Apologize

"You mean he said that?" Queen Ginia scoffed as Alicia narrated her ordeal.

"Yes mother" she cried like a child, "He gave me three hours, three hours mom! What do I do, you know how he is, he might kill me"

"Hush now dear, he dare not try anything like that" the queen wiped her daughter's tears, "I'll make sure that I speak to the King about this"

"Mother please do, I don't want Sebastian's wrath to befall upon me" more tears strode from her eyes.

"This is unbelievable" Queen Ginia ranted, "How could he belittle you in front of his maid, that bastard! When the time comes I'll make sure to deal with him, he dares make you cry. Now you my dear stop crying, I'll go speak with your father now"

"Alright" Alicia sulked as she cleaned her tear soaked face.

(ALIENA'S POV)

I nearly peed under Prince Sebastian's scrutinizing gaze, I stood at his front as he sat down on his chair. We had been in that position for nearly ten minutes, he stared at my face as if studying something.

"Aliena?" he finally called my name, wait! this was the first time he called my name, my lips unknowingly curved up into a smile, "Why are you smiling?"

"Huh? oh nothing your highness" I said nervously and cursed myself inwardly.

"What are you to me?" he asked.

"I'm your personal maid"

"Good, my personal maid and not anyone's maid. Don't serve anyone other than me, are we clear?"

"Yes your highness"

He stood up and walked closer to me, immediately he got to me he held my cheeks and stared at the place that got slapped, his hands brushed through the bruises and I felt butterflies in my stomach.

"They should have healed by now" he muttered, "Why haven't they healed yet?" he asked.

I stared at him not knowing how to explain my predicament.

"I'm not like any normal vampire, I'm weaker because I possess no remarkable abilities of a normal vampire. My healing process is usually slow" I explained.

"Interesting" he mumbled and gave my cheeks a slight pinch. He stared down at me before going into his inner chambers. I raised my hand to touch my cheeks only to find out that the bruises were gone.

What did he do....?

(AUTHOR'S POV)

The palace gates were wide open as commoners and nobles begañ trooping in, the maids showed each and everyone of them to their rooms. Training was starting the next day with immediate effect.

The once quiet palace had turned into a castle filled with murmurs of people, the cries of children and the noisy sound of the luggages as it was being brought down from the car and carriages.

Raina as ordered, stood by the gates of the Palace greeting and showing everyone hospitality, she played with children before moving to the next set. People marvelled at how kind and cheerful she was, never had they seen someone of high status that respectful.

"Hey sis" Lusander came to stand beside her, she turned to face him with a scrowl.

"What are you doing here Lu?" She asked.

"I was bored just sitting in my chambers and hearing Alicia rant"

"That girl, she's as prideful as anything" Raina rolled her eyes, "I wish I was older than her, too bad I'm the second daughter and she's the first"

"And I'm the baby of the house" he added and made cute faces.

"Silly" Raina chuckled.

Just then, a woman stepped into the Palace with a girl by her side, few maids carried their luggages behind them and they surely weren't the Palace maids.

"Oh dear, Princess Raina and Prince Lusander. What a lovely surprise!" the woman smiled.

"Hello Mrs.Valsheer" Raina greeted warmly.

"Welcome to the palace and we hope you have a lovely stay" Lusander added.

"Of course we will!"

"Oh Raina! It's so good to see you again" the girl by the woman's side gushed.

"You too Valerie" Raina replied.

She was Mrs.Valsheer's daughter, Valerie Valsheer. They were nobles and they held a very significant position in the kingdom, her father was also a well known duke. Valerie rushed and hugged Raina, the little Raina could do was to return the hug.

"Where's Prince Sebastian, I can't wait to see him!!" She jumped excitedly, she was beautiful with sharp features.

"He'll be happy to see you too" Lusander said through clenched teeths.

"We'll make great inlaws" she said.

"Yes we will" her mother added.

Raina smiled non stop until they were out of sight, "In-laws my foot" she hissed.

"Gosh, I hate their family. I can still remember what she did to that poor child five years ago, she's evil" Lusander said.

"She's just putting up a show to gain our favor and that of Prince Sebastian. The Valsheer's badly want to get their hands closer to the crown"

"You know Sebastian can't even marry someone like her, he practically sees her as an animal and I doubt he wants the throne"

"Animal" Raina laughed as she continued with her greetings.

***********

"Alicia slapped Prince Sebastian's Personal maid? A duke's daughter?" the king asked unbelievably as he stared at his wife, "Why would she do that?"

