Preparation II

"Are you okay, My Lady?" Madeline asked after Elysia's cries had subsided.

"Elysia will do," Elysia said, sniffing.

"Alright, dear," Madeline said.

"So, what is the marking ceremony all about?" Elysia asked, curiosity taking over.

"The marking ceremony is similar to a mating ceremony. The only difference is that the marking ceremony is between the owner and a servant, while the mating ceremony is done between couples," Madeline explained.

"Were you marked?" Elysia asked, her curiosity evident.

"Of course, we were all marked. All servants working under the king must be marked," Madeline said. She pushed up the sleeve of her dress, revealing a mark on her hand.

"Wow," Elysia said in awe, her fingers grazing the top of the mark, which looked like a scar.

"How is it done?" Elysia asked, prying for more information.

"It's not the same as yours, though," Madeline paused when she saw the confused look on the girl's face. "You see, our marking is different. A hot rod is used to put the marks on our skin," Madeline explained.

"That's cruel," Elysia said, her brows knitting together. She knew how these marks were done. They usually did it to slaves in her shelter. She didn't get one because she was purchased on her first day there, and she heard that Lord Dargan didn't want any markings on her.

"But yours will be different. Since the king is a dragon, he'll have to bite you in order to claim you..." Madeline paused, looking at the poor girl sitting in front of her whose face had turned pale.

"B-bite?" Elysia asked in confusion, "W-what do you mean, bite?" Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Lady Elysia, there's no need to cry. That's the only way the king's mark can appear on you. It's a spiritual marking recognized by everyone in the kingdom. The mark shows his possession," Madeline explained, while Elysia tried to digest the information.

"We are wasting time, My Lady. We need to get you ready now," Madeline said, pulling the young girl from the bed and directing her to the bathroom. The two other girls followed in silence.

"We'll have to take off your dress," Madeline said, to which Elysia jerked away.

"I can bathe myself. There's no need for you to help me. I appreciate your help, but I can do it myself," Elysia said with a small smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"These are orders from the king, my lady. We cannot disobey the king," Madeline said with a straight face. She understood why the girl would be worried. Madeline wondered what exactly the king wanted the girl for. After what had happened to Lady Lucia, they had never seen the king with any woman again. Not even one. He seemed to still be mourning her death, but have things changed? Is he finally over her death?

Elysia released a tired sigh, "okay," she replied in a small voice, she was about to refused but she saw how much the ladies respected or feared the king not to go against his words even though he wasn't present in the room.

She felt one of the girls move behind her, starting to undo her dress, while the other girl prepared the bath. Elysia had been too distracted to even notice how large the bathroom was. What would she expect from the Dragon King?

Her dress came down, and her face blushed with embarrassment. She guessed this was her new life now, but how long would it last?

---

Elysia stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a long white robe, and underneath was a short white dress. The slim girl had applied makeup on her, her bright red lips contrasting with her pale white skin. Her hair was styled perfectly. She took a deep breath and released it slowly.

When she was in the slave shelter, she continuously prayed and hoped for a better life. Maybe God had finally accepted her prayers. She had stayed in the shelter naked for two weeks, though Lord Dargan had paid for her, he didn't take her to his place.

She recalled vividly the auction day when ten of them were displayed like objects to their potential buyers. It was something she did not want to remember again, but she couldn't delete memories, only if it was possible.

No matter what, she still preferred being treated like a princess to an object. She would make sure this didn't end.

"You've been standing there for a while," she heard a deep masculine voice behind her, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Y-your Majesty," Elysia greeted with a deep bow. He had scared her. She clutched her hands together, stopping them from shaking. "I apologize, I didn't notice when you walked in," she said.

"Hmm," Azrael hummed, taking a step towards her. "You seemed deep in your thoughts. What worries you?" he asked, now standing in front of her.

There was something about this king Elysia could not pinpoint. He'd been good to her, a little too good. She'd heard a lot about him to think he was good, but at the same time, he had this threatening aura around him. She was supposed to be scared of him, but surprisingly, she wasn't.

"It's nothing, Your Majesty, I..." Elysia paused, shock displayed on her face. He took some strands of her red hair in his fingers, caressing them gently.

"I need your mind clear from thoughts in order for the ceremony to take place," he stated simply, his eyes glued to her face, which made her a little self-conscious. She bit her lower lip as she nodded her head.

A sly smirk graced the King's face, his thumb moving to her cheek.

"Ask me whatever questions you have. Once we begin, I will not stop until it's over," Azrael said, walking to sit on the plush couch beside the bed.

His tone sent a shiver down her spine. She had better ask all the questions she had in mind.