"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.

Aria 's POV

I got up to find myself in a beautiful room and the bed beneath felt so smooth. I knew it was not my room but needless to say it was not a slave quarter either. I tried to get up when I heard.

"Ria.. don't" He said in a warning tone.

I sat on bed under the quilt which was magnificent. I looked anywhere but at him knowing too well that he had his gaze fixed on me. I felt like a caged animal.

"Ria... how do you feel" He asked.

"I am feeling good Sir... Can I go now I have lots of chores pending" I said looking at the quilt which was draping my body while caressing it with my fingers.

"Ria... I know you have chores but you are not well yet and till I tell you you won't move from here" He said sternly

"I... I am.. I am in good health Sir. Please can I go now" I pleaded still not meeting his eyes. I wanted to run away run away from this beast for I didn't know when he will pounce on me.

"It's not me who held you here dear. It's Royal Physician Sam. He told me you passed out due to lack of sleep and lack of food" He stated.

"Well if I can I will never let you leave my room" he murmured to himself.

"I.. I ate food Sir.... may be lack of sleep" I answered quickly wondering when he will leave me. I was afraid if I stay for some more time he will force himself on me. The event of evening was still afresh in my mind.

" So when was the last time you had your food?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"I... I.. I ate in the Night before. I answered hesitatingly.

"Why??" He asked again.

 "We.. we were busy preparing for the celebration Sir..." I said nervously.

  "Why??" He asked again.  

"I don't understand what you are asking Sir" I said meekly wondering what he wants to know.

"I am asking you why you missed the meal for a whole day"

"I missed the morning meal since I was busy with my chores and Cook forgot to keep the leftover for us and next one was in evening which I again missed" I replied.

"What about afternoon meal" He asked bit curious.

"We don't get afternoon meal" I answered wondering why he is asking so many questions.

"And tell me why not?" He asked in a challenging tone.

"Sir we are slaves and we are fed twice a day" I replied softly.

"How did you missed morning meal?" He asked again.

"I was late for first meal Sir" I repeated my answer holding my sob.

"Why? What were you doing so important that you missed the basic need-- Food knowing too well that  you get it only twice. Probably meeting a man" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Sir.. I promise you I don't entertain men if that's what you are implying" I said. I was holding my angry tears, that he would say something like that but continued "I am a slave who has lot in her plate rather than entertain men and moreover men don't go after slaves like me".

"Really?? you want me to believe that" he said clenching his jaw and pulling me to him and holding my chin harshly"Tell me the truth now".

I was afraid for a moment but then I took deep breath calming myself 

" Sir...daily I get up early in the morning to help clean the Kitchen before the food is prepared and  served to officials. And while higher officials eat their meals we slave continue doing our other chores till we are called to feed on the left over meal" I answered bit annoyed that he would assume I was with a man early in the morning.

"You want me to believe that... really??" He asked angrily.

"What is there not to believe sir.. all I say is nothing but truth" I said with unshed tears.

"You really believe that men don't go after slave...?" He said releasing my chin from his hold.

"I do... sir.. who would give time of their day for a slave who doesn't even have rights to even walk for her own. And if some slave girl thinks a man is going to love her  and wife her then surely she is mistaken because slaves remain slaves they don't become wives" I finished bitterly.

He looked at me and then said "What if I tell you I want to take you as wife".

"Sir... let go of me because seems like today you have a mood to mock me and I have lot of work to do. " I said.

I didn't know from where I was getting this confidence may be from the stranger.

"My...My Ria... finally you are growing claws" He said tilting his head and looking at me like I was an enigma.

"Sir... If you feel I have offended you then my apologies" I said bowing my head " and if you feel that is not enough then you can lash my back"

Clenching his jaws he said"Oh.. so you will tell me how I should punish you"  I looked at floor now trying to ignore his question knowing too well not to answer.

"Stop ignoring me love... tell me why were you late for your meal" He repeated the same question staring at me.

"Sir... how many times I have to tell you that I missed the morning meal since I was busy with my chores and Cook forgot to keep the leftover for us and next one was in evening which I again missed" I repeated my answer.

"So you are telling me you helped clean the kitchen and make food and still didn't get morsel of food. You want me to believe that" He said harshly.

"Sir... you can believe what you want" I replied "I have nothing else to say".

"Oh..so you are not going to explain what were you doing so damn important that you missed  your meal Ria... you want me to actually believe that you were not meeting another man behind my back. When you know last night someone who was not from our Kingdom fought for you. You think I am a fool" He said harshly pulling me by left forearm towards him.

I tried pulling myself out of his grasp 

 "Sir... I don't know what to say to that" I said, knowing this man will not well believe me. He never did believe me when I told him his father wanted to forcefully marry me and not the other way round. So there was no way I can convince him what I was saying was true or will try to.

