“Why would I go? I’m having so much fun here. My favorite brother even brought me a little toy to entertain myself with. Well, if you’d actually leave her here…”
She said all that while looking down at Cassandra, with her feline eyes. Inside Kairen’s arms, Cassandra tried to avoid the Princess’s stare, already deeply embarrassed.
“You’ve had enough,” Kairen replied coldly.
“Never! If you…”
But before Shareen could finish her sentence, several people were heard outside. Judging by the weight and metallic sounds in their steps, there were soldiers among them and when they stopped right outside, Shareen crossed her arms, visibly annoyed.
“His Highness Prince Kairen, Her Highness Princess Shareen, this lowly Imperial servant is here to inform you that your presence is requested by the Imperial Dragon.”
Shareen rolled her eyes, not hiding her displeasure.
“He had to send his Imperial pains in the…”
“Your Highnesses, the Imperial Dragon insisted!” exclaimed the servant.
Shareen growled and turned around. She snapped her fingers and both servants ran out of the bedroom while another young lady came in to help her change. Very quickly she was dressed in a magnificent outfit, wearing the Imperial purple silk of her family, a large gold belt, and lots of fine jewelry. Even her black hair was now swept up into an impressive bun by two gold hairpins adorned with several gemstones.
Cassandra thought about how even her former mistress would never be able to wear such delicate and expensive items. Lyria was one of the Minister’s favorites, yet even for her, he could never get his hands on these kinds of priceless treasures. The Imperial Family was on a totally different level indeed, and Shareen was wearing those like they were mere trinkets.
Cassandra suddenly remembered that the emerald dress she was wearing herself was far above her own status. What if someone else saw her like this? Her iron collar and clothes were so mismatched, what if she was called a thief again? Thinking about this, her stomach twisted in pain from worry.
However, Kairen didn’t seem to care about any of this. He walked out of his sister’s chambers, first to meet with the group of servants and soldiers that were waiting outside. The one leading them, a humble man with the blue attire of a Palace servant, opened his eyes wide upon seeing Cassandra in the Prince’s arms.
“You… Your Highness, who is this slave?”
He was obviously at a loss for words, but Kairen dismissed it in an instant.
“Didn’t my father want to see me?”
“Certainly, Your Highness, but…”
Cassandra knew exactly what the attendant was thinking. A slave like her shouldn’t even step into the Imperial Court! The Emperor should never face slaves or lowly servants. Of those that were not nobility, only those who worked in the Imperial Palace were permitted to be in the same room as the Imperial dragon, and even for them, it was considered the greatest honor to be able to bow in his presence.
Yet, here she was, a lowly slave being carried in by a member of the Imperial Family! Cassandra had no idea how to act, but she fruitlessly tried to release herself from Kairen’s arms.
“Master, I shouldn’t come with you…”
“Why not?” growled Kairen.
“It is not…permitted.”
Shareen finally came out of her chambers followed by three ladies in waiting, all wearing similar dresses to Cassandra’s, the only difference being that she had the slave collar.
The Imperial servant was almost choking. How could a slave possibly argue with one of the Princes like that? She shouldn’t even have been able to be so near him, let alone open her mouth with such defiance!
Shareen walked past them impatiently.
“We decide what is permitted or not. If my brother wants to come with a slave or thirty, it would serve you well to shut up,” she said to the Imperial servant, with an imperious tone.
Immediately, everyone else bowed lowly.
“Y...yes, Your Highness. Please, this way.”
Cassandra was baffled. How could it happen as easily as that? As they kept walking through the corridors, they saw many servants’ faces. All those who bowed a second late and saw her, couldn’t hide their shock, but of course, it was likely she was the only slave to ever be spotted inside the Inner Palace!
As they approached the Imperial Rooms, Cassandra was so worried that she couldn’t handle it anymore. She turned to Kairen again, whispering with a pleading voice.
