"Well what do you want me to do. fine I will pay you back when I get back to my world, with gold's and diamonds if you wish" Kat tried to reason with Lucian.
"No," came Lucian's sharp response. Kat clicked her tongue. "Now, you don't expect me to sell my body parts to pay, do you?" Kat asked sarcastically.
"Though I had something else in mind, that doesn't sound too bad either," Lucian responded, making Kat glare at him. But she wasn't going to retort. "Okay, and what is that?"
Lucian's gaze turned to Sebastian beside him, and he asked, "Has a replacement been found for King's feeder?"
"Yes, my lord, but he won't be arriving until two weeks from now," Sebastian responded.
"Perfect," Lucian said, turning his gaze back to Kat. "Starting from next week, Kat will be the one to feed King until then."
"Umm.. who's King?" Kat asked.
"My cat," Lucian responded, and added, "You are to feed him for the next week as payment for what you owe me."
Kat's brows furrowed before she smiled. "So, what you are saying is, all I have to do is just feed your cat for a week, and I don't owe you anymore, and that's all?"
Lucian nodded. "Then I will take my leave now." Kat nodded, walking away with a subtle smile.
"My lord, shouldn't we tell her about King first...?" Sebastian asked Lucian with a slight frown as he looked at the girl's happy, retreating back as she swayed her arms while she walked.
"Now, where's the fun in that?" Lucian responded, an evil grin coming up his lips, and he continued on his way, Sebastian following beside him.
Kat got back to her room, more than happy that she had gotten out of trouble, and that too, by just having to feed a cat for a week, for so much money, it was literally free money at this point.
Kat remembered something and pulled on one on the strings of the little gold bells, and a few moments after, a maid knocked on the door, and Kat asked the maid to come in.
"My lady, what can I help you with?" the maid asked, bowing.
"Please help me get Vivian," Kat requested, and the maid bowed as she left. After a minute, Vivian arrived at the door, knocking before she came in.
"Good afternoon, Lady Kat, you called for me?" she greeted with a bow, and Kat greeted back with a smile.
"Good afternoon, Viv. I haven't seen you in quite a while," Kat stated, and she moved over to one of the many boxes she had brought from the market and picked out a small, yellow box tied with a red ribbon.
"Well, I have been assigned to the east wing of the castle, which was why I couldn't be here," Vivian responded, and Kat nodded.
"I see. I will try and ask Sebastian if I could change that," Kat said, as she walked back to Vivian.
"That would be great, my lady," Vivian gave a sweet smile, and Kat handed her the box.
"I got you something I thought might suit you," Kat said, and Vivian bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your generosity; you are ever so kind to me," Vivian thanked sincerely, making Kat chuckle. "What's with the formality? It's a gift from a friend" kat said, she noticed Vivian eyes looking moist like she was about to cry and she sniffed "so open it." Kat urged with a smile. Vivian nodded, pulling the ribbon.
Vivian's eyes widened as she opened the box, revealing a beautiful necklace with matching hair pins. The necklace was made of delicate silver chains, adorned with small, shimmering gemstones that caught the light. The hair pins were designed to match, with intricate details that sparkled like diamonds.
"it's stunning!" Vivian exclaimed, her eyes shining with delight, to think that a lowly servant like her could hold such a precious jewelry. "Thank you so much but isn't this is too much"
Kat smiled, pleased that Vivian liked the gift. "Absolutely not my sweet adorable Vivian. I saw it at the market and thought of you immediately," she said. "I'm glad you like it."
Kat took the necklace out of the box carefully wearing it on Vivians neck, adjusting it to fit perfectly around her neck. She then took the hair pins and secured them in her hair, satisfied with how it looks she urged her to check the mirror.
"You look beautiful, Vivian," Kat said, genuinely impressed. "it suits you perfectly''
Vivian blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, but no amount of jewelry could make me as beautiful as you lady Kat" Vivian returned the compliment, making Kat chuckle thinking to herself that the girl really had a way with words.
As they chatted, "How have you been keeping up in the castle?" Vivian asked. "Oh, it hasn't been bad at all, and Josephine is a really great person to be around," Kat responded. "I'm happy to know you are in the company of a good person like Her Highness," Vivian said.
"Although some things never change, the heartless Devil Lucian remains the same, finding every way possible to spoil my mood," Kat tsked. Vivian wasn't surprised that Kat still didn't like the king, so she tried changing the conversation about a book she felt Katherine would like.
After a while, Vivian excused herself, saying she had to attend to her duties. Kat nodded, understanding. Later that day, until dinner time, Kat didn't come across Josephine.
In the dining room, Kat took her seat next to Josephine, which she was now starting to get used to. And Josie reminded her of the tea party they had the next day, but Kat wasn't too excited .
"Pass my greetings to Cecilia; it's been a while," Lucian said to Josie, "I sure will," Josie responded picking up a slice of bread before taking a bite. Kat on the other hand was surprised to see Lucian talk somewhat fondly about someone, making her a little more curious to meet the lady.
The next day, Kat was getting dressed with Vivian's help this time, as she had requested for Sabastian to let Vivian stay around her, and he did so. "I think one of these two dresses will suit you for the tea party," Vivian said, bringing forth two silk dresses - one a silk lavender-colored dress and the other a crisp white dress. "I think I will go with this one," Kat picked the lavender dress, which had fewer layers compared to the other dress but was still elegant and beautiful.
Vivian styled Kat's hair in a half-up, half-down braid and wrapped it around her head like a crown with lavender-colored hair pins complementing the dress. And her ears and neck were adorned with similar designs and colors, giving Kat a soft and delicate look; her dark, smooth skin added to the overall appearance.
