Cassian's legs felt like they could give out at any moment. The prince's words are repeated in his mind at an alarming rate, he was almost crushed by the weight of his words.
He couldn't tell if this was some twisted form of punishment or if the young man was offering him a favor disguised as a curse. Whatever the case, the outcome did not appear to be in his favor.
Damn it! Cassian cursed inwardly, feeling as though he had just walked straight into the lair of a demon—a demon who was smiling wickedly, extending his hand as if to say, Come, take my hand, and let's see how far you can walk.
He wanted to flee from this place and escape the intensity of the young man's gaze, but the reality was a cold slap on his face as he knew the truth of his situation. Rejecting a nobleman was not an option for him, who is a mere commoner.
The stories he had heard about those who crossed the nobles were enough to chill him to the bone. He could only imagine what might happen if he dared to refuse him outright. The thought of never seeing the sun rise again sent shivers down his spine.
Dorian watched Cassian closely, the boy's face was changing color rapidly with different emotions—pale with fear one moment, flushed with embarrassment the next. Was it anger or something else?
Dorian couldn't tell exactly, but he found it all immensely entertaining. Cassian's discomfort was like fuel to the fire within him, it made the urge in him to tease Cassian all the more irresistible.
"Don't even think about saying no," Dorian said with a low voice, but for Cassian, it almost sounded like a growl.
Dorian's expression turned stern, his eyes narrowing dangerously at Cassian. "You really don't want to know what happens to those who try to defy me, Cassian. Believe me, you wouldn't like it."
Cassian's heart pounded in his chest, he could hear his own heart beating like a drum. The young man's warning was clear—this was not a request, but an order. He swallowed hard while shaking his head.
"No, no, I would never—how could I possibly reject such a… gentleman as yourself?" Cassian stammered his voice trembling slightly. He forced a weak smile wanting to mask his fear with an air of deference. "I'm just… confused. How could someone like me, a commoner, possibly be of service to you when you have trained servants waiting at your beck and call?"
He prayed silently that this line of reasoning would satisfy the prince, allowing him to escape this uncomfortable situation. Cassian knew he was walking a tightrope, hoping that by downplaying his importance, he might be dismissed as insignificant. After all, who would bother with a lowly servant when there were dozens more ready and waiting to serve?
Dorian's lips twitched the urge to smile almost breaking through his stern façade. Cassian was clever—witty, even. He had managed to craft an argument that might have worked on any noble, someone easily swayed by their own pride. But Cassian had made one critical error—he was dealing with Prince Dorian, and there was no one more skilled at seeing through such tactics.
The prince leaned in slightly, his eyes never leaving Cassian's. "A commoner?" he mused his tone dripping with mock consideration. "Perhaps you're right, Cassian. Perhaps a mere commoner like you has no place in my plans. But then again…"
He let the words hang, watching as Cassian's eyes widened, fear creeping back into his expression. Dorian's voice turned cold, almost playful, "But I have set my eyes on you. And listen, I don't give a fu*k about it. Whether you are a commoner or noble. Just find yourself lucky that I have set my eyes on you and forget that you can escape from my clutches until I say so.
Remember Cassian something—no one outsmarts me, Cassian. No one."
Cassian's attempt to steer the conversation away from himself had failed spectacularly. He felt trapped, like a rabbit caught in a snare, with no way out but to face the inevitable. The prince had seen through his ruse with frightening ease, and now he was cornered, his back against the wall.
And with all the words, he only felt more unsettled like his worst nightmare had come true. He never wants to get the attention of any noble or of a higher position as it will only cause trouble for him. And he couldn't help but his thoughts start going in other directions, even if he didn't want to think about it, but he felt too powerless.
Dorian straightened, his stern expression melting into something more relaxed but no less dangerous. "I admire your quick thinking, but you should know by now that I'm not so easily fooled. You'll repay me, Cassian. Twice over, in fact—once for the library, and once for sparing you today."
Cassian's stomach churned at the thought. Twice? He had barely managed to avoid disaster today, and now the prince was demanding not one, but two favors in return? It felt like he was signing a contract with the devil himself, and the price was something he could scarcely afford.
"But what could I possibly offer you, S-Sir?" Cassian's voice was barely above a whisper, his earlier bravado completely drained. "I have nothing…"
Dorian's eyes gleamed with something akin to satisfaction. He had won, and he knew it. "Oh, don't worry about that, Cassian," he said smoothly. "When the time comes, I'll let you know. And when I do, you'll deliver. After all, you wouldn't want to go back on your word, would you?"
Cassian shook his head slowly, resigned to his fate. "No, S-Sir," he murmured. "I wouldn't."
"Good," Dorian replied, finally stepping back and allowing Cassian some space. "Now, go. And remember, you owe me… twice."
Cassian didn't need to be told twice. He turned and fled, his heart still pounding as he made his way back through the palace. He felt like he had just survived a battle of wits with the most dangerous man in the kingdom. And though he had managed to escape, for now, the weight of what he had just agreed to hung over him like a dark cloud.
He could only hope that when the time came to repay his debt, he would be able to survive that encounter as well.