~Lilac's pov~

I gently ran my fingers over the leather cuffs on my wrists. It had been one of the first things I was ever taught - I was forbidden to ever take them off, only Master was permitted to do so, but Prince Isaac's words had been irritating me, as if they were slowly gnawing on my mind until I took them in. My freedom was something I never even dreamed of receiving. I'd been born into this life, living as another person would be impossible for someone like me. I am nothing, I live only to serve, Master had made that crystal clear to me and disobedience only lead to punishment. Never have I intentionally broken a rule... Oh, no that was a bit of an over exaggeration. On very few, rare occasions I may tell small lies but only out of fear of Master's anger and I only ever did when I could guarantee myself that I would not get caught. If I ever did, the punishment would be far worse than ever.

I peered out the open window of Prince Isaac's room. The lush green fields turned silver by beams of moonlight reflecting off small droplets of rain that had been sprinkling down for the past hour or so. Most the stars were hidden by poofy, silver-outlined-grey clouds but hundreds of shimmering silver flecks could still be seen through the places where the clouds did not touch. The glowing half-moon seemed to make the perfect metaphor about my current situation. Half of me, the darkened portion, was afraid of everything that was happening. The trouble I would be in with Master and about how truthful the Prince's words were with me. He was a prince, he had no need for truth with me. What difference would it make if he lied, there was only person higher than he is and that is the King, no one else could do anything about it, so if Prince Isaac were lying about setting me free, about not hurting me, who would care. I am nothing more than a slave.

As opposed to this, the lighter side was telling me to give Isaac a chance. I had never been in this situation before and trusting Prince Isaac might just be the best option on this side of the kingdom. The Prince had said that slavery was exiled in the Western Kingdom and if someone was working for someone else, they must be paid with money or goods for their services and be treated right by the one being served. The servants of the castle here were even supplied with food and accommodation, including bedding, if needed though many servants lived in the village below.

Which to choose? The conflict between what I knew as a slave and what I thought as me were in an inward battle against one another and I did not like it. I had never liked conflict.

I snuck a glance towards Sir Isaac, he had been working on paperwork for this evening. He had explained that I needed have some quiet time to adjust before we spoke further as he was afraid I would zone out with the memories of Master again if I became to overwhelmed. He had granted me permission to sit on the seat that sat out from the wall. The seat was cushioned with velvet and surrounded by floor to ceiling windows – well, apart from the way in of course. If there had been a curtain it would make a cosy little private space. We were both still waiting for our meals to arrive, as I had not eaten a thing but the Oran Berries fed to me by Sir Isaac in days I was starving. However, I dare not ask for a thing to eat, if I did, it could mean days longer before I got anything at all and as I still did not know the limits Sir Isaac had before I would be punished for disobedience or speaking out of line, it was nothing something I dared risk. I had already broken so many rules today I utterly lost count and I could not risk breaking any more. As such, until I am sure I was safe here, I would be on my absolute best behaviour and hope for the best, that is after all, how I got through almost my entire life.

I fiddled with the edge of my blue nightgown, pulling my knees to my chest and resting my chin on top, staring absently out the windows at the silver patched valleys below. I did not know what I was to do. I was scared of making the decision left for me. If I did try to trust Sir Isaac, I could get hurt or even worse if I made the wrong decisions... but if I did not and I could trust him, he might not want me to stay here. The thought of going back to my Master's castle terrified me but the thought of not going back and him finding me, even more so.

I knew I had to try to be brave, but I was utterly petrified. I have always attempted my best to please Master and be brave in everything I did but with a master as cruel as mine, it was near impossible to not be afraid at every moment of everyday.

A gentle knock on the door made me jump slightly out of skin, inching further back into the little window nook as I took a deep breath in to calm myself before I stood to get the door. Prince Isaac however, raised his hand to stop me. "It is fine Lilac, I am capable of getting the door."

