Once dinner was over the Royals and the Lady Esther dispersed. All the servants involved came together to clean up the dining hall and the kitchen. Eve had never been happier. She was finally working with her other people. Finally listening to different voices as they spoke to one another. Arguing, sharing secret jokes and simply enjoying each other's company.

After dinner Eve had met up with Alex almost immediately. They embraced each other for a long time. Alex did all of the apologizing. Just as he should and he promised to never hurt his precious Eve again.

They then continued their work. Just as her body was getting used to doing chores after a long time, Eve was confronted by the head butler.

He took her aside, away from India, Tonya and Beth.

"Eve, you are to return to Prince Phoenix's chambers immediately," he said stiffly.

Her coloured cheeks lost it's pink shade. Once again, she became pale. Even the brightness in her eyes dimmed. They looked hollow to Percival.

It pained him to watch her once happy and joyful face become so dull in just a few seconds. He hated that he was the one to bring such disturbing news to her at that moment. She was finally smiling that night.

Now all of that was stripped away from the small servant girl.

She however made no excuse to prolong her time in the kitchen. After listening to the head butler, Eve gave her girls each a tight hug and followed him out.

I was greatly disheartened with the news that Mr.Percival brought but deep down I knew this was how it would turn out. He only allowed me to go out for the dinner. To serve him. That was it.

I received more than I had hoped for that night so I was grateful. I knew I shouldn't feel anything less than being grateful. Mr.Percival saw that I walked through the doors to his chambers. Once I was in, he closed the doors and that was it for his part.

I stood in the middle of the room. He was out in the balcony that overlooked the kingdom. There was a slight breeze that cooled the room. It also made my cloak to sway a little.

He didn't say anything for a while. Afterwards, he walked back in and closed the windows to the balcony along with the curtains. He then stood there and faced me. Like he always did before he would speak.

I gave a light bow and kept my head down. Something didn't seem right with him. I could feel it.

He then began to take slow steps towards me. My first instinct was to step back but I controlled myself from doing so. I learnt the hard way that the action brought no good.

Once he was only an inch away, he placed one hand at the back of my neck and brought his face close to mine, pressing our foreheads together.

"Who was that little human that made your eyes to sparkle during dinner?" I scrunched up my nose, feeling baffled.

"I...I beg your pardon, Y..Your Highness?" I whispered out. Who was he talking about? Everyone made me happy but eyes sparkling?

"You were facing a small, weak looking human servant during dinner. Who the hell was that?"

Facing? He meant Alex? Why did he stress out the words small and weak looking?

"My....my o...other brother Your Highness."

"Do you call every other guy your brother?"

"No Your H...Highness. He is really my family." The more I spoke the more confused I became. Why was he asking about Alex? When did my eyes sparkle? How was he so observant?

"Every bloody human is family to you huh?! Who's not part of your family?" I flinched and sucked in a breath at his sudden harsh tone. After he said that I was more confused. I even explained how there were five of us living together in Alex's house and how we all got captured.

"I got to see him after a very very long time Your Highness. I was h...happy, yes." I spoke softly. Unsure of how else to explain.

Explain what? I had no idea.

There was a long stretch of silence. He then stepped back. "Get changed. There's clothes in the bathroom. You're going to sleep."

I walked into the bathroom robotically. There was no room for arguments and I was terrified of him losing his temper with me. I washed myself, changed and came out only to find him already lying on the bed.

I simply stared in his direction.

He was going to make me lie next to him again?

"Come here. Now."

I hesitated for just seconds. All the energy drained out of my body.

"You want me to come grab you, Little Flower? If that's wh-"

I didn't wait for him to finish as I quickly walked towards the other side of the bed dreading whatever he had in store for me.

"Lie down," he commanded while pulling away the comforter so I could lie on the mattress. As soon as my body touched the mattress, he pulled me flushed against his body.

My heartbeat spiked up and it made my breathing heavy and laboured. I couldn't breathe properly due to the fear that consumed me. I tried to loosen his hold just a bit but that only made him hold me tighter. I began to feel some kind of intense pain in my chest.

I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on something other than Him but I couldn't. It was impossible. My breaths came out short, there was also a tightness in my chest not to mention my head was spinning.

Just as I thought I was going to faint, I felt a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Sshhh, sshh, I'm not going to do anything..."

"Ple... Please, d..don't..." I couldn't even hear his words clearly. They were all muffled to me. I just thought of all the painful possibilities. All the things he could do to me.

"Ssshhh, I won't hurt you." I felt another kiss but this time he didn't pull back. He let his kiss linger on my forehead, then he kissed the tip of my nose and ran his fingers through my hair. Slowly massaging my scalp.

"D...don't hurt me please."

"I'm just going to hold you, Little Flower. I will not hurt you. I told you that a week ago."

I felt unexplainable warmth spreading all over my scalp, wherever his fingers touched. Gradually, I began to relax. My breathing became even and my body stopped trembling.

"Rest."

"W....what are you d...doing to m..me?" I asked slowly slipping into unconsciousness.

