Euphemia tried to struggle free from the two guards but their grips were firm . . . just like Hiro's grip on her when he held her down.

Euphemia shook her head. She would have slapped her cheeks if she could. She didn't want to think about Hiro anymore. He's far away from her now. Just like Lucien.

Tears threatened to spill out of her eyes but she blinked them away. She still held hope for Lucien. Perhaps it was part of his plan to act like he was going along with the Queen's wishes. She couldn't imagine everything that Lucien did for her was just a sham.

His warm hug.

His sweet words.

His gentle smile.

She needed to talk to him alone. She would give him a chance to explain himself. That chance would be her way of giving back Lucien's kindness and if he really did not want her anymore, then she would have to seal her heart away again.

Euphemia expected to be dragged to prison. She did not expect to be led to a well-decorated bedroom that seemed to belong in a 5-star hotel. A huge glass window, a table set, and a canopy bed.

The guards let go of her and shut the door. She heard the door being locked from outside.

Euphemia sat on the bed and began to think of ways to get out of her well-decorated prison.

*

*

*

Lucien was a prisoner in his own body. The words felt like it was being torn out of him when he said them. He could not shut his mouth nor say anything else. He watched helplessly at Euphemia's hurt expression as he told her that she was no longer his fiancée. He heard Euphemia screaming his name as she was dragged by the guards but his body refused to move.

A slave contract.

There was no other explanation. He had unknowingly signed a slave contract and now he was the Queen's puppet.

"Vincent, my prince, leave us. I would like to speak to the Duke alone," Celestinia said.

"But Mother . . ."

"Leave, Vincent."

The prince looked dissatisfied. He wanted to see how his mother would torment Lucien. He had always wanted to see Lucien in a helpless position. When Lucien lived with them in the Palace, the King only paid attention to Lucien.

"As you wish, mother dear," Vincent said with a quick bow and looked at smirked at Lucien before leaving.

"Oh Lucien, Lucien. Such a pity you have fallen to this state. If only you had not meddled with us. I could have just left you alone and let you live far from my sight," Celestinia said.

He wanted to glower at her but his face remained impassive.

"Speak your mind, Duke Ashburn. Your silence is boring me," Celestinia said.

He opened his mouth. "You witch! Undo this contract!"

Celestinia burst out laughing.

"I'm not a witch. I'm a queen and a queen must be crafty! Finally! I have you under my thumb."

"I will make you regret this. Let go of Euphee."

Celestinia raised an eyebrow. "Oh! A nickname? You two must be close already. It's making you delusional if you think you can command me, Duke. I still have orders for you."

"Are you so desperate to marry her to your son? She does not want the prince!"

"And you think she wants you, Duke?" Celestinia scoffed.

Lucien glared at her.

"Duke Ashburn, your last words before I command you to silence once again?"

"Where is the King?" Lucien asked. If the King knew what the Queen was doing, he would surely stop her. The King was a just ruler and he also knew that the King despised the Queen. He had seen the way he looked at her. The way his golden eyes seemed to lose their warmth whenever she was beside him.

"The King is . . . at rest," Celestinia said with an amused smile.

Lucien frowned. The King had not been seen for almost a year already. What kind of illness did he have? Was he ill or was he being held captive by the Queen?

"Lucien Ashburn, you will go back to your mansion and tell no one about your slave contract with me. You will remain silent unless you need to talk but you will not say that you are doing it unwillingly. When asked why you are breaking your engagement with the Saintess, just tell them that you do not deserve her. Lastly, I want you to do the same thing your mother did."

The Queen's next words made his blood run cold.

"Burn your mansion and stay there until you die."

*

*

*

Hansel paced restlessly. He had expected the arrival of Lucien and Euphemia hours ago but they were still not home. Dinner had been prepared already but the masters were still nowhere to be seen.

Hansel heard the main door open. He hurried towards the door.

"Your Grace!"

Lucien regarded him silently.

"Your Grace, you must be famished! Where's Lady Euphemia?"

Hansel looked behind Lucien but the Saintess was not behind him nor in the carriage.

"Your Grace?"

Lucien opened his mouth. Hansel cocked his head to the side. Lucien closed it and frowned.

"Is there something wrong, Your Grace?"

"Prepare the papers to dissolve my engagement with the Saintess."

Something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.