But now what will happen I was shaking and my heart would stop beating at every footstep which was made towards my room. Then I heard the familiar footsteps and I started panicking and as soon as the door opened my heartbeat exploded and suddenly all went black.  

Jocelyn 's POV/Aria POV

As the door opened I saw the soldier entered and stating "Hey did you see anyone running around the castle?" 

I shook my head and he search every nook and corner and then left satisfied. I released the breath I didn't knew I was holding. Then I heard footsteps jumping on my balcony and I moved there and saw a figure . 

I was about to shout when I felt him hold my mouth. "Don't... It's me pretty lady" He said "and you won't scream when I remove my hand. Ok.." I nodded.

"Who are you?" I whispered.

"Well you really have very short memory dear" He said smiling.

"No I mean..." I blushed "I know you saved me there but I want to know...who you really are and what you are doing in the palace and why did you save me" I asked.

"So many questions... woaha... hold your horses" He said and walked to my bed and laid there.

I frowned at his audacity. The person who I don't even know took liberty to step in my room and go lay on my bed. Though if it had been any other insolent man I would have scolded him but he saved my virtue so  I went to him and said "Look sir... it's not safe here.. Please leave as soon as possible..." I said without meeting his eyes. 

"Did I do something that offended you my dear" He said staring at me. Unwillingly I lift my eyes to meet his eyes and said " You... shouldn't have involved yourself with General. Now whole palace soldiers will be after you" I finished worried and anxious.

"And do what let him take advantage of you" he asked annoyed.

"Sir.. may be you are free to do what you do where you live but this is a king's empire and the place where I live is his. We are bound to King and his subjects to both respect them and their command. And we have rules  which we are bound to follow and if we don't, we are punished because we are mere slaves. General is one of the favourites of King. I know what General was about to do, but you know what may be today you saved me...but sooner or later he will get what he wants. So please leave.. at least I won't have your blood on my conscience" I finished turning my back to him. Tears rolling out of my eyes to hide my weakness to hide my shame.

 I didn't notice him getting up until  he suddenly turned me around to face him "You want me to leave I will  for now but I will come again" He said with emotion.

"No please don't come here... Your life will be in danger" I pleaded.

"Ok I will not come here. But promise to meet me tomorrow night " He said

Generally I feel afraid of men but with this person I don't know I felt comfortable. I nodded my head and said " I... "

"I will not come to palace unless you promise to meet me" He cut me off.

" Ok fine I will meet you in the gardens near the pool which is attached to the forest and in case we are in trouble you will have fair chance to escape" I told him.

"Not changed a bit.. same like how you were Josh" He said smiling.

"Josh.. How  do you know my name? Who are you?" I asked widening my eyes.

"I will tell you when we meet again dear" He said and left from my window.

I release a breath of relief knowing he is  moving out and he will be safe. Not sure but the   stranger made me feel the bond and emotion of belonging. I wiped the thought as soon as it came.

I turned from balcony when I my door opened with a loud thud. 

"Aria" He said.

I turned to find my nightmare standing in front of me. My eyes widen in fear and I looked at floor bowing my head.

"Come to me Aria" He said harshly.

I shook my head in denial.

"Aria I said come to me at once" I heard him groaning in pain.

I looked up to see he was bleeding. He had a long gash in his lower  stomach which he held with his right arm which held another long cut. His legs were about to give off his balance when I went to hold him.

"Aria you didn't let me fall, I knew you care for me" He said smiling while I held his uninjured arm to balance him.in

I called for soldiers to help take him to his chambers.

"No don't.. Let Aria take care of me" He said and he passed out and we fell down on the floor.

I tried to push him but it didn't work so I pleaded the soldiers who were standing and they carried him to his chambers.

I went to head maid to see if any help was needed or not. When she answered "No all is done" I wanted to leave but my friend Amela caught my hand and said "lets peek how the celebration is going on"

"Ami... you know that we are not allowed to do that" I replied.

"Oh dear.. you see Queen said everyone including slaves can be part of the celebrations but after our duties are fulfilled" She said.

"But Ami... you know our duties won't be over till the celebration" I countered.

"Oh you spoilsport that's why I said we will take a peak and come back as soon as we can" She said gleefully.

She dragged me to a corner and I could see that the celebrations was in its full swing. Guest were enjoying the food and the prince was sitting next to King. I wanted to take a look to know how he looks so I will recognise him not because I wanted to appreciate his beauty but to know how much I will be punished if I did any wrong during serving him. Also it would help me address him rightly. I always liked to prepared myself for punishment, not because I do mistakes but because Royal will be looking at us to find our mistakes, because higher the status higher the punishment. That is their way of getting entertainment from us slaves.

I heard "Prince will now would like to talk to his people" and was looking so I could see prince's face.

but at the same time I was called by a soldier "Aria... Royal physician is asking for you in Sir General's Chamber". 

