9 MISTRESS?

The birds chirping outside were a song to my ears as l finished gathering the few belongings Rose had oh so kindly given to me. I had spent the previous night mentally preparing myself for the journey ahead and the encounter with Britney did nothing but increase the fluttering in my stomach. To say l was nervous would be an understatement.

The car was parked out front and in the drivers seat was non other than Ryden who is respectably regarded as King Malloy. I smiled and sent a wave in his direction. He briefly nodded his head in my direction and with that he closed his door and started the engine of the car. l attempted to put my luggage in the trunk of the car but before l could even lift the duffel bag, Vikter the butler stopped me. Thanking him, l made my way to the back seat and buckled up.

The car was dead silent as Master drove down a steep hill, Not that l was complaining but it made the drive very awkward and long . The only sound that could be heard was the sound of tires crushing pebbles and broken glass. The scenery was amazing, long green trees littered our surroundings and long green grass that probably housed snakes and other insects and crawly things stood untouched. The breeze danced on my skin provided me with a cooling sensation against the blazing hot sun. The sight of brightly coloured butterflies dancing rhythmically under the bright rays of the sun had my eyes fluttering closed.

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I could hear voices in the far off distance and one sounded familiar but l could not pinpoint where l knew it from. My shoulders were roughly shaken and that's all it took for me to regain my consciousness. An unfamiliar, unkind looking face stared blankly at me and l too.

Sitting upright, l could see we had pulled up to an unfamiliar looking castle and talking to what seemed to be the owner of the Palace, the King were Rose and Ryden. Rose noticed me awkwardly standing by the door of the car beckoned me to come to where they were all standing.

The woman standing next to the King engulfed me in a tight hug and l awkwardly started patting her back. Noticing my discomfort, she reluctantly let me go.

"Hello Akia, l am Queen Rothonja of the Hallooby kingdom and this is my husband King Alfred the sixth" the woman said pointing in the direction of her husband who simply nodded in my direction.

"Prime Alove will meet us inside"

Queen Rothonja led us up the stairs that separated the main door from the walkway and into the main doors of the castle.

The castle had a vintage feel to it. As you entered through the doors, paintings of who l can only assume are the past Kings were hung up on the wall. The foyer was packed with servants who stood waiting with trays upon trays of refreshments and finger foods. Soft classical music playing could be heard playing in the background.

" I can only assume how exhausted you all are... Akia, Maya will show you to your room. Meet us down here for lunch" in that moment my stomach chose to grumble and only then did it cross my mind that l had not eaten breakfast. Everyone looked in my direction and l couldn't help but feel embarrassed. Maya, bless her soul, took that moment to lead me in the direction of my room which was on the first floor.

The room was a moderate size and had nothing special about it. Not that l was complaining. The only think that l could say was 'grand' was the en suite. It had a jacuzzi and a his and hers counter top and basin. The walls and floors were marble. The shower was all glass and had a bench situated inside of it. Setting a change of clothes on the bed, l stripped naked of my clothing and before l could wrap a towel around my naked self, Ryden came barging in through the doors.

He stood rooted by the door with his mouth wide open. His eyes zeroed in on every inch of my naked skin. As if things couldn't get any worse Maya came barrelling through the open door not realising the situation she had walked in on.

Flushed, Ryden regained his composure and was out like a light whilst Maya looked at me with mischief dancing in her pupils.

" I totally knew there was something going on between the two of you" she exclaimed in one breath. Looking at her like she had grown two heads, l wrapped the towel around my body and made my way to the bathroom

"Now it all makes sense" She said smugly

"what makes sense" l called out from behind the doors of the bathroom.

"Everything. Rumour has it that you are a witch, why would a King have you in his house and travel with you" she replied

I choked on my spit in disbelief.

"So everyone knows that l am a supposed which?" l asked

"Yes, can you tell me my future and also get me married to a rich man?" she asked in pure wonder.

"Maybe that would be possible if l was an actual witch. Would you please excuse me, l would like to take my bath now" and with that she excised herself. All this witch talk was now getting to me and making me feel like some kind of freak.

Getting dressed in a simple white dress and sandals, l made my way to the foyer just as everyone was arriving. Queen Rothonja led us all to the dining hall. Standing was a man who had his back to us and was studying a painting of King Alfred.

"Prime Alove, lm glad you could join us" Queen Rothonja said acknowledging the unknown guest.

"The pleasure is all mine Rothonja" his voice was smooth and alluring. He turned around and smiled in my direction and before l knew it l was falling on the ground beneath me