"I want truth from your pretty lips Ria... where were you??" He said whispering in my left ear and I felt irritated. I pushed him a little and found him shocked and met his angry glare. I was shocked but neverthless bowed my head and replied 

"l got up early to help clean the kitchen so cook can start making the morning meal and helped while she did. I was done when head maid came and said that we.. I mean I my friends Amela and Lisa should go and fetch flowers for decoration. So we had to go even though it was the hour of us to have our first meal of the day. We go the flowers and came back by afternoon and helped the decoration. Generally cook stacks food for the people who go out for chores but she forgot due to preparations. Then cook called me to help her prepare for the evening feast after that we were asked to light the smelling wax before Prince's arrival and while I was at my task I was called by a soldier that head maid was calling me for help again. I was going there when...." I stopped not knowing how to continue.

"When... what dear?" He probed me to continue

"I was pulled into a Room by you " I said when he cut me off.

"So you are accusing me that I pulled you in the room and not that you came willingly to me in that room " He asked amused.

I knew he was trying to humiliate me he was after a high official. I didn't say anything.

"You have no words now...." He said

I kept quite till he said " Continue"

"And then a stranger was fighting with you before I left" I continued.

"Reminds me I need to punish you for that" He said smirking.

I started shaking now that I reminded him that I left even though he said not to go.

"Then what happened"he asked making me to continue.

"I went to my room and after sometime I saw you in my room injured and sent the soldier to fetch Royal Physician. After Royal Physician came I went to resume my chores".

"What?? you left me alone even though I asked you not to.. I am going to punish you for that too" He said

I didn't know whether to continue or not but when he asked "But then how did I found you near my bed"

"I was called by Royal Physician here to help and I stayed here till morning since you didn't let go of my arm. Hence I missed my second meal and slept without food. In the morning when Royal physician was tending to your wounds I helped him but when when I saw blood pouring out of your wound I felt nauseous and then passed out" I finished not meeting his eyes.

I was expecting him to drag me in the basement and punish me by lashing out my back thinking I was not telling the truth and to punish me for not following his order. But all he said was

"Ok so that's how you missed your food. As you took care of me in the Night and that's how you tell me you missed your sleep as well. Quite interesting Ria... Tells me you have feelings for me" He said hopefully.

I winced at that because there was no way I loved or have a slight liking towards him. He and his father both instill negative emotions--- of anger, helplessness and the strongest one being the fear.

I was brought out of my reverie from his voice "Since you missed your food and Sleep because of me I brought food for you and you can eat now" He said smiling. He was not in his senses I thought because he would not miss any opportunity to punish me.

"Sir... I will have my meal later I have my chores to do" I said nervously because he was acting nice and him being nice was foreign to me.

"Ria.. you will listen to me and listen good.. you will follow my command and Right now I want you to eat and then rest" He said harshly.

"Sir..." I tried. 

He took the tray of food and handed to me while saying

"You will rest as I have told the head maid that you are serving me today and I made sure your chores are handed over to someone else. So now eat" He said irritated.

I nodded and started nibbling on the food as I felt uncomfortable while he was staring at me. I finished after a while when he handed over a glass of milk which was a privilege for slaves and he was offering me that. I was shocked but a glare from him told me that I had to take it.

I drank the milk and soon I felt the tiredness hit me and soon I dozed off.

I awoke when It was evening and I tried to wake up when I felt myself being held by waist.I was alarmed at that and turned to find General Eden was sleeping beside me. This was  too much for me. I was sleeping next to a man who was not my husband and a man who I hate and fear the most. With shaking hands I released myself and without making a sound I made my way towards the door.

 I knocked softly so as not to wake him and I was dead worried he will get up but luckily soldiers opened it  after five raps and I ran the hallways straight to my room without looking at the soldier who was on the post at that time. I bolted my door and fell on my bed crying in the makeshift pillow. I knew he didn't care for my feelings as he can strip me from my virginity the last thing I care for  and no one will bat an eye. This feeling of helplessness.. not able to change things was killing me. For once I felt I must runaway but I knew I would be caught very easily then I thought of killing myself but then I knew my parents would not like a coward daughter. My mother has instilled how much ever I bad the situation is not to loose hope. I was in my thoughts when I heard knocking on my door. 

I cautiously went near the door and asked "who is it?"

"Ria... It's me Amela" Amela answered.

I opened the door releasing my breath and hugged her crying. She calmed me and told her what all happened and she calmed me into sleep. I was awaken by Amela and she told me she brought food for me as I have not eaten. After I freshened up and asked what the time was and she told me it was night time now. I recalled I had to go now.

"Why what happened Aria... why are you tense" She asked.

"Ami... I need to go meet him else he will come here and get caught" I replied.

"Aria.. are you sure you would meet a man in the midnight that too a stranger" She asked.

"He saved me Ami.... I feel I can trust him not to harm me" I replied nervously.

"Aria... are you in love with him?" She asked.

"No Ami... how can you say that you know I don't believe in love or that it exists. But I feel he is familiar and right now I don't know why but I need to meet him" I answered "Call it my instincts".

She nodded and  but before I could step out she handed me a knife in case I am in trouble I hugged her and went to go in the direction of gardens.

