Chapter 2 - the promise with the devil 

Chapter 2 - the promise with the devil 

Luke thought he heard footsteps while his eyes were closed. But he soon put such an idea aside, after all, no one entered his room but his sister. And she would always wake him up with a hug and shrill cries. If it was Aretha, he'd already be crushed.

However, though his thought was discarded. Luke returned to his mind seconds later. After all, the sunlight touched his face. Right after the curtains were opened.

So after his green eyes opened, Luke could see a stranger in front of him. A young maid, who had never seen before, with pink blonde hair, bright blue eyes, fair skin and flushed cheeks. Her navy and white uniform fit her perfectly, making her very cute. Especially with something the young man had never received from an employee, a smile.

"Good morning, sir. Miss Aretha asked me to come and wake you. Pleasure, I am the new employee; Lily Sous. I am here to serve you. Call me whatever you need."

Luke was really confused. The events of the previous night came back to his mind. The first question was, why the hell wasn't he dead? Second question: how did he get home? And third question: why was the poor novice maid assigned to him? She would be despised.

Lily still watched him with a smile, waiting for directions. 

Luke was really sorry for the young woman, just the fact that she was there with him, could already have problems. So he wanted to end the situation soon.

"Well, good morning first, Lily. I appreciate the help. But you don't need that, okay? Since you're young, they probably didn't tell you... I'm someone who doesn't deserve the attention of the servants, you know? If you take care of me, they'll isolate you. You seem like a gentle girl and you don't deserve that. Please get out of here."

Lily seemed surprised. No lord would care about the reputation of a servant like that.

"Let her help you, asshole. Lily is young and said she wanted to make friends, so I asked her to work for you." 

The owner of the new voice, was soon attached to he. And pressed it as if it would never release again. 

"Aretha, let me go... you're suffocating me." - Luke muttered. 

His older sister's laughter filled the room. She let him go, still laughing. Today she wore a green cotton dress that contrasted with her eyes of the same color and wavy brown hair. He'd sure miss her.

"Bath time, sleepyhead. Lily, prepare the bath." 

The maid agreed and went to work while Aretha continued to chatter.

"Yesterday the prince came to bring you home after meeting you drunk. Very kind of him, don't you think? "

The mention of the prince reminded Luke of the night before and about his kiss. He blushed at the memory, but was distracted again. 

"Focus, Luke. You have to tell her." - Thought hastily.

"Sister, do you really want to marry the prince?" 

Aretha now had a lost look. She stopped teasing him and sat on the bed. He thought for a few minutes, bit his lips and lightly pressed the sheets, as if he was choosing well the words he should say.

"Well, no." - Answered directly. " I wanted to travel, ride around with someone I really loved and be able to stay with that person until the end of my days, having tea and talking about the new release of Author Jane Hullers. " - after a long pause, she continued. " But we can't have what we want, right? "

After hearing that, Luke was sure that he could not leave his sister in the hands of that madman. 

"So don't marry him, Aretha. Please. He's not a good guy. He..."

Luke Exitou, would you believe him? Even his sister who was there for him forever. That was too absurd for anyone to believe. Even so, he decided to risk it.

"I heard something yesterday, he wants to kill you after the wedding, Aretha." 

Aretha watched him, now would be. 

"I know you're worried about me, little brother. But everything will be fine. I know you're jealous, but you didn't have to. " - she smiled squeezing his cheeks.

Luke sighed, knew that would be his answer.

"Now, time for the bath." 

Quickly, she took the covers off him, making him run to the bathroom in shame.

"Don't do it, you freak. You can see what you don't want." 

On the other side of the door, Aretha laughed.

"I gave you a bath when you were little, there's nothing there that I haven't seen." - She went further behind the door. " I'll wait for you for breakfast, don't be late." 

Luke sighed relieved, hearing the footsteps receding.

Fortunately, he was still covered in a white shirt, which was soon on the floor. 

On his back could be seen small scars marks that were healing. However, what caught the most attention was how thin and slender Luke was, his bones almost jumped out of the body. 

He entered the bathtub and began to rub, it hurt, as it seemed that the skin did not protect the bones of his body. Another reason not to let your sister see you, other than shame.

She would have many questions and Luke was not interested in answering.

After bathing, he put on black pants and a shirt of the same color. Almost disappearing from view.

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When Luke arrived at the dinner table, his parents soon frowned, as if his presence brought a plague. 

The young count sat down and took some milk and bread. That would be enough for today. 

Aretha put a few more pieces on his plate and asked her to eat. But soon the mood worsened with your father's hoarse, loud voice and the smell of milk in Luke's hair.

The patriarchs looked at him with intense hatred and disregard.

