"It was a game of survival." The great Empire of Alfaros was in chaos. Prince Regan was returning from the battlefield after four years. Years ago, he used to be the most beautiful prince of the Empire. Ironically, the same prince was today known as The Masked Prince. It is said that he had a huge scar on his face, a face that used to be very beautiful. The scar was so horrifying that the Emperor got scared when he saw it and sent him away to the battlefield. But the war was over. And he was to return. . . . Looking at the green eyes that didn't even flicker at the sight of his scarred face, Regan was filled with a surprise for a moment. At the same time, something flashed in his cold eyes when he saw how calm she looked. "What is your name?" "Evelyn, Your Highness" "Evelyn..." Regan tasted the name on his lips. His red eyes looked at her face which was completely blank and he said "Evelyn, you will be my personal slave from today on." Evelyn looked calm. However, as time passed, Evelyn realized that Regan wanted more. Much more than she could give him. She tried to stop him. But what would she do when the prince forcefully put his heart into her hands and was adamant about taking hers? Will Evelyn then choose to move away or to move on? Especially at the time when horrors of her past shadow her heart __________ This story is a part of the contest so if you enjoy reading, please support to encourage the author. In return, I assure you that the plot will not disappoint you because it is full of turns and twists. Cover is mine. Made by: Lay Lee
Evelyn composed herself when she saw that the maid had started laughing suddenly.
"Haha…look at your face. I was just joking. Don't worry. Who would dare to look at you? As long as you are by His Highness's side, they won't dare to raise their head to look at you. You are after all Your Highness's woman."
Evelyn frowned upon hearing the words and corrected the maid
"A slave."
"Yes. yes. That too. Oh my…I didn't even introduce myself. My name is Hannah. You are Evelyn…I know already."
Hannah smiled smugly when Evelyn was about to introduce herself. A moment later, she seemed to realize something and hit her own head with her hand.
"Madam would skin me alive if I lazed here for some more time."
After saying this, Hannah left hurriedly and Evelyn felt her world going silent again.
She sighed as she stepped further inside the room.
When she approached the bed, she couldn't help but caress the mattress and blanket. It was of course not as soft as she had seen in the Royal Palace on the prince's bed.
However, this blanket was hers. Even it having no holes was a great thing.
As she sat on the bed and looked around the room, Evelyn felt she should do more and more hard work to show prince that he didn't commit any mistake by buying her.
.
.
.
Evelyn didn't stay inside the room for long. Her clothes were now dirty because of the ointment she had applied to her body. She wanted to change but her washed dress was torn badly.
She needed a needle to sew it back.
Though unwilling, she had to wear the same clothes and go to the kitchen.
Martha was ordering the cook and the maids when Evelyn stepped inside the kitchen. She only glanced at Evelyn when the latter stepped inside and continued to supervise the maids.
"Madam, I would like to help with the chores."
Evelyn said respectfully when she approached Martha.
Martha looked at Evelyn calmly and nodded her head. She thought for a moment before she said
"In some time, the lunch will be ready. You should take lunch with you to His Highness' chambers. Are you aware of his likes and dislikes? What he likes to eat or what does he does not?"
Martha's voice became somewhat excited by the end of her words. However, she was bound to get disappointed when Evelyn shook her head.
Martha could only nod her head and focus her attention on the maids again.
Not being assigned to any task, Evelyn looked around the kitchen. Her eyes found Hannah and she walked towards her.
"Can I help you?"
Evelyn asked Hannah when she saw that the latter was cutting the veggies.
Hannah raised her head and smiled widely when she saw Evelyn. She nodded her head and immediately searched for another knife and gave it to Evelyn.
When both of them started together, the veggies were done in a short amount of time.
Martha nodded her head in approval when she saw that Evelyn didn't take much time and the veggies were cut nicely.
After this, Evelyn helped Hannah with every other chore until the lunch was ready. Martha didn't need to call her.
When the tray was ready, she walked to take it from the cook's hands. However, when she turned around to leave, she realized something and turned to Martha again.
"Madam, I am not aware where is His Highness' chambers."
Martha nodded her head and asked a maid to lead Evelyn.
The maid was not like Hannah. Though she looked at the black band on Evelyn's wrist curiously from time to time she didn't talk much with Evelyn.
Soon, Evelyn was in front of Regan's chambers.
Unlike Royal Palace, there were no guards here to guard his chambers. After a thought, she knocked on the door.
From inside came a deep and cold voice.
"Come inside."
Only then did Evelyn dare to step inside.
She was again amazed by the beauty of the huge chambers. However, she didn't look around much and walked towards the bed where Regan was seated.
He was looking at a few papers in his hands.
"Your Highness, the lunch is here."
Evelyn bent her knees slightly and said respectfully.
Hearing her voice, Regan raised his head. He looked at her bent knees and frowned deeply.
"Stand straight."
He said in a slightly strict voice startling Evelyn. Nonetheless, she followed what he said.
After that, he stood up from the bed and walked towards the round table. Evelyn followed him with the tray and heard him ask
"Where were you?"
Her head stayed lowered as she put the tray on the table and then put the bowls and plate filled with different kinds of dishes on the table. At the same time, she answered his question
"This slave was inside the kitchen and helping with some chores."
The pair of red eyes suddenly looked at her fixedly and even without raising her head, Evelyn could feel his gaze.
"Did I not tell you that you will do only those chores that are assigned by me?"
Evelyn felt scared to hear the cold and strict voice. However, this fear was not much because unlike in the past, she could speak in front of Regan.
"But Your Highness didn't give this slave any work."
Regan looked at her silently for a few moments before he moved his gaze eyes.
Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief.
Putting all the dishes on the table, she took the tray and took a step back. However, Regan raised his head again to look at her and asked
"What are you doing? Come and sit."
Evelyn blinked as she looked at the chair Regan was signing her to sit on. And he said it so naturally that she felt it was she who was doing something out of the norm.
"Your Highness…"
Evelyn whispered in confusion but only heard Regan say coldly
"Come and eat. Looking at your thin body, who would assign any work to you? You better eat on time and improve your health. My people should be healthy enough to work for me. Don't make me regret that I bought you and wasted my coins."
The way he said it…Evelyn felt that no one in this world could be more reasonable. He had indeed used her coins to buy her.
Though she was hesitant, she stepped forward and took the seat.
Turning the plate in front of her, she only dared to take some soup from the bowl that was most near and gad it silently.
However, the man in front of her notice her actions and frowned deeply.
He looked at her lowered head and suddenly pushed the meat and fruits in front of her.
"Have all this. You are very difficult to serve."
Evelyn's eyes widened when she heard this and she immediately said
"This slave apologizes."
She didn't dare to eat less again.
Seeing her picking the meat from the bowl, the pair of red eyes flashed with satisfaction but soon recovered their coldness.
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Ada:)