The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

LARA

I was about to scream when an older woman appeared from the smoke and right behind her two more dark clouds brought two younger women. They all bowed before me and I remembered that Demir transported us in a similar way once. Only that he used dark flames instead. Interesting… Did it mean something or was it just a personal preference?

“My lady,” the older woman spoke, “My name is Lucille Richmond, I am the Head of Maids in the Palace and I was ordered by the Emperor to take great care of you.”

My face must have twitched unpleasantly as the woman looked at me with shocked eyes.

I really hoped that their Emperor had no idea that I was here. Or even better, I didn’t want him to know who I was or that I even existed. But Demir probably already told everything to his master! That… that… I had no words to name this scheming man!

“These are the maids I personally chose for you,” the woman continued, gesturing at the younger girls, “Lisa and Sandra. They will be helping you every day from now on. If you need anything, just let them know.”

“Oh,” I smiled sweetly, “Could you bring me back my wings? I think I lost them when I arrived here. And haven’t seen them since.”

They all looked startled and gave each other strange glances. They probably thought that I was some kind of an i***t, but I didn’t care as long as I there was at least a little chance of getting my wings back.

“I am not sure I am aware what you are talking about, my lady,” Lucille shook her head.

“Wings,” I almost snapped, “Big, white, feathers. Wings!”

“I’ll make sure that someone will look for them for you, lady Lara,” the woman replied and at that moment I knew that there wasn’t a chance in the chaos that my wings would be found! I bet that awful man hidden them where no one could ever find them!

“Thanks,” I mumbled, trying to hide my face.

“If you don’t mind, my lady,” the head maid suggested, “The girls will start working. We have a lot to do today.”

She looked me up and down and I knew that she meant that they had a lot of work to make me look decent. I just nodded. Not that I had anything better to do here anyway.

“If you don’t mind,” the girl with light brown hair and blue eyes spoke finally, who was introduced to me as Sandra, “We need to clear that.”

She pointed at the pile of furniture at the door that I brought yesterday in an attempt to protect myself from people entering the room. Well, if they didn’t think that I was a lunatic before, they definitely were thinking that now. How could I forget that gerdians could transport themselves anywhere with the help of their magic?! They didn’t need doors!

“Yes, that’s fine,” I replied meekly and while Sandra started to deal with the furniture, Lisa disappeared in the dark smoke, only to reappear in a moment with a basket full of little bottles. She then went to the bathroom and I reliazed that these were the proper shampoos and essences.

Not wasting any time, Lisa prepared a bath for me and escorted me there, not saying anything about me being wrapped in a sheet. While she was bathing me properly, I heard more and more voices in the bedroom.

“What is going on there?” I asked.

“I think they are bringing everything that you might need here,” the girl smiled while massaging my sculp, “Don’t worry, you will have everything the best.”

Oh, Lisa, that was the last thing that I worried about.

She scrubbed me so well and then kept adding oil after oil on my every part of my body and then hair. She gave me a silk robe to wear and I was happy about that. At least something to cover myself.

Lisa also brought me silk slippers with little heels and bows on the front that were soft and comfortable.

When we were out of the bathroom, I gasped at the sight that I saw. The room definitely changed a lot in the forty minutes that we were gone.

The sheets were changed and more cushions were added to the bed. Vases with freshly cut flowers were standing everywhere. A tall shelf filled with books that definitely wasn’t there before appeared in the corner. Overall, the room now looked like somebody really lived there.

“Please, hurry, my lady,” Sandra took my hand and motioned me to follow her to the wardrobe room. And that was the biggest shock for me as she shelves and racks that were empty before now were full of beautiful and exquisite dresses.

I checked just a few of them and had to admit that gerdian masters were very talented and only worked with the best fabrics and gems. The shades were darker than the ones I was used to. But there were a couple of lighter dresses as well.

The maids made me sit at the dressing table and Sandra started to braid my hair, drying them on the go with her magic. While Lisa was showing me outfit options for today.

Another thing that I noticed was that a lot of these garments were very revealing. Surprisingly, it made me think of Demir again. I still couldn’t believe that I summoned him mentally to my bed and the thoughts of it made me flush again.

