Page 9

The first night in the room was nice, the bed was comfortable.

I awoke to Alara humming as she braided her hair.

"I drew a bath for you, get cleaned up it's a new day" I guess she had a good night's rest she was very chipper.

When I got out, I put on a short red corset dress that exposed my legs.

"Where did this come from?" I ask Alara.

"A servant brought in new dresses for your closet, this one had a note that you should wear it today.

" she comes to zip me up. "I am starting to see that every color suits you".

I Tie my hair up in a puff leaving a few curls loose in front of my face.

She then hands me matching red heels with ribbon that lace up my leg.

As I walk to breakfast, I feel everyone stare at me. I felt self-conscious, Alara give my hand a gentle squeeze when she sees my face. After breakfast I go find Prince Cain, after searching awhile I find him in his office. "Your excellence" I try and curtsy.

I wasn't sure what got into me today. "What are you wearing?" he stares at me. "Um a dress a servant brought in telling me to put it on?" I ask him back. "Your legs are exposed" I could hear annoyance in his statement.

"Bower!" his voice boomed. Bower burst through the room nearly knocking me over. "Sire" he bows. "Why are her legs exposed?" he questions. "Sire, lord Bain, comes to the castle today" he responds.

"Bower" he pinches the bridge of his nose. "He likes pretty exotic things" he nods in my direction. "I don't know who this Lord Bain is but I am not sleeping with him" I say firmly. "My heavens woman who said anything about seducing him!" Bower looks at me like I said the most outrageous thing.

"Why put me in red this is literally the color that influences men" I sigh. "You want her to flirt with him?" Prince Cain interrupts our staring contest. "Not flirt, merely make him feel wanted it would help our cause sire" I stood there shocked Bower was trying to pimp me out unbelievable.

Cain looks me up and down awhile sighing before giving in "Nova, my uncle can be touchy do not stand too close" he informs me.

"Fine" I snap. "Lose the attitude" Bower screeches.

I smile at Bower before batting my eyes at him "Is this to your liking?

" For a brief moment Bower seems to look at me with something other than disgust.

"Keep your feminine wiles temptress!" he backs away basically running out of the room. I let out a laugh causing Cain to stare at me. "Do you like how I look?" I smile at him. "I can see your thighs Nova" he sighs. "I wore dresses like this all the time before I was here" I shrug

Cain stares at me in disbelief, it was times like these I wish I had my phone. "Its common where I am from" "Even if you are not a whore" he exclaims. "Yes its called fashion" "I don't like fashion" he replies. "That is ironic for someone who is well dressed" I mumble.

The sound of trumpets blare "He is here" Cain stands up. "Stay close to me" he orders as we walk to the hall. "Nephew!" Lord Bain greets Cain. Cain nods and says "Lord Bain, welcome". Lord Bains eyes immediately fall upon me. "Nephew who is this beauty?" he comes to place a kiss on my hand.

"This is my hue-man Nova" Cain says dryly. "What a beautiful specimen" Bain coos. "It is a pleasure to meet you my Lord" I bow just enough so they could see my cleavage before standing up. "Will the beauty be joining us?" Lord Bain asks.

Before Prince Cain can say anything, Bower says, "She will". I sit next to Prince Cain as they converse, from what I gathered Prince Cain wanted his uncle to stop antagonizing the Cyclopes. Whenever Bain looks at me, I smile and twirl my hair.

"Enough talk about bloodshed, I want to know more about the hue-man" Bain turns to me.

"Oh I assure you there is nothing to tell" I say.

Bower glares at me, I get up and walk to sit next to Lord Bain.

"I hear you are most impressive, tell me of your triumphs" I let my eyes sparkle like he is the most handsome man in the world.

Lord Bain begins his long tale, I didn't know what he was saying but I made sure to lean in and nod, bat my eyelashes.

"You seem to love a good tale." Lord Bain beams at me.

"Oh, my lord I absolutely love them" I place a hand on his.

As he continues, I notice Prince Cain looks visibly annoyed.

Maybe I was doing this wrong, I don't think Lord Bain had agreed to end the antagonizing.

I crossed my leg and put my hands over my knee gasping as he talked about some battle he had.

When he mentioned bloodshed, I made tears well in my eyes.

"What is it my beauty?" "Oh, don't mind me, my heart goes out to those lost souls". "My dear they are gone they feel no pain" he reassures me. "But the bloodshed, i...it's just awful" I let a tear roll down my cheek.

"I would stop all the bloodshed if it put a smile on your face" he tells me.

I almost smile Lord Bain was a smooth talker.

"Really do you mean it?" I let more tears fall as I grab a hold of his hands.

"Nephew bring, the peace treaty so that I may sign" he announces.

Bower brings forward the treaty and Lord Bain signs it before turning to me "It is done my dear no more unnecessary bloodshed. "

I wipe the tears from my face and smile at him "You are an honorable man" I bring his hands to my lips and give a gentle kiss. I see him swell with pride, it was almost cute but also ridiculous how easy he could be tricked.

"Nephew, bring this one when you come visit" he says placing a kiss on my hand. Prince Cain nods as Bower escorts Lord Bain out. I pull my dress up and pour a glass of water. As I sit I put my legs on the table and cross at the ankle. Prince Cain stares at me with a look I couldn't read.

"Have you seduced many men?" he finally asks.

"No, but I know what men like" I shrug. "Enlighten me" he presses.

"You are all different, but the formula is the same" I inform him.

"How would you seduce me?" he questions.

"Who says I haven't already" I tease. Prince Cain seems amused by my response though he quickly hides it.