Once again I am at his mercy when he winks at me. Of course he thought of Raven. Clever King. I turn away for a moment to hide my face.

Maude sighs loudly. "I guess we can work something out. We had to let go of Iden so you can work alongside me for the time being." She gives us a thin smile then steps towards the door. "I'll set something aside for you to eat Raven and you come down too before it gets cold Your Highness."

She stops at the threshold and turns back looking at me. "You can start tomorrow bright and early then. Show her to the servants quarters while you're down there Sebastian."

"Yes, Maude. Thank you for understanding." He says to her back.

There is no way to repay them for what they have done. She truly has no idea how much she has helped to agreeing in letting me stay here. I will show my gratitude by working hard for them, earning my keep. "Thank you Maude."

As she walks down the hall she waves her hand without looking back.

I'm glad she let me stay here. Now I don't have to worry about Drakon finding me somewhere on the streets. I was lucky to get away from him today... I hold myself as I think of where I could be right now if he did capture me. Yes, luck was definitely in my favour since I left that estate.

"Are you okay?" Sebastian asks as he walks past me to close the door.

I shake my head rubbing my eyes. "No, still a little tired. But I'll be better tomorrow." After I eat and rest, I should be fine. Even with the little magic I am using, it's still leeching at my energy.

He sighs taking a step towards me. "You don't have to worry about Drakon here. He will not find you as long as you stay in the castle, unless he is invited."

My eyes widen. Why would he invite him here?

"Sorry," He rubs his arm with a grimace, "I meant that he will never step foot in this castle without me knowing of it first. Actually when you regain your strength you should show me what he looks like. So we can identify him if I, or my guards, ever come across him."

"Yeah I can do that." I say with a nod. Over these last few days I've tried to forget his face but I can do this for Sebastian. If he knows what he looks like then he can stop him trying to get to me. At least that part is comforting. With a lick of my lips, I step over to my bag that is sitting on the floor and grab Elyse's necklace.

She told me to wear it. Now that I don't need to shift, I won't lose it so I pull it over my head and let it sit on my chest. For some reason it feels heavier than it looks, the crystal shines deeply in the flickering fire light.

"What's that?"

"It was given to me by a friend..."

"The one that helped you escape?"

"Yes."

"What happened to her?"

"Well..." I try to say my next words but they stop in my throat and there's tears building up. She died in my arms, my best friend was killed by a ruthless bandit. Elyse was my best and only friend, without her help I wouldn't be here today. I could almost call her a mother if I knew her longer, she took care of me and told me stories. Without her I wouldn't be alive, wouldn't be here today... I can't help the water falling from my eyes. I miss her so.

"Oh... I'm sorry." He says with a soft apology.

My head shakes as I turn away because I can't utter a word. Nothing I can do in this world will bring me back to her. All I can do is honour her wishes, by coming here. And wearing this necklace that she kept on her always.

His footsteps echo against the carpeted stone as he approaches me with his arms open. Through the watery mess, I watch him wrap his arms around me. I stand still, unknowing of what is going on. What is he doing?

"What... What are you doing?" I sniffle as my body stays unmoving.

"Comforting you... I'm sorry, I should have asked if this is okay?" He asks loosening his arms to back away.

I've never experienced this before but I like it. Sebastian is warm, with a lavender scent, it's welcoming. It's like I'm taking a bath. He must use lavender oil or soap but where does the cedar wood smell come from?

A quiet answer escapes me.  "Yes..." For some reason I don't mind being held by him. Which is alarming. I don't feel sick to my stomach or want to push him away. "This is okay." I tell him while pushing my head into his chest, tucking my arms between us and his arms slide back to my shoulders. "Thank you."

"Losing someone that's been closest to you is the hardest thing especially if they were the only person closest to you."

He lost both of his parents, he knows what my sorrow feels like. That pain in my chest that aches whenever I think about her. The more days that have passed it, doesn't seem to lessen. And then I wrap my arms around his waist, to let him know of that same understanding. He must feel that pain too, must be worse for him since he lost two people. His own kin. I think that by doing this, he is showing me that he knows. That he is here for me.

