She tried to remember, but the void seemed to confirm what he was saying. It wasn’t that surprising. She hadn’t eaten in two days, and she wasn’t in great condition to begin with, and then to have had so many emotions in one day. It was a lot to deal with.
“You didn’t answer.”
“I’m better, my Lord,” she replied right away, afraid he might become angry.
“...I see.”
He stayed silent after that and Cassandra wondered if he had gone back to sleep; she definitely couldn’t! This situation was just unbelievable.
She should have died as a nameless slave mere hours ago. So why was it that now she was comfortably laying in a Prince’s bed, sheltered from the cold and the whip? She even had brand new clothes, something a slave couldn’t ever dream about in a hundred years! What kind of Prince showed interest in a slave, and acted as no one else would? Was it only because of his dragon’s interest in her?
What would happen next? She was perfectly aware of her impossible situation. Someone would kill her sooner or later for overstepping her place. The Third Prince Kairen was indeed a stubborn and strong man, but he wouldn’t care for her forever.
Presuming her death sentence had only been delayed, Cassandra shivered. Was this what it was like experiencing heaven before you die?
She slowly tried to wiggle away, to leave the bed before something happened. She should definitely not be here. For a slave like herself, even the floor of this bedroom was too good. She had to leave, to sleep in the kitchens or anywhere else, but definitely not in her new master’s bed!
“Where are you going?”
Kairen had sensed her moving and held on to her even tighter. Cassandra shook her head, trying to free herself.
“I cannot be here, my Lord, I…”
“Enough.”
He suddenly pushed her down into the mattress and positioned himself over her, looking down with angry, obsidian eyes.
“Why is it that you’re constantly trying to run away from me?”
Cassandra stared at him blankly, completely taken by surprise by the same question again and their sudden change of position. Having him linger over her was way too intimidating. And why did he always have to be half-naked? She tried to ignore it, to remember his question.
“I’m not trying to run away…”
“Are you not trying to leave right now?”
“I shouldn’t be here! This is your bedroom, a slave is not supposed to be here. If someone sees me…”
“Who?”
His cold and imposing voice suddenly scared her, as if she was brutally reminded of who she was arguing with. It was hard to ignore his black eyes on her, but she tried to look away anyway, intimidated.
“I don’t know,” stuttered Cassandra. “The guards, the Imperial Servants…”
“Do you see anyone but us here right now?”
Strangely, they were indeed all alone. The Imperial Family members usually had a lot of attendants. They had people to take care of their meals, to take care of their clothes, people for everything they would need. Their servants even had higher statuses than common people, and certainly far higher than slaves.
Only Kairen didn’t seem to have any attendants. Since she had been around him, Cassandra had seen absolutely no one but the Imperial Palace attendants. Unlike his other siblings, who were never alone, the Third Prince was never followed by anyone but her now…
“...They will know,” she murmured, afraid.
She was sure, even though there was no one there to witness, people would talk about the shameless slave following her master to his chambers. Too many people had already seen them. Kairen clicked his tongue, annoyed.
“And? So what if they know?”
Cassandra was helpless. Why did she have to explain everything? This man was either way too confident or way too unaware of the world they lived in! Gathering some courage, she answered him truthfully, her emerald eyes still relaying her fear.
“I might get killed, or worse...”
