"OK fine then love... have it your way for now" I said holding her jaw and continued " but by tomorrow night or should I say tonight you will be a permanent in my chamber and what I say I make it happen" I smiled at the thought and made my way out of her room.   

ARIA's POV

 I shut the door and locked it and tried sleeping after Eden left. I made my way under the comfort of my blankets. I was tired with the adventures of my day that as soon as I hit the pillow I was in deep sleep.

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I was sleeping and then I felt hands touching my hair and then lips kissing my cheek and then moving towards my neck. I opened my eyes only to find myself in so much darkness that it was impossible to see the face of the man. I was about to get up when I was pressed on my back and the person mounted on top of me and when I tried pushing the person away my both wrists were caught by him in his one hand  while other was feeling my body. I felt violated and disgusted. I tried moving my legs but seems like they were tied.

"let go" I begged.

"No use fighting... You are were mine... and will always remain mine. No one can take you from me" I heard a deep voice say, the voice sending chills down my spine.

________________________________________________________________________________

I woke up with a shriek before I realised it was just a nightmare. But the voice left me with uneasy feeling in my gut. I tried going back to sleep but images of nightmare kept visiting me.By the time I calm myself I knew it was time to start my chores.

I rushed to the kitchen to start the morning chores. I was busy cleaning the utensils when I felt a presence behind me. I turned immediately and the action made me release the bowl I was holding to fall down with a loud clanking sound.

"Hey it's me Aria... what made you so jumpy in the morning?" She asked.

"I.. I.. had a restless night and sorry for that" I replied softly pointing to the bowl which was on the floor.

"Oh, it's absolutely fine. I just wanted to tell you that Head Maid needs you and I will take care of the kitchen chores today once you are done with whatever she ordered, you can sleep" She said kindly.

Any other day I would have denied it but the nightmare really left me an eerie feeling . I didn't know why but it felt so real. I made my way to head maid and she instructed me to place best flowers from garden and place it in the prince's room. I frowned when she told me that, she looked at my expression and told me that she trust me to do my chore with utter care and responsibility and other girls she would have to go and check and she has more work to do today so I nodded and walk away.

I went to the gardens and there I found Margaret and Shawn who took care of gardens. They were busy in weeding the plants and talking about pruning the roses. 

I walked to them and said "Hey Shawn, Good Morning" 

"Oh.. Aria, I can't believe you are here. You made my day. So what can I do for you  today my lovely lady"He said in his flirty voice.

I blushed at that only to look at Margaret with annoyed expression so I said immediately " I need some flowers which have bloomed freshly ".

"Oh.. my  How...must I say I was waiting for the day I will give you that but today seems to be my lucky day. I will get them for you right away" he said excitedly.

"MMM.. Shawn I need bunch of them but not for me. They are for our Prince" I told him and immediately his expression fell but Margaret was smiling.

He recovered in an instant"Oh.. I am sorry for misunderstanding. Well all you have to do is tell which ones his favourite".

"I have no idea" I replied.

"Well then let me relieve you from misery my lovely lady" he said

He handed me bunch of bunch of red, pink and white roses saying " Well  you see nothing can go wrong with roses".

I thanked him and was about to walk away when he held my hand and said "Can I still gift you my special rose". 

I was shocked first and then blushed when he handed me the beautiful pink rose, even better than the bunch I held for prince's room. I could not say no so I took it from him and walked away only to hear him jumping in joy.  Shawn made me distracted from the Nightmare for a while. He is a flirt and I know his reputation as a player but I know even though he gifted me a pink rose he didn't mean it in a romantic way because I know he loves only one woman and that is Margaret who doesn't know it. I left the lovebirds and made my way to prince chamber and knocked for permission. I didn't heard any sound for a while so I thought prince is not inside. 

I entered and placed them in a vase near windows. I saw his bed was also not made. So I began making the bed and then I heard footsteps coming from other end of the room and I looked only to find the man dressed only in towel at his waist and another on his head wiping his head.

I was about to escape when he called me from behind

'"Who are you?"

"I.. I am one of the slaves sir.. I didn't know you were here... I knocked but didn't hear any response so I thought you are not here" I finished very nervously with my back facing him.

