CHAPTER TWO: tamed by love

I hurried back home, the bread clutched tightly in my hands, I was exhausted from the morning errands and couldn't wait to sit and rest.

Just as I entered the house, my mother emerged from the room with a large basket of laundry in her hands

"Aria dear, I am glad you are back..I need you to run one more errand for me."

My heart sank. I had been looking forward for a rest

"What is it mother?"

" I need you to deliver these laundry to the villagers.. You know the usual customers "

I sighed inwardly,but I knew better to complain, I dropped the bread on the old table beside me,took the basket from mother and headed back into the sunlight.

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Lord Nigel was attending to the matters of the state, he was reviewing reports and meeting advisors.

Just as he was about to take a break ,the head of the palace maid approached him.

"Your lordship" she courtised "I beg a word with you"

Lord Nigel nodded "speak!

" it's about the palace staff, your Lordship "she explained

" as you know, many of our maids were killed during the recent war ,we are in need of new maids to keep the palace running smoothly."

Lord Nigel expression turned cold " enough!..leave now! "

"But my...."

"I said leave!"

Lady Charlotte hurriedly left like a lost puppy. As lady charlotte departed, a new figure entered the throne room..she was a vision of loveliness with clear wihte skin and raven black hair.

Lord Nigel's eyes narrowed as he recognized her..the daughter of the minister affairs.

She approached him with a soft smile ,her eyes locked on his.

"My lord" she purred her voice husky." I came to attend to your needs!"

Lord Nigel's faze wavered,his expression unreadable. The minister's daughter Davina reached out her hand and her fingers brushing against his chest.

BIG MISTAKE!

Lord Nigel's eyes flashed in anger and with swift,he unleashed his powers. The air around him seemed to change.

Davina was lifted off the ground and thrown across the throne room with an incredible force. She crashed into the stone wall,her gasp of pain echoing.

Lord Nigel's expression was cold and unforgiving

" Get out!!" He thundered.. There was a loud rumbling.

Davina struggled to get on her feet wincing in pain ad she put weight on her injured leg. Lord Nigel's magical blast had sent her crashing and she could feel a very heavy pain rushing through her ankle.

She limped towards the entrance,her movements were awkward and painful.

As she limped her heart was boiling with anger.she was humiliated!.. Indeed lord Nigel was ruthless. Her anger slowly gave way to a calculating determination.

She swore to herself that she would get him no matter what.

"He may be ruthless and powerful" she whispered to herself. "But I am sure he has a weakness and I must find it"

"I will show him" a wicked smoke spread across her face

" That I am not to be underestimated.. I will surely get him!."

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Aria's POV

I delivered the laundry to the customers, exchanging warm smiles and pleasantries as I collected payments, As soon I finished up my tasks, I began heading home.

As I strolled through the village, I noticed a group of women gathered together chatting, my curiosity picked in and l slowed down my pace pretending to adjust my basket while listening to their conversation.

"....and I heard the pay is good" one of the women said. Her voice barely above a whisper.

My ears pecked up..i and my mother had been struggling to make ends meet and the fact of a well paying job was tantalizing.

"But what work is that?" Another woman who just strolled in asked

I leaned in, my heart racing with excitement.

Well i don't care,i just needed money,my mother is in a big debt and the little we've been earning was not enough. I could do anything.

"The palace is recruiting maids" a third woman added my eyes widened as she processed the information. The palace is recruiting maids? It sounded like the perfect opportunity for me to secure a better future for i and my mother.

I hurried home,excitement running through my veins, i burst the door open ,hardly able to contain the news.

"Mother! Mother!" I have something to tell you"! I

exclaimed.

My mother looked up from her chores, a mixture of curiosity and concern written all over her face

"What is it dear?"

I took a deep breath. "I overheard someone villagers talking about the palace recruiting maids,the said the pay is really good"

But to my surprise, my mother face turned soured "Absolutely not" she said firmly. "I won't let you go to the palace.

My face fell,but I refused to give up

" why not mother?,this is a perfect opportunity for us to make a better life we have been struggling for so long..

My mother's eye's clouded over and her voice trembled. "Didn't you hear about the maids that were killed in the recent war? I won't risk loosing you,aria. You are my only daughter,and your father abandoned us..I can't bear to loose you.

My heart felt heavy,I took my mother's hand in mine and looked into her eyes.

" mother I know it's scary,but I will be careful,I promise.but think of all the the good things we would do with the money I would earn..we would pay our debt, fix our house..buy food..without worrying where our next meal will come from".

I looked up at my mother's face and hoped she will give in.

After what seems like eternity,my mother finally gave

" Ok fine..but you have to be careful!"

I was excited and gave her a thank you hug

"Let's eat...I am sure you must be famished by now..."

My mom pulled from the hug and headed towards the kitchen..I smiled..I was really happy.