"How dare you give trouble to Prince Artanis, your nobody. You're lucky your sister is engaged to him and the prince is kind." - His father screamed, looking at him with brown eyes possessed of anger, while his mother held the empty milk jar and his green and deadly gaze seemed to want to spoil him. A look colder and emptier than the prince himself. 

Luke didn't answer. They didn't deserve to be talked to.

The servants around seemed not to care. Luke could hear the whispers later, of how abused he was. Only Lily watched everything in shock and with a true look of pity. 

Fearing to weep so much humiliation. He got up and left.

"Luke, Luke... come back here." 

Aretha's voice could be heard from afar, but was successfully ignored.

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At the end of the day, his door was broken open again by Aretha who squeezed his cheeks for leaving him talking to himself after the morning incident.

"I have a surprise. Get ready for the ball at the royal palace. Today will be the celebration of the queen's royal birthday and we will perform at the piano. What an honor, don't you think?"

It really was a high-value honor, but had she said "we"? 

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The night came and Luke was super nervous. I didn't know how Aretha had managed to convince him parents to allow him to play a duet on the piano with her. 

But it didn't matter, they couldn't say anything against him at that time, in front of everyone. 

Aretha shook his hand, to support him. And he decided he wouldn't be afraid. Playing the keys was one of the few things that comforted him. The music was something so clear and perfect that made him feel that he could be more than what he heard in his daily life.

And without fear, his hands slipped by the keys as soon as his sister started. The harmony was perfect, it's like it was just him and the music. Nothing else existed there. Just that feeling of familiarity and comfort.

When the score came to an end, he could hear the applause. He and Aretha stood up and held hands bowed in gratitude. Luke sighed relieved and by his sister's smile, he hadn't ruined everything. 

Queen Persephone herself came to thank and praise them. Right behind her was her son, who had the same hair.

The bastard was wearing a typical royal outfit, the dark blue shirt, the vest and white cape with golden details. He gave a gentle smile to the brothers, making Luke bite his lips. Anyone who saw thought he was holy.

Luke would have to pretend. He bowed properly before Artanis and thanked him:

"I would like to thank Your Highness. For helping me the night before. My family is very grateful for your generosity."

"No need to thank, Willians. What kind of prince would I be if I didn't help someone in need?" 

And they both smiled, but of course in their looks, Luke wanted to kill him, because it was he who made him faint. And Artanis threatened him not to speak. The silent war continued for a few seconds, until the queen and prince said goodbye.

After they left, Luke was distracted by the guests. Content with listening to the conversations and watching the shows. Until something caught his eye, the wretched prince with his sister heading towards the gardens. 

And like a good brother, someone who knew the true face of the prince and of course, a super curious person; he followed them. 

Silently, he stayed hidden against the high scriptures of bushes in the palace garden. He couldn't hear anything, which made him very frustrated. 

It seemed just a casual conversation between the bride and groom, they didn't even meet. But the prince's gaze was kind. 

"Liar." - Luke thought.

Until finally, his sister walks away and leaves the prince alone.

And of course, it was followed. There was still a chance to save your sister.

As they went deeper into the garden, amidst a maze of roses, the prince turned with a cheeky smile.

"You really like following me, Luke Willians. Did you miss last night's kiss?"

Luke got angry and said: 

"Yours... That wasn't a kiss, it was an evil magic to erase me. And you still lied, like you were my savior or something." 

The prince laughed and the malicious look appeared. There he was, the real Prince Artanis of Athea.

"What matters is that I talked to your sister. That's why you're here, right? She told me she didn't really want to get married, but she would do it for the good and the reputation of the family." 

Luke was surprised at Aretha's sincerity. But, as far as he knew, the prince wouldn't let it go cheap. After all, I needed God knows what this marriage was about.

"And with that, I thought of a solution. That can save your dear older sister."

Luke was excited about the opportunity.

"And what is it?" - Asked hopeful.

Artanis approached him, causing Luke to lean his back against a bush.

"Marry me, Luke Willians. Do that and your sister will be free and alive to live her life as a cartographer and palace researcher. To travel wherever you want."

"How do you...?"

 Luke was in total shock. The prince wanted to marry him instead of Aretha? But he had nothing special. He should thank you for seeing his sister free and alive... but he was still confused by it.

"Your sister will be free and you will marry me. So she won't have to die and neither will you."

"But... if you had to kill her first. Why is it different with me?"

The prince smiled amusingly.

"Because you are different, puppy. So, do you accept my proposal or not? "

Luke's heart was racing, he was more and more confused. However, there was the certainty of what was most important at the time.

"I agree to marry you, Prince Artanis of Athea."

"So now we're engaged, Luke Willians"

And again, the prince's lips clashed with his, and this time, Luke felt the blood flow through them. As if a pact had been made.