The ongoing commotion in the Queen's courtyard was the only thing I could hear as Madame was talking to me. My heart was leaping with fright because of how angry The Prince sounded. If I had believed he was angry before in his chamber, then I had been wrong.

"If any harm befalls Arielle, I will castrate myself! Let's see how I would be able to give you the Royal grandchildren you so desire." His cold voice traveled down my ears and I flinched visibly.

Damn. He must really love Arielle. I thought with a heavy heart. I didn't know if I should be jealous of the woman for having The Prince's heart, but I was sure envious of her because he was ready to protect her with his life.

"If you become useless because of a maid, then I will renounce your title. I would not have a eunuch sit on my forefather's throne." The King's domineering voice shocked the whole audience, even the Queen. But looking at how firmly The Prince held the woman beside him, I could tell that the threat wasn't as effective as the King had wanted it to be.

"Will the Queen pardon Arielle?" I turned my head to ask Madame.

A slight frown appeared on her face and she slowly shook her head. "The Queen had requested I dress you up for The Prince again. What do you think that means?" Madame threw at me, and I gulped in fear.

It means, that no matter what The Prince had to have sex with me. And the Queen might use Arielle as leverage. Wow. This woman... How can she be that cruel to her only child?

"I won't let go of her, Father. She's the only woman I've ever loved. You know this, even mother knows this. How could you, how could you make me choose between her and the stability of the throne?" The grievance in Prince Alaric's voice was depressing, and I couldn't help but feel sympathetic towards him until I heard Madame's words.

"The Queen is ill," She revealed, and my heart leaped in surprise.

"What?" I almost screamed upon the disclosure. "The Queen is ill?" I had to repeat Madame's words and she nodded.

"Four years ago, the Royal physician diagnosed the Queen with diabetes. She had been taking care of herself but she didn't have much time left. Her only wish was to see her Grandchildren, but it seems she might not be able to see them..." Madame's voice was filled with compassion that struck me as unusual.

I didn't know when I started feeling pity for the Queen as I stared at her distant regal frame. Just like everyone, I had also thought that she was doing all this for power, to solidify the throne, but it seems we had all misinterpreted her actions.

"Fine. You want her, right?" The Queen began in a faint voice. "If you really want her then you are willing to do anything for her, is that right?"

The Prince was mute, he didn't respond to his mother, and was just staring at the monarch before him.

"What do you want?" The coldness in his voice made me realize that he hadn't responded because he was aware of how scheming his mother was. If only he knew...

The Queen gave a short laugh at his response. "You know what I want, son. If any of the maid consort conceive, I will let you have your lover as your attendant. If not, I will execute her immediately."

"Mother!" The Prince shrieked. His eyes almost popped out from anger. "The problem is not with any of your fucking maids! Why can't you just accept the fact that your son is sterile? Why can't you accept the reality that I'm just a prick that takes pleasure in fucking and degrading women, and that I would never father an imperial child?" The Prince's voice pierced through my ears.

I haven't recovered from the shock yet when I heard a huge smash. The King had slapped The Prince!

Right in front of everyone.

"Don't you dare raise your voice at my wife!" His voice was dangerous and cold as he glared at The Prince.

Oh my God.. OH my God!

I turned to look at Madame who was supporting herself with a rail. She looked stupefied with shock.

"It's my fault. I am the useless one, please don't hurt The Prince anymore." The woman The Prince was holding fell to her knees and started hitting her head on the ground as tears fell from her cheeks.

"Arielle!" The Prince dragged her up, but she yanked her arm off him and then fell to the ground again.

"It's my fault and I'm ready to pay for this with my life. Just please, don't blame The Prince. It's not his fault. I am useless. I am the barren one." Her temple was now bleeding heavily but Prince Alaric did not attempt to pull her up again.

He was looking at her dejected and miserable.

"The Prince really does love Arielle," I whispered under my breath.

"Take this maid to the dungeon, her sentence will be postponed till next month." The King ordered and the Royal guards instantly closed in on Arielle.

The Prince didn't stop them. He stood rigid in his position. Still looking gloomy and absentminded as they dragged Arielle away.

"Escort The Prince to his chamber and prepare him for the night." The Queen's voice was tender as she ordered as she looked at her son. Her expression was stoic but I could still glimpse the affection in it.

Soon after, everything was over. I was now in front of the Queen with my head hanging low.

"I heard you have The Prince's hand imprint on your chest?" I heard the Queen's powerful and energetic voice cut through my ears and I trembled inwardly.

"Yes, Your Majesty." I nodded.

"He also said he likes how submissive you are?" She inquired, and I felt a cold sensation run down my spine. I bite my bottom lip as my body trembles. Fuck... This was the lie that I had added. Why does Madame's mouth have no filter?

"Yes, Your Majesty." I had no choice but to admit it.

She chuckled upon confession and had the Royal physician examine me.

"What do you think of her?" The Queen asked.

"Her body is strong enough for the tonic." The Royal Physician answered, and I raised my head to look at him. Tonic? What tonic? I helplessly turned my head to look at the Queen, but my eyes met with Madame instead, and she glared at me before gesturing to face down.

"How sure are you this time?"

"60%, Your Majesty."

"Then have her drink the tonic and make sure The Prince bed with her. In whatever way he wants." The Queen replied, and I shivered slightly, not daring to breathe wrongly under the sharp eyes of the Queen until Madame had some Royal maids pull me out of her chamber.

I had been made to drink a horrible tonic that smells like dog shit and pig blood before my whole body was scrubbed until I felt my skin red and soften.

Madame was having the Royal maids dress me in another silky underwear, and this time, my breasts were almost spilling out of the lingerie because of how small and tight it was.

"Your breasts have gotten the attention of The Prince, you have to make sure you give him total possession over you. Make sure you have him ejaculate inside you, or else you will be executed before Arielle." Madame reminded me of how severe the situation was and I swallowed my complaint.

"I understand, Madame." I nodded obediently and she gave me a small smile.

She looked at me for a while before she finally spoke. "Please, give the Queen a reason to live longer."

Upon hearing her plea, I felt a huge responsibility rest on my tiny shoulders. I was just an 18-year-old girl who had joined the maid consort selection because of my lust to have The Prince use and fuck me as I've heard and fantasies, but currently, my fear was huge than my lust for The Prince.

"Even if you didn't later bore a child for The Prince, at least you will have the memories of tonight." A tiny voice said in my mind, and I sighed heavily before raising my head at Madame.

"I'm looking forward to spending the night with The Prince."

She smiled. "Good girl, now let's go."

When we got to The Prince's chamber, I was surprised to see the door open. I turned my head at Madame and she nodded for me to go in. My heart was hammering against my chest as I took cautious steps inside the luminous room.

How I had entered his chamber with expectations and lust in my heart earlier today flashed in my mind, and I swallowed hungrily. I tried to steady my racing heart but all the courage I had summoned disappeared when I heard his cold detached voice behind me.

"It's you again?"