4 My Word

Slowly Mia began to open her eyes. And for a moment, she forgot everything that had taken place and felt a bit of peace.

"Please wake up child!" Came a sharp voice to her right. She began to feel someone trying to lift her head.

Mia glanced and saw Nica and the older maid fanning her and trying to get her to stand. Nica was upset while the other maid look extremely concerned.

"This is your fault Isabella. If the Prince thinks we did something, we are as good as dead. We don't interact with what belongs to him!" Nica yelled.

"Quiet!" Isabella commanded. "Are you feeling alright dear? Should I call for a physician?"

Amelia stood up with the help of the maid named Isabella and saw fear in her eyes, but the maid kept looking at her with a sorrowful expression.

"No, I'm not sick. I just can't seem to understand why this is happening." Came Mia's voice in a whisper.

"I'm sorry my dear child. I really am. But you need to get to the Princes chambers."

"Stop coddling her Isabella! She is a mere slave. To even offer a physician is ridiculous! She's nothing special and even beneath us. She will probably die soon." Came Nica's harsh words.

Nica then let out an annoyed sigh when she realized Isabella wouldn't respond and continued down the corridor.

Tugging on her arm softly, Isabella led Mia to the end of the corridor with a large black door and immediately she knew who the room belonged to. Isabella quickly let Mia go opening the door slowly.

Before another word was spoken, Nica nudged Mia in her back causing her to fall into the bedroom.

Quickly she turned her head to see Nica quickly shutting the door while Isabella stood behind her whispering "I'm sorry.".

The door shut and immediately Mia stood up and tried to open it, but it seemed like the women had locked her inside.

Looking to her left and then to her right, Mia saw a window.

Running for her freedom, she quickly inspected the window to see how to open it, but stopped when the saw some Lords walking across the gardens.

All her hope sunk.

For all Mia knew, Titus might have his way with her and then kill her.

She had heard rumors of how he would cut the women's toes, then her foot, and slowly make his way up her body. He would tend the wounds enough to allow them to live while they watched his pets devour their body. It was even rumored he too ate the women.

Titus was known as a cold hearted man with no soul which match his appearance because he looked like the Devil himself.

Whenever a woman offended him, or if he got bored of his lovers, he'd either kill them on spot or torture them for amusement.

She slid down the side of the wall holding her knees crying. She began to wish that maybe she died at the emperors hand. She didn't wish to experience torture! She did not do anything in this life to gain that kind of punishment.

She was willing to let Ryder kill her and couldn't understand why the wolf protected her. Perhaps he wanted his master to enjoy a treat?

The thought made Mia cry louder and harder. Her heart began racing and she seemed to forget how to breathe.

Mia did not notice the chamber doors open for her sobbing was too loud. But the Prince had taken notice of her position immediately. Inspecting the situation, he was curious if she was depressed or somehow mistreated by one of the maids.

His blood began to boil. Not only was he angry at Amelia for her conduct, but if someone had caused her bodily harm, he would cause them more suffering than he did to his enemies on the battlefield.

This girl had a lot to learn and Titus knew he was not a patient man.

But eventually Mia saw two black boots in front of her.

Quickly silencing herself, she gulped looking up into the Princes dark brown eyes.

And he was angry.

"Do you wish to be punished for such a display? Are you not a slave? Have you not been trained?!" Came his stern questioning voice.

Mia shook her head slowly.

Taking a pause, the prince looked away for a moment closing his eyes before locking them back with Mia's.

"Speak."

"Your Highness, I was selected and became a slave for the sacrifice three months ago. I wasn't trained since I am suppose to be dead." She whispered. Trying to control her breathing, she continued, "I do not know the ways of a slave but I will try my best to not offend you Sir. I realize my mistake. I do not mean to allow myself to do this in your presence-"

"You're suppose to be dead?" He chuckled darkly cutting her off. He looked like a demon as he spoke to her with so much annoyance.

"Do you want to be dead Amelia? Because you obviously weren't suppose to be dead. Don't you remember the snack I let Ryder have in your place?" Came his cruel taunting voice.

Mia shuddered. Her body began to shake.

She didn't mean to make him angry or upset. She definitely was a defiant individual, but since the whole sacrifice ritual, she had acted as obediently as she could so she could find an escape.