I nodded and followed him to the chamber.

The soldier knocked the door and was ordered to come. He pushed me in and closed the door.

I was looking at floor but looked up when I heard "Child come here" 

I found Royal physician asking me to come to him and then he gave me potion and asked me to feed the General. 

I looked at him nervously and went near General and asked "Sir... please open your mouth" 

Hearing my voice General Eden's eyes flew open and he said "You came Ria... I was waiting for you"

My hands were shaking but I said "Sir.. please open your mouth this potion will help you".

"I will drink it Ria... only if you promise not to leave me...even while I sleep" He whispered.

"I will stay here sir...please drink this potion" I said pleading. He opened his mouth all the while he had a happy expression on his face. I was about to turn to keep the empty bowl away but could not turn when he didn't leave my hand. I tried pulling it but his hold tightened. I looked helplessly on Royal Physician and he said

"Child let him be, Don't excite him it will cause him harm and do make yourself comfortable on his bed. He will soon fall asleep and then you can leave.

He got up to leave but I called him "Sir... please don't leave me alone with him".

"Child do not fear he is not well and he cannot do any harm to you" He replied

"Sir.. I know he is injured but I am a woman and I am not supposed to be in a man's room" I said looking at floor.

"Child.. don't be selfish, he doesn't want anyone in his chamber and I am sorry you would have to be here because he doesn't want anyone else to witness his weakness" He said harshly. "But I will send an old maid soon"

I nodded and he left and doors were closed.  I was feeling my heartbeat faster, I felt him moving and I was expecting him to jump on me but then I noticed his restless state.  

I nervously brought my hand to his forehead and starting caressing him and he relaxed a bit and then I started singing him a lullaby which my  mother used to sing. I felt him relax and then I tried to pull my left hand out of his grip but no seems like I would have to spend night in his chamber.

Then doors opened and old woman came and said "Aria... I brought a chair for you..I know its not comfortable but it would have to do because you have to be here". I got up from the bed and sat on the chair.

"Aria... I am lying down on this mat let me know if you need anything" She said and soon was snoring.

I was left appalled at her behaviour. I thought she would be with me for night duty but seems like she didn't care that she was in a lord's chamber and leaving a young girl unattended but may be she was too tired I reasoned with myself.

I sat there and soon General moved to other side and I felt my hand out of his grip but then he was again on his back and again restless. I touched his forehead and found it was burning. I went to washroom and brought a water in a bowl and a rug and kept it on his forehead. 

I knocked and soldier opened it and I told him to call Royal Physician. 

I kept altering the clothing and soon felt his temperature coming down. 

"Oh you are still here, I thought I misjudged you" He said smiling while entering the room.

He checked him and said " General is fine now and seems like the sword of the attacker was laced with a poison. But since he had vomited earlier and taken the medicine and I had done a good job of breaking his fever he left that General will be fine and he will come in the morning".

He left and I too started feeling sleepy as it was midnight now and soon dozed off. 

Next Day

I woke up to find Eden staring at me. I stood suddenly lest I will be punished to be taking rest in front of high official.

"Ria... you stayed" He asked with emotion.

I looked at floor and nodded my head.

"Ria.... I..." He was about to say something when Royal Physician Samuel entered followed by the same maid. She was glaring at me for reason unknown to me.

"I need to do dressing of your wounds. Please leave"  Samuel said.

I was about to leave after the old maid, when I heard him say "Ria.. won't you help Sam treat my wounds" He asked longingly.

I stopped but Physician said "My lord I would be able to manage but your wounds may frighten the young girl" Samuel finished curtly.

"I didn't ask your opinion Sam..." He said irritated.

Torn between the choice to make a quick exit from his chamber and then get punished or be here and watch him in a state in which one's wife only sees his man I turned to face him with my shaking body. 

Sam got down to his work and when he removed the bandages from his arm I could see the wound was too deep though it was bleeding, it sure would leave scars. When Sam started cleaning up the wound I found Eden staring at me. I moved to pour some more of the cleaning potion when I heard him hiss in pain.  As I looked again he stopped hissing and kept his gaze fixated on me. 

Sam removed the bandage from his lower abdomen and I found a nasty wound which was pouring blood and cleaning it also seemed a great effort. I could not watch it and looked anywhere else.

"Ria..." I heard him and and looked up and found not even a trace of pain. A bile rose in my throat after seeing so much of blood. I fled to his wash area and vomited and soon felt a presence behind.

Hair at my neck stood up and I need not guess who it was. He started caressing my back. I shivered at the contact. I washed my mouth and felt drowsy and felt him take me in his hold.

"Lord you are not in a condition to carry the girl. Moreover you should not even get up" Sam shouted from back.

"I am never too weak for my Ria..." He whispered to me and I blacked out.