Chapter 11

I yawn, feeling strong arms wrapped around me and a soft blanket covering my sore body. I open my eyes to see Alekai staring at me with a gentle smile.

“Hey, sleepyhead, feeling better?” He says, kissing my forehead and pulling me closer. I nod and snuggle closer to him while blushing, feeling a little shy from earlier.

“You fell asleep after we finished, and I just didn’t have the heart to move you.” He chuckles,

"Wasn't that better than last night?" He said after a while. My stomach then chooses this moment to growl, protesting its need for food, and my blush becomes scarlet in embarrassment while Alekai lets out a deep laugh.

“I...I haven’t eaten since breakfast.” I mutter, turning to hide my face against the crook of his neck. Again, the man holding me securely in his arms let out another laugh, his body shaking against mine. Frustrated and embarrassed, I bite the sensitive skin on his neck, causing Alekai to freeze.

“If you keep doing that, Little Songbird, I won't be able to stop myself from devouring you again.” His husky voice forces me to stop biting in retaliation, pulling away to see teeth marks and a hickey forming.

“Well then, feed me real food,” I demand, staring into Alekai’s eyes and seeing him looking back at me with a gentle indulgent look.

“Don’t worry, I had some maids bring in food after you fell asleep. You can eat now.” A kiss is placed on my cheek before his strong arms carry me to a simple table where metal domes cover what I assume to be food. After gently placing me in a soft chair, Alekai removes the domes, and the delicious scent of food envelops me. Without hesitation, I quickly dish some of the delicacies onto two plates, from grilled fish to roasted chicken and creamy mashed potatoes to sauteed vegetables. I hand a plate to Alekai, who looks at me surprised before taking a seat as well.

“Lyra.” He calls out as I am taking a bite of the grilled fish.

“Yes?”

“You are welcome to come here, to my study, and relax whenever you want. If you accept it, you are the only one with full access.” I look to see the Prince looking down at his food, blushing, his shy image something I have yet to see as I stare at him in amazement.

“Is anyone else allowed in here?” I ask hesitantly.

“Only Elisa and two of my personal guards. Maybe another maid or two if Elisa needs help,” he nods. His explanation is simple and straightforward. Knowing that only workers are allowed in the room makes me smile, and I accept his offer. After this, the two of us finish our meal. Alekai wastes no time in scooping me into his arms and carrying me to the sofa once again, where he holds me close and cuddles me. I take this time to look around the room, intrigued by how similarly designed to the bedroom this study is.

The way to the patio on the north wall is covered with floor-to-ceiling windows, as usual, letting bright sunlight in and lighting up the room in a warm glow. The two glass doors are open wide, bringing inside the scent of wildflowers from the meadow nearby. On the south wall was his desk, and a wall of shelves with books and decorative knick knacks stylishly placed in a way that doesn’t make the shelf seem crowded. The east wall is where we are, cuddling contentedly on a large sofa that could be considered a bed, if anything, a blanket covering our naked bodies. Alekai stays quiet while I explore the room with my eyes. Finally, the west wall is a small dining area, a small round table big enough to seat two people, where the remains of our late lunch wait to be cleaned off.

Finished with my exploration, I turn and snuggle closer to Alekai, as he runs his fingers through my hair gently and places soft kisses every so often. I sigh, content with the present as the exhaustion from our lovemaking and the feeling of being full slowly help me drift off to sleep. Just as I am about to fully fall asleep, the door to the study swings open and slams shut, causing me to jolt in surprise and turn to stare at the culprit.

"Your Highness, Her Majesty, your mother, sent me to remind you about the party." Elisa struts closer to where the two of us lay, a scowl on her face as she looks down at us like a disapproving mother.

“Sorry, Elisa, I am quite comfortable here.” Alekai yawns, pulling me back down and tightening the blanket around us. I giggle at his childishness, feeling his fingers pinch my side shortly after.

“Your mother felt you would reject, so she asked me to pass along this message.” Elisa sighs, taking out a folded letter from her apron.

