Heidi gulped nervously, the cold metal of the dagger pressing against her skin, making her shiver a little. Her mind raced, replaying the events that led her to this precarious position. The sound of her own heartbeat echoed in her ears, a stark reminder of her situation.
Things would get catastrophic if she revealed her true status as a slave. Lying to this dangerously handsome prince was equally perilous; his piercing gaze seemed to bore into her very soul. Heidi felt his intense stare, her skin prickling with unease.
He definitely wasn't bluffing when he told her that he could detect her lies, Heidi thought wryly. She took a breath, feeling his intense gaze on her.
"I-I have no..."
Viktor's low, velvety voice cut her short, sending shivers down her spine. "Consider your next words carefully, they might just be your last."
Heidi felt the cold metal of the dagger press even more against her skin. If Viktor applied more pressure, it was definitely going to draw blood from her neck.
"I-I'm a slave here in the crane castle." Heidi finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"A slave, huh?" Viktor muttered, a sly smile playing on his lips. He had suspected same after the tea cup incident. He had also noticed the way her gaze was always lowered, more out of habit. He had purposely taken a look at her cut in order to feel her hands without the gloves.
Most of the slaves had rough hands due to the daily hours of working over the years. Surprisingly enough, when he had felt her hands the previous night, it didn't have the roughness he was expecting. It was rather smooth and soft, making him doubt his intuitions a little.
His grip on her wrists loosened entirely, but he didn't step back from her. "Then what is your actual name?" He asked, raising his brows slightly.
Heidi bit her lips wondering where he was driving at. She was expecting him to flare up and probably drag her to the dungeon after finding about her status. She lowered gaze a little, before she finally said, "Heidi"
"Heidi," viktor repeated, her name rolling slowly out of his tongue. "Tell me something Heidi, how are your hands quite soft for a slave?"
"Mrs. Doris" Heidi muttered, a soft smile coming to her lips at the memories she had of her. "She never let me scrub the hard floors or lift heavy things. She would always wash my hands like it was the most precious thing in the universe."
Viktor regarded her for a while before he said, "and who is this person you speak of?"
Heidi smiled a little, feeling a wave of nostalgia hit her. "My mother was a slave here and died after giving birth to me. Mrs. Doris had been close friends with her, so she took care of me as a child. She looked after me, like I was her own daughter, enduring my flaws."
Viktor hummed at her words, feeling the bond between Heidi and the woman she spoke of. "I believe you had stolen the flower for her, right?"
Heidi's nails dug into her hands as she nodded her head in the positive. "She fell sick months ago, but the royals wouldn't spend their drugs on an old slave." She said carefully, knowing Viktor was a member of the royal family.
Viktor raised a brow, not failing to notice the subtle accusation in her voice. "And you believe stealing the flower is the right thing to do?"
Heidi's grip on her gown tightened a little as she said, "I can't watch her die, she is the only family I have."
Viktor chuckled at her words, his expression turning serious. "Do you realize the consequences of getting caught? You are not as stealth and sharp as you think you are. If the flower's absence is eventually noticed, she would be traced to it."
He paused, taking a breath before he continued; "what do you think would be her fate then? She would be hanged in the the gallows for stealing from the attic."
Heidi's eyes widened at his words, she knew the royal family were ruthless and has no regard for slaves. But she didn't really consider how serious the implications of her actions would be.
Heidi's eyes watered a little now, her doe like eyes raising to meet his gaze. "Please prince Viktor, don't let her die."
Viktor considered Heidi for a while before nodding his head, "fine, you can have the flower." He said, sighing softly raising the flower in his hands.
Heidi's eyes widened at his words, she didn't expect him to agree so easily. She began to wonder if she had misjudged his character.
A glimmer of hope sparked within her as she reached for the flower. "Thank you so much, prince Viktor."
But viktor's hands shot up, holding the flower out of her reach. "Ah-ah," he whispered, a small smile on his lips.
Heidi's gaze narrowed, confused as to why he had raised the flower. Didn't he just say that she could have the flower. "W-why?" She mumbled, confusion clearly written on her face.
Viktor clicked his tongue, offering her a charming smile. "I'm no saint, Heidi. You have to give me something else in exchange for the flower." He said, his gaze following her movements.
Heidi suddenly felt dizzy, his words echoing in her mind. What was she supposed to offer him? She was a slave who lived at the mercy of his family and he was a prince who had everything he wanted.
Heidi took a deep breath, "I have nothing to offer a prince such as yourself, I am but a slave." She said, her eyes pleading.
Viktor's smile deepened, his eyes glinting in mischief. "Who says you have nothing to offer me, Heidi? When you are right here..." He drawled.
Heidi's brow raised at his words, wondering what he was trying to say. "W-what do you mean?..."
Viktor leaned towards her, his breath dancing across her ears. " You, Heidi. You will be mine in exchange for the life of the one you treasure."
Heidi bit her lips nervously, her eyes widening a little. Making another deal with Viktor would be alike to willingly stepping into the devil's embrace.
"I-I don't think I can do that." She mumbled.
"Okay then," Viktor said leaning away from her. "I'll go give lady Genevieve this flower you had stolen from the attic."
Heidi's eyes flashed in alarm, her hands instinctively shooting out to his arm. "Please prince Viktor, I-I accept the deal."
Viktor grinned, his gaze falling on her hands that held onto the hem of his tuxedo. "What did you say?" He asked, as if he didn't hear her the first time.
Heidi sighed internally, knowing he heard her clearly and was only taunting her. "I accept your deal." She said again.
Viktor clapped his hands, the sly smile on his lips growing even more. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" He asked, before placing the flower in her hands.
Heidi held the flower tightly, before he changed his mind and took it again.
"I-I should go now."
Viktor clicked his tongue in disapproval, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Always in a hurry, huh? Do make sure to attend the masquerade party, our first deal isn't over yet." His gaze seemed to bore into Heidi's soul, warning her not to cross him.
Heidi felt her stomach churn with unease, her heart racing as she mumbled, "I will." She didn't dare provoke him further, fearing the consequences.
Viktor's expression turned serious, his voice low and even. "Great. I'll see you at the masquerade party then, Heidi." He turned to leave, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he vanished into the shadows.
He walked along the castle floors, his gaze thoughtful as his hands reached for his grazed arm. He felt nothing, it was like the cut had suddenly disappeared. He had felt it when he held her wrists earlier, a sudden spark of energy.
His interest in her had piqued when he first danced with her. He wondered if there was something special about her. That was why he wanted to keep her close enough, while maintaining a reasonable distance.