Sunlight poured through the window, clouds rolled through the clear blue skies, and birds fluttered from one branch to the next. The curtains were pulled back, relishing over the couple who remained entangled in each other's embrace. Not a second passed and Killorn instantly woke up.
Killorn groggily glanced around, feeling heat pressed tightly to his body. He glanced down through tired eyes and saw Ophelia's face buried into his neck. She breathed out carefully through her nose, her arms curled, and she resembled a fawn sleeping in the forest.
Killorn kissed her forehead fondly. Instantly, she mumbled something incoherent, but scooted each closer to him. His lips twitched in amusement when she threw her leg around him and clung like he was her teddy bear.
Killorn stroked Ophelia hair, humored by how tangled they were. He stared at the contrast between her silver and blond hair against his tanned skin. In the warmer climates, Ophelia's hair wasn't as prominently white anymore.
"Hah… Hah!"
Killorn turned his head and could practically hear the sound of his men training in the far distance. By now, it was time to get up and join them, as he often led the morning exercises. But after hearing her complaints yesterday, he remained in their entangled position for a while longer. He'd need this patience, as later in the day, he'd have to prepare her for the worst.
"M-mph… Killorn?" Ophelia tiredly said, her voice low and childish. She squinted innocently upon him, her face pressed against his chest.
Killorn's chest tightened at how adoring she was. There was something about her lowered guard that always made him crave her attention. She was soft and quiet, only saying things when she could muster the strength.
Killorn tenderly cupped her face and brought her closer. She shyly pulled away, but he captured her lips anyways. Immediately, she turned her head, almost embarrassed.
"I-I haven't freshened up," Ophelia meekly told him.
"I don't care." Killorn turned until she was resting on his arm. "I want a morning kiss, my lovely wife."
Ophelia's cheeks flushed red on the spot. His lips twitched, unable to hold back the arrogant grin. She tried to look away by turning to face away from him, but his arms came around her waist.
"K-Killorn…" Ophelia complained, squirming to escape.
"Here, I'll give you another one and you can present me one in return," Killorn teased whilst resting on his elbows and kissing her on the cheek.
Immediately, an idea came to Ophelia's mind. She turned her head and peered at him through her lashes. She felt herself falling deeper into his intoxication. Killorn was handsome beyond words.
His dark hair playfully fell over his forehead, his sharp features rapturing her chest, and his full lips twisted with mischief. She hesitatingly touched his jaw and he immediately leaned closer. She was awestruck by how quickly he responded to her, resembling a sailor drawn by a siren.
"J-just a peck," Ophelia promised, for he had kept his word and stayed with her this morning. She leaned closer and pressed her mouth to his, earning a wide grin from him.
"More than that, my sweet," Killorn teased, climbing on top of her, until she was squished by his weight.
Ophelia squealed, laughing as his fingers tickled her stomach. She squirmed and rolled, her eyes lit up with joy, and he could only helplessly watch as she ascended down from the bullying.
"K-Killorn!" Ophelia chided, grabbing his strong forearm with a pointed glare.
Killorn chuckled and shook his head. "Come, let's enjoy our morning and—"
A rude knock interrupted his speech. He gritted his teeth, his head snapping to the door. Not a second later came a strained voice.
"Alpha, Magician Reagan requires your presence in the towers and King Claudean would like a word with you."
Ophelia's heart fell. Did that mean he won't have the time to return and see the abuse for himself? Her mouth went dry.
Killorn exhaled irritably whilst pinching the spot between his brows. He could use some patience after the people of the empire had him running around instead of spending time with his lovely wife. He turned to her and saw she had paled.
"I'll come back soon," Killorn promised her. "In the meantime, refresh as you please, but don't go outside today, it's the hottest temperature of the season."
Ophelia watched helplessly as he kissed her on the head goodbye, walked into the closet, and in five minutes, strolled out fully dressed in a tunic, trousers, and his usual black shoes.
lightsΝοvel "H-how hot is it?" Ophelia asked in the hopes of making conversation.
Killorn glanced up from buckling his sword to his side. Ophelia's throat tightened at how wonderfully the shirt hugged his muscular body.
"Enough to cook an egg on the pavement. If your hand even touches the floor, it'll burn," Killorn said whilst strolling towards her.
Killorn bent and she leaned up. He was humored that she already memorized the pattern of his love. He kissed her fondly on the cheek and left without another word.
All Ophelia could think to herself was, is this all he's wearing to see the King?
