Sold to the Devil

You can't help who you fall in love with.

—E.L. Montes, Cautious

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"Where is she?" asked Theo, his arms folded across his chest as he stood dominating the maid who was starting to tremble in fear.

"F-Forgive me S-Sire." she stuttered. "The lady had sent me to fetch a glass of water b-but when I came back, she wasn't in the r-room."

Theo sighed, throwing back his head. Was it a bad thing if he was extremely impressed at her escaping skills?

Yes. No. Maybe?

"You can leave." he dismissed the maid and watched her scurry down the stairs with a glass of water in her hands.

He wasn't worried this time since there was no way she could have gotten kidnapped again. The number of guards had been increased around his room and the borders of the castle. There was no possible method for her to go away unless he opened a portal inside the castle to bring her somewhere.

He wondered what she would be doing presently. Strolling the gardens? Tripping over rocks and cracking her skull? Most likely. The idea made him chuckle internally as he walked down the stairs with a hand in his trousers pocket.

Perhaps she is busy spending time with Lysander?

The thought made his heart constrict as he imagined her walking by his side and smiling at him with that beautiful glimmer in her amber brown eyes.

Quickening his pace, he reached the gardens but saw no one strolling around. Running a hand through his hair, he opened a portal and stepped into the living room. It was empty and his steps made an echo as he walked down the stairs his eyes darting around. There was no sign of her as he continued to search through the rest of the rooms and corridors in search of Eva.

—

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the castle, Eva's dress fluttered from the cool breeze that entered through the open windows as she looked out at the breathtaking scenery. The King might be shameless but seemed to have good taste considering how well the castle was furnished and decorated. Her mind vividly remembered the castle decorations at the time of the ball and how every guest seemed spellbound by the arrangements.

As she turned around a corner, she bumped against a hard chest. Craning her neck, she found Lysander looking down at her with a hint of curiosity flashing in those golden orbs.

"We meet again," he commented and Eva nodded with a polite smile.

"It is unlikely that we wouldn't bump into each other considering how we are staying in the same castle." she wished she could take back her sarcastic words but when Lysander started laughing, she eased back, happy that he hadn't taken her words to be offending.

"How do you happen to know Theodore?" he asked and they started walking side by side, staring at the portraits and casements as they walked along the empty hallway.

Eva glanced at him before withdrawing her eyes. "He saved me and brought me to the castle. I am indebted to the King and am fulfilling that debt by staying here."

"Let me guess. He wouldn't let you go?"

Eva's lips parted in surprise as she hadn't thought that he would've guessed the actual problem. "How did you know?"

A chuckle escaped his lips and Eva relaxed further in his company. "I have known him for a decade now. He doesn't let go of the things that he finds... intriguing," he spoke and passed her a small smile.

"So I am staying here because I am intriguing," she stated and raised a brow in irony. 'Who knew that I could be so amusing to that pervert of a King?'

"You mistake my words. He found you exceptional and you hold a special place in his heart. Please don't tell him that I just said the previous words." he begged, his lips stretching in a forced grin.

Eva giggled but before she could open her mouth to speak, a deep voice interrupted her. "And what were those words?"

Both their heads turned to look at the end of the corridor to see Theo leaning against the door with his eye fixed intensely on both of them. Eva gulped while Lysander laughed weakly, taking a step back as if retreating from the Devil.

"Nothing," said Lysander and swallowed seeing Theo's eyes narrow as he folded his arms across his chest, tilting his head.

"Only you can get me out from this. I'll owe you so please save me," he whispered in Eva's ears and she glared at him. Save him? Who was going to rescue her!?

Straightening her back, she raised her head and blinked back with as much innocence as she could muster. Softening her voice, she spoke,

"We were only discussing how the people of Xandria are so fortunate to have a King such as you, Your Majesty. Lysander— King Lysander was asking me not to tell you that he was praising you. He looks up to you as a role model." she ended her lengthy explanation only to hear the man standing behind her stifle a laugh behind his hand.

She resisted the urge to nudge him hard in the shoulder and looked up to notice the King's expression.

His lips were twitching and she recognized the familiar spark of amusement in his eyes. She breathed out, thankful that he wasn't angry anymore.

Nobody was dying today, she thought to herself with a twitch of her lips.

"Seems like Lysander is quite awed by me. Since you seem so impressed, you should follow in my footsteps. Why don't you start with taking care of your Kingdom and go check if it's going nicely without your presence?" asked Theo, a wicked smile taking place on his face even though his gaze was fixated on the girl standing in front of him.

"But—"

"I thought you wanted to be more like me?" said the King, cocking his head to a side with a trace of disappointment in his features which Eva recognized to be fake.

Eva offered Lysander a smile as he closed his eyes in frustration and reluctantly agreed.

"I will be going then. Hope to see you again soon," he spoke and aware of Theo's burning gaze on him, Lysander couldn't miss the chance to provoke him.

Taking Eva's hand, he bent his head to drop his lips to the back of her hand. The gesture lasted a few seconds before he stepped back and passed her a smile, walking backward until he reached a window which he jumped out of in one smooth move leaving the pair alone.

Eva gritted her teeth, wanting to slam her head against the nearest wall.

Her very first friend here had already sold her to the Devil.

'Great...' she thought and looked up to meet the dark eyes which were staring at her with a dangerous look.