizzy felt her chest burn and her insides twist in pain. Now it made sense why they had a lady unchaperoned in the Palace. How dare the Prince then, insult her by asking her for her virtue while he had a fresh lady, waiting for him, to take her anytime he so wished?

Immediately the Queen dismissed her, Lizzy walked back to the kitchens with anger chewing up her heart. She felt insulted! Clearly, even for an unmated Prince, people where still throwing their offsprings at him, begging for a marriage. Anything to have a line at the crown.

Lizzy ended up channelling the energy she felt towards the poor flour and butter. She kneaded and incorporated air in the flour till her hands turned numb. She didn't mind. It occupied her mind. Lizzy knew why it chewed her heart. It was because she had a soft spot for the Prince. The talks of her killing the Prince as revenge had long evaporated her mind. The only thoughts she had these days was how good the Prince would feel against her and how intense her orgasm will be, after the Prince was done with her.

Cooks came in to prepare dinner. Time passed and soon, dinner was over with. Lizzy although tired, simply wiped away the sweat on her forehead with her handkerchief and continued. Lizzy didn't stop till she had the last set of cakes baking up and by that time, night was far along.

She had little or no sleep before a knock sounded on her door. She knew it was a maid, waking her up for preparations of the ball were to be in order. She hurriedly took a bath before wearing a pail blue gown and going down. The grand dinning hall was to be used for the ball.

Lizzy met Cassy there who discharged orders on what she wanted the other maids to help with. She wordlessly did all her chores without a single word for she was still irritated at the news she heard last night. Lizzy wished she could unhear the news but it wasn't possible. Her mood became more sour when Annalise entered the hall, dressed in a beautiful morning gown, inspecting the decorations. Lizzy sighed. She was sure in Annalise petite mind, she was beginning to take up some of the queen's duties. Was she doing this to impress the Queen? How marvelous!

None of the maids had rest for Annalise was strict about everything. She wanted everything to be so perfect but perfection could never be possible. She kept making them change the order of decoration and the arrangement of the finger foods. Lizzy bit her lip in irritation as she heard her comment about the cakes she baked. Annalise had said, "Well, I hope the cakes aren't too sweet this time. You maids tend to misuse things you can't afford."

Only if that church rat knew where Lizzy was coming from. At least, Lizzy wasn't throwing herself at the Prince. Rather, the Prince was begging for her mercy.

When it was early evening, the maids were discharged. Those that were allowed to serve and be present in the ball were given simple gowns, not too extraordinary to mix with people of the high rank, but not too simple either, to make it look like a maids gown.

Lizzy didn't get hers. She wasn't bothered though. She was relieved to be discharged. She, of course, couldn't be more excited. She was saved from the outrageous duty of serving the Prince in-laws. But her happiness was short-lived when she was informed by Cassy that the Queen requested her audience.

Lizzy walked quietly, carefully putting one feet in front of the other. Her aim was to be late to the queen's calling, maybe, just maybe the Queen will become irritated and discharge her. Only if she knew that nothing could arouse the Queen's happiness today. She was ecstatic. The event she had been waiting for had come. The Queen desired for the day the engagement of her son would come. It was the King's idea to hide the whole ordeal from his son. Surely, if Nathaniel knew what this ball was for, he would avoid it at all costs. They knew that Nathan wouldn't want to be engaged to Annalise. They were just gambling it.

Annalise parents had agreed for a mating ceremony to be performed between the two, after marriage. But that will be only if Nathaniel had agreed. Once the mating rites had been performed, the new couple will be able to feel and want each other as if they were mates. But these had conditions, conditions Queen Sandra hoped they had fulfilled. The first condition to be satisfied was for one of their mates to have died and the second was the element of love. Annalise being a human blood, didn't have a mate to begin with, therefore, they need not be bothered about that.

Nathan knew Annalise since they were kids, for Annalise parents was Queen Sandra's friend since childhood. They played around and were always together before the Prince abruptly changed. When he became unapproachable, no one dared to talk to him, not even his once upon a time best friend.

"My Queen." Lizzy curtsied immediately she was let into the Queen's chambers. The first thing Lizzy scented was chocolate and Roses.

"Lizzy." The Queen called in a delighted voice. "I am pleased with the arrangements and decorations. I heard your expertise helped."

Lizzy giggled. "You are too kind, my Queen."

"Nonsense. As reward, I shall gift you one of my numerous morning dresses, to wear to the ball."

Lizzy choked on her saliva.

The Queen giggled and continued. "Rise. You shall do the picking yourself."

Lizzy Rose from her curtsy, ignoring the numb pain in her ankles. She was too amazed at the queen's kindness. "My Queen, I am just a maid."

"Not just a maid, Elizabeth. You, are to be the crown's personal Baker henceforth. You shall only cook, not clean."

Lizzy stiffled a gasp. This was a promotion. She didn't have to scrub floors or clean kitchens anymore. All she had to do was prepare the crowns meals when necessary, like in the mornings.

"I appreciate your kindness, my Queen."

"Now, look up and choose your dress. I don't bite."

