Escape from the Aphrodite(chapter eight)

Serena stepped into her chambers. Hanging her cloak on the wall, she sat on her bunk bed.

The prince. His voice, gaze, looks had been in her thoughts recently. he saved her life and gave her a new home so what else?

crouching to check her sandals for the next day's chore, she smiled. she knew his gaze was on hers. she could feel his passion from where he sat.

" Serena?" a voice brought her back.

" yes, papa?"

Theus opened the door to her chambers and came in.

" I've been waiting for you all day. where have you been?"

" my apologies papa, I met lady Betsy on my way out, I had to work for her. she guarantees decent pay."

"you don't have to Serena". Theus murmured and hugged her "that's why I'm alive, to support all of you."

" I know papa, but you know Cassandra shouldn't work alone. I should too."

" very well. promise you'll be careful?"

"I assure you, papa".

I know prince Philip is preparing for the ball".Theus said to himself.

" a ball?"Serena gasped.

"yes. the king wants his son to find a wife before his Coronation".

" Oh. I see.." she replied thoughtfully." maybe lady Betsy isn't so bad after all"

Theus chuckled." I don't think you fancy lady Betsy at all."

Serena smiled back. but she couldn't ignore the ache in her heart when she mentioned lady Betsy being compatible with the prince.

*********†***********

Days turned to weeks. Serena knew Theus was right when she began seeing different people arriving some days before the ball.

her expectations were cut short when Lady Betsy knocked and requested her presence. Her chambers were bright and beautiful with beautiful ancient pictures on the wall. her bed was large and comfortable. A large Mirror was on the wall to lighten the place.

standing behind her in her chambers, she listened to her ramblings about "seducing" the prince.

"I need you to give me an idea about seducing the prince," she said turning to Serena who was combing her hair.

"well..my lady. I am not experienced in the idea of seduction"

" outrageous! preposterous!"

lady Betsy acclaimed angrily and Serena flinched.

" my apologies my lady".

" I need an idea. now! "

of...o..f course" she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I think dressing seductively would do".

" very well".she said and smiled." shall we?".

************††*********

Prince Philip climbed on his king-sized bed to retire for the night after a long day of visiting the women his father recommended. he had to escape their flirty sentiment to retire. he didn't need a woman for now. what he craved and wanted was much rosier and he knew it.

he heard a knock on his door.

"who is it?" he called out " come in".

He saw a woman emerge from the doorway. she wore lingerie that hardly covered her buttocks, her hair was disheveled as if she came straight from hell. face painted like a Chinese dish.

" your Highness...." she whispered licking her fingers and stroking her thighs.

Lady Betsy!.

"What on earth are you doing? this Is inappropriate!"

"i..couldn't sleep, so I thought we could warm our bodies."

" oh well. that was thoughtful of you my Lady. but I'm afraid that wouldn't be possible."

she reached out to touch him but Philip backed off.

"Lady Betsy," Philip said with a stern voice." please leave before I ask the guards to escort you to your chambers."

Lady Betsy gasped in surprise.

" oh..of course," she said and stormed out.

Philip sighed in relief and climbed off his bed to lock the door. but as he neared the door, he heard footsteps retreating after lady Betsy.

He opened the door and peeped out.

Serena ran after lady Betsy.

" wait!" Philip couldn't help but call out.

Serena turned and saw Prince Philip strolling towards her, tall and handsome with strong confidence and strength.his broad-shouldered chest was fascinating even in his thin nightshirt. his guards bowed to him as he passed.

"c.....I help you, your highness?" Serena asked warmly. her palms sweaty in nervousness.

Philip grinned.

She was beautiful and there was more, he was attracted to her determination and courage.

" I was wondering...if you could join me as I pour a tea for two"?

Tea with the prince? unbelievable!.

" well.. I think I have to attend to lady Betsy".

" don't worry about that, I'll send a maid to her how about that?" Philip's smile seemed to melt her heart.

" that would be alright".

****************

Serena smiled and stared at Philip as he poured tea for the both of them.

" you didn't tell me what happened after you ran off," he said handling a goblet to her.

" I..." she took it gratefully and smiled." well. I had to find out...what happened to my family".

" My condolences".

"thank you, your highness."

" call me Philip"

" what?"

" you heard me," he said and smiled.

Serena nodded slowly.

Philip sat beside her and sipped his tea." it's going to be alright, you don't have to think about it."

Serena stared at him. observing him close for the first time. clean shaved jaw and clean teeth.

He was coming closer to her. staring at her rosy lips and coming closer. Serena could see the desire of passion in his eyes. the desire burning through her core was unbearable. before her brain delivers a warning his lips already met hers. slowly at first but getting deeper. she wanted his lips on hers and he felt the same, she could feel it in the way he cupped her soft chin and kissed her deeper. she broke the kiss, stood up slowly, and ran out.

********************

Serena was out of breath when she reached her chambers .sweating profusely and in confusion. The prince kissed her!.

She crept into the room. Candles were lit but the room was dark. she closed the door softly.

" Are you well?"

Serena flinched when she heard Cassandra's tiny voice.

" where have you been? it's late and we've been so worried!".

Serena went towards her close friend and hugged her.

" my apologies... I was lost...i".

" false".cassandra sternly said smiled." I can tell when you lie Serena, you look exhausted. you forgot the sermon we heard? deceitful ones will not..".

" I know.." Serena sighed." I don't want to be condemned.

And she told her everything.

"Good lord...he kissed you!"

" it..i..it was not my fault!..it just happened!".

"I can tell...."

" tell what"?Serena's eyes were like saucers.

" he's falling in love with you".•

" you're a silly girl, my dear".

" no...and you feel the same about him."

Serena sighed." He has lady Betsy...she's in love too.".

" all in good time Serena...all in good time.."Cassandra replied and smiled." I think we need a little " liar" before papa comes."