Zilayefa paced her room, her heart pounding like a distant drum. Anxiety clung to her thoughts, wrapping them in an impenetrable fog. She had whispered silent prayers for Duke Larry's appearance, for his protection, but the minutes stretched into what felt like eternity, and the knock she had been anticipating came from an entirely different source.
When she opened the door to find the prince standing there, her heart sank further. Without invitation or hesitation, he stepped into the room, his towering presence suffocating the space around her. "I wanted to talk," he said, his voice smooth, yet unsettling.
Zilayefa forced a polite smile, her hands trembling ever so slightly. She didn't want to anger him, but she knew she wanted nothing more than for him to leave. The prince studied her, his gaze far too piercing, and Zilayefa felt a knot of unease tighten in her stomach.
"Stand up," the prince ordered suddenly, his tone leaving no room for protest. Her limbs felt heavy, weighed down by dread, as she complied. "Turn around." The request made her stomach churn, but reluctantly, she obeyed.
When he asked her to face him, Zilayefa's breath caught in her throat as he suggested something she could hardly believe. The room seemed to spin as she stood there frozen. She stammered an excuse, hoping to deflect his intrusive request. Though her words were firm, fear colored her voice.
The prince narrowed his eyes, frustration flickering in his expression. Zilayefa remained composed on the surface, but inside, waves of panic crashed through her. She prayed for a way to escape the situation, her mind racing to find answers where there seemed to be none.
She wasn't ready, no she does not want this , he is asking her to undress for him. Are all the elites like this, mean and unreasonable. She stood there staring back at him, prince Alastair got frustrated and rushed to her, he grabbed her by the neck and pressed her against the wall "Bitch, I said strip for me" He said while biting on her earlobe, Zilayefa flinched with the pain and tried to push him away, but he over powered her. He pressed his body against hers and she can feel his bulge down there, she felt disgusted by his actions. He was a prince after all.
" Am going to let you go now and you'll strip for me" He said and walked away from her, he took a chair and sat down.
Zilayefa looked at her predicament and wondered how she'd be able to escape this with her head intact. And why is the Duke not here yet, or did the Duke bring her here to sell? She can't believe herself, the Duke never professed love to her, he was only her master, she should never forget that.
She straightened her hair and clothes and looked at the prince. " My lord,I am already betrothed and as such I can't undress for you" she said politely while bowing her head.
The prince stares at her and he laughed a hearty laugh. " You a betrothed, to who ? Who is that man that is wealthy than I am in Nero, who is he, is he more handsome? Huh tell me" He asked her. Anger hitched on his face.
Zilayefa knew that she has to do something, her only solution out of here was the Duke but he is not willing to help her, she has being here for hours and he is no where to be found. So she took her shot " The Duke" she whispered.
The prince heard her but he was baffled, why will the Duke not say anything, if she was really his betrothed, and who is this girl that she was betrothed to the Duke of Ralston. The wealthiest man in Nero. He stared into her eyes piercing her soul with his gaze. " You are lying" He said to her sternly
Zilayefa was taken back, he caught up with her scheme so fast, she won't back down. If she did the prince might do something stupid.
" Your highness, the Duke promised to marry me. You can ask him by yourself" she politely bowed. " Your highness, the night is long and I'd love to take my rest now" she raised her head and gave him a smile.
"Very well then, I shall talk to the Duke in the morning. Pray that you are truly his betrothed, cause if you are lying, I'll make you a slave, you and your entire generation will be slaves forever" He warned her and took his leave.
Zilayefa was scared to death, what if the Duke denied her in front of everyone, what if he abandoned her? She wasn't betrothed to the Duke, she was only looking for an escape route and now she is doomed. She doomed herself and her entire family for generations to come.
She prayed that the Duke will have mercy on her, she'd do anything for him as far as he helped her out.
Zilayefa cried herself to sleep. While someone was sleepless in an inn not too far away from the palace.