When Kat got to the dining room for breakfast, Lucian wasn't present at the table, but Josie was, and she greeted her with a smile. A maid pulled out the chair for kat to sit, and she took her seat next to Josie. Just then, Lucian also stepped in, his dark gray eyes moved along his sister before stopping on the girl next to her. Kat's clear brown eyes also met Lucian's as they held each other's gaze. Sabastain came to pull the chair out for him, and he took his seat, still not breaking his gaze away from hers until Josephine spoke.
"I had no doubt buying this was worth every dime; you look delightful, Kat." Kat smiled "Thank you, Josie; I can say the same about you; the green dress really brings out your eyes." Josie smiled at the compliment before turning her gaze to Lucian, and she cleared her throat, as if indicating something. Lucian glanced at his sister "You both look pretty," Lucian said, and Josie gave a satisfied nod. Kat's cheeks turned warm at the compliment, she whispered a "thank you" that could barely be heard by anyone, but Lucian heard.
after breakfast. Kat and Josie now sat in the carriage as they made their way to the supposed tea party; the ride was smooth and calm. Finally, the carriage drew to a halt in front of a large mansion gate, and the guards were quick to draw open the gates for their carriage to enter.
They both descended from the carriage and were greeted by a maid who bowed deeply, welcoming them before leading them into the mansion. Kat's eyes took in the surroundings; though it wasn't anything too impressive to her, it was a beautiful home.
They were led to a gallery where, in the distance, Kat and Josie could see other ladies seated by a table. A tall woman with a poised and graceful demeanor approached them. She had a lean but not overly slim figure, suggesting a balance of elegance and strength. Kat observed that she seemed to be a few years older than herself probably.
The woman's strawberry blonde hair was cut in a bob that reached her shoulders, framing her face in a sophisticated style. Her pale skin contrasted beautifully with her warm brown eyes, which exuded a sense of maturity and kindness. She carried an air of elegance and stood with a subdued smile. "Welcome; it's a pleasure to have you," the woman greeted with a bow, her voice smooth.
Josephine stepped forward, her smile widening. "Cecilia, it's been too long. Thank you for hosting us" she greeted fondly, "I see you brought someone along," cedilla stated, taking a look at Kat.
Kat noticed that though the woman didn't seem to hold any hostility, there was some about the way she looked at her, like she was examining her for a short moment. "I am Lady Cecilia. It is a pleasure to finally meet you." Kat slight nodded politely. "Finally?" Kat repeated, and the woman smiled and nodded. "I have heard a few things about you," she said, Kats eyes squinted a bit, ''about me, like what?'' she asked.
Cecilia response was direct "About you being the supposed lover of His Majesty, though they are only rumors I have heard," she continued.
Kat stared at the woman blankly for a few seconds, wondering how they could think of her and that devil being together. "You are right; they are only rumors and nothing true." Kat clarified. "Rumors do spread like wildfire," Josie sighed. "Though I don't mind the idea of you being related to me," Josie joked. 'I don't mind being related to such a sweet person, but with your brother, hell no,' Kat thought to herself "That would be delightful, but I don't think it's needed," Kat said.
"Anyway, this is Lady Kat, and Kat, this is Lady Cecilia," Josie introduced. Cecilia inclined her head graciously. "Please, call me Cecilia. Any friend of Josephine's is a friend of mine. Come, let's join the others."
Meanwhile, at the table, the ladies watched the trio from a distance, and one of them spoke, "Wait a minute, isn't that the girl?" She asked no one in specific. "What girl?" Some one asked, and the other women also examined Kat from a distance. "The one who is rumored to be the king's mistress; I mean, look at her; she fits the description," the same girl who had spoken first responded.
"I heard the king killed two of his own best court men to please her," another person said, as they all spoke in hushed tones. And someone else sneered, "I heard she was some lost girl, and she isn't even from here; probably, princes Josephine took pity on her and brought her into the castle, and she took the opportunity to seduce His Majesty."
"You are right; Princess Josephine is so kind; she would take pity on even the lowest of peasants, but at what cost is her sweet heart misused by people like that?" "Also heard she is a witch; it would be understandable how she could bewitch the king, as he said to be so could hearted he wouldn't take a mistress. "another person said.
"No matter what she is, she wouldn't last a month, what else could she be but a toy of pleasure and an awaiting meal; you shouldn't bother yourselves with such pitiful petty things," said a girl who had been sitting quietly amongst the group, not even bothered to take a look at the person they spoke about, as she sipped her tea elegantly, her face calm yet holding a slight hint of annoyance. "You are right, Helen," agreed the woman who had first started the conversation. At her words, the talk died down.
Lady Cecilia led them to the table, where Kat was introduced to the other ladies. They all greeted her with a bows and smiles, as though they hadn't been the one's to belittle her character a while back. " You look as stunning as always you highness" the woman named Helen said to Josephine. compared to the way she had spoke before her voice was sugar coated and her words polite wanting to gain favour from the princes, as did the rest of them who wanted to be in Josephines good books in hope's they could use her to get close to Lucian.
A know case of people using people above their status to climb up the chain of wealth and power.
Anyone woman would be over joyed to be taken as bride by the king and become the queen of the strongest kingdom , if not for the power and prestige women would kill to be married to Lucian for the mere sight of his devilishly handsome appearance.
Maids stepped forward pulling the chair's out for them to sit before serving the ladies tea and biscuits.....