Ch. 3 - Dress for the Slave

Elena was in great pain. She felt so weak. She felt like she was going to die. Could this be it? At the same time, the cell door opened to reveal the figure of a middle-aged maid - her face pale and frightened.

"Princess Elena," she called briefly. She seemed quite familiar with the girl she was about to meet. "His Majesty asked me to bring you to his room. He asked me to ask you if you would like to come with me."

Elena barely reacted. After a week of being locked in the dark and humiliated, her body was practically numb. But hearing "to the king" made her heart stop. She knew what Lucian wanted.

To humiliate her.

But she didn't want the people of Emeria to suffer for it. It was unlikely that Lucian would just let her go. She had no other choice.

Elena decided to go with her, but she was quite upset about it. She had to humble herself to be Lucian's slave.

"My name is Michelle," the servant introduced herself. She helped to untie the chains from Elena's wrists and ankles. She looked surprised that the girl had survived. She was covered in wounds and dirt.

Michelle was curious how the girl had managed to go to the bathroom. But she was sure the guards were there for that.

A few guards waited outside the cell. They walked through the stone corridors and climbed the stairs out of the dungeon. Elena stared down the hall. The atmosphere of Gaulle's palace was gloomy and gray. Guards in Gaulle's royal uniforms filled every corner of the palace. Her heart immediately tightened.

Michelle took her to a guest room near the dining room. The room had everything she needed. Elena realized why Michelle had taken her there.

Once inside, Michelle led her into the spacious and warm bathroom. There was hot steam coming from the hot tub in the corner.

A couple of servants were waiting for her. It looked like they'd been told he was on his way. Elena didn't want to waste any time, so she didn't wait. She knew the servants would only make fun of her when she came out.

They cleaned her from head to toe. It was better than the service she had received as a princess. They left no hair except on her head and face.

Elena kept her cool. The ordeal was humiliating enough. When it was over, they gave her a blood-red dress of transparent fabric, open at the chest and thighs, leaving little room for dignity.

Elena looked at the dress for a moment, then turned to the servant. She didn't need to ask; she knew the answer. With a small laugh she looked at the dress, which looked more like something a prostitute would wear.

"He's really going out of his way to humiliate me," she muttered.

After Elena was covered in whip marks, she stood in front of the mirror. The dress hugged her body like a silk trap - beautiful, but deadly. She stared at her reflection, disgusted, but not with her body. She was disgusted with the fact that she no longer had control over her life.

She had to be prepared for anything. She wouldn't flinch.

Two guards accompanied her to Lucian's room. Each step felt like a step into the abyss. When the large door opened, the room greeted him with a silence colder than a cell.

Lucian stood by the window, his back to the door, his body straight and tall in black pajamas that matched the opulence of the room. When he heard Elena's footsteps stop, he turned around.

Then he let the bodyguard leave. Then he looked at Elena, who was standing in the middle of the room with a serious look on her face.

"You made a good decision," Lucian said. He sat down on the edge of the table. "You chose to be my slave for the safety of your people, right? Now show me what you've got."

Elena gave him a dirty look. "Are you really proud to do this to me?" she asked quietly.

"You know your options. I'm not going to negotiate, Elena. So start now. Take off your clothes!"

Elena clenched her fists. She knew she wouldn't win now. No matter what she did, Lucian would get his way in the end. She wasn't going to give him the pleasure of torturing her.

She tore her clothes in anger. She threw them to the floor.

Lucian grinned slightly. He really liked the spirit of the girl. It made him even more eager to destroy her.

Lucian strolled over to the sofa in the middle of the room and plopped down on it. "Just do as I say and everything will be fine. Otherwise the whole bodyguard will have to make you do it. Or do you really want everyone to see your body?" he scoffed.

Elena clenched her fists. She could feel the cold air on her skin.

"Kneel and acknowledge your new king, King Lucian," Lucian commanded.

Elena pushed her feelings aside and told herself to just do what he said. She knelt down immediately as he told her to.

"You will never be able to replace my father," Elena said angrily, looking for revenge.

Lucian narrowed his eyes and grinned. "I don't need your opinion, my slave. I'll hit you again if you don't shut up."

But Elena still couldn't say anything. She just wouldn't accept Lucian as king of Emeria.

Lucian's gaze darkened. "Look who's talking. A spoiled little brat who doesn't know how to survive? You're getting on my nerves again. I'll hang you and your whole people in the capital square, no question!"

He took a step forward. He knelt in front of Elena and grabbed her chin.

Elena kept her cool, even though her body was shaking. She didn't scream, even though her jaw felt almost crushed. But then, she couldn't help but scream.

Lucian locked her hands with his left hand. His gaze was scary.

"No, don't do this!" Elena begged.

"You've got to realize that I'm always going to get what I want," Lucian said in a low voice. He landed a bite on the neck of the girl below him and kissed her like there was no tomorrow.

"NO!!! LET ME GO!!!" Elena shouted. Her eyes widened when she felt something rough and hard on the part of her leg. She struggled with all her might. But her lips were smothered by Lucian's.

Lucian was mad. The thought of his parents' death was driving him mad. He swore he'd destroy everything in Emeria. Anyone!

Elena screamed as the hard shaft penetrated her womanhood, lashing her with continuous thrusts. She felt pain radiating down her legs. But Lucian didn't stop.

The dream of being the best woman for the husband she loved was now dashed. Lucian didn't love her, didn't even want her. He just wanted to destroy her.

She felt the hot molten lava filling her. Her soul was dead.

After the ordeal was over, Lucian didn't say a word. He pulled his clothes back on and turned his back on Elena like she was a piece of furniture. Then he walked away, leaving the door to the room open.

Elena was left lying on the floor. She was sweating. She was in pain all over her body. She was a princess who used to be above it all, but now she was broken, and it was all because of the one person she hated most in the world.

Lucian went out for some fresh air. His chest felt tight. He still felt angry.

"Elena, you should know what it's like to lose everything, just like me."