Lucas's pov:
The next morning I woke up to the sunlight beaming through the windows as the curtains, about 10 maids we in the room their respected work, I was confused on why were they in here setting things up like they were waking up the Prince.
"Good morning sir." Elenor said as he walked up to me, "what's all of this?" I asked still looking around.
"Morning preparation, the prince ordered for you to be well taken care off this morning." He replied.
"This is Agatha, starting today she will be your attendee and personal servant." He said turning to the woman standing behind him, 'servant?' Who was I to own a servant.
"She we help you with your bath sir, please follow her."
I blinked in disbelief, still trying to process everything that had happened since I'd been pulled from the water. A personal attendant? It felt surreal, as if I were living in someone else's story. My mind raced, replaying the events of the past few days. Here I was, a villager who had just lost his mother, suddenly thrust into a life of luxury and service that felt completely alien.
Elenor, sensing my hesitation, smiled encouragingly. "Don't worry, Lucas. Agatha is very skilled at what she does. She'll help you feel more comfortable."
I glanced at Agatha, a woman with warm brown hair and gentle eyes, who smiled back reassuringly. "It's my pleasure to assist you, sir," she said. But even her friendly demeanor couldn't dispel the unease curling in my stomach.
"Right," I said slowly, still grappling with the reality of having a servant. "I'm not sure I need—"
"Sir, it's customary for those in your position to have an attendant," Elenor interjected, his tone patient but firm. "The prince wants you to feel at home here, and that means taking care of your needs. Please, let Agatha help you."
With a resigned sigh, I nodded. "Okay… I suppose I could use some help."
Agatha stepped forward, her demeanor professional yet warm. "If you would like to come with me, we can prepare a bath for you and select some clothes for the day."
I slid out of bed, feeling slightly embarrassed as I followed her toward a large adjoining room that I hadn't noticed before. It was a lavish bathing area, complete with a marble tub and an array of scents and oils laid out on the counter.
"This is… incredible," I muttered, stepping inside. Everything was so opulent, it made me feel out of place.
Agatha smiled as she began to fill the tub with warm water.
I watched her move about the room with ease, her confidence putting me slightly at ease. "Thank you, Agatha. I just… I'm not used to this. I don't want to impose."
"It's not an imposition at all, sir," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You're important to Prince Aric, and that makes you important to the rest of us as well. Please let us take care of you."
I sighed again, feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt. I wasn't anyone special, but here I was, treated as though I were. "Alright," I said finally, allowing myself to relax into the moment.
As I stepped into the bath, the warm water enveloped me, and for the first time in days, I felt a flicker of calm wash over me. Agatha helped me with the bath, her movements practiced and respectful. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the warmth seep into my tired muscles.
"Once you're finished, we'll pick out an outfit that befits your position," Agatha said, her voice soothing. "Prince Aric wants you to look your best for the day ahead."
I opened my eyes, startled. "What do you mean, my position?"
"Your position as the prince's consort."
"Consort?" I asked slowly rising up confused.
"Yes sir, your the one he has chosen to be his suitor. The one who will give him heirs." She said with a gentle smile.
I sat there speechless and surprised, is this why the prince is treating me so nicely?
"The prince doesn't tend to favor anyone, at first he refused to accept any of the noble men and women to be his suitor. So when he brought you here everyone was surprised even the king wasn't pleased with his decision."
I felt the weight of Agatha's words settle heavily in the air, and I could hardly process the implications. My heart raced, and I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. "But I'm just a villager. I don't understand any of this," I stammered, my mind spinning.
Agatha nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I understand this is a lot to take in. But the prince sees something in you that others don't. He believes in you. And while this may feel overwhelming, you have the opportunity to shape your future here."
I leaned back against the tub, the warm water lapping at my skin, but it felt more like a storm inside my mind. A consort? Was that really what I had become? The thought both exhilarated and terrified me. I had left everything behind, my home, my mother—now I was expected to step into a role that felt entirely foreign.
"What if I'm not enough?" I whispered, more to myself than to Agatha. "What if I can't be what he needs?"
Agatha stepped closer, her voice firm yet kind. "You don't have to be perfect. No one is. Just be yourself, and you will see that is enough for him. The prince is looking for someone who can offer him companionship and love, not just heirs. He values you for who you are."
Her words hung in the air, a small light flickering in the dark thoughts swirling in my mind. Could I really bring anything of value to someone like Prince Aric? The memories of my mother flooded back, her unwavering support and belief in me, even when I struggled. Maybe I could find a way to do this—if I just let myself breathe.
I took a deep breath, feeling the tension start to ease in my shoulders. "Alright," I said finally, my voice steadier. "I'll try my best."
Agatha smiled, the warmth of her encouragement lifting my spirits. "That's all anyone can ask of you. Now, let's get you dressed so you can meet with the prince. He'll be expecting you soon."
