"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
Rex left Regan's chambers because the latter just refused to accept that he had some feelings for his new 'slave'.
However, when he was on his way to his own chambers, he came across and Evelyn who seemed to be going back to Regan's chambers. Rex halted when he saw the bottle in her hands.
His eyes narrowed and he suddenly stopped Evelyn.
"Your Highness"
Evelyn bowed her head to greet Rex but his attention was more on the bottle in Evelyn's hands.
"This bottle…"
He whispered and Evelyn looked at the bottle in her hands which he was looking at. Before he could say or ask anything, she herself told him.
"Your Highness, it was given to me by His Highness."
Rex's lips twitched when he heard these words.
A recent memory flashed in front of his eyes where he had gotten bruise on his shoulder while fighting in the battle with Zamorin soldiers. At that time, he had gone to Regan and had asked for this rare ointment only to hear his lovely words
'Bear with it.'
No one knew except him and Regan about this rare ointment. The ointment was made from none other than Lavo's feathers and it worked like a magic.
Unfortunately, Rex could never get his hands on this rare ointment. Because Regan's dear pet Lavo would never let anyone else other than his master take his feathers.
Until today, Rex had believed that he was the person for whom Regan cared in this world the most. Though Regan didn't show his love for him, he knew that his brother loved him.
However, looking at the bottle in Evelyn's hands, his illusion was broken.
His lips twitched in anger.
And he says that he doesn't have any feelings for this girl.
Gathering the pieces of his broken heart, he asked Evelyn gently
"Where are you going with this bottle?"
"My bruises are healed now so I thought that I should return them to Your Highness."
Rex's eyes flickered immediately when he heard this. He smiled as he said
"Why don't you give it to me? Giving to Regan or giving to me is the same, after all, we are brothers."
Evelyn looked at Rex's hand he had forwarded in his direction and thought for a moment. She actually thought what he said was reasonable.
So she gave him the ointment.
Rex grinned as he looked at the bottle and hid it inside his robe as if he was afraid that someone would steal it. Looking at Evelyn's innocent expression, he felt slightly guilty and said
"Don't worry. He will give it to you again if you ever needed this."
Even if he would have to make Lavo featherless.
Thinking this, he hurriedly walked away from there leaving confused Evelyn behind.
.
.
.
When Evelyn knocked on Regan's chambers again and stepped inside with his permission, she found him talking with Elias.
She stood a few steps away from them and didn't disturb them.
"Ask all the merchants and traders of the city to gather. I will talk to them."
Regan's voice was cold as he ordered Elias. It could be seen that his anger had still not vanished after seeing the situation in his city.
"But …Your Highness, talking with those traders will not be a long-term solution."
Elias heard his master and expressed his opinion.
Even Regan knew this. But he couldn't come up with any other solution for now. He was thinking about hiring some people to keep an eye on the price of the necessary commodities to keep these traders and merchants in control. However, for that as well, he needed to make sure that not a single corrupt person would be involved in his hired people.
"Your Highness…"
Regan came out of his trance when he heard the soft voice. His cold red eyes went to the girl who had been standing silently in the corner.
A flicker of frustration flashed in his eyes when he saw that her head was lowered. He had already told her that she didn't need to keep her head lower.
He liked to see her gree…
Regan paused amidst his own thoughts and blinked. To distract himself, he said coldly.
"Raise your head if you want to talk."
Evelyn immediately raised her head and looked at him.
Regan felt calm suddenly without him even realizing it. He saw her green eyes that were filled with hesitation.
She wanted to speak but she was afraid to do so.
It made him wonder sometimes what exactly his slave has seen in her life.
Most of his life passed on the battlefield where everyone was just a soldier and fighting for the same Empire. Hence, he was unaware of the life of slaves.
But the hesitation in Evelyn's eyes made him wait patiently.
She needs to learn and for her to learn, he needed to be patient.
Evelyn finally gathered her courage and opened her lips.
"I have …a suggestion regarding this matter."
Though she didn't look confident, she still said it. Regan nodded his head indicating for her to continue.
When Evelyn continued, the two men paid their whole attention to her.
By the time she finished, Regan had a thoughtful look on her face, and Elias didn't look too sure.
The chamber was silent for a long time and Evelyn looked at Regan's expression wondering whether he liked her suggestion or not.
However, his emotionless face made her unable to know anything.
When he finally opened his mouth and said coldly
"Make an announcement. The castle will buy the farmers' produce this time. Anyone who wishes to sell their produce can come."
Evelyn released a low sigh.
"Yes, Your Highness"
Though Elias had his doubts, he believed that his master must have ordered this after thinking over it thoroughly.
Before leaving, he stopped by Evelyn's side and said thoughtfully
"Welcome to Mazic."
Evelyn blinked as she looked at the leaving Elias.
She wondered if she just saw the acceptance in his eyes contrary to the suspicion and repulsion he had when they had first met.