“Alekai, if you do not attend the party tonight, that new pet of yours will be returned to the pet shop with clear instructions to be turned into a Breeder with a cruel, forceful breeding experience.” Elisa reads the letter aloud. I shiver in fear at her words and cling to Alekai. His arms tighten possessively around me as he glares at the letter in Elisa’s hand before sighing in frustration.

"Fine, I will attend the party on the condition Lyra is by my side. Prepare an outfit for her.” Alekai surrenders, dismissing Elisa, who promptly leaves with a triumphant smile.

“Does she always get her way?” I ask, giggling at the pout on Alekai’s face.

“With Elisa, yes. She was originally bought as a playmate for me from the pet shop I bought you from. I gave her back her freedom when I turned eighteen to thank her for being a true friend,” Alekai explains, sighing as he buries his face into my hair, inhaling deeply. The news of Elisa being a slave just like me and gaining her freedom is a shock but also brings a glimmer of hope. If Elisa could regain her status as a citizen, then so can I.

“We should probably get ready before the Queen makes good on her promise to return me,” I suggest, causing him to groan unwillingly and curl his body around mine.

“Let's go, Alekai.” I chuckle, nudging his shoulder and trying to push his strong body off of mine. My attempts to move him are futile, as usual, and I just sigh and roll my eyes. I have a feeling this “party” is something he dreads going to and, in turn, makes me anxious to go to as well.

“If it weren’t for the fact I know my mother would do as promised, I would sneak out of the palace with you.” He mumbles against my hair, causing another eye roll from me before I squeal in surprise as Alekai rises to his feet and scoops me into his arms bridal style.

“Our clothes!” I call out, aware of our still-naked state.

“Trust me, no one will see us.” Is his reply as he carries me towards one of the book selves.

“Pull the book that reads ‘Secrets of the Heart’ will you, Songbird?” I frown at his request, scanning the books and finding an old red leatherbound book, the lettering of the title etched in gold. After confirming with Alekai that this is the one and receiving a nod of approval, I pull the book only for it to get stuck halfway out, then retreat back into the bookcase, which suddenly swings inward. I stare in amazement at the secret entrance; Alekai swiftly steps inside to reveal an elevator, one I had no clue about.

“How!” I ask incredulously, getting a chuckle in return.

“I had this built ten years ago when I was sixteen. My parents went to Europe for a World Leaders’ meeting and decided to stay for a month of vacation afterwards. It became a great getaway from Linnate when the lunatic tried to force her way into my room.” Alekai answers, boarding the elevator and pressing the “up” button. I realize that Linnate has been after Alekai for many years and that, at twenty-six, the man holding me has built a defence system against her. Warmth fills my heart knowing that I am privileged to ride this hidden elevator, and it also gives me a quick route to his study where I can enter the wildflower meadow.

The ride is quick, and when the doors open, I am greeted by the site of the large closet in our bedroom. Again, I am shocked as Alekai steps out of the elevator and into the closet, Elisa setting out a set of clothing for each of us. I turn in his arms to look behind us just in time to watch the floor-to-ceiling mirror slide back as if nothing had changed.

“The emerald on the mirror is the mechanism to open the elevator to go down,” Elisa states, chuckling at my expression.

“That’s good to know,” I acknowledge, feeling Alekai place me on a bench before walking in the direction of a pristine suit hanging next to a gorgeous cream gown that Elisa quickly brings to me. She ushers me to stand so she can help me get dressed quickly. The gown is silk, the cool fabric gliding across my skin as I step into it. Elisa swiftly pulls it up, guiding my arms into the sleeves, before lacing the corset at the back. I stare at myself in the mirror, amazed at the floor-length fit-and-flare ballgown with a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves. The maid hands me a damp, warm towel, blushing as she does so.

“I will get the other items while you clean yourself up a bit down there.” She says, causing me to blush as I realize what she means. Alekai chuckles, coming towards me with his dress shirt unbuttoned and black slacks hugging his lean legs.

“Let me help. I did make the mess after all.” My blush grows deeper at his words as he takes the towel from me, gets down on one knee and lifts the hem of my dress. I jump when the towel presses against my swollen lips, stifling a moan as he quickly cleans away the remains of our lovemaking session from earlier while I fight my body and try to prevent any more juices from coming out.

