"e- eat me?"
Iliana stuttered as she subconsciously fixed her gaze on the dragon portrait. Her heart raced. Dread enveloped her core. A small voice whispered to her. "Welcome to Eldham palace…" But she doesn't want to believe the voice of fear.
Gulping, she asked under her breath, "P- please ma'am, where am I?"
"Human, don't ever refer to me that way. You are really fortunate to have met me. If you had met my sisters, they would have ripped your head off a long time ago." The woman snapped at Iliana who shrunk in fear.
Ignoring her question, the woman shoved Iliana to the exit. However, before she could open the door, the woman halted in her steps. 'I'm Elektra. In as much as I hate your kind, I wouldn't want you to be killed by another person other than me…"
Iliana froze. "Is that supposed to comfort me?" she thought.
"…Few tips for you if you if you want to survive the first few weeks. Never look in the eye of your superior, don't speak unless you are spoken to and finally, act dumb even though you are naturally dumb…"
Iliana frowned, "You…"
"Move it!" Elektra cut her off as she shoved her out of the room.
"can you at least tell me where we are going to? Besides, I still don't know where I am…" Iliana whispered.
Elektra snorted, "You are dumb. I don't need to tell you. You'd know when you get there."
***
A certain dark room, a woman who was clad in a dark cloak bowed to the bulky silhouette of a man.
"I have news, Sire."
The man slowly spun on his heels. "Speak."
"The rebels have gathered at the North-bay. They are planning on making a move soon." The woman started with a cold tone. "The shadow crows brought these…" She paused as she conjured a small sac in her palm amidst black smoke.
The man whom she was reporting to frowned as he took a step closer to her. His gaze; never leaving the item. "Bane…" he murmured as he picked the item and took withdrew a small bottle.
"Tell me, Araceli. Since when did those good for nothings become intelligent?" The man asked with a hint of amusement.
Araceli who had her head lowered the entire time slowly raised her head. "Sire, I have no idea. From the looks of the potion, it must have been conjured by a powerful witch."
"I see…" The man smirked. "A witch…" walking to his throne, he sat casually on it. "Seems like I'd need to rid the land off witches again. Gather the witch scenters. Track down all witches in Eldham and other kingdoms. I'd need a breeder since the mating season is approaching. And then, I'll feed the skins to their children."
Araceli smirked as she placed her right fist on her chest. "Yes, your majesty."
In a whiff, a black smoke appeared and engulfed her. In no time, the man was left alone in the vast room. Subconsciously, his mind wafted to a certain human.
"When will you see her?" A deep baritone voice rang in his head which he ignored. "Deimos, you must see her! And that's an order!"
Deimos chuckled as he waltzes to an inner chamber. "You don't tell me what to do. And if at all I want to listen to you, you can't expect me to leave my royal duties just for an exiled slave…"
"Whom you saved! That exiled slave is my bride!! Be careful of the way you address her!!!" The voice thundered causing Deimos to let out a stifled groan. Big worm-like veins bulged on his forehead as pain wrecked him.
"She will be the death of me and the ruin of this kingdom!" Deimos spat through gritted teeth as he clenched the cabinet in the chamber causing a dent on it.
"Ans she will bring my salvation!!" The voice became louder and much more aggressive causing Deimos to fall on one knee. The pain became unbearable that his once dark orbs glowed a dangerous red.
Creak…
A door opened which led to a much darker space suddenly opened. Deimos who was groaning in pain struggled with the force in him as he stood up against his will and staggered to the room.
As soon as he entered the room, he was greeted with sounds of women in pain. Apparently, they were hostages.
Deimos glared at them with blood thirst. He had never felt so out of control until she came which made his hatred and distaste for the certain young lady to boil. "I'll kill you right after I get rid of this monster." Deimos thought angrily as he extended his had and ripped off the head of a woman who unfortunately stood close to him.
***
On the other hand, Iliana who had just found out that she was in Eldham' s main palace felt all eyes on her. Her silver hair fell over her shoulders as she walked behind Elektra who pulled her with a silver chain.
"Am I going to end up this way? I haven't even avenged my mother and Lance yet I ended up as the King's personal slave." Iliana thought bitterly as she dragged her feet against the stone floors of the cold and dark palace.
"Halt!"
A feminine stern voice broke her train of thoughts. Elektra who was leading the way suddenly stopped which caused Iliana to bump into her from behind.
Ignoring the clumsy Ilaria, Elektra bowed. Stunned, Iliana did the same.
"Mi Lady."
Elektra spoke with reverence with her gaze still fixed on the shoes of the lady before her,
"Why is a human of unknown origin in the palace?" The lady ignored the pleasantries and demanded coldly.
Elektra who was already used to the lady's harsh tone spoke up, "Lady Melione, his majesty conveyed the order that the slave be brought to his chambers to fulfil his wishes." She informed Melione whose gaze darkened.
Fixing her gaze on Iliana, she ordered. "Rise."
Slowly, Iliana raised her head to meet the gaze of the woman with a strong killing intent. Melione's ghost white hair complimented her pale skin and deep red lips. Her defined face definitely wouldn't pass for an average female look. She was a definition of beauty. A pair of sand brown orbs adorned her round face which made Iliana wish that she was half as beautiful as her. "At least, I wouldn't be called a freak and my mother wouldn't have died." She sighed.
However, her thoughts were contrary to what Melione had in mind. It was as though the scene of Iliana raising her head was put on slow mode. Melione seethed with anger, her pride wounded by the sight of Iliana's surpassing beauty even though she looked horrible in her bloodied and tattered clothing. Her violet eyes stood out which irritated Melione. Gritting her teeth, she asked, "Who are you?"
Caught off guard, Iliana stuttered. "I- I am- my name is Iliana…"
Melione scoffed as she took a step closer to her. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "You made a grave mistake by coming here. Deimos is mine and mine alone. So whatever little tricks you pulled or planning to pull should get out of your dumb head. Just be the good latest prisoner that you are." As soon as she said that, Melione turned to leave with her train of hand maidens that Iliana didn't even knew was present.
Right after she left, she turned to face Elektra who was now looking at her with sympathy.
"…"
"What was that about?"