Perfect Sense

But even as I complied with his request, I still felt a lingering sense of unease. Addressing him without the formal title of Prince felt like treading on thin ice.

The consequences could be severe, especially considering the watchful eyes of Kyline and her cohort. Not to mention the looming presence of the Ministers.

Returning to my meal, I observed Ludwig as he ate in silence. Each of his movement was deliberate and purposeful.

His every action affirmed his status as the prince of the Fire Fae Kingdom. He needed no crown or extravagant attire to command respect. His presence alone was enough to command attention.

Summoning my courage once more, I dared to bring up the subject that had been weighing heavily on my mind.

"Hey, Ludwig," I began, drawing his attention away from his meal. "I just... I've been wondering why I'm here."

I rarely saw Ludwig, and it was even rarer to have the chance to be near him, so it felt like the perfect moment to directly ask him about the purpose of my presence in his castle.

This might be the only opportunity I had to get answers from him. 

Ludwig paused in his eating. His gaze bore into mine with an intensity that made me squirm uncomfortably.

His lips parted slightly, as if he were about to speak, but no words escaped them. Instead, he remained silent, his expression inscrutable.

Feeling a shiver run down my spine, I pushed aside the memories of the monsters who had captured me. I focused instead on the pressing matter at hand.

"When you purchased me from those monsters," I continued, my voice trembling slightly, "I knew you had a plan for me. I just want to know what it is, that's all."

I swallowed hard, unsure if I had the right to ask such a question.

Why did it feel so strange to voice my concerns? It sounded like I was already resigned to my fate, but I didn't want to give up hope. I needed to know the value of my life in this world so I could prepare for whatever might come.

Ludwig remained silent, his gaze made me feel like I was being dissected, examined like a toy or a machine.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, I blurted out a suggestion. "Do you want to... eat me?"

He coughed, taken aback by my question, and quickly reached for a glass of water. After composing himself, he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and asked, "What do you mean?" 

It was clear from his expression that he thought my question was absurd. I simply raised an eyebrow in response, waiting for an explanation. 

I nervously caressed my knuckles with my thumb, trying to steady my racing thoughts.

"Well," I began, attempting to maintain my patience, "I really want to know why you bought me in the first place. It must have been for a reason, given the amount of money involved. I can't imagine you would spend that much without a good reason. Only someone insane would do that." 

I paused, gathering my thoughts before continuing. "I'm assuming you're not planning to eat me now, so let's put that idea aside. But what now?" I asked directly, without any hint of jest.

My heart raced as I waited for his response, but none came. Instead, he resumed eating, ignoring my question as if it were insignificant. The silence between us stretched on uncomfortably until I couldn't bear it any longer.

"Are you planning to make me your sex slave?" I blurted out, the words tumbling from my mouth before I could stop them.

Ludwig's grip on his spoon loosened, and he fixed me with a sharp, intense stare. His eyes seemed to darken, and I instantly regretted speaking. I wished I could take back the words, wishing I could disappear in that moment.

Ludwig's eyes flickered with a mixture of disbelief and anger, and in the blink of an eye, he was standing right in front of me. I instinctively took a step back. But he moved closer, trapping me within the circle of his arms.

"What did you just say?!" His voice was low and menacing. His warm breath caressed my cheeks.

I felt a surge of fear and regret, but stubbornness fueled my response. "But it makes perfect sense," I argued, though my mind screamed at me to stop.

Despite the warning signs, I couldn't seem to keep my mouth shut.

As I spoke, memories of captivity flooded my mind. The fear and hopelessness of those moments threatening to overwhelm me. I didn't want to relive the haunting stares of my captors or the desperation of being trapped.

"They said they would sell us," I whispered to Ludwig, the words heavy with the weight of my past. "They said there were only two ways out for us: to become food or to become a sex slave."

I shuddered, trying to push away the memories. All I wanted was to forget. To return to my family and leave this nightmare behind.

"Hey," Ludwig's voice was now gentle. He tenderly wiped away the tears that had escaped my eyes.

I recoiled, trying to hide my emotions. But his touch offered a solace I hadn't realized I needed.

I had always prided myself on my strength and resilience, believing that I could weather any storm alone. But now, I couldn't deny the overwhelming weight of my emotions.

Despite my best efforts to remain stoic, I longed for someone to offer comfort. To provide a sanctuary from the chaos of my mind.

"Stop crying," said Ludwig in a soft whisper. "That won't happen again, Louise. Never. No one can hurt you while I am beside you. I promise…"