"Turn around" He ordered.

I turned immediately but kept my eyes on floor and said "Your Highness I didn't mean to disturb your privacy". 

I felt steps taken towards me and closing the distance, so I took some until my back touched the wall. I gasped when I saw no escape, I closed my eyes waiting for him to slap me or punish me. It was a while and nothing happened. I opened my eyes only to find the green eyes staring at me with questioning gaze. 

I lowered my eyes and begged "Sir... May I go"

"You can " He said before stepping away.

Prince Randolph POV

  She had captured my eyes and I have to keep my eyes on her. One she came from Gardens in midnight which was suspicious because even though I was away I knew all the slaves retire to bed before midnight since they wake up in wee hours of morning. Second how is it that a slave look like an incarnation of the most beautiful woman that was ever known to my generation.  

I made my way to my chamber and quickly got rid off my clothes. I made my way to my bed and place my head but sleep was away from my eyes. I tried thinking about how I will do my chores tomorrow but the image of the mysterious beauty didn't leave my mind. How much ever I tried her beautiful blue eyes kept  appearing in my mind's eye. For the first time in these 25 years, I felt myself enchanted by a woman. It's not I haven't seen beautiful women earlier. But this one was not only beautiful but it was so natural and pure.

I didn't knew when I fell asleep with thoughts of her in my mind. I woke up early in the morning for I was used to less sleep and be alert all the time. Being a soldier not only strengthen you but it also helps you being disciplined. I went to take bath so I could start my chores. 

I came out of bathroom only to find the woman haunting my dreams in front of me. She was making my bed. I guess she felt my presence and was making a quick exit when I stopped her by asking '"Who are you?"

"I.. I am one of the slaves sir.. I didn't know you were here... I knocked but didn't hear any noise so I thought you are not here" She said not facing me. I wanted to know her name because I already knew she was one of the slaves but it was quite weird that she didn't gave me her name.

"Turn around" I told her as I wanted

"Your Highness I didn't mean to disturb your privacy" she replied facing me but not meeting my eyes. I could see her blushing.

I stepped towards her and she backed away, we continued till she reached one of the corner wall and there was no way she could move anymore. I saw one of her wispy bang teasing her right eye and I raised my hand to remove it, but her reaction stopped me in air. She flinched as if I was hitting her. I stared at her for a while thinking who could have made this woman so fearful of a male presence. Her glistening blue sapphires opened to meet mine and then lowered only for her to ask me  "Sir... May I go"

"You can " I told her before stepping away. I could feel her relieved when she rushed out of the door. I dressed myself to start my day but thoughts of her being afraid didn't leave my mind. I made a note to watch her so I would know what happened as she was not only beautiful, frightened and mysterious.

I heard a knock on my door and when I answered "Come in".

A soldier entered and said "Your Highness the King needs your presence in the Courtroom".

I made my way and found that all the important officials were there.

I bowed in front of the King and took my place. Then King Continued "Nice for you to join us my son" he said to me and discussion began as if it was never interrupted.

"It so happened that our neighbouring King was helping some of rebels who wanted to cause uprising in the northern border" He said. 

"King I will lead the troops there and handle the situation" I said

 I very much expected him to approve it. But he then said "General Eden I would like you to lead the troops on the northern border as you are very much acquainted with that region".

I was about to object when I heard him turn to me "Son, soon we have visit from neighbouring King and he is coming here with his daughter. This visit is special for us if you two get along we can strengthen our defence in the eastern end where as you know we have outlaws".

I nodded my head as it was not request but a direct order from my King. After the discussion was over I went to take rounds of the practice ground and I even fought with some and after I was done I fixed some of their techniques. I was coming towards palace when suddenly my horse got spooked and ran in opposite direction. I tried controlling him but to no avail, and then he jumped on his hind legs for me to fall with a thud. I felt someone running towards me and then I was left in darkness.

ARIA POV

I was on my way toward markets when I noticed that a Knight fell down from his horse who has lost control. I ran towards the injured man only to find that he was the prince. I shouted for soldiers to take him to his chambers. I ran to the royal physician quarter and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" I heard him ask.

"Sir, your presence is need in the prince's room. He is injured, please make haste" I replied in urgency.