I bit down on my lip and hung my head as my knowledge as a slave told me that it was my job to get the door despite being told not to. Instead, I stood and walked calmly to the Prince's side, deciding it best to at the very least be by his side if my assistance was required.

Prince Isaac sighed as he opened the door. "Go sit down Lilac." He instructed, waving to the door.

Nodded softly, I obediently did as Sir Isaac told me to, sitting on the couch I had previously the afternoon, placing my hands on my lap with my palms up turned – as I always had. Although... what if this was not how I was supposed to sit? I bit down on my lip while staring at my hands, straightening my back in the process, this was right for me - but would Prince Isaac be displeased by it? I could hear the conversation Sir Isaac was having with the server who had brought our meals but, I did not look up or focus of the words being transitioned.

"Lilac you may relax, I will just be a few moments." Sir Isaac said calmly before going back to his convocation.

Letting out a soft sigh, I let my shoulders drop and allowed myself to relax a little. Naturally did not allow myself to settle completely, the idea was preposterous. I shut my eyes for a moment, thinking deeply about the decision I had to make. I had never liked making decisions for myself. The wrong choices always lead to harsher consequences. If I did make the leap of faith provided, how would I be able to manage by myself. All I knew to do was to serve Master, it was all I had ever done and all I thought I would ever have to do. What would become of me once my purpose to Prince Isaac and his father was served? Would I just be thrown away? Returned to my Master? Or something worse?

How could I make this decision? Either way I could end up getting into serious trouble. I could not admit it out loud, but if I was honest with myself I never wanted to go back to Master. I hated him, and I was utterly terrified of him in every way, and if I ended up back in his castle, I knew for sure I would get punished for running away even though he was the one who left me behind.

"Lilac?"

I opened my eyes, straightening my posture and looked up at Sir Isaac who was holding a plate of food out to me. "Are you alright?"

Choking down the lump in my throat, I glanced up at Sir Isaac. "Yes Sir... Erm... Isaac..." I bit down on my lip momentarily at having to call the Prince by his name. This was one of the biggest mistakes I could make in my Master's presence, so calling Prince Isaac by 'Isaac' aloud would take a lot of getting used to.

Prince Isaac set down the plate on the small wooden table that separated the two lounges in the Prince's room. He took the seat opposite me with his own plate in hand. It was then that I noticed the woman from earlier had returned, now standing at the head of the table, her arms crossed with a blank, but somehow, still cheerful expression over her features. It took a moment longer then it should have, but I remembered Sir Isaac had introduced her as Zoro Arakia – his head body guard.

Her long, shiny black hair had been pulled into a low, loose ponyta-tail held in by a blue scrungy. Madam Zoro's black hair ended with magenta tips that stuck out slightly. The evening light reflected slightly off her shiny back chest plate which, as far as I could tell, was her only item of armour – although she did have matching guards along her forearm. Her sheathed sword had a blue jewel in the hilt which overall, had a fairly simple design, but then I would only see the handle. It was tricky to tell but she appearedto have dark blue eyes, seeping with hints of a lighter tone shining in them - it was hard to tell as I am not permitted to look people in the eye. Madam Zoro's clothes were a slightly lighter shade of black although not quite grey, if that made sense.

"Good evening Miss Lilac." Zoro smiled politely. "Feeling any better?"

I nodded. "Please, you do not have to speak of me in such a formal manner, I am not that important Madam Arakia." I said quietly, not used to being called anything but my name or the hurtful things Master would refer me to.

"Oh, do not bother with her. Zoro has always been one for formalities, no matter who requests otherwise." Sir Isaac rolled his eyes. The way he spoke clearly stated that he was joking with his friend, but I merely looked at my hands. I felt so pathetic in this situation, Sir Isaac and Madam Zoro clearly knew each other well, I must be such a bother right now.

"Lilac, you may eat now." Sir Isaac said softly after noticing I did not take part in the joke.