"She spilled tea on our daughter"

"By mistake Ginia"

"Whatever" she rolled her eyes and said, "You just have to tell Sebastian not to make her apologize and look like a wimp in front of that maid"

"You know I can't do that, he doesn't even listen to me"

"How can you say he doesn't listen to you the king?" Ginia scoffed.

"Watch your tone" he reprimanded.

"I'm sorry but just try and convince your son"

"It won't hurt for Alicia to apologize" he sighed.

"No way! My daughter won't stoop so low and apologize to a maid" Ginia retorted.

"Leave now" the king ordered and Queen Ginia had no other choice than to step out of the throne room.

The King sighed and leaned his head on the throne, he couldn't order Sebastian around anymore. Sebastian found out his deepest secret and if it escalates then he's done for. He just has to be in the favor of Sebastian till the right time.

********

Two hours thirty minutes later, Alicia was pacing round her room impatiently, she bit her nails constantly as she waited for her mother's return.

"Just look at you Alicia, you are making this situation a too big deal when it's not" Raina said, she decided to come check up on Alicia after greeting the guests.

"Raina, how can you tell me this isn't a big deal when it is!" She shouted.

"You've got 30 minutes left, you know how Prince Sebastian is and his cruelty. Apologizing to her won't kill you, besides it's all your fault, you shouldn't have slapped the girl" Raina reasoned.

"Ah! You aren't helping issues and where the hell is mom?" She pulled her hair and ruffled it in annoyance.

"You really are prideful"

Alicia shot Raina a death glare and sighed frustratedly.

"I'm older than you, show some respect" immediately she said that, their mother stepped in and rushed to Alicia.

"Dear I think you might have to apologize to that useless maid"

"What?!" Alicia stared like she had just received the most shocking news in her life, "No way mom, absolutely no way"

"Drama queen" Raina mocked and left the room.

"I know just what to do" Alicia smiled and stepped out of the room.

"This girl better not go and cause more trouble for herself" Ginia held her head in frustration.

Alicia walked regally with her head raised up high, the Palace was too full and noisy and it irked her. She walked straight into Prince Sebastian's chamber and pulled the door open. She stepped in only to be met by Aliena standing in a corner, she smiled to herself and walked up to her.

"Where's my brother" Alicia demanded.

"Um, he stepped out a while ago my princess" Aliena replied.

'Good' Alicia thought.

"Now listen to me, once he returns I need you to tell him that you spilled the tea on me intentionally and he should nullify whatever verdict he passed on me. Okay?"

"But-

"Do as I say! Are we clear?!"

"Yes my princess" Aliena bowed and took in a deep breath.

Alicia nodded in satisfaction and was about to leave the room when she felt a chill run down her spine.

"What are you doing here?" Sebastian's cold voice rang in the room and Alicia seemed to stop breathing.

"Oh! I didn't see you come in" she smiled awkwardly.

"I hate repeating questions" he glared at her then turned to face Aliena, "Do you mind giving her a slap?" he asked.

"What?! I can't do that" Aliena shook her head in disapproval.

"Your time is ticking Alicia" Sebastian said already getting impatient.

"What the hell! I can't possibly apologize to a maid"

"Would you like it if I tell your mother and father you've been secretly draining blood from humans in the mundane world to the point of death?" Sebastian taunted and smiled cynically.

"What?" Alicia's eyes widened each passing second, "How do you know that?" She asked obviously trembling with fear.

"Or how about I tell the commoners, I'm pretty sure they'll rip your head off considering how it's a taboo to kill humans"

"Just what are you?" Alicia's voice was barely a whisper.

Aliena couldn't help but keep her mouth shut, she wanted to beg Prince Sebastian but she was afraid of the punishment that might befall upon her.

"Apologize" he ordered

"I will" Alicia was already sobbing, "But please don't tell anyone" she pleaded.

"On your knees" he commanded.

Alicia knelt in front of Aliena and cried as she begged, "I'm so so so sorry for slapping you please forgive me, I don't wanna die"

Aliena couldn't help but feel guilty, she faced Prince Sebastian and he looked at her waiting for her reply.

"Y..you are for.. forgiven my princess" Aliena stuttered fearfully. She hated it when people begged her.

Prince Sebastian walked out of the room and Alicia couldn't help but wonder how he found out about her secret and why he would use it to make her apologize to his personal maid.