"Yes, she was... Although she didn't birth me and I knew her not for long, she was like a mother to me."

"Was she a slave too?" His voice calm as it rumbles through his chest to my ear.

"Her village was raided years ago. She had a husband and a daughter at the time, the soldiers killed the elderly. They took the men and young ones to their war camps and enslaved the women. Her name was Elyse." I wipe my running nose on my sleeve. "She wasn't always with Drakon... She came around two years ago when," I stop myself from telling him. My last secret that I know he won't want to hear. Too afraid to admit what happened to me out loud, making it all too real. Too afraid of what he'll think of me if I do. "When I stopped performing in the circus.." I say shutting my eyes tightly.

He hums deeply still holding me and I wonder if he will ever let go... After a while the gurgling of our stomachs breaks the silence and Sebastian chuckles.

We lean away and his hands slide down my arms then holds my hands in his. Sebastian's eyes lower down to my chest and I frown at his obvious lingering stare. But he glances back quickly as his cheeks flush with red.

"Your necklace, did you know that is a Zythine crystal sitting in the pendant?"

Oh. He was looking at my necklace. "It is?" I ask peering down at it then pick it up to look at the purple crystal. The same Zythine that holds magic that the professor was talking about. So the gems I had seen in the temple were Zythine as well.

"Yes. It is the same as my ring. That's how I am able to cast some spells." He says holding up his right hand between us. On the smallest finger, sits a gold banded ring with the Zythine perched on top. "This ring has been passed down from my great grandfather, my uncle has one too."

That is an old ring then, how did they get it? "You have an uncle?" My eyes peek up to his and he nods.

"Another was made since my dad and uncle are twins. All firstborn princes that are to become king are gifted said rings so that they can learn magic at a young age. There's also certain things that only this ring can control throughout the castle. But since my dad and his brother were born only seconds apart, it was decided that a second ring was made."

"Is he still alive?"

"Yes, he is my Royal Advisor. You might meet him while shadowing Maude but I doubt it since he can be quite busy."

"Oh." I wonder what he is like, if Sebastian holds any resemblance to his uncle or his parents for that matter. By tomorrow I am going to meet more people that work within the castle. The thought makes me nervous. My gaze drifts across the room to the different furniture strewn about and I walk towards a wardrobe.

The space is large, bigger than any room that I've been in. There's a bed the size of two put together, that I had slept on earlier, has a finely detailed rug underneath. Plush chairs and day a bed sit around the grand fireplace. Off to my right there's another door that looks like it leads to the bathing room. A Royal's bedroom, fit for a King... Wait. "Is this your room?"

Sebastian follows on my heels and he says. "Yes." Then chuckles making me turn to him. "I think that's why Maude looked so surprised to see you up here. No one is allowed in the King's chambers."

Oh my.. My cheeks warm when I look back at the bed but I quickly look at his wardrobe again and I run my hand along the smooth wood. "What wood is this?"

"Cedar I think, why?"

Ah, that's why I smell it on him. I stop myself from opening the wardrobe and sticking my nose in there to smell the delightful scent. Instead, I shrug looking at him. "It's very well crafted." I tell him with a small smile. It also makes you smell incredible. With the mix of the lavender soap, it makes me want to be near you.

The young king looks at me for a moment after glancing at the piece of furniture then a corner of his lip twitches up. "It sure is." He lifts his hand up for me to grab it. "Shall we head downstairs now? I don't want my food getting cold."

What was he thinking about? Shrugging off that, thought I take his hand in mine and walk with him to the door. Once we step out, he lets go of my hand to close it, and using a wave of his hand a lock clicks. With a cough from him we walk down the wide hall leading from the King's chambers not holding hands.

When I look at him he gives me an apologetic smile. "There are some things you should know." He says in a whisper.

Our footsteps echo through the vast hall. I realize that I'm in the castle now and that I'll be living here. Who knew this day would come, to actually be inside here. The halls are larger than I expected but it's all made of the same grey stone. 'It was made to be a fortress.' I remember Professor Ozcan telling us that. That old man wasn't joking, there are no large windows up here or any kind of furniture or pictures. Not even a carpet to run down the length of the corridor. Sconces sparsely line the walls allowing some light in here with the help of the narrow windows as well even if it is now evening.