Titus sighed lowering himself down so he directly faced Mia coming to her level on the floor causing her eyes to go wide. The mighty Titus was on the ground?

Reaching out his hand, he grabbed her jaw forcing her to look directly into his brown devil eyes.

She felt as though her heart was beating right against her chest. Her breathing became staggered and she realized how terrifying he was. However, his hold on her wasn't painful.

"You won't be dying Amelia. Get that through your head because I'm giving you my word."

His voice was serious and his eyes were filled with a strange emotion that quickly disappeared.

Quickly Titus stood up dropping his hold on her. "Do you like to go by Amelia?" He asked without looking at her. He then walked over to his closet where he put his cloak. He seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere.

"It is my name my Lord. I will respond to it."

Titus turned around sharply eyeing Amelia. "You will do well to remember to answer my questions directly or else you will be punished." He said with venom.

Amelia looked down opening her mouth to speak.

"Mia... I like to go by Mia your Highness."

Silence.

There was silence and Mia glanced up to see the prince walk toward his door. She was confused if she should follow and started to move her feet when he came to a quick order directed toward her.

"Stay here. Proper clothes will be brought. They will instruct you on how I want you to behave. Remember you listen to me and me alone Mia."

Pausing, Titus then asked, "What is your age Mia?"

Mia waited thinking the prince would turn around, but he stayed looking away as though ready to leave her.

"I'm nineteen your highness." Came her timid response.

Titus left the chamber locking the door behind him. He stopped looking at her after a while which for some strange reason made Amelia feel cold inside.

Titus made her a promise by giving her his word. But was he going to kill her eventually? She sat their pondering.

He seemed to sincerely care about her went she was shaking, but he quickly turned in a venom speaking demon in a matter of seconds.

The blonde haired girl stood frozen for quite some time until she heard a gentle knock on the door.

Slowly Isabella peered though with a warm smile.

"I've been set to help you get ready to be at service to His Highness Prince Titus."

Mia nodded and casted her eyes to the floor. She was trapped and needed to escape quickly. She wasn't going to last long.

Isabella came in and slowly curtsy to Amelia making her furrow her brows.

"What are you doing?"

Isabella eventually lifted her head declaring, "Prince Titus had informed me to help you into the transition into concubine."

Amelia stepped back clutching her dress.

"What did you say?" She whispered thinking that the room was getting smaller. "I am a slave! The emperor will not allow such a thing!"

Isabella looked at Amelia with concern and motioned for her to sit down on a chair near the table in the bedroom.

"My Lady, I-"

"Don't call me that!" Amelia snapped.

Sighing, Isabella tried again guiding Amelia to sit in the chair. "Every prince is allowed to claim a woman of any station as a concubine unless it is a woman of noble birth, permission has to be granted by the emperor and the Lady's parents. But most women of such a class would rather be married to the prince than be a concubine. The Prince also has a say when it comes to noblewomen and marriage.."

Isabella then lifted a dress she had been holding the whole time looking at Isabella. "You were of the lowest station, and he has made his claim. It is his right."

"And I have no rights? Do I have no say in this matter?" Mia felt anger within her start to build.

"Not with what your status was, but your status is higher than all except the nobles and royalty. You will almost be as privilege as noblewomen. You may feel like this was forced, but your way of life will be better than ever before Lady Amelia."

"Does he not have other concubines?" Amelia was grateful to be sitting down because her head was getting dizzy all over again.

Isabella held her tongue for a moment before answering.

"His Highness has had five concubines before you. You will be the sixth. And he has ordered for me to work directly under you my Lady."

Isabella walked toward the bathroom and turned on the water to prepare to bathe Amelia, but Amelia stayed frozen. The prince had not mentioned this to her.

Slowly lifting herself up, she walked into the bathroom looking at the maid. Isabella wasn't telling her something.

"Do you work for Prince Titus's manor?"

Isabella looked up at Amelia. "Yes child. Nica and I both work for him."

"Shouldn't I be in the room with his other women?" Came the question that had been on Mia's mind. Perhaps she could convince them to distract the prince so she could escape. She definitely would not be staying much longer.

With a sullen expression, Isabella looked away.

"All his other mistresses are dead my Lady. You are the only living one."

Amelia then felt as though the earth swallowed her whole.

She was going to die. And she knew it.