“Sorry about that, Lyra.” His voice is muffled from the fabric of my dress, but I have a feeling he enjoys knowing that his touch turns my body on like a dam waiting to burst. Finally, he is done helping me clean the mess away, coming out from under my dress with a smirk.

“Prince Alekai, give her a break already,” Elisa scolds, rolling her eyes. After being told of their past as master and owner, Elisa treating Alekai casually with just us around seems natural. I chuckle, pushing the man towards the rest of his outfit and shooing him away from me as Elisa returns with another towel in hand. She quickly orders me to clean my face so that she can help me with my makeup.

“Shouldn’t the prep team be here to do my hair and makeup?” I ask, taking the new towel and smelling cleanser in the fabric. I quickly get to work, swiping the cloth along my skin, ensuring that my face is clean and ready to be painted.

“Normally, yes, but someone instructed me that you would be attending at the last minute,” she answers, glaring at Alekai.

“Now, take a seat at the vanity, Miss Lyra, so I can make you presentable in front of the King and Queen.”

“Um, before I sit, aren’t I missing a piece of clothing.” I point out hesitantly.

“No, your dress is long enough, and I don’t mind you going commando,” Alekai calls out before Elisa can respond.

“No, your Highness, Miss Lyra is right and needs undergarments. It would be bad if something were to happen and all the males attending saw her without any.” Elisa retorts. There is a pause of silence before I hear the Prince curse under his breath, and that triumphant smirk returns to Elisa’s face.

“Think you can manage to put this on without help?” She turns to me, handing me what I assume to be said “undergarments” but am quickly disappointed by the black lace thongs. With a sigh, I sit down on the bench behind me, quickly manoeuvring the fabric on and over my legs as best as I can with a ball gown on, happy when Elisa denies Alekai from helping me and forcing him to continue preparing for tonight. Once the thong is properly on, Elisa helps me to the vanity, her skilled hands creating a natural look as the makeup has my bright blue eyes appear larger than usual. Then, quickly moving onto my hair, the Maid takes a curling iron that has been heating on the side and quickly styles the tangled mess into an elegant bun, using gem-studded pins to keep the curled locks in place and only letting a few strands frame my face.

“Now for the final touches.” She giggles, her bubbly mood contagious as the excitement grows inside me. She leaves my side quickly, returning with a tray that she places on the vanity. Elisa pulls out a pair of teardrop diamond earrings, followed by a matching bracelet set. My fingers tug at the chain still around my neck, the charm with Alekai’s crest a reminder that although I am attending the ball with him, I am only being paraded around as his pet no matter how well I have been treated. Elisa straps a pair of heels onto my feet as Alekai leans against the wall, watching, shaking his head while I am used as a dress-up doll for the maid’s amusement.

“Close your eyes, Miss Lyra. The final part is a surprise.” I oblige, closing my eyes tightly so all I can see is darkness, and wait patiently. I hear the shuffle of fabric being removed from an object, curious about what is to come, then I feel a slight weight placed upon my head.

“You can open your eyes now,” she excitedly exclaims. I take a deep breath before opening my eyes and gasp at the reflection in the mirror. Placed upon my head is a dainty tiara, matching the jewelry already placed on my body. The intricate design is filled with little diamonds shimmering in the light, with the centerpiece being another teardrop diamond with a slight pinkish hue.

“Beautiful,” Alekai whispers, bending down to kiss my cheek. I blush at his compliment, thanking Elisa for her amazing work.

“She is stunning. Get it right,” Elisa states, shooing Alekai into another chair next to me.

"Should I style your hair with the usual, Your Highness?"

“Yes, please.” With that, Elisa quickly runs a comb through Alekai’s hair, his eyes never leaving my face as she creates a messy yet elegant style for his long chestnut hair, finishing the look with gel to keep the style in place and his hair out of his eyes. The final touch is a crown that matches my tiara. He stands and offers a hand to me.

“Shall we?” He asks, a playful smile on his face.

“We shall,” I reply, placing my hand in his.