We turn down another hall then some stairs. "Royals or high members of the court and servants aren't really seen together around the castle. Especially me as a King, I don't affiliate with the servants much." I give him a side glance and he says giving me a weary grin. "I mean I'm not supposed to... It's just how the hierarchy of it goes. "

I laugh quietly as I roll my eyes to the ceiling. "I know how it works Sebastian."

He chuckles lifting his hand up and runs his fingers through his hair. "Right, well I just wanted to warn you since we won't see each other as much now or how I am going to act differently towards you if there are others around. Did not want you to get upset and offend you without you not knowing why first. Not that I intend to do those things. I have to treat everyone the same. It's just the way things are."

"Hmm." I mumble. Well now that he says that I can't help but get a little upset by it. I'm a servant now, working for the King. No one associates themselves with the help, let alone a slave like me. And how differently is he going to act toward me while others are around? Formal..

We don't pass anyone on our way to the kitchen and when we get there, it's empty except for two plates full of food sitting on a counter set in the middle. The generous heap piled onto the plate makes my mouth water. Whatever is on that I don't care, all I want right now is to eat.

Me and Sebastian sit on the stools next to the centre counter and dig into the food. I recognize the corn and baked potato but I don't know what the meat is. Sebastian grabs his utensils and so do I.

"If you thought a sandwich was good then you are going love the food here." Sebastian says before taking a bite of his potato and meat.

I eat a large mouthful of the potato first then I stab a piece of meat that I cut as well as a piece of potato and take a bite. "Yes. This is good whatever this meat is, it's good too." The meat is in some type of thick brown sauce adding even more flavour. But I can't help noticing how chewy it is.

"Glad you are enjoying it." He snorts softly. "The meat is roast beef in homemade gravy."

"Ah." I say looking down at my food. Beef is from cattle, right? I never really cared for eating any sort of meat, there wasn't even much of it in my diet while at Drakon's. It is tasteful but knowing it comes from a living creature makes me dislike it.

I feel Sebastian's eyes linger on me as I push the meat around on my plate.

"Don't like it?" He asks resting his forearms as he chews the food, fork hanging lazily from his hand. He's almost finished his while mine has a few bites left.

I bite my lip looking down at my food. It is disrespectful to have leftovers on your plate. With a shrug, I eat the meat making sure I scoop up gravy with it too. "I do, it's just meat... I don't like the taste of it too much." I tell him after clearing my plate.

When I look up at him he's rubbing a single finger under his chin, gazing back. "Makes sense."

I frown turning my body to him. "What does?"

He smiles to himself while grabbing my plate and places it on top of his. "That you don't like meat. The nonhuman part of you doesn't eat animals."

Nonhuman. "You mean the Fae?"

"Yes." He says with a nod. "The Faefolk protected all life within the forest so that included not eating animals. They only ate fruit and nuts from the trees."

"Oh.." Well that doesn't sound too bad. I wonder what other parts of me are more Fae than human.

After we finished eating, the young King shows me to the servants quarters. It's not far from the kitchen and there are other rooms that line the hallway that must be for the rest of the servants. I'm glad that I don't have to share a room with someone. Although mine is small, it has its own bathroom, a small desk and a comfy looking armchair sitting next to a window.

I place my satchel on the bed while gazing around the room and Sebastian clears his throat. My head turns to him standing in the doorway and he is gazing at me.

"I should take my leave... There are things I need to take care of."

"Oh right." I nod, rubbing my arm. "Thank you for all that you have done."

He smiles warmly at me which in turn makes me blush. "Just doing my duty. I hope to see you around sometime."

"Me too." I say breaking from our gaze as he grins at me.

He pats the frame of the door and steps back. "Sweet dreams Cam." He says softly and I can see red creeping over his cheeks.

"Goodnight." I say, following behind him as he walks into the hallway and I close the door.