With Agatha's help, I climbed out of the tub and dried off, feeling a sense of newfound determination. As I got dressed in a finely tailored outfit that Agatha selected for me, I couldn't help but admire the luxurious fabrics. It felt strange to wear something so beautiful, but I couldn't deny the excitement bubbling within me.
"Just remember to keep your head high," Agatha advised as I finished adjusting the collar of my shirt. "You belong here, and you're worthy of the prince's affection."
I took a moment to look in the mirror, trying to gather my thoughts. The reflection staring back at me was both familiar and foreign. I saw the remnants of a villager, yes, but also someone who had the potential to become more. As I stepped away from the mirror, a small sense of pride began to settle in my chest.
As we made our way back to the main room, my heart raced with anticipation. What would Aric say? Would he expect me to understand all the complexities of being a consort? Would I be able to fulfill the expectations that seemed to come crashing down on me like waves against the shore?
The door opened, and as I stepped into the main room, I was met with the sight of Prince Aric waiting for me, his gaze sharp yet soft as it landed on me.
"There you are," he said, his lips curving into a warm smile that lit up the room. "You look incredible."
I felt my cheeks flush as I met his gaze, a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty swirling within me. "Thank you, Your Majesty," I replied, the formal title slipping from my lips with a hint of shyness.
"How did you sleep?" He asked as he got closer, "I slept well, thank you for asking." I replied.
He gently cupped my face with one hand and brushed my cheek, "shall we talk?" He asked looking deep into my eyes. I felt chills all over my body, his soft caramel eyes made me weak. I never knew that one day I would find the cold hearted prince gentle and charming.
I slightly smiled and nodded my head, he led me to his bed and sat me down. He flashed the warm smile again as he took a seat next to me with my hand in his, "I know this is coming off sudden too you but please understand me," he started.
"I want you to be my consort, in exchange I'll give you anything you wish for. Under my care I promise not to hurt you, I'll take very good care of you and you won't have to lift a finger." He stated.
"I'll give you some time to think about it, and it's okay if you don't want the burden of being my consort. I'll send you back to your village with a nice sum of money to take care of for the rest of your life." He added.
I staid quiet trying to process everything in my head, I wanted to decline his offer. I didn't want to be stuck in a place popping out babies every year like I was some baby machine.
But before I can even say no I found myself agreeing, "I'll be your consort." I blurted out.
"The past few days you've been taking good care of me your majesty, so if being your consort and giving you an heir is all you need I'll be your consort." I added.
"Are you sure, I want you to think about it and make sure this is what you want." He said.
"I'm sure your majesty, this is my thanks to you." I replied.
"But can I ask you a favor?" I asked
"Sure anything you want." He replied.
"If you take me as your consort, please let there be no other. I want to be the only one you have, but if you see that I can't give you an heir you can strip me of my title and send me back to the village."
Aric's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face at my request. He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing my words carefully before responding. "You're asking for exclusivity, and I can understand why you would want that," he said slowly, his thumb brushing against my knuckles in a comforting gesture. "But know that being a consort in this world is often complicated."
"I understand that, Your Majesty," I replied, my heart pounding. "But I need to know that I'm not just one of many. If I'm to give you my loyalty, I want to be assured of yours in return."
Aric nodded, a serious look settling on his features. "If you accept this role, I will ensure that you are my only consort. I don't want you to feel like you're competing for my affection. You deserve to know that you are cherished."
I felt a rush of warmth at his words. The idea of being cherished, of being someone's priority, felt both foreign and comforting. "Thank you," I whispered, my heart swelling with a mixture of hope and apprehension.
"Then it's settled," he said, a smile breaking through his earlier seriousness. "You'll be my consort, and I promise to uphold my end of this agreement. No one else will take your place."
His gaze locked onto mine, and I could feel a bond forming between us, a connection I never expected to find with someone of his stature. "But," he added, his tone shifting slightly, "I want to make sure that you're not feeling pressured into this. I care about your happiness just as much as I care about our future together. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, you must tell me."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I appreciate that, Your Majesty. I'll do my best to communicate my feelings."
"Good," he said, his expression softening again. "I want this to be a partnership, Lucas. We'll face whatever comes our way together."
As we sat there, hands intertwined, I couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. I had chosen this path, and though it was fraught with uncertainty, I was ready to embrace whatever came next.
"Now, let's talk about what comes next," Aric said, breaking the silence. "We'll need to introduce you to the court, and I'd like to spend some time helping you adjust to life here. There's much for you to learn, but I'll be by your side every step of the way."
My stomach twisted at the thought of facing the court, a wave of nerves crashing over me. "What if they don't accept me?" I asked, my voice tinged with anxiety.
"They will come to accept you because I will not tolerate any disrespect towards you," Aric replied firmly, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "You are not just my consort; you are part of this family now. We will show them that."
TBC