My eyes stretched by the view of his big hand reached out to grab me, his cold eyes gleamed with the blood-lust.
For a moment I felt familiar with his hands the next I trembled involuntarily as I looked at my death.
Wether I am leonore Or a mere cat, this guy drunk in power will kill me anyway.
Because he can.
The sickening feeling crawled in my chest, a rotting sense of powerlessness of having my life controlled by people who are more powerful than me , was accompanied by an unknown burden paralyzing me.
Being played in the palm of their hands and danced around their fingers to please them.
How hateful..
Pathetic..
I loathed my existence that moment.
I closed my eyes and held my breath
- flashback-
"You will be cooking from now on, not my wife. You understand that? " He snapped at me, as my little heart sink in my stomach.
I was trembling under his hateful gaze. Distorted between comforting myself that it's alright because I was guilty while other screamed at me for being so pathetic.
"You are old enough to cook and clean"
'What about my studies uncle? ' I couldn't say it out loud, struggling to keep that pathetic smile on my face.
"And don't dare to step out of the house"
My lips wavered before I managed to keep my smile.
Something cracked inside and stung into my chest. Something was being stolen and all I could do is watch because I am guilty of something..
And my 15 Years old brain cannot comprehend the stress it caused my soul. Soul that longed for freedom.
Freedom to choose that was being taken away from me.
---------------
He can control my life or death but cannot touch my will. The will to die is all mine.
'If he strangles me I would at least leave a life-long mark on his pretty face'
Collecting all my courage I glared back at the cold blue eyes,
'Come on'
His hands moved up behind my head and grabbed me by my back bringing me eye to eye with him.
This is my chance, I was ready to give him a departing gift.
"I am disappointed that you are not Leonore, I could have used you in many ways"
I gave him a disgusted look. He is so lewd and pervert.
"Not that way!! " He protested before sighing
"Since I brought you here, you can stay"
He put me back on the table before raising from his throne like chair.
He yawned and stretched his divine body and disappeared through the door.
Just when he left, that red head maid ran towards me and engulfed me in her arms.
"Oh my God, miss kitty" She said crushing me against her breasts " I was looking for you everywhe-what happened here!?? "
She looked around the hurricane stricken room in utter disbelief.
But the thing that distressed her more was probably my crying. Exhausted by all this ordeal, I held back more than my capacity.
"Awww it's okay dear" She petted me "Your Highness can be mean sometimes but he not that cruel"
I sniffed 'yes, he is just an idiot'
I would cringe at myself later.
------------
------------
Ashenhursts Estate.
The grand dining room of Ashenhurst Manor was illuminated by the warm glow of flickering candlelight, casting wavering shadows across the polished mahogany table.
Duke Gilbert Ashenhurst sat at the head of the table, his eyes fixated at the Crimson haired Spouse of his, occupying the seat across from him.
Aware of the cold hard gaze on her face, she tensed.
Her posture poised yet rigid, her delicate features marred by a hint of annoyance.
Beside her sat their daughter, Sophia, a timid figure shrinking beneath the weight of her father's presence.
In the wicked atmosphere, Sophia's alluring and serene presence was in contrast with the dark atmosphere.
While the other two were well suited with their grim faces.
Servants moved about the room with silent efficiency, their movements barely disturbing the heavy silence that hung in the air like a suffocating shroud.
Each course was served with precision, the clinking of silverware the only sound to break the stillness. The servants left the Dining Hall, it was again bathed in deafening silence, disturbed by the sound of metal clinging here and there.
Marylin, breathed in and out, before gave an attempted to thaw the icy atmosphere with polite conversation. "How was your day, Gilbert?"
Duke Gilbert's voice rumbled "Busy, as always."
tension in the room thickened with each passing moment, suffocating any attempt at casual conversation.
Marylin, while sweating anxiously, turned her attention to Sophia. "And how was your lesson with Mrs. Abernathy today, dear?"
Sophia raised her beautiful purple eyes at her mother before glancing nervously at her father who carved out a piece of meat and looked at her.
She immediately backed down her gaze and whispered a reply "It was fine, Mother. Thank you."
Marylin cleared her throat and opened her mouth again " Sophia was also invited to the ball of Haverford Estate. Sophia is very popular these days"
"Hmm" Gilber grumbled " She still has an year before attending such balls" He scowled at shrinking Sophia " Focus on your education first"
She nodded meekly "y-yes father"
"Your Grace, She can practice her etiquette through socializing in such events"
Gilber shot a glare at his wife "I know what are you trying to accomplish Marilyn, I am very well aware what has been happening in every corner of this house"
Marilyn gulped draining of her colours and Sophia shivered.
"You should first pray that that child returns safely before I start taking action of my liking"
"B-but Father, Mom didn't do anything" Sophia said while staring at her palm.
"When Elders are speaking, youngers should not interrupt unless asked to"
Sophia felt her heart clench.
"My Lord she is just-"
"Find my daughter before me Marilyn or else you know"
With that, Duke Gilbert rose from the table, signaling the end of the meal.
Marylin and Sophia watched in silence as he exited the dining room, leaving them alone in the oppressive stillness.
While his footsteps faded his words lingered to the both the women like a curse of a Sage.
"Come dear, let us retire"
Says the mother.
Sophia walked behind her mother in an open corridor of the huge manor.
'Why Leonore, my mother did every thing for you yet this is how you pay her. Why do you always cause trouble for her? '
A tear rolled down her cheeks. Her goddess like face was scrunched in a scowl.
'It's all your fault"
______
Niveus dribbled a ball around his fingers as the kitten watched him with zero interest.
"Go fetch it kitty!! "
His enthusiastic voice echoed in the empty office as the ball awkwardly hit the wall before bouncing on the floor.
Both sat quietly watching the ball stopped moving. The room returned to it's established silence.
The kitten didn't even blinked her eyes and looked back at the embarrassed Crown Prince Of The Empire.
Even the servants outside had that embarrassed look on their faces.
"You are so lazy"
She just shoved the pile of documents next to her to the floor 'look whose work is pending'
'Not mine' she snickered at him.
The veins popped on his head "I am just taking a break"
'Since yesterday? ' feline raised her eyebrows at him 'you should be named Procrastinator highness'
She snickered at her own joke.
"Are you making fun of me"
'No shit Sherlock' she rolled her eyes.
"Whoa, I should have just killed you"
The kitten raised up and jumped off the table walking at the door. She paused and turned her head to Niveus, who watched her patiently.
She shook her head 'hopeless'
Thie prince yelled at the tiny cat throwing his pen at the wall next to her.
The kitten left with her holding her nose up.
"I will show you how hardworking and Intelligent I am!! " The Prince shouted at the annoying cat who just passed the hallway without a care.
That night prince retired at 4 in the morning.