Centuries ago,
KAMAZ'S POV
I had to pull myself out of her room.
The things I had thought…the things I wanted to do to her.
I had left her room indefinitely without even remembering my reason for going there in the first place.
I had seen a fully naked woman - with waist so slim, breasts so voluptuous, and skin as smooth as my sword - but I had not been moved for a second. She appeared plain in my sight and the thought of having my way with her had repelled my senses and beast to no end.
But…
It was just her shoulder blade I had been graced to set my eyes on, and the demon within me had grown horns that poked at my vital parts and wanted me to unravel her.
I was beginning to feel crazed and I concluded that there was no other way out for me.
The strongest of mead couldn't help me, other women couldn't, the way of the sword only made my blood thrum hotter and harder and she seemed like the only antidote for my misery.
This was the hardest news for me to swallow and believe because I had no idea how long I had to stay away from her.
It happened and I snapped.
I had just returned from training my men and it had been a very harsh day.
For whatever reason, the beast within me was antsy and on edge all through the morning. Patience was a long lost virtue and even Falkur walked on eggshells around me.
It had also led to me ending the training earlier than usual.
I immersed myself in a cold bath, staying under the water for a while but nothing changed. Realizing that it was only a matter of time before my beast surfaced, I requested Zelda.
Falkur came back with words that set my very skin prickly and aflame.
Prince Acheron had brought her some medicine earlier, and eyewitnesses said he told her it was to calm her nerves.
After some time, he had requested for her presence in his chamber.
It had been a good couple of hours since then.
Without thinking of any other thing, I headed for his chambers.
****************
ZELDA'S POV
I was surprised when Prince Acheron came with his royal guard to seek an audience with me. From the hands of his guard, I had received some rare herbs.
"I saw you fall from the tree. You could have hurt yourself.
This tree is good for relaxing the nerves. You should take it morning and night!"
"I…I cannot take such Prince Acheron. I appreciate it from my heart, but it is too much for me and you know how the Palace is, it could spark some unwanted rumors.
But I can assure you that I'm fine, and I was just a little out of it earlier," I explained.
"A little you say. If that rough-looking boy had not been under the tree at that moment, you would have injured yourself.
Now do not argue with your Prince. I won't be returning with the medicine I brought for you" He said with a smile.
His smile caused me to smile, too.
But why couldn't my heart continue to like him like before?
Why did my treacherous heart have to move on so fast and not to any other person but someone like Prince Kamaz?
Someone who would never see me the way I want to be seen!
But even the Crown Prince is a boundary I cannot cross. His mother could even have my head if a word reached her ever-present ears that her son had helped Prince Kamaz's maidservant.
I accepted it and thanked him and soon he was on his way.
I continued my routine but the guard that had handed me the herbs returned an hour later with word that Prince Acheron wanted me present in his chambers.
It was a strange request but it was one I couldn't ignore!
A light cream-colored curtain separated me from his inner chamber. I bowed my head, my hands intertwined before me as I awaited to hear the reason for the impromptu call.
"Come in, Zelda," I heard him say.
Just to be certain that I heard the right words, I called, "My Lord?"
"I want to speak with you, and I want to see your face as I do so, " He said.
I took a deep breath before I gradually parted the curtain and proceeded.
The only royal's curtain I have parted since my working in the palace is that of Prince Kamaz and I only got to do so because he isn't as uptight as other Royals.
A cushion was opposite his and he pointed at me to sit on it. I knelt on it and placed my hands on my knees as I wondered where this was all going.
If it was in the past, I would have been ecstatic about such an invitation and my joy would be everywhere.
I was grateful for the small table separating us.
The table had a jar of liquor and a goblet.
When he drank off the contents in the goblet and placed it back on the table, he asked me to pour him some liquor.
I did and after his first sip, he began speaking.
"I thought I would be content when I become the Crown Prince. That I would have the love and attention of my mother.
That was a lie!
I was yet another pawn in her search for more power. I just got to realize that if by some unfortunate events, I die, my replacement is already available…" He said before taking another swig of his liquor.
I looked down, staring at the intricate designs of the floor and wondering if it was appropriate for him to tell me such matters.
He dropped his goblet and with a motion of his fingers, I poured him another.
"There is no real thing in the Palace.
Nothing of value except those that have a measure of power.
Not even those that share the same blood as you are real.
But recently I understood that I have been blind for a long time and.. and my eyes just opened to a truth." He said.
My eyes lifted to look at him. He was staring at me, his eyes slightly glazed.
"You Zelda, you are the only real thing I know"
I blinked my eyes. And blinked again.
What is going on? Why is he saying such things to me?
He shoved the table to the side and with a smile, he moved closer to me.
I leaned backward, my palms holding my weight as he knelt before me.
Due to his height, he was hovering above me. He lifted my face and held me by my jaw.
"Promise me that if the whole world turns their back on me and continues to pretend, you Zelda, you will continue to be the only real thing to exist to me"
He was so close to me that I could perceive the liquor in his breath and see the sadness in his eyes.
He might seem like a man who has it all, but still, he was lacking something so vital and genuine.
His words were understandable but his actions were just a little weird.
I was about to respond to him when his curtain was thrown open.
It was Lord Kamaz and his eyes boiled with a murderous rage.
Oh no!