The Prince's Rebound

Worst Nightmare

"Who would have thought you ugly b***h would ever make me rich?!"

There was a manic look on Mom's face as she drove. If Nine thought she was driving recklessly before, she seemed determined to end their lives now. "When you gave that description, I knew it had to be that boy. Freaks like freaks! And I was damn right!"

Nine felt her body slam into the car's door. The seat she was in had no belt so she kept being thrown around. The urge to throw up climbed up her throat but she fought it down.

Puking in Mom's car would not end well.

The car's speed began to decrease as they reached the palace. There were three gates: The massive one at the center that towered almost sixty feet, which bore engravings that meant nothing to Nine but glowed under the light of the sun and there were two lesser gates, each twenty feet tall, made of a kind of metal which caught the sun in a strange way, shimmering and subtly changing colors.

Mom parked the car in a corner, ordering Nine out and as soon as they were both out, began to cry out loud.

The guards at the gate seemed to watch her with heavy intensity as Mom practically dragged Nine along with her, wailing as she got closer. Nine knew she was supposed to play the part of a terror filled maiden but she couldn't bring herself to express any emotion at the moment. Looking at the almost seven feet tall men in front of her with broad shoulders, massive chests and thick beards had fear creeping through every nerve cell in her body.

A dark skinned one with sharp black eyes spoke first, "What is your business?"

"I have a complaint to lay to the king," Mom said, each word coming out with sobs. Her eyes were red and teary, lips quivering as she told her story. Again, her acting skills seemed to terrify Nine more than the whole situation did. Here she stood, in a place a million times more beautiful than the Golden Lily with a high possibility that the man who... Hurt her lived behind this gates of pure heaven? What would have brought him to the Lowerlands? What would hurt anyone to the extent of leaving this?

"Do you have an invitation, Madame? " The guard asked quietly. There was a subtle threat in his voice but it was obvious on the look on his face it was not intentional. It was clear he was leaning on every word that left Mom's lips.

"No, but—But—" Mom started then broke down in tears, gripping unto Nine tighter. "My daughter's dignity. Her— Her purity—" Her voice came out in wheezes. "I seek for justice. She's all I have left. After my husband left, he wanted so much more for her but now—"

"It is alright," The guard said, voice gentle. "Please, everything would be fine."

Nine wanted to scream at him. That Mom was just a really good actress and could win an Oscar at this point but it was clear from the way the woman was holding unto her that she'd snap her neck if she did so. Plus, the other guard seemed to be staring at her like he expected her to say it wasn't true, so Nine just remained silent as a wet kitten.

"Abel," The guard said, turning to the other one that had been quiet. "Watch them. I shall go ask the Royal Retainer if they should be permitted entrance."

The other male nodded.

As soon as the guard went away, Mom resumed her cries. Going even louder now into wails that seemed to scare all the birds around. Nine stood there, completely transfixed. She wished everything would end. That she was back in her room, or the pub even, and not here but as soon as she thought those words, the guard walked out, a kind look on his face. "Please, come in. He has requested to see you."

Mom thanked him, practically grovelling at his feet before taking them to the car. When they were seated, the gates opened and she drove through. If Nine had been amazed at the outside environment, the insides were something else. Sculptures of bronze and marble. Water fountains with intricate designs that made it looked like it was made out of water.

They drove closer to the palace now, watching as the gates opened, and a man walked out, a scowl on his face. He seemed... regal. With his gray hair gelled back, embroidered robe that got to his ankles and a belt that had a gold buckle.

Mom walked out, not even bothering to urge Nine out though she didn't need to as the girl walked out. The man's gaze seemed to stare at her with lasers, like he wished to slice in her half, and when they got closer, he spoke, a rich, deep accent to his voice. "My name is Alexander Black. The royal retainer and special advisor to the king. The guard debriefed me on your... Story." Once again, his eyes moved to Nine. He didn't even try to hide his disgust as he continued, "Please, if you would be so kind as to join me in my study," and walked off.

His steps were quick. Precise, like every move he made was calculated and when they got to his office, Nine noticed there was barely anything there. Just books, a table, chairs and some files. Right, his office was as stoic as his face.

"What is your name, Ma'am?" He asked now seated on his chair.

He didn't offer them a seat but Mom pulled her into the chair, sitting them both down as she said with sniffs, "My name is Dalia Lovelace. My daughter here was raped and abused by a member of the royal family who came to drink where she was working and she, being generous, decided to help him to a hotel. She is such a good girl, to think that someone would…"

She paused now, taking out her handkerchief and blowing loudly into it.

Nine could tell the man, Alexander was getting more irritated by the second so she kept her eyes down. She knew what mom was doing. If this matter was not silenced and got out, then it would be a huge scandal for the Royal family and the man knew that as well.

"Madame Dalia," His voice was still cold. Looking like he was ready to chase her away with a broom if the situation called for it. "If you are wrong, this is treason. You would be executed for trying to harm the Royals name."

Nine's heart thumped at the word. Treason? How could she have forgotten that?! If she was wrong, she'd be dead. Goddess, she wasn't even sure she got the right person. She had no idea what his name was!

"I am aware," It seemed like Mom had met her match now. Her eyes seemed to hold fire as she spoke, like she was ready to burn the man to a crisp if he dared sending them away.

"Girl," he called. She raised her head.

"Y-I?" She stuttered.

He looked at her for a long while then he rested his elbows on the table. "What is your name?"

She almost said Nine but realized that she might have to explain why she had such a name in the process. "N-Nina,"

"Was this what happened? Did a member of the royal family assault and rape you?" He asked her, bluntness in her voice. Nine winced at the tone but kept still. She knew averting her eyes would mean that she was lying so said as boldly as she could, "Yes. It was— It was what happened,"

Alexander Black's eyes narrowed at her. It was obvious that he wasn't convinced but he said nothing on that. Instead, he sighed deeply and asked, ""Is there any evidence to support this claim?"

Mom brought out a tape of the footage. The Retainer seemed to stare at it for a while. As if he was finding it hard to believe something like that existed, and as he did so, heard Mom say, "We have copies made."

Of course, the woman was thorough. He could not destroy this. Turning to Nine now, he asked, "Can you identify the one that did this to you?"

She bit her lower lip and inhaled, before nodding.

"It would seem that I will have to speak to the king. For now, make yourselves comfortable. I will call the servants to make sure that you are taken care of," He said then stood and walked out.

Nine's heart started thumping painfully in her chest. The King. How could she forget that? This was a royal affair. It had to involve him. She turned to Mom now, wanting to see if she was as terrified as she was but the woman was grinning madly like she has just found a goldmine.

Fuck, Nine thought, now folding her self together, This is the worst nightmare ever.