Chapter 12

All eyes are on Alekai and me as we arrive at the ballroom with the party already in full swing. I could see some questioning glances and hear the whispers amongst the crowd, causing me to become nervous. Moving closer to the man at my side, my hand tightens on Alekai’s arm, using him as a shield from the crowd.

“Relax, Songbird, you’re safe with me.” He whispers and kisses my temple before we make our way to the middle of the dancefloor. I give him a tight smile, not used to being the centre of attention, and receive a chuckle in return.

“How about we dance for a bit?” Not waiting for a response, he quickly turns me around, one hand on my waist and the other grasping my free hand. Before I know it, we are moving in time to the music, dancing around the room with other couples as the swirls of fabrics blend into each other. I let out a giggle as we dance, the nerves slowly dissipating as I focus solely on Alekai before me.

“I will not leave your side tonight, I promise.” He whispers after the song ends and our bodies are pressed together. I let out a relieved breath, kissing his cheek before leading him away from the dancefloor and towards the refreshment table, where we promptly receive a drink from the servant.

“Alekai, who’s the cutie?” A voice calls out before an arm wraps around Alekai and a short blond man joins the two of us.

“Micho, so nice to see you.” I watch as Alekai removes the man’s arm from his body to pull me closer, with a glare pointed at who I assume to be his friend.

“I think Micho asked you a question,” a thin, tall man with upturned eyes and long, black hair tied with a ribbon chuckles from behind Micho, causing the short man to jump in fright.

“Damn it, Yuki, why can’t you be normal like the rest of us and MAKE SOME NOISE!” Micho exclaims, a hand over his heart as he too glares at the newcomer. I giggle, realizing these men are friends of Alekai, their childish behaviour something uncommon in the aristocratic circle.

“I don’t think I have to answer the two of you,” Alekai retorts, ignoring Micho’s outburst and replying to Yuki’s question.

“Oh, come on, man, we are your best buds,” Micho continues, pointing into his chest and causing me to giggle. I watch as Alekai banters with his friends, wishing I could see Aime and Jaida again laughing like the three men before me. It’s been a week since the three of us were abducted, and not knowing their situation causes the worry I’ve been holding back to boil over.

“Lyra?!” I jolt in surprise, turning to see Alekai looking at me with worry.

“I called you three times, are you okay?” He asks, pulling me closer to his body and rubbing my back gently.

“No, I’m not.” My words are quiet as my fingers furl into his clothes, and I wonder if asking for his help is okay. He is my master, after all, and as a pet, I may not have the power to request things from him. I feel him stiffen beside me before stating we will be back to his friends and leading me away, the noise of the ball fading as we exit the ballroom towards a door where fresh air surrounds us.

“What’s wrong, Songbird?” After wandering what I learn is a garden for a few minutes, his hand holding me close to his side as we walk, Alekai forces us to a stop and turns to face me.

“Can you find my friends?!” I blurt out, hope and pain surging inside me. I then explain the night I was taken, how Jaida, Aime and I were at the club enjoying a girls' night when I remembered going to the washroom and the world before me turning black only to wake up in the cage at the L'esclave Adoré. In the end, I find myself in his lap as I sob uncontrollably. What if Jaida and Aime were sold to horrible me?. Aime is the inheritor of a fashion company, and Jaida the Heiress to her father’s lands and future Duchess.

“Lyra, I don’t know what you think of me, but if this bothers you so much, I will have my men look for your friends. To be honest, I am surprised you know Jaida, her father made a report about her missing a few days ago and pleading with my father to find her. Knowing she was with you that night means she was likely sold as a slave as well,” He tries his best to reassure me about finding my friends as he gently wipes the tears from my face. All I can do is nod, resting my head against his shoulder, silently praying that Alekai can find and save them quickly from whatever fate they are dealing with. The two of us enjoy the garden's silence, his finger drawing soothing circles on my back to calm me down.

“Do you want to eat something and relax before we leave the ball or just leave quietly and make our way back to our room?”

“Can we go eat?”

“Of course, Songbird.” His fingers trail down my cheek to my neck and rest on my collarbone, adjusting the chain. This reminds me he owns me no matter how considerate of my feelings he may be, and, honestly, the thought of being owned bothers me less and less each day I spend with Alekai as he allows me choices and freedom within the walls of the Palace. The two of us make our way back to the ballroom, the music slowly getting louder with each step. The guests are mingling happily, the socialites not bothered by their Crown Prince's departure nor our reappearance. Alekai guides me through the crowd to a set of tables where we promptly sit. A maid appears and sets two plates down before us before bowing and leaving.