Lizzy didn't hesitate to raise her eyes and behold the queen's beauty. She was blinded by it.

"You are truly beautiful, my Queen."

And when the Queen smiled, her dimples appeared, highlighting her beauty under the sunset. The Queen nodded her head to one of the maids who opened the drawers immediately.

Lizzy had seen and worn beautiful gowns before, but the laces and materials her eyes laid on was more beautiful than what she had ever worn.

"Go on, choose your pick. Might I add that red or peach will fit your tan skin just fine."

Lizzy gazed at the different coloured dresses, desiring each and every one of them. Her eyes couldn't miss the Golden intricate on them. The Queen is so selfless, to allow her to choose from these dresses.

Lizzys eyes fell on a dark red gown, with silver designs on the skirt. Her heart desired it almost immediately. Even the Queen couldn't miss the enchanted looking Lizzy's face .

"The red gown it is."

The maid carefully removed the gown from the wardrobe, folded it and handed it to Lizzy. The lace was soft in her hands. She couldn't help but fall more in love with it.

" Words can't express how grateful I am, my Queen."

"Oh hush. Hurry along now. Have a bath and dress up. You shall serve my most important guests."

Lizzy's heart squeezed in remembrance of the Prince's in-law but she didn't let it show. She curstied elegantly before leaving.

Immediately she turned away from the closed giant doors, her eyes met ice blue ones, staring intently at her. She immediately lowered her gaze, after observing that he wasn't alone, judging by the blue lace she peered at from the corner of her eyes. Lizzy immediately dipped into a low curtsy, in greeting. She stared at the Prince's leather boots with interest, anything to take her mind off the witch that latched on his arm.

When it was clear, her curtsy wasn't going to be acknowledged, she rose to walk away when the sharp voice of Annalise stopped her.

"And who gave you permission to rise?"

Lizzy squeezed her eyes, trying to control her anger. The nerve of that woman. She wasn't married to the Prince yet but she was already showing her terrible traits.

"My apologies. "

"I am sure you possess the knowledge, that a lady, can only rise from her curtsy, when she is permitted to. That is the proper etiquette. "

"Yes."

"Next time.."

The voice of the Prince cut off Annalise's statement. He sounded irritated and annoyed. "You have been dismissed,Elizabeth. "

Lizzy didn't wait another second before speeding off. She was fuming with rage. Once again, her anger channeled to the Prince. He was the cause of all these. He took her away from her clan, turned her to a maid, making her..mind think of him and only him. She hated him!

Immediately she entered her room, she tore at the clothes on her body in annoyance. She wished she could use a cord to swipe the smile off Annalise.

Lizzy took in deep calming breaths as she took a bath, thinking of the different ninety-nine ways she would make the Prince despise Annalise.

She combed her hair dry before lifting her thick strands in an elegant updo, using a small ribbon. She didn't have to be dressed perfectly, she just had to look presentable.

The dress was a little bit loose on her waist. Lizzy thanked the heavens for the silky belt sewn at the edges of the gown by the side. The gown flowed at her back in a considerable amount. It was perfect. Lizzy couldn't take her eyes off the mirror.

Lizzy was set to go but nervousness took her confidence away from her, so she simply sat down on the bed and fiddled her fingers. She could hear the faint play of violin and piano. She knew he had to be in the ballroom soon but she was too nervous. She wasn't in the mood of meeting anyone, but there was nothing much she could do about it. So, she gathered courage and left the room.

The hallways were empty. Most maids were in the hall, attending to the guests and the others who weren't opportuned to be in the hall were to steer clear and retain in their quarters.

Immediately she arrived in front of the giant doors, the guards nodded before opening the doors. Lizzy bowed her head as she stepped into the hall. She knew she wasn't supposed to be careless with her gaze, but on second thought, who would know who she was without an introduction?

Lizzy walked to a corner of the dinning Hall and looked. There were people dressed graciously and elegantly, quietly chatting as they helped themselves to the available snacks available. No one spared her a gaze, clearly, she was unimportant for she possessed no title.

The giant doors were banged thrice before it swung open, revealing the crown. The Queen was the first person Lizzy recognised. She looked more beautiful. Today, she had worn a light makeup, her hair made in a chignon. Next to her was the king. It was the first time her gaze was opportuned to behold his handsome face Lizzy gasped at the resemblance with his son. Nathaniel was the exact replica of the king. Nathan was just a younger version of his father..and clearly more..handsome.

Nathan looked more handsome than she could remember. He managed to capture her heart every single time. Ge looked good everytime her gaze caressed his figure.

Attached to Nathan was Annalise.

Everyone quieted down as the crown entered the hall, taking their seats. Immediately they took their seats, some of the guests went to show respect to the crown, others stayed back and continued making acquaintances.

Some minutes passed before the clinging of metal against glass could be heard. The king had his drinking glass raised, as he stood, tall and proud, commanding the guests to be silent, in his air of authority. When the hall had grown quiet, the King's voice boomed.

"Welcome all, to Prince Nathan's engagement ceremony. "