It’s hard to avoid someone who is the Lord of the castle you live in, especially if he doesn't want to be avoided. After three days I finally was allowed to leave my room. I took a stroll around the castle. 

In the inner court the guards were practicing, I was watching them as I had nothing else to do.

“Look who’s here? Isn’t that the Lord’s sweetheart?” One of the guards whistled at my sight. 

“You sure are pretty, the prettiest so far. I wonder how long you will be able to last?” Added another one.

“None of your fucking business. “ I replied using vulgar language as I hoped to be very offensive. 

Those lowlifes had no right to call me like that, I’m a prince after all. Right, I was a prince now I’m the Lord’s slut. The anger inside me was boiling. 

“Give me that bow, and let’s make a little bet.” I was confident in my skills and I wanted to be recognized as something more than a bed warmer. I won’t run away from them, as I had nowhere to go. 

“What would you like to bet on?” The tall guard asked.

“If I win, you will have to apologize to me …. on your knees.” I smiled.

The man laughed.

“Fine, and what if I win?” He asked.

Right, I had nothing I could bet on.

“Won’t happen.” I just shrugged my shoulders. 

“You have to offer something as well.” He came closer.  

“Ok, then I will announce you as the best archer.” I offered.

“No, it won’t do. If I win, you will give me a taste of your lips.” He smiled brightly. 

“Don’t do it man, the Lord is unforgiving. You are new here, you don’t know him yet.” Somebody warned him.

“What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over.” He said confidently. The others stepped aside, telling the bold guy that it is a bad idea.

“You first.” I preferred to be the second. 

The guard smiled, we set the target and he shot. Bullseye. He repeated it two times more and then it went a little bit off.

“Your turn.” The man handed me the bow over. 

I made three shots, perfect as ever, better than that guard. I looked at him with a bright smile.

“On your knees.” I ordered that asshole with pleasure. 

The guy’s face turned deep red, and among laughter and other guards' comments, he apologized. That felt good. Suddenly the laughter ceased, all the guards looked up and noticed  the Lord standing on the covered battlement. He was looking straight at us.  I decided to ignore it as it was my free time and he allowed me to walk on the main bailey, but then I stopped. So much for my courage, I looked at him and bowed my head, paying him respects. At that very moment I noticed a woman and two children. The two boys had white hair as well. I think I knew who they were. 

I went straight to the great hall and came across  Gelda. 

“There seems to be something urgent, all the servants look very busy.” I remarked because I hoped to gain some information from her. 

“Yes, my prince, the Lady with the children, came to visit her husband. They will stay for a night and then return back to her part of the castle.”  Gelda was carrying some plates to the hall. I followed her as I had nothing else to do. 

“How often do they meet? I inquired while she was laying the table. 

“Once a month.” Glen wasn’t eager to talk now, there were too many ears anyway, so I decided to ask her later.

I made two rounds and was more or less aware where the main buildings were. It was chilly, the sky was covered by clouds and I knew the sun was there, somewhere behind those clouds but I couldn’t see it. 

I sighed and decided to go back to my room. There wasn’t even a garden here, only the necessary buildings, a well and gray sky. I wrapped myself in the coat and slowly strolled back to the central building of the castle. I was suddenly stopped by one of the maids. She was flushed and out of breath.

“Sir, the Lord is calling for you.” 

“I’m coming.” I said it calmly, however I instantly got nervous. I was quickly back in my room, he was already sitting there.

“How was your stroll, your highness?” Both his look and the tone of his voice was indifferent. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking about.

“Very refreshing, my lord.” I responded and sat down opposite him. 

“How about the guards?” 

An alarm bell was immediately ringing loud in my head.

“I find them very …. entertaining.”

“Entertaining?” There was a frown on his face.

“Yes, my Lord. We had a little archery competition.” I smiled a bit as I was becoming more and more nervous. 

“I see, it seemed like you won.”

“I did.” It felt good to admit to my own victory no matter how small it was. 

The Lord stood up and somehow I did the same, I wanted to walk him to the door so I could feel at ease finally being alone in this room but he came closer. 

“The maid will bring you some clothes, get dressed, do your hair and take that instrument. You will play for me and my family during dinner.”

“With pleasure, my Lord.”

He suddenly grabbed my chin and leaned.

“One more thing, don’t get too close to my guards, no matter how … entertaining they might be. Remember who you belong to.”  

That was a threat, I could sense anger in his words. I looked him in the eyes. He was making something inside me tremble.

“I belong to you my Lord.” I said these words because he wanted to hear them.

He seemed satisfied by my answer as he let go of my chin and went to the door.

“Be ready in two hours.”