I covered my face with scarf and took some food as I had not eaten and meeting will take sometime as it is early hours of night so I can eat while waiting for stranger. I know taking food with me and that too for meeting a stranger is odd but I could not be in my room knowing well if Eden find me he will drag me to his room and stealthy made my way towards garden all the feeling I will get caught.

"Stop... where are you going" A soldier who was on guard of the palace stopped me. I felt my heart in my mouth. 

"I.. I was asked by head maid to feed leftover to the fishes in the pond near gardens" I answered. He nodded before looking at bag in my hand and let me pass.

I slowly made my way towards garden and all the while fearing someone will call me and when I saw none of the soldiers were visible I ran to the pond which was behind thick bushes.

I sat down and ate my dinner and did feed the left over to the fish. I looked in the sky and was gazing at stars when I felt a presence near me.

"So I see you were eager to meet me pretty lady" He said sitting next to me.

"Sir... I came so you won't come to palace and get your life in trouble" I answered.

"Hmmm.. Josh... please stop calling me Sir.. call me Andie... as in Andrew Knight" He said smiling. 

"Andie.... Andrew Knight... are you from Dorton..." I asked not believing.

"Yes Precious I am" He said looking at me.

"Are you...Are you the one who used to play with me" I asked again still thinking of it as a dream.

"Yes Precious I am.. did you forget me?" He asked frowning.

I could not believe my eyes that my childhood friend was sitting next to me.

"How did you survive the massacre Andie..." I asked.

"Remember me and my father went to my maternal grand parents home and I asked you to join us" He said and I nodded "Well that's why I am alive".

I looked at him with tears in my eyes and he continued

"I came back and found dead silence in the village no one was there. It felt so lonely seeing the village that was full of live turned into ghost of itself. You know I ran to your mansion to look for you and when I didn't find you it broke my heart. I ran towards the forest and ponds and could not find you anywhere. My father could hardly hold himself after that incident.  We moved to another location and in the journey we were attacked by outlaws and taken to their leader. 

When we went to meet him we found he was my dad's childhood friend and then he asked what we were doing in the forest and when we told him about the massacre he let us stay and we came to know these outlaws were people whose villages were also massacred or destroyed by General Christopher. The feeling of revenge brought these people together to form forces against him. As the day passed we were gathering forces when we got the news 2 and a half years back that he died. 

We thought his son will continue to torture the villagers so we kept our forces trained. He protected his people unlike his father but still he is not a saint either. He kills mercilessly. I came to spy on him. I hid myself in that room but then I heard it getting opened and jumped to balcony. I saw the person who entered was pacing and then suddenly the door was opened and person pulled someone inside and then I heard muffled cries and I peeped from my hidden place it was a lady. I found she was struggling and I could not bear it so I challenged him. But when I looked at you I recognised you immediately. So I could not control myself and launched attack on him.

"How did you recognise me  Andrew? I was very small when I was taken" I enquired.

"Well Josh you have these beautiful oceanic blue eyes like your mother's I knew it was you and when I asked you to meet me you immediately came up with a solution and even asked me to leave as soon as possible. Josh... your name can change but nothing will change your personality.. caring and loving as ever" He finished.

I smiled at him and then we talked about how he became a good swordsman for which he answered he practised a lot with aim to be the best since he was motivated.

"Your father was very inspiring man Andrew and I know he is the one who motivated you" I said.

He didn't say anything and then all became quiet and I realised its early hours of morning and I must return.

"Goodbye Andrew I must haste or else someone may be suspect" I said.

"Josh... why don't you come with me now" He said.

"You know I would if I felt it would be successful but you see it is early hours and we did not prepare for escape and we will get caught easily and I don't care if I did but I can not put your life at risk. So we will plan this and once we have good time we will" I assured him.

"We will meet tonight again" He said.

"No not tonight, I would say 3 days henceforth because last night I was caught by a soldier and I don't want anyone to get suspicious" I said.

"Good Bye Precious.. I will wait for you here" He said and vanished in the darkness of the Forest.

I waited till his form disappeared I made my way towards my quarter and again when a soldier stopped me another soldier who let me pass earlier told him that I went on the head maid errand and let me pass. I was thankful and was moving towards my quarter when I was stopped by a voice

"Halt.. May I know who you are" a voice asked behind me.

I turned with my face looking at floor and saw the shoes he wore were of high quality so he must be one of the officials.

"I asked who you are" He asked again.

"I...I am one of the slaves Sir..." I replied.

"What were you doing coming from the gardens at this time" He asked.

"I went to feed fishes " I responded not meeting his eyes.

"Didn't anyone tell you it is rude when you didn't look in the eyes of person you are talking" He said putting his finger under my chin.

I closed my eyes for I didn't want to see this official. I have heard many voices but his voice didn't seem familiar.

"Open your eyes" He said.

I didn't and then he said in stern voice "I said Open your eyes right away".

His deep authoritative voice broke my control and my eyes opened and met his green ones. He looked at me for a while  and brought his face near mine.Our breathes mixing his calm one and mine panting one. After a while of him staring at me he released me.

"You may go now" He said.

I left as fast as I could  while shaking in fear and all the while knowing his eyes were following my moves