The young maid quickly stood up and bowed to her lord. His unknown presence startled her, although her beating heart regained the normal rhythm as soon as her gaze spotted the wheelbarrow with the plates... A few of them seemed, surprisingly, untouched. Slowly raised her head and looked at her lord.
He instructed the maid, who smiled and walked inside to gather everything on a table with wheels. After the maid left, Duke looked at the girl, walked to her, and sat beside her.
He stated, sounding somewhat relieved. Aravis only nodded in agreement with him as she picked up her half-full glass of water, admiring its beauty and how it shined under the sunlight coming through the cabin's small window.
"Do-does...it...ha-have...an-animals.. there?"
"I received a letter from your father offering a contract between us. The terms were that for a rather hefty amount of payment in pure gold, I would take you under my care and protection for as long as one of us lives. It was specifically stated that I should watch over you. It was...a big demand since I am busy and I rather provide you with one of my maids as a permanent keeper. However, in the end, I agreed." He looked at her. "You will be provided with the best care, your private quarters, with a bed, not a cage. Clothing, food, education of your choosing, anything for you to properly grow and develop. My staff and I will honor your title as Princess; however, be aware that you will be on my land in the end. I expect you to respect my position as well as my possessions. I do not accept misbehavior and will punish you accordingly if you force my hand. Though I hope that will not have to be necessary. In my mansion, you will be free to roam as you wish, except in certain areas, but whenever you wish to venture outside the castle walls, you will be accompanied by a squad of guards. Everything clear so far?" He asked as he looked at her.
She had accepted that her father saw her as a tool, not a human being... She was used to hearing the sentence ' equal treatment ' but in the end, only the opposite way happened.
"Be-be-because if the punishment...I-is l-like the others...I wi-will kindly ju-jump from yo-your ship, my lo-lord. I'd ra-rather die th-than live an-another day...." She said to him as she slowly stood up and swallowed hard before she spoke her following powerful sentence, "Be-Because...this is a re-relationship of gi-giving and ta-taking... I might ki-kindly add. In ca-case I am not be tre-treated; equally, this ha-hands of yo-yours or anyone's in the ca-castle, that is kn-known or un-unknown to you ... R-Raise a ha-hand on me..." She slowly undid the fabric around her eyes. Crystal clear- like sky eyes appeared and shined brightly like natural diamonds. So unique that it seemed God himself accidentally placed diamonds instead of human eyes.
"Mark m-my wo-words, my lo-lord... They will die in that very second. I am not... Just a girl. I am not weak. I am supposed to be the future queen of my country. I am the only fear of my father " with that, she took a deep breath and walked to the door "Now, if yo-you excuse me... I wi-will ask your ma-maid to ta-take me to my ca-cabin. "
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