The heavy mahogany door creaked open, and Reign was pushed inside, her legs trembling beneath the weight of dread. The room was dimly lit, the warm glow of the fireplace casting flickering shadows across the walls.
She clenched her fists at her sides, her nails biting into her palms to keep herself steady. She dared not move or make a sound. Who knew what was lying inside the depths of the room.
Her innocent eyes fearfully scanned the area, looking for that particular person, but he was nowhere to be seen. Her heart raced rapidly. Because she could feel it, that person was here just that she didn't know where.
A sharp current of air swept past her, and she instinctively shut her eyes tight. She could feel that person had just walked past her, and he was now somewhere in the room watching her.
Reign, slowly and warily, opened her eyes. And just like she had thought, he was there, sitting by the fireplace not very far away from her. His face was glowing under the firelight, and his silhouette carved like a beautiful work of art. A glass of amber liquid rested on his hand with effortless control.
The way his predatory eyes gazed at her, Reign wanted to run, but that would be the most stupid thing she would ever do. She didn't know where to look. The world she knew was gentle, predictable, but it felt impossibly away from this moment. He was nothing like she had ever seen. His presence was choking, but at the same time, she felt an irresistible pull, like a mother drawn too close to the flame. She should have been afraid. Maybe she was. But beneath the unease, there was something else.
Then, as if he could hear her thoughts, a slow smirk curled at his lips, sending a shiver down her spine.
"You're quiet," he murmured, his voice like silk over steel. "Does my presence unsettle you?"
Reign swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She was not much of a talker, and at that moment, she went completely dump. Yes, she was unsettled. But she could not bring herself to say it.
Because the truth was more than that. She was not just unsettled. She was intrigued.
"Come here," the voice added, rendering her into a state of nervousness she had never experienced before. It's not like she had ever been locked in the same room with a stranger, precisely a man. All her life, she had been isolated from the cruel world.
Nevertheless, she took slow, delayed steps towards him. With every move, breathing became hard for her and she could feel heat rushing into her body. Maybe it was because of the fire, or something else. She had no time to find that out.
"Mr... Vale," her cracked voice echoed sweetly into the man's ears, as she slightly bowed. "I... it's... good... to meet... you." She stummered. This always happened when she was extremely scared, and at that moment, she was more than that. With the way he watched her every move, it was impossible for her not to feel pressured. She therefore took a stop in front of him, but a five steps distance between them.
"You know why you're here," the man said smoothly, his voice low yet commanding.
Reign trembled slightly before she nodded hesitantly, her gaze fixed on the expensive rug beneath her feet. "Y-yes," She whispered. "I'm... here to serve you until... my family repays... what they owe you."
A dark and knowing chuckle escaped from him. "Serve me?" He echoed, as if tasting the words on his tongue. He set the glass on his hand down on the small table beside him, his movements fluid and deliberate. "And how do you intend to do that?"
Reign's lips parted, but no words came out. Wasn't she supposed to clean? Cook? Run errands? After all, that was what her uncle and aunt had told her.
Reign felt her pulse pound when the man suddenly leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee scrutinising her like a prey. "You stand there like a trembling lamb, yet you claim to understand why you're here." His head tilted slightly. "Tell me, little one, do you?"
Reign's fingers twisted on the fabric of her dress, trying as much not to break down. She was on the edge. How many years had it been since she had such a long conversation with someone? She could not remember either. But now, it was crucial for her to do so. This was to save her family from falling into ruin. If serving the man would do keep them safe, she would willingly do it. They were the only ones willing to take her in when her parents died. Thus, she counted this as a way of repaying them.
"I... can do whatever you ask of me, Mr Vale," She said carefully. "I'll work hard. I... I won't cause you trouble."
The man exhaled a quiet breath through his nose, something between amusement and mild, frustration flickering in his eyes. He had met many ladies of her kind. Pretendi g to be innocent in order to provoke simple men. But he was anything but simple.
After a moment of silent, he spoke one word.
"Strip."
Reign's entire body jolted as if struck by lightning. Her head snapped, her wide eyes meeting his for a brief moment before she quickly gazed back at the floor.
"W-why?" She whispered, her voice barely inaudible. Her face heated up rethinking what his one word order. How could say such a shameful thing to a stranger? Was he trying to do something inappropriate with her? Her inner instincts to save herself rose up and immediately thought of what to do if he dared do anything she didn't like.
She felt her heart almost stop when the man stood up and closed the distance between them, and he stood one step away from her. Without a word, he lifted her chin with his index finger the ordered dangerously, "Look at me when I'm talking to you, little one."