The King's Concubine

"Elsyia"

Elysia turned around slowly. She recognized that voice all too well, and it sent a shiver through her spine. Her breath was caught in her throat as she saw the dragon lord standing there. His eyes bore into hers, and for a moment, she felt the ground beneath her tremble. What was he doing in the palace when the king wasn't present? Her mind raced with questions, but her body remained frozen in place, unable to move or speak.

Sevastian who noticed the girl trembling bedside him, quickly stepped forward. "Lord Dargan," he greeted with a respectful bow, "Is there anything I can assist you with, my lord?" He said, straightening up his back, as he pushed the rim of his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

Dargan's face appeared calm, but there was a certain intensity in the way he looked at her, she found it uncomfortable. She moved uneasily under his intense gaze. "I overheard your conversation about a governess," he said, his eyes not leaving Elysia's face.

"Yes, my lord," Sevastian replied. "The king has appointed a governess for Lady Elysia to assist her with learning how to read and write, as well as the ways of Valerie."

Dargan raised a questioning brow, he was clearly surprised by this information. The title 'Lady' which was being used for Elysia did not sit well with him. He wondered why Sevastian would address a mere servant in such a manner. He didn't question it, deciding to play along for now. "I didn't realize the king was appointing governesses to his concubines," he said, his tone clearly mocking her.

Elysia felt her blood boil at Dargan's words. She clenched her teeth, anger bubbling up inside. She sucked in the words she had to say, she knew better than to respond. Her place was to remain silent, to endure whatever insults he was to throw at her.

Sevastian locked eyes with the dragon lord for a few minutes, before proceeding to speak, "The king has his reasons, my lord," he said politely. "Lady Elysia is under his protection and care."

Dargan's lips curled into a smirk. He seemed to enjoy the discomfort he was causing. "Under his protection, you say? How interesting," he drawled, his eyes moving back to Elysia. "And what exactly did you do to earn such favor from the King Azrael himself? Did you beg for it? Or did you offer something else?" He asked, his gaze insinuating something as they stared sharply at her. His disrespect was clearly evident in his voice, he didn't bother hiding it.

Elysia clenched her teeth, her fists balled up at her sides. She wanted to shout back at him, to tell him he had no right to speak to her that way. But fear kept her silent. She knew that speaking out of turn could lead to severe consequences, especially with someone like Dargan.

"My lord, the king has his reasons for his decisions. It's not our place to question them." Sevastian said, coming to stand in front of Elsyia, in an attempt to hide her from Dargan's piercing gaze.

Dargan gaze turned sharp immediately, silencing Sevastian with one look. "I wasn't asking you, Sevastian," he snapped, anger lacing his voice. "I asked her." He then directed his gaze back at Elysia. "Well? Answer me, Elsyia. Or do you think you're too high to speak to me?"

Elysia felt her throat close up. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her mind was blank, paralyzed by fear. She didn't know what to say to him. She didn't deem herself higher, she was a nobody, even though King Azrael took a special interest in her, she still was a nobody, insignificant compared to the Lord Dargan.

Dargan let out a low, mocking laugh. "You look like you have a lot to say, too scared to even speak?" He questioned, titling his head to the side. A mischievous glint flashing through his eyes. She thought she was free just because she was now the Azrael's servant, he would make sure she never knows what freedom is. "I've seen your kind before, Elysia. You are just a servant, a lowly human with no purpose other than to serve. And now you think you're special just because the king shows you a tad bit of attention?" he asked mockingly.

Elysia's felt heart pounding hard in her chest. She couldn't muster the courage to say anything, and even if she could, she was in no position to speak back at Dargan.

"Let me tell you something, Elysia. You're nothing. You'll always be nothing. A plaything for the king, at best. And once he's done with you, you'll be cast aside like the rest." he barked out. Those words alone stabbed Elysia's heart, she felt tears welling up in her eyes. She wanted everything to be over, for the floor to open up and swallow her. She was tired of the constant embarrassment and disrespect, she didn't do anything wrong to deserve this, so why was she being treated this way?

Sevastian couldn't stand to hear Dargan's cruel words any longer. He stepped forward again, his voice firm. "Lord Dargan, that's enough. The king would not appreciate you speaking to Lady Elysia in such a manner."

Dargan sneered at Sevastian, his eyes turning gold. Asserting his dominance over Sevastian. "And who are you to tell me what the king would or would not appreciate? You're nothing but a glorified servant yourself, Sevastian" he barked out, his voice loud and penetrating.

Before Sevastian could respond, a guard approached, his footsteps drawing their attention. "Sir Sevastian," the guard said with a bow, "the governor has arrived."

Saving Sevastian the trouble of responding back, he took the opportunity to step back, giving Dargan a bow. "If you'll excuse us, my lord," he said, his tone stern yet polite. He then turned to Elysia, giving her a subtle look that told her to follow.

Elysia didn't need to be told twice. She quickly nodded and followed behind Sevastian, her heart pounding in her chest. As they walked away from the dragon lord, she could still feel his piercing gaze burning her skin, she didn't dare look back.