"Making your entire body to relax. You were having a panic attack. I don't want you to die."

"Just before you sleep, I want you to answer this. It's important. Do you have a special male in your life?" he asked out of the blue.

Special male? Like a boyfriend?

"Li..ke a...a boyfriend?" I asked voicing my thoughts. It came out as mumbling because my eyelids were already closing. "Yes like a boyfriend, like in a relationship," he noticed me slowly closing my eyes so he cupped my cheek. "You must answer me first. Then sleep."

"N..No Your High-" I couldn't go on. I didn't know what he did but my mind and body felt so relaxed and weak that I just had to give in to sleep. He on the other hand, held me even closer. As if I somehow pleased him with my answer. He then turned me around so my back was pressed against his front. He continued to play with my hair as he held me in his arms.

"Good girl."

I completely blacked out after that.

I should not let him touch my head again.

~~~~~~~~

The next day after breakfast, he made me sit on the bed as he paced back and forth. I knew he wanted to command something important. Heat and power radiated off of him and it spread all over the room.

Then, all of a sudden, he stopped pacing around. "I'm leaving tomorrow night. I will be heading to war in Golden Haven." He spoke abruptly. He walked over to the table and poured himself some wine.

I didn't know what to say to that so I remained silent. Why was he telling me this?

"Did you hear me?"

"Y..Yes Your Highness." I squeaked out.

"I leave tomorrow night and I do not know when I'll be back. If things are smooth, latest four days. If things are not smooth maybe slightly more than a week."

"Alright Your Highness," I felt the urge to answer before he assumed I was ignoring him. That would eventually result in him getting angry. Nobody wanted that.

He didn't speak for some time, instead he placed his chalice on the table and walked over to me. He didn't stop until he stood right before me.

"You are not to leave this room until I get back. Do you understand?"

"Y...Yes Your Highness." I knew he was going to say this. He already gave the hint last night.

There was a certain thickness in the air once I answered him. This thickness gathered uneasiness in the pit of my stomach. It was too quiet and that silence lasted for a few seconds or minutes, I didn't know.

"I am dead serious Little Flower," the tone of his voice suddenly changed. It was more inhumane. More dark.

"I can't show you how serious I am. I do not want you out of that door. Not even for a second while I'm not here. If I ever find out you left," I could see him running his hands through his hair as I looked forward. I didn't look up for long though, I just couldn't. The warning in his voice, it shook me inside out. His words were ice cold, terrifying. Like he would kill me if I disobeyed.

"Well, I won't hurt you, I have given you my word. So, in order to punish you, I will hurt and slowly kill off your precious loved ones. Starting with the one who irked me with his very existence during dinner last night. He will be killed first. Then I'll proceed with Blondie, the one who doesn't know when to shut up and then dear old Henrietta and who's the other one? There's one more. Oh Ton-"

"I won't leave. I won't leave the room Your Highness," I choked as more tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't stop them from falling out. His words were cutting too deep. I knew he would do whatever he said at that moment. My body trembled just by listening. "I will not leave the room while you are not here Your Highness." My voice broke as I hiccuped.

He knelt down and cupped my face. I immediately closed my eyes as his face was too close. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear my Little Flower," he said softly then kissed my tears. Once the remaining tears were wiped away with his hands. He stood up again.

"Don't worry, Mr and Mrs Salvador already know my rules regarding you. I told them everything."

I looked up for a second. I had no idea who the Dark Prince was talking about. My face must have looked ridiculously lost in that moment.

I had to know though. If they were going to be with me.

"Wh...who are they Your Highness?" my voice sounded hoarse and it broke but he could understand me.

"What do you mean who are they?" when I didn't answer he faced me. "You don't know do you?" he asked amused. I only shook my head waiting for my answer.

He let out a heavy breath. "I'm talking about Mr.Percival and Ms.Odelle Salvador. Hence, Mr and Mrs Salvador."

Oh gosh.

They're husband and wife?!

This is news. Oh wow. Oh my Goodness. My fear was completely replaced by shock. I couldn't wipe the shock away even though I felt his burning gaze on me.

"As I was saying, I have already informed them that you, my Little Flower are not allowed to leave. Ms. Odelle will bring you some books in case you feel bored and if you have any questions, you can always ask them and only them. No. One. Else. Have I made myself clear?"

"Y...yes.."

"They are my most trusted help in the castle. So anything you need, you can ask them." After making known to him that I understood, I asked about my chores and as predicted he said I wasn't allowed to clean either.

When he finished warning me three more times, he left to prepare for the war. Thinking about the war, I prayed that he would end it and save Golden Haven for us. Though I wasn't sure why they're helping in the war just now.

The day passed by quite slow. I had nothing to do so I held the vase in my hands. Thankfully, Flower was alive. So, now it will be my friend and I refused to care how crazy I seemed. Only I knew we shared a bond.

