Aurora made her way inside, she did her normal balancing and went up to the table and placed the tray there.
"Your tea My Lord."
Her head was bowed as per usual and she started to turn away,
"I didn't dismiss you Aurora."
She stood very still at his words and hoped she had not offended him in any way with her actions, she stood there anxiously waiting for his next words or command.
"Is there something wrong with being in my presence?"
"I apologize, My Lord, I did not mean to insult you."
"Talk freely Aurora and set aside rankings."
"I could never do such My Lord."
"It's an order."
Aurora nodded, she was afraid that one wrong word and this would all end badly for her.
"Lift up your head."
Aurora did so immediately, she didn't want to disobey him as she could decipher what he was thinking.
"Why do you look so worried Aurora?"
"I am not My...I mean I am not."
It felt strange to not address him the way they were taught,
"Look at me."
Aurora forced her gaze on him, he was really good-looking she doubted that she had ever seen a man with such beautiful features as him, he was truly carved by the angels.
He was now clean, wearing new clothes that matched his complexion and his hair was perfectly combed.
"Do I look that appealing to you?" Caspian asked.
Aurora froze at his words and she stared down again, she could feel the heat rushing up to her cheeks.
How embarrassing that he had caught her gawking at him and not for a split second but for a lot as she was lost in thought.
"You can look at me all you want." Caspian's voice came again. It was playful. He liked this, playing games with her.
She did not know why he didn't take her reaction as a sign of her not wanting to be involved with him.
"Say something."
"I have nothing to say, My Lord."
"I told you, you don't have to address me in such a formal manner."
"But I prefer it like that My Lord."
She did not know how much of a risk she was taking by defying him,
"Why are you trying to build a wall between us Aurora."
"There is already one."
"Which you put in place."
"I did not My Lord, it's that you are my master and I your servant."
"Why are you making it that way Aurora?"
"As it should be."
"We can break that norm, love between a man and women should not have any boundaries nor any rankings, that are tossed aside the minute we are intimate."
"I don't like fornication My Lord."
Caspian was surprised at her words, she was truly chaste.
"You are very straightforward forward Aurora, I wish to change your mind and your way of thinking."
"I don't have such a desire or the same interest as you My Lord."
"So you don't find me suitable or attractive?"
"You are My Lord, every woman would be lucky to have you but just not me as our preferences don't align."
"I'm flattered, do you have such an interest in mind that you have or are out on the look for."
"No My Lord, I belong to the palace and only the palace."
"So why can't you serve me in my bed, we could play a little."
Aurora knew her cheeks were blooming with so much color as to what he was implying, why could he not get a hint or get it through his thick skull that she was not interested in whatever he wanted to offer.
She was fine with being alone and was very scared to engage in dangerous games with him just as her friends had said.
"I'm sure there would be plenty willing to do so My Lord."
"I don't want them I want you Aurora."
Aurora could not answer him, one of rules were she could not say no and he was the one who had said he would never force a woman in bed.
Or had he changed his mind? He was in a position to do so and she felt a bit stiff.
"Don't look so worried Aurora, I meant every word when I said you will come to my bed willingly."
He had said it so confidently that it made her shiver a bit, was he that good? How was he going to change her mind?
He seemed to be too determined to break down her walls and that frightened her a bit, she didn't want to have an unruly passion.
She never wanted to be in a relationship where the body ruled over the mind, that was very dangerous and led some maids to depression or commit suicide as they can't have the elite they are having a fling or affair with.
The Princesses or the maidens were the ones in the meaningful relationships, some became concubines but to be that you have to also be from a high-profile background.
Often the wives or concubines were very cruel to the maids, even if their husbands were more in love with the maids, there was nothing they could do at times when the wives and concubines lashed out at them.
Regardless of some maids which are rare that were made into concubines they were still treated horribly by the parents and other wives, and concubines because they are not from a prestigious background. They are often still viewed very lowly but just with a title.
They were often miserable as concubines as they felt the wrath of the other women in the palace. It was cold and isolated at the top.
It was much worse if they could not produce a son, at times the king would lose favor in them and they live a lonely life till death.
"I am in front of you yet you are deep in thought." Caspian snapped her out of it and she was startled as to when he had gotten up and was standing so close to her without her detecting him.
Had she really zoned out? She was glad that he didn't seem to be upset but rather amused by her.
"Forgive me, My Lord."
Aurora said out, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice, she could smell his scent which reminded her of a breeze.
Caspian reached out and her eyes widened, he placed his hand on her burning cheek and she felt a bit embarrassed, she was losing her composure over a mere touch.
"Your cheeks have a beautiful rosy color Aurora."
"Thank you, My Lord."
The way he said her name sent sensations through her, she liked the way it rolled off his tongue, and it sounded too foreign and elegant.
No one had said her name the way he did, maybe that was it, the reason as to why she was reacting in this manner.
"You don't have to thank me for everything Aurora."
Aurora nodded,
"Do you want to feel my face?" Caspian asked her.
"I could never do such my Lord."
"Why not?" Caspian teased her some more.
"You are my master and I your servant, that would be very disrespectful on my part."
"Why are you always putting walls between us Aurora?"
"How so My Lord?"
"Right now, reminding me of the rankings and the way you address me, you try to hide your emotions."
"As it should be My Lord."
"It does not have to be Aurora."
"I am not interested in the kind of relationship you want from me My Lord, they are many suitors that would love to be in the position that I am and the offer that you want to give to me."
Caspian sighed as he kept on brushing his hand on her cheek, "Your skin feels so velvety."
"Thank you, My Lord."
"This is not from an elite but a suitor who is pursuing you romantically."
Aurora liked this a bit, is this how it felt to be wanted by someone elite? The princesses and maidens got to experience this as a general norm and they did not have to worry about being cast out unless for a crime of a serious manner such as treason.
"I am not interested, your tea is getting cold, and if that's all I would like to take my leave, My Lord." This time she had bowed her head and averted his gaze so he knew that she was drawing a line.
He pulled back his hand,
"You may leave Aurora but for today."
Aurora went out of the room as her heart raced fast, did he think one day she would stay of her own free will? That is what his last words sounded like they meant to her.
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