“Maybe something crimson?” Lisa suddenly suggested and the two maids shared a laugh.

“Pick something light,” I told them harshly and they both got quiet quickly. I didn’t want to be mean to them. Even though they both were gerdians, it still wasn’t their fault that I was brought here. I felt a prick of guilt and tried to smile softly at the two of them, “I prefer lighter colours. That’s what we wear back in my Homeland.”

“Of course, my lady,” Lisa ran back to the racks and came back with a very delicate white dress with lace and golden embroidery on the corsage, “What about this one?”

“It’s perfect,” I decided not to test them more.

But then they produced something before me that was probably supposed to be some kind of underwear. However, when I looked at it, sinful thoughts visited my mind again.

“No,” I declined the garment at once, “Something simple, please. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

“But that’s the simplest one we’ve got,” the maid hiccuped, “We were told that you wouldn’t like anything… playful.”

Was that simple for them? I opened and closed my mouth several times before giving up. They helped me into the strange underwear bodice, that was revealing more than it was hiding. White strings were holding it in place on me and it definitely made my waist thinner, my breasts higher and my bottom… Well, my bottom was on display. So, I hurried to pull on a dress on top of that monstrosity.

“The Emperor is going to love it!” Lisa giggled and Sandra shushed her at once.

I decided to ignore that.

When I was ready, they brought me a necklace consisting of many strands of white pearls, that reminded me of home so much. It was going from my neck to my shoulders and below breasts, complimenting the whole look.

“Perfect,” Lucille came back and looked me up and down, “Now follow me! You will have breakfast with the Emperor.”

I gulped. I did not want that. I didn’t want to meet him, I didn’t want to see him, I didn’t want anything to do with him!

But it wasn’t like I could do anything about it, so I followed lady Lucille when she led me through the corridors. There was light at the end of it and I realised that there was another balcony there. From the looks of it it was much bigger that the one in my room.

“Just go there,” the woman smiled at me, “I am sure he is already waiting for you.”

On wobbling feet I walked to the appointed place, holding the fabric of my dress not to fall down. The light blinded me at first but my eyes adjusted quickly.

There was a lavishly decorated golden table and two chairs. And a man in black suit was sitting at one of the places with his back towards me.

I took a step forward and said, “Your Majesty!”

The man stood up and turned to see me with a smirk on his face.

As soon as I recognised him, I clenched my fists and came closer to look him in the eyes.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, “I thought I was to have breakfast with the Emperor!”

“Oh, you are so eager to meet him already?” he snorted in his usual way, “I have to say I am a little disappointed. You didn’t look like a woman who desires power so much!”

“Power-shmower!” I gave him an eye roll, “I hoped that he would be wiser than you and I could reason with him!”

“Why the chaos would you think that?” he let out a laugh, “Didn’t you think that he was a terrible ancient monster?!”

“Well,” I coughed, clearing my throat, “Haven’t you hear that the hope dies last? Besides, there couldn’t be anyone worse than you! That’s for sure!”

“Oh,” he gave me a strange smile and started moving in my direction, backing me into a corner. Right until I was trapped between him and the rail of the balcony. He placed his hands at both sides of me, leaning so low that out lips almost touched, “Why did you call for me then if I am so despicable?”

“I didn’t,” I shook my head, feeling his hot breath on my lips.

“Liar,” he whispered in a very husky tone, “You were thinking of me… And you were thinking of me naked next to you.”

“I was thinking about how outrageous and disgusting that bathroom episode was!” I finally found what to answer, “It’s not my fault! I have no idea how those gerdian things work!”

He suddenly let go of me and stepped away with his hands behind his back.

“So,” I decided to change the subject quickly, “Where is this Emperor of yours?”

“He is busy and sends his apologies,” Demir replied dryly, “He sent me to keep you company.”

“Has he met you?!” I let out a loud snort and he turned to me with his eyes flashing dark magic.

“I am his closest friend and advisor,” he gritted through teeth.

“That is sad,” I sighed, “Anyway, I don’t feel that hungry! I’d better return to that room of mine.”

“Wait,” he stopped me when I was already almost at the exit, “Stay…”

“What for?”

“I’ll… grant you a wish,” he said quickly and I suddenly got interested…