Royal physician nodded and took his medicinal bag and accompanied me to the Prince's chamber. He examined him and found that Prince has hit his head pretty hard and that has led him in this unconscious state.

Soon King and Queen visited the Prince and they asked about Prince well-being. Royal Physician told them that if night passed then Prince will live and during this time he needs someone to take care of him. As prince body's temperature was rising, he wanted someone to keep changing the clothes at Night. Queen said she will be next to her son but King said that even she is not well herself and even Royal Physician agreed with him.

I was listening to all this while standing near the corner when King asked "Who found him when he fell down".

"Sir, this slave girl found him when he fell down" One of the guard pointed at me.

King turned to look at me and when he saw me there was a look of surprise which he covered almost immediately and said "You will take care of him tonight and I trust you do it perfectly". Then he ordered the soldiers around that no one was to be allowed near the Prince except me and left.

I bowed at him when he and queen left but I was shocked with the words he trusted me with his son's life.

I was tired but since I was ordered to take care of the Prince, Royal Physician gave me the medicines I was to apply on his head and told me to keep changing the clothes so that his fever will broke. I listened everything with great care not because it was the Prince's life at stake but even if it was anyone else I would have done the same.

Prince 's POV

I woke up to find the angel face looking down at me with concern.

"Thank Goodness you woke up Your Highness" She said and got up but I held her hand asked "What are you doing here?"

"I... I helped you while you were unconscious Your Highness" She said looking at my hand which held hers.

I released her hand and she went out and soon returned with Royal Physician who confirmed that I was fine and would need to take rest.

She brought my breakfast and then helped me to sit but when I tried lifting my right hand to eat I noticed that my hand was swollen and it hurt to hold even the spoon. As soon as she noticed this she took the spoon and took some of the soup and brought near my mouth. 

I felt embarrassed that being a soldier I was sitting here waiting to be fed. I was about to object when she said "Your highness it is ok to take help sometimes but that doesn't mean we are weak".

I was surprised and look at her but she kept dipping the spoon in soup and feeding me and when some of it dripped from my lips she wiped it with a cloth. Once she was done she left for sometime and then brought a bucket of warm water. 

I looked at her with questioning gaze when she answered "Your Highness, since you cannot take bath I would need to give you wet cloth bath".

"Well I think I will call one of my men to do the task. I understand that you don't have to do that" I told her.

"Thank you Your Highness for your concern, but the King has strict order for not allowing anyone until the culprit who was behind your fall is caught and he has entrusted me the responsibility of taking care of you until then" She replied looking at the floor.

I nodded and then she came near me and removed the blankets I had on and I came to know that I was naked except a small cloth covering my genitals.

She dipped the cloth in the warm water and started washing me up with that. She used one cloth for using the incensed soap and other for washing it up and did it methodically and once she was done, she helped me in comfortable clothes.

The routine followed everyday like this till one week and when Royal physician confirmed that I was back to health again did. But this last one week I had felt a new form of respect for her. I ordered the Head Maid to make her my personal maid. I knew this would give her status and will help me keep an eye on her as she was still mysterious to me. I respected her but I was still curious as to what are intentions are.

ARIA POV

I have been taking care of the Prince since one week and I could not go and meet Andrew. I don't know how to inform him about change of plans. Now that I learnt that Prince is fine I made my way to the garden and wrote a message in our childhood language to my friend to meet me tomorrow night. I knew he would have visited the gardens everyday since our meeting time. This is how he was when we were kids and I knew he didn't change.

I was making my way towards Kitchen when I heard Head Maid calling me. 

"Aria..." She said

I went to her and she smiled and said "You have done a excellent job by saving the heir of the Kingdom and that's why now you are not needed in Kitchen".

"What?? I don't understand Madam I didn't do anything" I said worrying thinking she was scolding me.

"Oh.. Dear, you have been promoted as his personal maid and that is a great honour. Now you will live in a room near his chamber and not in slave quarter. Go and pack your stuff" She said smiling.

I did as told and moved to the room next to Prince's chamber. But this move was a blow to my original plan of escaping this slave life and be away from this palace. In one single day I became from a nobody to somebody.