6 Did they touch you?

"Just breathe. Just breathe." Mia kept chanting this to herself hoping she could calm down her racing heart.

Earlier this day she was meant to be a sacrifice for the nation, and now she had become the concubine of the cruelest Prince. She knew that tonight she would have to let him have his way with her and it only brought more anxiety to her heart. A quick shudder entered her body wondering if he would kill her right after.

Amelia didn't have relationships with the opposite gender so she could be pure for only her husband when the time came. But as soon as her father sold her off into slavery, she realized her idea of a family was over.

Slowly Amelia walked out the door and walked with the two maids down a large hallway. Neither said a word as they slowly led the way to the study.

While walking closely behind, Mia took time to look at Nica and Isabella.

Nica was maybe a year or two older and was very slim. However, she was a very plain looking girl. She didn't have much curves and never seem to smile. She did have long straight light brown hair, but it seemed to be unkept which made sense because of her position.

Isabella, although older, had a huge smile. She had reddish brown hair that was shorter and kept in a bun so it didn't get in her eyes so she could work with no problems. Isabella also seemed more kind with Mia by calling her "child" with much endearment. This made Mia wonder if Isabella was by chance a mother?

Shaking her head, the blonde beauty started looking at the paintings in the hallway.

Although the emperor had fifteen sons, not one was presented in the artwork. The hallway paintings consisted of women who were barely clothed which were probably concubines of the Emperor. It seemed never ending as it was a different woman in every drawing.

Scrunching her nose, Mia realized how uncivilized the man was. He may have ruled the nation and brought prosperity since he was crowned twenty five years ago to be the emperor. But he did not look at his citizens with care and devotion. The people of the country were all pons to him.

Much like his sons, The emperor was handpicked by his father for how well he preformed his tasks showing great strength and wisdom as a leader. But none of the men showed which would be merciful and fair with their subjects through these tests. The trials were based on power and gain.

Since he was crowned, he killed his siblings and had a huge Harlem allowing himself to have heirs. It was also rumored anytime a girl was born, the emperor had her killed right away due to fear that the princesses would only weaken the empire.

Now it appeared as though he was starting the same tradition having his own children compete for the honor of emperor. And it broke Mia's heart knowing they didn't grow up in any kind of healthy family dynamic.

For a split second, her heart even yearned for Prince Titus, but then the memory of the elderly maid being killed at the stadium came into her mind.

He was as cruel as the emperor! In fact, he was worst! And to her, he should even be allowed any kind of sympathy. Prince Titus was a monster!

While the feelings of anger were beginning to bubble within Amelia, she somehow didn't pay attention to her surroundings. Many servants and maids watched with curiosity since the War General had taken a concubine. Many wondered how long the mistress would last.

"She is very pretty. How long does she have till the prince gets bored?" Came a question from on of the servants watching the blonde intently.

"The longest lasted only two months." Came a reply.

Scoffing, the servants began discussing the dates they believed the prince would kill Mia. They made a friendly gamble trying to have fun while working in the Emperor's palace. Usually the only drama was between the emperor's concubines, but today the War General was able to take a concubine even though it had been three years since the death of his fifth.

Suddenly a vase breaking caught everyone's attention!

Turning their bodies toward the noise, Amelia and her two escorts saw a young servant boy with a guilty expression looking over the broken pieces of the vase. He glanced up locking his eyes with Mia and seemed to beg for help.

Suddenly two men ran into the hallway dressed in uniform and grabbed the young boy by the back of his shirt throwing him on the floor! The boy landed on some pieces of the glass causing him to cry out in pain.

"The emperor's artifacts are worth more than your life boy! What did you do?!"

"It was an accident sir..I didn't -"

"Silence you idiot!" One man sneered picking him up once again but this time by the neck.

The young servant boy started gasping trying to breathe as the giant man started to crush the life out of his frail body! The large guard held him in the air by the throat causing everyone to look at the situation with horror in their eyes.

"It was me!"

This small declaration caused everyone to look at the green eyed girl who had so much emotions inside her. The servant boy was at least eleven and her heart was breaking watching the abuse occur.

Dropping the boy on the floor, the one guard started stepping toward the woman with rage.

"That is Prince Titus' concubine Roger. Perhaps we should-"

The words of the other guard were lost when the large man stood in front of the blonde.

Mia quickly saw the young servant boy slouching while trying to get on his feet. The poor child was trying to gasp for air.

