I walk back towards the maids chambers in a daze, feet dragging, mind racing. It’s still hard to believe what just happened. Did I really just agree to be the Prince’s slave? Probably, I’ve never claimed to be an intelligent person.

I turn the last corner before my room and immediately freeze, the footsteps behind me stop as well. Yeah life is great right now. Not only do I have to deal with that son of a bitch prince, but now I have an entourage following me around. I think with an eye roll directed towards the guards that the smug little shit dispatched to help me carry my things, not that I need it. 

Back on topic Dill, you have bigger things to worry about. I remind myself as I stare at the door to my room, the door which I definitely closed this morning, yet, for whatever reason, is wide open now.

My heart picks up it's pace as I begin carefully tiptoeing towards the door to my room. I really hope this isn’t what I think it is. Please don’t let this be what I think it is.

I inch forward a bit more doing my best to remain as silent as humanly possible. I am nearly to the door before the guards seem to remember they are supposed to be following me and snap into motion. Their footfalls echoing unnaturally loud in the enclosed hallway. 

I have just enough sense to think, Oh fuck, and to put one hand on my hip in a casual pose, before someone steps out of the room and joins our little merry band of morons in the hallway.

The footfalls of my pursuers stop immediately at the emergence of the man and the sound of panic arises from the guards. I don't even have to look to know the scuffling sounds of clothes and shifting of feet are from the men scrambling to get into proper position. Shoulders back, chests puffed up, hands at there sides, and legs a shoulders width apart. The perfect military stance and an overly exaggerated one at that. 

“Dillon.” The man addresses me, completely ignoring the two guards, which is unfortunate considering the amount of floundering they did to appear like upstanding members of the royal militia and not just two lowly guards who barely rank above stable boy. “Care to explain what this is all about?”

I chance a glance up at his words and immediately regret my decision. His eyes bore into my own with a heat that is almost physical. Damn him and those eyes, if I had eyes like his I would be ruling the world by now. But alas that is not up to me, I have my mothers eyes and no amount of wishing could change that. Well, if I new magic then maybe, but I don't, so... I guess I'm shit out of luck. 

I think on a normal day I would have found that thought amusing but unfortunately not even I can laugh with this man's golden eyes boring into my soul. Even with all the confidence I've gained over the years I still can't seem to get used to his death glares and the intense urge to bolt from the hall and leap out the nearest window consumes me. 

In moments like this I get the feeling that I truly understand how deer feel, right before they get their throats slit by hunters. It isn't a good feeling and I want more then anything to run away screaming, but that would make me his prey and I hate feeling like prey. 

So instead of complying with my instincts, I choose to do what comes naturally for me and meet his molten eyes with a bored look, one that I know from experience will piss him off. Hey, if I'm going to die today, might as well go down being the cocky little shit I am. 

“I see you’re still as disrespectful as ever.” He says with a carefully calculated  step forward. It makes me want to squirm and my hands begin to shake. I pray to every god in the sky that he can't see it, but when his lips turn up slightly I know he has. Of course he did, nothing gets by this asshole. 

I can practically feel the guards behind me shift uncomfortably and I almost want to hide behind them and let them bare the burden of these horrible golden eyes, but that would defeat the purpose of my bored facade, so I don’t. 

“Captain, if I may. This boy does not speak so with your blessing I wouldn’t mind relaying the situation.” The younger of the two guards speaks up and I almost break eye contact to look at him. Oh this’ll be good. I think as the gaze boring into my own deepens in a way that lets me know he is not happy to have our conversation intruded upon. 

“There is no need for that. I think I am perfectly capable of talking with my own son.” The man says coldly and at last he shifts his gaze away from me in order to send the guard a look. One I know from experience has the poor young man shaking in his boots. 

“Forgive me for speaking out of turn Captain. I was unaware of your relation to this boy. I shall stay out of it than.” The guard says in a quivering voice.

No one moves as my father continues to stare down the guard. “Good. In that case, leave us.” He says at last and the guards shift uncomfortably in place as if they are unsure of what to do.

“Forgive us, we are under orders from his majesty the Prince.” The older guard says at last. “We are to ensure his safe arrival in the royal chambers.”

“You doubt my ability to ensure his safety?” My father asks and the guard shuffles a bit more. "Are you aware of who you are speaking to?"

“Of course I know.” The guard answers. “We only-”

“Leave now or I will strip you of your position and feed you to the dogs!” My father interrupts angrily before the guard can say more. Both men yelp as if burned, before quickly scrambling to obey his orders, their footsteps clomping loudly down the hallway in their rush to get as far away as humanly possible. 

“You.” My father orders as soon as their steps fade. “Follow me.”