“Each ball has a set dinner planned, so once a guest sits to eat, a maid will bring the food to them. The tables with green chairs are for those who are vegetarian.” Alekai explains, most likely noticing my questioning gaze as we haven’t ordered anything yet. I accept his answer, my stomach growling at the scent of steak, sauteed vegetables and mashed potatoes. The sound causes Alekai to chuckle as he hands me some cutlery. I accept and begin to dig in, every bite an explosion of flavour as I enjoy the scrumptious meal while Alekai quietly points out which aristocrat is which.

“Lyra?” A voice calls out, and I turn to see Duke Elyse Roland staring at me in disbelief. He rushes over as I stand, bringing me into his arms and hugging me tightly. I can feel his body shaking, my heart wrenching at the relief I can feel from the man who treated me like family all these years.

“Uncle Elyse, I-” I began, wanting to apologize for not keeping Jaida safe.

“It’s okay, I heard the rumours, and I know you were bought by the Prince. Is it safe to say Jaida is facing the same fate?” the Duke asks, pulling away to look me over, sighing with relief as he must conclude that I am unharmed. I nod, tears welling in my eyes and hoping Jaida has a nice master right now and is working for her freedom.

“Duke Roland,” Alekai is beside us, extending his hand to greet Uncle Elyse, never letting go of me.

“I know I have no authority to take Lyra away, but you listen to me. Prince or not, Lyra is family. If any harm comes to her, I will use every means to ruin you.” He threatens Alekai.

“Don’t worry. I plan to make sure Lyra lives comfortably, and as of tomorrow, my men will do everything in their power to find Lady Jaida and Miss Aime.” I can see the reassurance Alekai’s words cause Uncle Elys. The Duke looks at me as if silently asking whether this is true. I nod, watching as Uncle Elyse lets out a sigh and places a kiss on my forehead.

“Did you ask him to find them?”

“I did, Uncle. I may have an easy life here in the palace, but that’s not to say Jaida and Aime aren’t in a worse position.” I answer, which seems to placate the worried father before me.

“Thank you, both of you.” Uncle Elyse is called by someone after giving his thanks and telling Alekai that he can call him if he needs any help with the search. He leaves the two of us to return to our table. After seeing the Duke, my appetite has dwindled, but Alekai carries on eating.

“When did you meet Jaida Roland?” The silence between us is broken, and I smile, thinking back on the memory.

“My family wasn’t a good one. My so-called father abused me, so I focused hard on getting into the boarding school outside the city. I studied hard in school, hiding my school stuff where Father couldn’t find them, including applications for the academic scholarship.” I smile sadly at the memory of my childhood, the bruises I covered daily at the public school while working hard to leave.

“I got the news I was accepted into the boarding school after fourth grade, excitingly telling my aunt, my mother’s sister, about it. She helped me set up a bank account right away and kept it a secret from my father while the scholarship money was sent into the account. We packed up my room during the summer when Father was out at work or at the bar, and then summer ended, and I entered the school. Being from the slums, many of the kids bullied me for being a scholarship student and poor. Even my roommate made life miserable for me. After classes, I would run into the woods to find a place to cry every day, not knowing I was being followed. Then Jaida came out and sat right next to me on the ground. She said she hated how I was bullied and that her father always said talent comes from all walks of life. So she became my first ever friend. From there, I met her father, Uncle Elyse, who promptly showed me the love of a father. She had me switch to being her roommate after our first week of being friends. A month later, Jaida transferred to the school, and because of my hair, she instantly clung to me, claiming to want to use me for her fashion show.” I giggle at the memory of the Aime with her aqua hair in braids, bouncing over to me before the teacher could introduce her to the class, begging me to be a model in her show. I was shy back then, instantly hiding behind Jaida for protection as the blood-haired Heiress protected me, claiming that unless she also modelled, that Aime should leave me alone. Of course, Aime agreed and would come to our room every day after the first meeting, drawing in her book. She had always been a talented designer, even at ten years old, and I couldn’t help but think that meeting those two was a blessing.

“Sounds like amazing friends,” Alekai observes, and I agree, looking down at my plate and realizing that I had been eating my food while talking. I smile, knowing he asked me the question to distract me. Our relationship might have started out rocky due to the circumstances, but I can tell that Alekai cares about me, and I am thankful for that.