"As a servant to the King, our days start earlier than most. While shadowing me for the next little while, you will wake with me at 5:30 each morning and you get two days off in the week. There are many tasks to take on daily: we mop, sweep, dust, turn over all beds. Laundry is to be washed and hung to dry every morning, we feed the livestock two times a day. If you want to be in the kitchen, that is a whole other department to learn there. So inform me if you want to change positions. Or there's working with the seamstress, she does the sewing and the mending. If not, you will stay a maid. You can work up to different things once you have more experience and feel more comfortable."

It feels like she has been talking nonstop. All morning, she's been telling me the different duties each servant takes care of. Where I will be after my training. Maude's job is to overlook everyone else's jobs and inform the King of what's going on. She said that the title to her job was called  'Housekeeper.' Sounds like a suitable title.

I have followed her around, what must be the entire castle, for about 3 or maybe 4 hours now. The heels of my feet have started to hurt from the small shoes I'm wearing.

We walk through the main entrance hall just as a small group of men enter and I recognize one of them. He was standing at the top of the stairs yesterday with Sebastian. Maude turns her attention to the older man and greets him with a smile.

"Lord Vernon, how are you doing today?"

Vernon as in Sebastian's Uncle? Upon a closer look, they share some similar facial features. Their noses are the same slim shape and the eyes. As well as the jaw line, strong and sharp. When the man smiles his eyes remind me of the the young King's. A kind smile just as his nephew's.

Just those features are the only things they share. Lord Vernon is shorter than the King, not by much but it's noticeable and he is thinner. There are silver hairs showing through his brown hair and above his ears too. Drakon had gray hair that was thinning at the top but this man has thick wavy hair. It is no wonder that Sebastian is as handsome as he is. After seeing his Uncle his father must be just the same.

Sebastian comes from a handsome family.

"Fantastic Maude, thank you for asking." Vernon says bowing his head then asks how she is in return.

"I am fine thank you. Just showing the new hire around. This is Raven." Maude says gesturing a hand towards me and I curtsy low before the Lord.

His gaze lands on me, the corner of his lip turns up. "Welcome Raven, I hope you are adjusting well here so far."

"Yes My Lord, everyone has been welcoming." I tell him lowering my head.

"Glad to hear it." Vernon shifts in his stance, turning to the older woman beside me. "If you'll excuse me Ma'am, I have matters to attend to." He bows to the both of us and steps off towards the stairs after Maude says goodbye.

My head turns as he walks past and I watch him walk up the stairs. A kind Lord is a rarity. I've met plenty over the years. Being talked to with such respect puts me at odds but it is a nice change. To be treated so formally even if I am a servant, I am still seen as a person with value... Not like when I was a slave.

"Are you all right Raven?" Maude asks from my side.

My gaze has fallen to the floor and I look up to Maude and take a deep breath. "Yes." I smile wide. "I am."

We continue on our tour of the castle. Maude leads me to the stables and what appears to be some training area for the guards living in the barracks here. We walk along the breezeway that overlooks the courtyard and I notice that Sebastian and the Captain are here. They seem to be fighting in the muddy grounds below.

I stop with a gasp, "Oh dear." Their faces are stern and dirty, their eyes focused on each other. I lean my hands on the thick wood railing to watch the men and Maude stumbles to a stop beside me. What brought this on?

"Oh don't worry, they may look like they are about to kill each other but they're just sparring. Every afternoon you can find those two butting heads, testing who's stronger." The elder woman says with a huff. Her arms cross over her chest as she watches with me.

Sweat glistens on each of the men's necks and foreheads in the midday heat. By the looks on their faces it seems that they are sizing each other up. Like they are wondering who is going to win this time. The metal from their swords clang as they step, circling each other. The Captain lunges out but Sebastian deflects it off to the side then brings up his sword.

The Captain leans back abruptly, out of the blades' reach. While using the movement, he twirls swinging his sword up to strike again this time on Sebastian's left.

He ducks low just missing the blade, his eyes locked onto his target. When he comes up he aims his weapon at the Captains neck. Seeing the King's attack his raises his sword to counter it. A clash of metal rings in my ears. Are they going to kill each other?

"So how long were you with your partner?"

"What?" I twist my head to her with raised brows.

"The one that abused you. How long were you two together?"

She's asking about my supposed abusive partner... I shut my mouth tightly and look back to the court yard. "A long time..." I answer quietly.

