Chapter Two - Rumors

Liora

I left the palace swaying in Lykos Street, looking all tatted and depressed. Everyone looks at me in disgust as they go about their work.

The world is tilting beneath my feet like a ship caught in a storm. Everything felt distant: the walls, the gossiping voice, the eyes, and even my own body. I was feeling really exhausted and weak; my thoughts drifted like smoke.

I entered a popular restaurant in Lykos called Copper Pot, owned by a friend's father, who always has a problem with me being around his son.

I sat at an empty table. Someone closer to my right was still looking till I looked at him; he looked away, whispering to the other person to sit right next to him.

I never knew killing Lykos, noble knight, was such a huge crime; he only got what he deserved, but getting engaged to someone I've never seen before was quite scary.

I heard someone sitting on my left side close to my table discussing with his fellow man.

"Yes, she's the one the whole kingdom has been talking about," he said, and then the other grasped, "Oh goodness, she really looks innocent and weak. How come she was strong enough to kill the knight? Why isn't she punished for her crime?

"Exactly, she was supposed to be executed, but the king wants to marry her off to the second prince," he said. "You mean the hidden prince. I heard he's fierce and dangerous..." He interrupts, "...cursed. The second prince was cursed for his mother's sins."

"What sins?"

"His mother committed adultery and gave birth to the second prince. Before his mother died."

"What was the curse placed on him ...?"

"Welcome, Liora." I was distracted and startled at the same time by Edric's deep voice. "Oh..." He smiled and then sat down facing me. "How are you doing? I thought I'll never see you again."

"Oh, you were among the people that were there?" I asked because Edric isn't included in stuff like that. "I only heard people saying it." Edric is the friend I was talking about. He's the only person that I can share things with. He always gives me listening ears and helps me most times with food.

"It's like your dad is not around." I said he wouldn't be with me if his dad's around; his dad never wants us to be friends because of me. I'm a slave, and also my parents were witches.

"Yeah, he's not. How do you do it?" He said

"Do what?"

"Kill the knight and escape execution."

"I didn't escape; the king engaged me to his second son," I said, and then he paused with his eyes widely open. "What?"

"Haven't you heard? That prince is wild. He only comes out in times of war, always wearing golden armor. No one has ever seen his face. And he comes back from war without any scratch on his shiny armor," he said.

"It won't be that bad?" I said, but he cut in sharply, "It's far worse, Liora. He's harsh, fierce, and belligerent, and worst, he's cursed. He only loves the taste of blood and violence”. I swallow a gulp and take a deep breath.

"There's nothing I can do about it, and as a matter of fact, nobody really cares if I die. It won't mean anything. " Tears gather in my eyes. "Don't say such things. What about me..." He held my hand. "You mean a lot to me. Why are your hands cold? Have you eaten?" he asked, looking all worried. "I'm not hungry," I said, wiping my tears off.

"Hey, look at me." He held my chin up, looking at him. "No matter what, you are going to make it, or wherever you're going, you are strong, pretty, brave, and ... smart." I chuckled. "... I'm always here to put a smile on your face and give you a helping hand."

He gave me a well-packed snack. "Thank you so much, Edric." I sneered, "Anytime, Liora," he said, smiling and closing his eyes. He was fond of that, but it's really cute, though. "Take it along with you. I think my dad's back. "Oh, I should be going now."

"Yeah, bye, Liora."

"Edric!!!" His dad called.

" Dad !!" I left immediately.

I decided to ask my aunt if she could do anything to help me. I went to her shop; it was locked, and then I went to her house. I knocked on the door, but there was no response, but the door wasn't locked. I entered; I saw her looking grumpy when she saw me, and her daughter, Talia, was seated with her.

"You're knocking on the door like you're a stranger here." Talia said and smirked, "I'm sorry." I said, looking down, "Look, who do we have here?" Mallory, my aunt said, "Come and have a seat with us." Talia said

I went closer and sat with them, escaping Mallory's gaze. "Nice work, Liora. After killing the knight, you want to end your life with the demonic prince…" Mallory said rudely, "The knight tried to rape me..." She interrupted me, "Shut up!. And how is that anybody's business? No one will care; you should have just let him do it. Your virginity doesn't matter anymore; you're a slave." Her words stab harder than a dagger.

"I think maybe you'll be happy with the demonic prince?"

"He's not a demon, mother…" Mallory interrupts Talia aggressively.

"I'm still speaking, Talia. Is that how I brought you up?"

"Sorry, mother."

"Back to you, wretched witch. Don't ever think the king is marrying you off to that demonic prince just to favor you into the royal family. He has plans; he's a very cunning man. Remember what he did to your parents."

"Don't bring in the past..."

"Quiet! I'm only telling you to be wise enough. You are getting married to a demon and a psycho together. He's bad, arrogant, selfish, wicked, loves violence, very wild type and worst of all he's cursed " she said with both eyes shone brightly

"And you... just a wretched slave witch with a lame man's knowledge, it's either you come out wasted or... perhaps dead. I think that will be good for you because you are way too useless to live," she said, then stood up and left.

Her words cut so deep that I had to pull myself together not to let my tears fall. "Happy married life, Liora." Talia chuckled and left.