Desperate kid

"Do you like your new play thing?" He asked chewing on his steak, finally satisfied to see her eating something after so much time.

"I still don't understand why she can't eat with us" She said totally ignoring his question.

"Haven't you mother thought you never to bring toys to a dining table ?" He asked and heard her cutleries clatter.

"She is not a toy! She is a living being with feelings and emotions!" She saw him stare at her in silence and that managed to cool her down a little. It was just as if it was only now she realized how dangerous he was. His gaze seemed to be scrutinizing her very soul. "Please, she needs nourishment, she is still a kid and growing" She said more softly and he smiled at her.

"I'll let you take some food for her, but only if you tell me your name" He said and she frowned.

Did this means he didn't even know her name all this while?

But why asking now? Not like she would have told him anyways but he never asked. Or maybe he figured she wouldn't tell him if he did. Either way, she wouldn't starve Vera for a stupid name.

"Adaliah." She said simply and he nodded. She went back to eating, forgetting or rather trying to forget the grey eyes that were examining her like a skillful herbalist.

"And what was your role in that pleasure house Adaliah?" She shivered at the way he pronounced her name. It was coated with a weird inflection. She swallowed the chewed food in her mouth, before speaking without looking at him.

"I treated the humans there." She said briefly. She hated being reminded of that place. Of the treatment there. Of her selfishness.

"Is that all? I think not. Your main role was to provide enough aphrodisiac to humans to make them last longer. In exchange of that, you were not to be touched or drank from. What a bad little woman we have here." She dropped her cutleries glowering at him.

"I know okay! I know it was selfish and I regret every single thing, but it was either..." She trailed, her eyes widening.

"Either you or them" He finished for her, smiling in contentment. He saw her eyes moistening and a single tear rolled down her eyes.

To her, what she did was disastrous. Of course most of the humans she cured and drugged were thankful to her and understood her, saying they would do exactly the same thing and that permitted her to cope while being there. But now, with his 'help', she realized just how heartless she had been.

"Don't feel guilty" He said wiping her cheek, making her look into his eyes as he smiled at her. "You just tried to survive. You just used what you were gifted with when born. You are not bad"

"Really?" She stuttered as he wiped another tear.

"I assure you. If I'd known it would upset you this bad, I wouldn't have brought it up." He said but she narrowed her eyes at him, pulling away from him.

"I'm fine, I just... wish I could retire" She asked and he nodded. She picked a little bit of everything and walked behind Dan back to her room. He glared at her through the whole walk, as usual, but once they arrived, he grabbed her shoulder pulling her closer.

"When the Prince would grow tired of you, I will be there to destroy you. I know what kind of manipulative bitch you are" He pushed her back.

"Why do you hate me so much?" She asked and he glared at her.

"Never. Speak. To. Me. Again. Ever" He said menacingly and shut the door after pushing her in. Vera immediately hugged her as soon as she was back and smiled at her.

She gave Vera what she had kept for her and smiled in contentment, seeing her eat. She wasn't able to protect the humans there, but she vowed she would protect this sweet little girl.

A few days had passed ever since. Kerian didn't bring up his slavery proposal, not like she was going to agree to it anyways. Vera and herself had grown incredibly close. The little girl even started calling her big sister. She was having her dinner as usual with him, when one day,

"I will have to leave for a day. I might be back latest tomorrow evening. I'll make sure the maids bring your food to your room" He said and she nodded. Why did she suddenly feel sad? She shouldn't!

She frowned. She was not sad, she was scared. He was the only reason she was still safe. She could see it in Dan's gaze. In the maids mannerisms whenever they change the water in her bath.

"Make sure you stay in your room" He said when she had finished setting up Vera's plate. She retreated to her room, silently following after Dan. And for the first time, he smiled at her, but not the friendly kind of smile. The one that announced nothing good. She had a very bad feeling about Kieran's absence, even if it was only for a day. As soon as she came in, she saw Vera sitting by the window, staring outside.

Usually, as soon as she would be back, Vera would skip around and hug her, telling her how bored she was during her absence. Thinking that the girl hadn't noticed her, she cleared her throat, but was still blatantly ignored.

"Vera..."

"You love it here right?" Vera said deadpanned. Adaliah was taking aback by the girl's words and even more by her expression.

"What do you mean?" Adaliah placed the food on the table by the side, walking towards her.

"Have you thought about me? You get to go to those fancy dinner while I am cooped up here! If only I were you. I have such a pretty face and body, I would have seduced my way out of here!" She screamed at Adaliah, shocking her to the core.

Were these really the words of a nine years old child? How could she say such a thing to her? It not like she was willingly staying here. Did she even know she was attending those dinners only to bring her food?

"I'm sorry, I'm desperate and..." Vera said bursting into tears. "I just want to leave this place. Let's escape and live together as sisters out of this wretched country." Adaliah wrapped her hands around the girl, consoling her. She later urged the little girl to eat who later fell asleep.

But Adaliah couldn't. She sat on the window seat, head resting against the windowpane, gazing outside. No one was really shackles free. Only the strongest of the strongest really were.

She remembered the time she had spent being a royal. It was so beautiful and peaceful as compared to now. She slept on a comfortable bed, ate scrumptious meals, and did nothing of her day apart caring for Vera, yet the feeling wasn't there. There was something missing.

Maybe it was that fearlessness and strength she had that she lacked. When she was still a little girl, her only real goal was to be strong enough to be a good queen. She had the beauty, the intellect and the magic to do so. She never gave up on something and was always curious about everything. Everyone at the castle admired her and her mother adored her.

But it changed all too soon.