She hums. "Well at least you got out. Men are savages. Not all but some can be quite brutes."

"Yes." I say not taking my eyes off the ones in the middle of a sword fight.

Sebastian doesn't seem to be one of them. He is kind and gentle with not only me but to others as well. But here, he is a completely different person. Two very different sides.

The men's blades hold as they push one another, trying to get the other to yield. The Captain seems to be overpowering the young King as he leans forward. Sebastian holds his ground until he unexpectedly shifts his weight to the side, allowing the captain to fall forward face first into the mud and Sebastian points his sword at the man's back.

He won. I clap at the victory and Sebastian turns his head to the side. When he sees me he grins wide and bows like he finished a theatrical play. So it wasn't a real fight. What a silly man but I still laugh to myself because I was worried for nothing.

Maude hums again then states quietly. "I've never seen him smile like that to anyone in a long time."

I glance at her quickly but am interrupted by a grunt. We turn back to Sebastian only to watch the Captain behind him spin so he's sitting up now.

Before Sebastian can turn fully, the Captain swings his leg at the King's ankle and sweeps him off his feet and into the mud.

With his sparring partner now stunned, the Captain stands over Sebastian with his sword pointed to his chest. "Never leave your opponent unattended unless you know for sure he is down." The Captain says breathlessly as he wipes his face with the sleeve of his shirt.

With a smirk Sebastian drops his sword then raises his hands up in defeat. "Yeah, yeah."

The Captain laughs lowering his sword but turns to where I am standing. "And you shouldn't have pretty things distracting you." He says to the King before looking back and extending a hand for him. Is he referring to me?

Sebastian takes it while rolling his eyes. "I wasn't distracted."

"Well... I would have been." The Captain says with a chuckle. "Is she as cute as the one you've been sneaking off to these last couple of days?"

"Watch it, Eli." Sebastian warns with gritted teeth and he goes to grab his sword that is laying on the ground.

"If you boys are quite finished, lunch is ready." Maude says to their backs as they walk to a smaller building on the other side.

"Yes Ma'am!" The Captain grins to Maude but turns to Sebastian so their backs are to us again and grips his shoulder. "Just be careful."

He shrugs him off. "I am. That is why I'm not seeing her anymore. Too much gossip going around that it put her in danger."

It must be true for him not to be seen with women often if it is causing this much of a fuss. I hope I didn't cause more trouble for him. He doesn't need to look out for me and lie to all these people.

"Sorry to hear that Your Highness. But you are both better off." The Captain says sheathing his sword.

"I wonder what the Captain said to make His Majesty so mad." Maude says, I think mostly to herself.

She didn't hear them? They are quite far from us and we are up higher too. I turn to her and she looks back at me with a thin smile and says. "Well... I think we should go down to eat too."

What was she thinking about? As we walk, I glance behind me, Sebastian and the Captain are nowhere to be seen. I hope he's okay with what the Captain said.

Nearing the door to the kitchen someone calls for Maude. "Ah Your Majesty." She says with a bow so I do the same.

He eyes me quickly from head to toe then speaks to Maude after a quick pause. "How is she doing?"

A warm blush takes over my cheeks from his gaze. The servants here all wear the same uniforms: skirts, blouses that are tucked in and stockings and black slip on shoes. The clothes are comfy and I like the style even if I am showing my legs more than I ever had.

Can Sebastian not ask me outright? This must be what he meant by treating me different. Even with his warning, it unsettles me. When will we have time alone again? Will that ever happen now that I am living here? It seems that he is never left alone while in the castle. I can see why he snuck away all those times.

Maude looks at me with a warm smile, the first one I've seen all day. "It's her first day but I think she will do well here. She's a quick learner."

That's reassuring. I was hoping for it to not be so overwhelming the first day and it hasn't which I am glad for.

"Happy to hear that." He says with a smile. "And did you happen to tell her about the benefits she will be receiving yet?"

"Yes I think so." Maude says with a frown.

"So you told her about the schooling?"

What schooling? I quickly glance to him as Maude replies.

"Oh, no. I forgot about that." Maude chuckles lightly to herself. "We have had a busy morning that I completely forgot."