I wasn't alone for such a long time though. Around one in the afternoon, Mr.Percival came in with a tray.

"Good afternoon Eve," he offered me a smile as he left the tray on the table. Then surprisingly he sat on one of the chairs.

"H..hello Mr.Percival." I gave him a huge smile. I was so happy to have another person to talk to.

"It's good to see you little one. Come, I have to make sure you finish your food," my smile immediately dropped.

"So, you are only s..sitting here to make s..sure I finish my food?"

"Yes? he chuckled. "I have my duties to perform in case you forgot."

"I know, I know. I just thought..." I looked at my very interesting toes.

"Come on dear, I will stay as long as I can then." I smiled again.

"N..no, you have your own job to do. You d...don't have to stay long Mr.Percival."

I went over and sat on the chair while Mr.Percival opened the tray in which revealed my lunch.

"It's s..so much...as usual. T..this is food for three p..people." I muttered.

"No my dear, it's actually only for one. I want you to finish everything. Have you looked at yourself?! You are so skinny now and I don't understand why. You are being fed right?"

"Y...Yes but I can't eat a lot."

"You are not gaining any weight Eve! It's worrying me. You look just as malnourished as the last time I saw you."

"I think I'm alright. I d..don't see the issue."

"Are you serious dear?" I simply shrugged. I thought I was fine. The prince fed me a lot. Up until I couldn't eat anymore. Which means I'm being stuffed right?

So why was Mr.Percival still calling me skinny and malnourished? I personally think it's my whole situation that's making me like this.

I put the thought of my appearance behind me because it made me more sad and ate my food.

"So, how is everything with you?"

"Um...okay I g..guess." What did he expect me to say?

"Did Prince Phoenix drink from you lately?"

"N..no and I'm glad for t.that."

"More reason to worry about your weight," Mr.Percival muttered under his breath.

"Can we talk a..about s..something else Mr.Percival?"

"You are stuttering a lot dear. You have nothing to be afraid of now. Not with me," he said softly while looking at me in the eye.

"Okay."

"So, I hear you're under lock down until he gets back from the war. Me and Ms.Odelle..."

"You two are married!! Like husband and w..wife! Why didn't you t...tell me?"

He let out a heart filled laugh. "You never asked and it's better not to announce it to the whole world about her being my wife. Trust me. But if you want to know we've been married for two hundred and nine years and we were turned together."

"Wow! yo-"

"As I was saying me and my wife were informed that we should bring you some books to read. What kind of books do you like dear? Do you like reading at all?"

"So Ms.Odelle is a v..vampire too." I whispered to myself.

"Yes, answer the question de-"

"She didn't t..tell me anything."

"Eve you ha-"

"This is s..such b..big news to me."

"Eve!"

"Yes Mr.Percival?"

"Are you done?"

"Y..yes," I sheepishly said.

"Back to what we were discussing. The books."

"Oh, r..reading isn't a..actually my hobby Mr.Percival but I'd l..love to have some books. It gets l..lone-" Mr.Percival stopped me by holding my hand. He then looked me in the eye again. "I want you to breathe in and breathe out," he said slowly, like addressing a child. "You have no problem with words dear, you don't stutter so don't let it start taking control. You take control of how you speak. Set your mind. He's not here now you know that." I could only nod at what he said. I was careful with my next words, keeping in mind whatever was just said to me.

I took a deep breath before I started. "Any book would be f..fine with me Mr.Percival. If I can choose, I would like at least one a..adventurous story please."

"See, better! Much better!" I smiled at him again happy that he was happy.

"Finish it." Mr.Percival said sternly. He didn't understand that my stomach couldn't take in anymore.

"I...I can't. I'm so sorry but I really don't feel like t...throwing up." This made his eyes go soft.

"Oh, alright but how are you going to gain weight if you keep eating this amount?"

"I don't know Mr.Percival I do try. My stomach just refuses to take in more than this amount."

"I'm sure you'll get hungry in the next hour."

"No. I don't. This is more than enough. Really."

"Odd," he muttered covering the tray.

"Will it go to waste?"

"Following the procedure, yes dear."

"Oh gosh! You can feed three other servants! Don't throw it."

"Eve, things don't wo-"

"Please just this once. Just this once. Next time, please tell them to only prepare the amount I'm able to eat. Like just now. P..please Mr.Percival, food is precious, not e..easy to get. Since it's only leftovers nobody will mind right?"

"Hmm, you don't stutter much when you really want something huh?" I blushed at his words.

"Just don't throw it away," I whispered. "I can't say things like this to the Prince, Mr.Percival.".

"Of course you can't," he gave a weird smile. "Okay I'll give it to the servants in the kitchen later." Relief flooded into me. I always felt so guilty whenever I couldn't finish my food. Which was a lot. However, I could never voice my thoughts to the Dark Prince.

~~

That night, the Dark Prince touched my head again, and I was unconscious in a second. I was also unprepared. He just crept up behind me when I was looking out the window and did it.

~~~~

The next day when I woke up, it just felt odd. I felt like I rested for too long. That's when I looked at the small table beside the bed. Four books were there. Stacked up. I quickly got up and saw the time. My eyes widened in shock.

It was eight at night!!