Corinne opened the door to his chamber even before the guards could. He was utterly pissed by Nykiaska's words about his mother. He knew he'd ruin things if had let his anger get the best of him in his brother's chamber.
"Thank you". A soft voice said behind him. He almost forgot he brought Zora along with him. He should have let her go instead of bringing her with him.
"You can leave". He said without turning. He was too pissed to see anyone. He just wanted to be alone.
"And..."
"I told you to leave". He growled. He didn't want to hurt her the second time. He might not be able to forgive himself. Instead of hearing retracting footsteps and door sound, he heard her move closer to him. Why was she so stubborn?
"I wanted to say I'm sorry for what my cousin did". She said softly behind him and his anger seemed to soothen a little.
"Fine. Leave."
"I still have more to say".
"You can do that later. Leave before I'll do something that you will regret!" He shut his eyes. He couldn't understand why he was boiling. Why he was raging. Why he didn't and could vent his anger on Zora.
"Even if, i know you can never let me die".
His eyes peeled apart.
"Everyone judge you by your outside but i can really see the inner part of you. I know you have anger issues and you hate it when your things are messed with because you're very secretive and don't want anyone to find out about the fact that you're gifted. I understand them all and i know there's still a heart beating in you". She softly said, choosing her words carefully.
Corinne turned and moved closer to her. He was touched by her words and he could swear his heart shifted. He'd never met anyone as understanding as her. How in heaven did she read him in a short while. How did she know him so well? He tried to remember when he had been nice to her but there was none. He had never been nice to her and yet, she was saying nice things about him.
"How sure are you about that?" He demanded even though he was flattered enough.
She chuckled. "If you're not nice...you wouldn't have defended me. You wouldn't have left your chamber to your brother's if you don't have a heart."
"You don't judge people by their characters". He said and moved away from her.
"I'm not judging you by your character. Your character is very ugly". The prince stopped walking and turned to her. She continued. "You're wicked, you're selfish, you're cruel, you don't forgive, you don't give second chances, you're self centered, you behead, everyone literally avoids you but still attracted to you in some ways, everyone is scared of you. That's you. That's what people see but it's different. You've saved me from your brother twice and anyone with everything I've just listed would look away but you didn't." She moved closer to him and peered up at his eyes.
"You don't know me. I'm more than what you see". He told her honestly. "And don't try to know me, you're only going to hurt yourself". He gave her a sincere look.
"If knowing you better would hurt me...that means you're hurting".
"Everyone gets hurts. Everyone has weakness but....." He stopped
"But yours is an exception?" She completed.
He gazed into her eyes for a while before turning away. Why was she acting like she could read him? why was she bringing words out of his mouth. why was she making him feel like he could confide in her and tell her everything he'd been going through? Was she sent?
"I need to be alone". He finally said. it was the only way to stop talking. "It's an order and I'm serious". He added immediately she was about to protest.
"Just one more thing and I'll leave."
would she ever listen?
"What?"
There was silence. She said nothing and Corinne wondered why. He turned to her as he let her stare into his eyes. He was tired of correcting her and he had started getting used to seeing her stare at him. Maybe it was nice to have a female he'd be free with.
"Please make me your maid. i don't want to be the first Prince's maid. Please your highness". She went down on her knees, taking Corinne by surprise. she bowed really low, her forehead touching the floor. "Please.. i can't guarantee if I'll still be the same if i work for him even just for a day. Please Your highness please". Her voice broke, giving Corinne the signal she was crying.
He stepped back. He was.... Words couldn't describe how he was feeling. A maid was begging him to take her as his maid? Not even in his wildest dreams would he think a maid would beg him to take her. Everyone had always run away from his chamber, from him. They'd rather become his brother's sex slaves than work for him. He was beyond surprised.
"I promise I'll behave. I won't trouble you. I will respect you and always be at your service".
Corinne chuckled. He knew Zora wasn't the kind of person to respect and behave. He bet she'd disrespect him before she stepped out of his room. "Stand". He ordered.
Zora slowly stood up. She wiped off her tears and tuck her hair behind her ears, sniffing a little bit.
"What will you give me in return?"
"I'll give you my loyalty. I'll res.."
"We both know you are incapable of those things". He cut in sharply. He stepped closer and closer till they were few breaths away. As he gazed down at her, he could feel her pulse rising and heart picking its pace. She was nervous.
"Then what do you want in return?" She asked.
The room tensed around them and a question dropped into Corinne's mind. He wanted to know why she trusted him so much. "What makes you think I won't do the same thing the first prince did to you?"
Zora's head slowly swept up. One would know she wasn't shocked by the question with the look on her face. "Because I know you won't. You can never. You're different."
"Why do you trust me so much?"
"Because you've done me a great favour. Twice".