Well get on with it woman what am I getting? I hold my stare at the elderly lady expectantly. She turns to me and says. "Every other day, you will be tutored in reading and writing. After your chores of course. So that means tomorrow is your first lesson."

I blink at her then to Sebastian. "Is that right?"

The young King nods in answer with a wide smile and my heart skips a beat. I want to hug him but I have to appear formal in front of Maude so I bow my head. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He holds his hands behind his back, his smile shrinks to a closed lipped one. "The perks of working for the King." He says softly.

Maude hums and grips my shoulder. "We should grab our food before it's gone. And His Majesty looks in need of a bath after rolling around in the mud like a piglet."

I giggle at her remark as Sebastian's cheeks turn a rosy red and he smiles. "Yes Ma'am."

"Your Majesty." She says bowing her head before she steps away so I bow my head as well. As I lift my head he winks at me with a smile.

The old woman doesn't see it as she pulls me away from Sebastian, taking us toward the kitchen. My eyes don't leave his as he stands alone on the walkway. Even if Elyse was talking about his father, Sebastian is a kind Ruler too. Now that I am employed by the King I get to learn how to read and write. Before we step inside someone approaches him, Sherman, and they walk together the other way.

My second day and my first lesson. The morning seemed to drag on as I was eager to start learning how to read and write. 2 o'clock finally comes around and Maude leads me up to the higher levels. She said that I was to meet the tutor in the library on my days of learning.

"So you better remember the way after this because I am not walking up these damned stairs no more than I need to."

I laugh to myself and nod. "That's okay. I should be able to find my way next time Maude. Thank you for taking the time to show me around."

"Good girl." She glances at me with a grin. When she smiles like that her eyes close up to little slits.

It is pretty straight forward from the main kitchen. Since I've been following Maude around the castle I noticed that the lower levels have more hallways than the upper ones and thankfully the library is up on the third level. We walk down a wide hall and turn to a large open doorway on our left.

My goodness. I have to stop in my tracks so I can take it all in. The library is enormous, I would say it's as big as the Temple of the Divine. Dark wood paneling covers the walls that don't have books on them and dark wooden columns tower above us into the ceiling. There's a second level and is accessed by spiralled iron staircases, six in total are neatly placed around the edges of the room. Crystal chandeliers hang from the centre of the ceiling lighting up the upper space as well as tall skinny windows.

Desks are randomly tucked in between the shelves with little lamps for when night falls. They must be used for reading or writing on. I could see myself sitting at one of those late in the night, my head buried in a good book. I've seen Elyse so immersed in reading that she didn't notice me walking in. When I tapped her on the shoulder she jumped in her seat making me laugh... She would have loved to see this. I wonder how many books there are in here.

"Amazing isn't it?" Maude asks me from my side.

I lower my gaze to her and nod. She smiles clasping her hands together. "King Bartholomew, previous to Sebastian's great grandfather, had this built when he ruled. He believed education was important and also collected books from around the world. The ones you see here are them, along with additions from other Kings."

"Hello Maude!" A person calls out to her.

We turn to a man walking towards us with a warm smile. He is taller than most men I've encountered and has long hair like a woman. His is tied back, showing off a square jaw and ears that stick out.

"Hi Martin, how are you today?"

I walk next to Maude as she steps to a desk that the man named Martin is standing at.

"I am wonderful, I finally have a student after so long!" He says cheerfully and looks to me with his hand out. "This must be her, pleasure to meet you. My name is Martin."

He wants to shake hands... "Oh, um." I quickly glance at Maude and she gives me a slight nod and I turn to Martin, taking his hand in mine. He squeezes it tightly as I say. "Nice to meet you Martin, my name is Raven."

"Wonderful!" He bursts letting me go then walks back around to the other side of the table. "Now I heard from a little bird that you have no reading or writing skills. But I have no worries that you won't get this within a week."

A little bird told him this? I thought Sebastian would have since he knows about my situation. Maude announces that she is leaving before giving me a gentle squeeze on my shoulder then exits the library. We wave goodbye to her and Martin gestures for me to sit. For the next two hours we learn the alphabet.