Ophelia wondered where he was going to get himself ready. She assumed he'd be brushing his teeth and taking a morning bath elsewhere. Reluctant and tired, she pulled herself out of bed anyway, shivering when the cold air bit at her exposed skin. She quickly downed a nightgown just as the maids entered her room.
"Your actions yesterday almost cost us our lives, my lady," the vampires gritted out immediately at her presence, their eyes flashing red.
Ophelia was already in a bad mood. She wasn't in the right mind to bicker with them, especially after wondering about Killorn's state. When they tossed the water basin right in front of her, she wordlessly brushed her teeth, grimacing at the harsh bristles, icy water that hurt her gums, and flinched as they roughly combed her hair back in the process.
"I-I'm still brushing—"
"Please be patient, my lady," one of the vampire servants irritably responded with a deep glower. She was still hurt by yesterday's actions. What was so important about the lives of a bunch of humans? Didn't the Lady know Princess Elena was down there too!
Ophelia gargled and spat out the water into the basin, then sat down whilst wiping her own face with the towel. She was tired and squirming from their rough tugging. By the time they were done with her hair, there was already a thin pile of strands by her feet. In no time, Ophelia was going to be bald.
"O-ow!" Ophelia cried out, gasping when they nipped her skin again from the needle. She winced and glanced to see there was no blood. Thank god.
"Please sit still, my lady, we're doing the best we can! We can't work well if you're moving around like this all the time and blaming it on us," the maids angrily told her, roughly yanking the lady's arms.
Ophelia winced, for she had been beaten many times, but it was much better than their slow torture. She hissed as their long nails pricked her sensitive scalp whilst they wove her hair into a braid so tight, her eyebrows were pulled back.
"I-it hurts, please l-loosen it," Ophelia reprimanded.
They snorted and snickered at her stammer, laughing amongst themselves. Ophelia's eyes watered from the intensity of their actions. They pulled her to her feet, causing her to stumble and grab onto the vanity for balance. Their strengths were far too powerful for a mere human girl like her.
"Breathe in, my lady," one of the maids grouchily said whilst tugging on the corset strings without warning.
"W-wait!" Ophelia hissed in pain as tears formed. She felt her organs being pushed out from how harsh they pulled. She had never been fitted this tightly for a corset before, and immediately knew this was their punishment for her actions yesterday.
Ophelia's lips trembled, for she felt the oxygen leave her body.
"Did you not eat breakfast? This isn't tight enough, pull harder!" one of them said whilst teasingly moving her friend aside.
"N-no more—"
Ophelia's back went straight. She felt herself being squeezed to death from the corset that cut off her air supply. Her mouth was going blue, her legs trembling, and finally, she couldn't take it anymore.
"I-I said e-enough—"
"Did you hear that? I obviously didn't!" they laughed amongst themselves whilst stepping back to finally let her relax.
Immediately, Ophelia collapsed to the ground, gasping and panting for air so intensely, she felt saliva gather in her mouth. She shakingly glanced up at them in disbelief, unable to think of any forms of punishment for them.
"Oh please, my lady, get up," the maid snorted, grabbing her by the wrist just as Ophelia eyed the floor where she could see visible strands of her hair.
"D-don't touch m-me," Ophelia attempted with a grit, feeling frustrated that her tongue wasn't working properly.
In the moment, they only seemed to be belittling her even more with their eyes. She shuddered at their mocking gaze, resembling little devils with wicked smiles. The vampires stared her down, their lips twisted into a smirk.
Ophelia rose to her feet angrily. Then, without warning…
PAK!
Ophelia smacked them right across the face. Their eyes widened in disbelief, and immediately came another slap.
PAK!
Ophelia breathed heavily as she stared at them with sheer hatred. She had experienced much worse in House Eves, but her patience had long dwindled since those days.
"I may be a human," Ophelia began, her breathing growing heavier. "But my life is more valuable than 100 of you servants combined. S-serve me well, or I'll sever your head.
Their eyes widened at her words, but they had been blinded by rage to even comprehend the level of threat.
"My face!" the woman shouted, angrily reaching for the human girl.
"That's enough," her friend quickly said, grabbing onto her peer before the worst happened. They could only torment the lady to a certain extent before she had evidence of their behavior.
"Don't forget," she added. "That we've yet to serve her meals today."
Ophelia's heart skipped at the threat in their voice. She shakingly stepped back, just as their malicious intentions increased.
"You're right," the assaulted maid snapped. "Just you wait, my lady, when we serve you your meal, you'll regret it!"
Without warning, a cold and chilling voice filled the air.
"Regret what?"
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