"Do you think you have any protection here slut?" Suddenly the guard's voice brought Amelia back. His hot breath hit Mia's face as his eyes looked upon her. He scanned the small petite girl with lustful eyes. "I serve the emperor and even his whores mean nothing to him. If you broke something of his, the punishment is breaking something of you. Perhaps your hands?"

The man quickly grabbed Mia's right hand inspecting it closely. He touch her delicate skin watching how even with some small scars, She felt soft. The thoughts I the guards mine started to turn into things he wanted to do to the small woman.

"Prince Titus huh?" Came the soft whisper of the guard. He smirked seemingly thinking to himself. "You're his next project. I'm sure he wouldn't mind sharing some of you if you are in need of punishment little one. I'm autopsy if he will be able to damage you face? It would be a shame to see just a beautiful thing torn apart."

Mia stayed quiet. She knew speaking to another male would allow her to be executed by the Prince on spot. She felt violated even though the man was only touch her hand. His large bony hands dug into her causing her to wince in pain.

Pressing her lips together so she wouldn't speak, she looked around the hallway hoping someone would come to her rescue. But no one made any comments. Her two escorts seemed shocked but had no authority to argue with the emperors guards.

The other guard had fear in his eyes, but did not question the other officer since they did technically serve the emperor. But Prince Titus was feared among them as well which is why he tried to say something before the man touched the girl.

Other Princes respected the emperor enough to allow his guards to strike one of their concubines, but Prince Titus wasn't like his brothers. Knowing this, most treaded carefully around the cruel devil because he was known to have a short temper.

They knew overtime the girl would die and be tortured, but the Prince didn't like others touching what belonged to him.

But before the man could do any damage to Mia, a sudden large black object shot to the side of the man causing him to fall over.

Mia stumbled looking to see that Ryder had successfully tackled the man. Ryders huge body held the guard in place.

But unlike the other wolves, Rider didn't seem interested in killing all the time, but instead, he slowly watched the guard who was staring wide eye at the beast.

Rider began to show his canines growling slowly and in a threatening manner causing many to step away from the scene scared the wolf would attack them.

The guard began to cry out for help, but everyone stood frozen not able to comprehend what was happening.

Not like the other wolves, Ryder walked around with no harness or escort. No one bothered him knowing he could kill easily. Not many saw him around the palace since he stayed out of sight or next to his master.

But here he was! And he was a sight to see. The beautiful black creature didn't flinch when the guard tried to push him off. He stayed still as though deciding what to do next.

"Get him off of me!" Screamed the guard trying to wiggle out from under the black beauty.

Eventually Mia caught her breathe and looked around hoping a royal would come, but to her dismay, they were alone.

"Ryder?" Came Mia's soft voice.

Ryder tensed before he lifted his head looking at the girl.

"Can you please come to me? I don't want any more bloodshed today. Please." Mia pleaded toward the animal who seemed to be contemplating her request.

Ryder looked back into the mans eyes. Eventually the large dog stepped off the man slowly backing off but kept his eyes directed toward the guard. He stood between the man and the girl growling holding a stance ready to attack.

Ryders black eyes basically glared at the guard as if warning him to listen. It seemed the alpha did not take to kindly to anyone threatening harm to the girl.

"What is going on in here?" A booming voice came from across the hallway causing everyone to flinch knowing the voice was filled with authority.

This meant it had to be a royal.

Mia lifted her head slightly to the right seeing Prince Titus looking directly at her.

Was she suppose to answer?

She began to open her mouth when the second guard spoke.

"Your highness, it seems the mistress broke one of the emperors artifacts. Roger here was going to give her the proper punishment, but it seems Ryder did not see it fit."

The guards both bowed their heads waiting for any response to come from the prince.

But no remarks came as the prince strutted over to the blonde inspecting her to see if any harm was preformed.

"Did they touch you?" Came a soft whisper from the princes lips.

Mia opened her mouth but couldn't speak due to the softness in the Princes tone. Unable to form words, Mia nodded her head.

The prince kept his composure the same and suddenly faced the guards.

"Which one touched her?"

Roger immediately flinched looking at the girl wide eyed!

Prince Titus drew out his sword while walking toward the guard who immediately got on his knees begging for forgiveness.

"It is written for the person to be punished if damaging anything of the emperor, your highness. It is something that has always been done -"

Suddenly the guards head was separated from his body rolling down the opposite side of the hall. No one spoke, but it was shown how clean of a cut it was since no blood was spread except on the carpet by the body.