When is a monster not a monster?
Oh, when you love it.
—Caitlyn Siehl
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A longer chapter this time~ Hope you all like it ^^!
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"Eva, are you alright?" her mother was the first one to step forward and embrace her. Eva could sense her worry and rubbed her back in a comforting manner. Her eyes traveled to her sister who was standing at the same spot, unmoved.
Caressing her mother's hands she approached Vanessa and looked at her face. She didn't seem angry but... Eva couldn't decipher her expression clearly.
"I am sorry Vanessa, I know that you wanted to- "
"Are you actually planning on staying with him?" asked her sister, her expression unreadable.
Eva was surprised by her sudden question and was somewhere relieved that her sister was not furious at her for stealing away the King. She knew it would be dangerous for her family to know her future plans of running away, so it was best to not let them learn anything yet, she decided in her mind.
"I am."
"Did he force you?" Eva was shocked at how Vanessa hit the nail right on the head but forced was not the right word. Allured would be much better, Eva thought to herself.
"He did not." But even though Eva had rejected her previous question, Vanessa had seen the faint silver of hesitation cross Eva's eyes. That was enough for Vanessa to learn the rest of the story. Eva was being forced to stay here on the King's command.
"I don't think it will be suitable if we talk here. Will he allow you to write letters to us, Eva?" her sister asked and Eva couldn't figure out what her sister meant by all these inquiries.
"I am not sure, Ven. Listen to me, go home and take care of Mama and yourself. The King has paid back the moneylenders and neither will the Lord come to disturb you again. If something happens, I will write to you." explained Eva, not wanting her sister to get into trouble because of her.
Vanessa looked tentative for a few minutes before consenting hesitantly. "I will try my best to get you out of here," she whispered in Eva's ear as they hugged and Eva's brows furrowed.
"When did you two even get acquainted? Why has he suddenly taken a liking to you, Eva?" Mrs. Blythe questioned, knowing that something must have happened to make the King want her youngest daughter.
Eva was unsure of how to speak. There were only a few minutes left and not enough to make her mother understand the whole story. "When I come to meet you and Ven, I will explain it then Mama. The King is also sending a few people to help you (even though I asked him not to!) so promise me that you will take care of yourself."
Mrs. Blythe caressed her daughter's hair and kissed her forehead as a mother would when parting from her daughter. "Is his intentions clear?"
Eva shook her head. "I don't know."
"Be careful, Eva. Don't let him manipulate you into doing something you don't want to." cautioned Vanessa and Eva looked at her in confusion.
Didn't she want to marry him before they arrived here? What had suddenly changed her perception of him?
As if guessing her sibling's thoughts, Vanessa replied in a sisterly tone, "I was only imagining to be with him Eva, it was not my plan to actually marry him! Haven't you heard about the rumors of him being a devil and a monster?"
No, she hadn't. And yet, she felt bad for the King. What had he done to be called a devil and a monster? Did he even deserve it? People were fake and were quick to spread rumors yet they still came to the ball after calling him foul names.
"I will make sure to be careful, Ven," Eva re-assured and hugged both her mother and sister close, not wanting to let them go.
These were the people who had taken care of her since her birth and Eva loved them more than anything in this world. They were the only ones she had until now, but suddenly there seemed to be an intrusion in her life made by the intimidating King.
The door opened at the precise given time and Eva slowly stepped back from her mother and sister. Leon bowed to Eva and she returned it with a small smile.
"The King demands your presence, milady," he told and Eva nodded hesitantly, turning to her family to see Vanessa frown.
"The carriage has been made ready for the ladies. The servants will accompany them in another carriage according to the King's orders. He bids farewell to the ladies since he is busy in an important matter elsewhere."
"Please thank the King on behalf of us. We are grateful." Mrs. Blythe communicated and they all stepped out of the room together.
Eva accompanied her mother and sister to the gardens and hugged them goodbye for the last time. Her eyes were glossed over as she waved at them and her eyes trailed the carriages that soon faded away from her sight. Sighing, she turned around to see Leon waiting for her near the castle gates.
"Please follow me, My lady."
"Can't you call me Eva?" she asked, and Leon internally screamed at her request. If the King saw him saying her name so casually, his head would be ripped out and thrown to the dogs before he could say 'knife.'
"I apologize, Lady Eva. I am not allowed to do so by the King." Yes! Now she could go and talk to it with his Majesty himself without him falling into trouble. He liked the girl's gentle manners but that didn't mean he was going to sacrifice his head for her sake!
He stopped outside a room and opened the door for Eva to enter in.
"Are you not going to come?" asked Eva, fear and innocence visible in her tone.
"Pardon me, Lady Eva but I have been instructed to send you alone. You will find the King inside." Hope you have fun, he spoke in his mind and walked away from the King's quarters with hasty steps.
Eva clenched her hands feeling helpless. If she didn't enter, he would find her and do something and if she entered the room, he would still end up doing something which would make it harder for her to sleep peacefully at night.
Hardening her resolve, she placed a foot tentatively on the threshold and peeked inside the room. Looking around, she found the King nowhere. Had he gone to get something? Was this another one of his calculating tricks to unsettle her?
Carefully, she walked into the room, her feet padding on the wooden floor as she noticed every wall covered by rows and columns of books both large and small. Excitement was quick to rise within her when she saw so many books and in her enthusiasm, she forgot to notice the tall shadow looming behind her.
Her heart came to a stop when she heard the familiar shoes clicking. Theo closed the door, and she stiffened. This was dangerous. She should have encountered him downstairs where there was more space, where she was better able to think and breathe without inhaling him. His boots tapped against the floor as he neared, and her body grew taut.
Theo stopped in front of her. His eyes scoured her face, lingering on her lips for a split second before he placed his hand before her as he did back in that room.
Seeing her confused and insecure state, he said, "I'll wait for the time when you can place your hand in mine without any hesitation. But remember Birdie, I'm not a patient man. I will never force you to do something which you don't want but, " his eyes traveled along her body and she felt goosebumps form on her skin. "I won't let you hide your needs and desires from me."
"What do you know about my desires?" she blurted out and regretted her swift tongue the most at that very moment.
"Hmm," he said, tilting his head to the side as if considering something. She had only known him for a few days but had seen him do this before when he was particularly amused.
He drew closer, leaving no space between them, and pulled her flush against him. Eva's arms shot out, fitting against his chest and her eyes widened when he leaned in closer, his face only a few meters away from hers.
"You have no idea how desperate you make me, do you?"
"Why do people call you a monster?" she suddenly asked, shivering but not from the cold.
Unexpectedly, he chuckled at her words. Caressing her cheek with his finger, he replied, "I don't sense any fear."
"Because I don't think you are a monster."
"Oh, I am. The most dangerous one alive. But sometimes, a monster does not appear to be a demon in one's eyes." his words piqued her interest compelling her to ask further, not noticing how close they were.
"When is a monster not a monster?" she asked.
"Oh, when you love it."