I slowly raised my eyes to the plate of food I had been served. I bit down on my lip again when my eyes were met with the sight of a colourful salad sitting aside some sort of pasta dish. The creamy smell of the pasta was enough to make my mouth water - it was like nothing I have ever been allowed to eat before. I looked up at Isaac who was smiling at me.

Sir Isaac smiled softly, eating a small portion himself. "Go ahead, it is very good."

Feeling the blush, slowing crawling over my cheeks, I hung my head and made no attempt to move.

"Do you not like it Lilac?" Sir Isaac inquired, looking quite worried "I can get you something else if you do not."

I shook my head. "N-no, it is not that..." I replied quietly, shrinking back slightly. "I am never permitted to start eating until my Master has finished his own meal."

"Lilac, I am not your master. I want to be your friend, but I need you to trust me for that." Sir Isaac explained softly, looking over me with the expression of pity I so often saw from him.

I took a deep breath, making up my mind. "I-I can try Sir Isaac."

The Prince seemed very happy by this, smiling brightly. "One step at a time little one, I understand that this will be very difficult for you, but I am willing to move at whatever pace you need, alright?"

Nodding my head, very softly, I slowly took the fork that sat aside to my plate, using it to twirl around a few pieces of pasta before raising it to my mouth to eat it. Once I started, I found I simply could not stop until the entire plate had been cleared. Never before had I eaten something that tasted so good!

Sir Isaac smiled at me while Madam Zoro collected both our plates and turned to the Prince. "My shift is about to end, I will send a replacement to guard your room but if you have nothing else you require tonight, I will see you tomorrow my prince."

"Zoro, I have told you before, stop with the formalities." Sir Isaac said in an exasperated playful tone. "Call me Isaac."

Madam Zoro smiled as she left the room leaving Sir Isaac to roll his eyes but smiled regardless – I do not think he noticed my flinch. "Would you prefer for me to get a spare room set up for you Lilac or would you prefer to stay with me tonight? I do not want to throw you into an uncomfortable situation."

"Well... If it is not too much trouble, may I stay with you tonight?" I asked quietly, shifting uncomfortably as I nudged a small red vegetable aside.

The Prince smiled. "Of course, Lilac. I understand how strange this must be for you and if it would make you feel better then you are free to stay tonight." Sir Isaac stood and went to a small cupboard in the corner of the room, previously unnoticed by me, collecting a pillow and blankets from inside.

He made his way over to me and sat his collected items next to me. "Will this be alright for you to sleep with for the night?"

I nodded. "It is more than enough--" Hesitating slightly before continuing cautiously. "Isaac."

"Fantastic!" The Prince cheered, causing me to flinch at loud tone. "You may sleep on the lounge tonight and tomorrow I will arrange to get a nearby room set up for you."

Again, I could only nod as Sir Isaac placed the pillow against one of the arms and gestured for me to lie down.

"On the lounge?" I asked, confused.

Sir Isaac laughed lightly. "Of course silly. Where else would you sleep?"

I blushed slightly, to ashamed to tell Prince Isaac that I have almost never slept anywhere other than the floor before. I eased down onto the pillow unsurely as Prince Isaac pulled the duvet over me. I closed my eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of the soft material – having always liked soft things. It was lovely, like nothing I had ever slept with before.

Feeling Sir Isaac gently brush some loose hairs out of my face I tensed, flinching back on the instinct that any touch would hurt as it always had.

I heard him sigh slightly. "Sweet dreams Lilac."

The light then flickered off leaving the room in darkness, other than the half-moon's light which filtered in from the many windows of Sir Isaac's room. I looked through on of the windows and could not help but notice that the half of the moon that shone seemed to do so just a little bit brighter.

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Word count: 2645

First of all, heaps of people are saying that they think that Lilac and Isaac will get together. Isaac is 22 while Lilac is 11. Don't get you hopes up for that. Now that that's sorted, what did people think?

Please vote, comment and keep on reading on! Bai~!