03

Desire found herself standing in the middle of  her Master's room as if she was a dancer on display. The scene reminded her of how ladies from the Harem were made to perform in front of senior ranked citizens. 

The only difference was the clothes she was putting on, the prostitutes were said to be made to dance naked. The Harem is a place where prostitute stays and the only place where prostitution is legal. 

She looked around the room and realized there were mirrors everywhere, at almost every corner of the room. Something was glaring back at her. It was her reflection. 

She observed herself for a while and realized she had lost some weight within the past two days, her hair was all over the place, her eyes swollen from the tears and her clothes tattered from dragging her down the stairs. She wished the ground would open up and swallow her. 

The Knight that was standing beside her was the one holding the chain used to lock her hand and leg. The height of the punishment made her wonder what she actually did to deserve such punishment. Angry, she was but she had no right to voice out her anger. 

After standing for what seems like hours, she was feeling dizzy and anytime she staggered, the chains were drawn to keep her standing. She was thirsty, hungry, and tired despite wondering the sort of punishment this was exactly. She hoped they had left her at the dungeon, where she could at least sit down. 

She had received all types of punishment in the past but none was as bad as this. The court lady had made them sleep in the rain, because the meat prepared for the Prime Minister was not tender enough. They were beaten terribly and refused food nor water and also made them sleep in the rain. 

Their region had two seasons- the rainy and dry season. The rainy season was one to look forward to as it was always cold and refreshing for their souls and even their farm products flourished at such a period. The dry season was the worst of all, dry crops and even dry humans. Many people die during this period as a result of lack of food. This was the period when the servants at the Prime Minister's house were grateful for being there. 

Desire was pulled out of her thoughts by the heavy sounding of footsteps. She quickly diverted her attention to the floor, looking down so as to avoid the gaze of her Master. She hadn't really looked at him ever since she had been at the mansion as it is forbidden for any Slave or Servant to look at the Master. Only the HandsMaiden were allowed but only when permitted. 

"You May leave us alone" He instructed his Knights. They bowed before leaving the room. He looked over at the tiny girl standing in front of him and wondered what could be so special about her that the assistant to the court lady could risk her head for. 

"Someone came to plea for you" His voice resonated throughout the room. 

"The person risked her life to report how you had been a great servant and how you never broke any rules. If you had been a good servant, then why did you decide to poison me?" He asked. 

Desire couldn't find the voice to respond to his question. 

"Answer me!" He barked

"I'm sorry my lord but I swear on my life I didn't poison you. I only misplaced the ingredients, I'm sorry" She trembled. 

"Look at me and explain yourself, " Desire thought of how he was trying to get her killed by all means. She couldn't take it anymore. 

"It's forbidden, my lord" She mumbled out. 

"Look at me, Dove, and don't you dare question my authority"

"My Name is Desire, my lord, and I didn't question your authority. It's the rules and I'll be killed if I look at you. I'm deeply sorry my Lord" She bowed her head lower in Submission. 

He moved closer to her and touched her neck before moving his hand to touch her shoulder. Desire jerked back at the sudden contact and tried to pry away from him but that didn't stop him from placing a finger on her chin to try to lift her head up to him. 

"Why do you defy me, little dove?" He demanded and Desire was torn. Torn between pleasing her Master and bending one of the rules holding their region together. 

Deciding to take fate as whatever it'll be, she allowed his hand to move her chin up and when she finally looked at her Master after staying in the same mansion as him for seven years, after breathing in the same air and drinking from the same source of water for years, she almost couldn't breathe. He was beautiful. 

So beautiful, she could hardly take her eyes away from him, he was mesmerizing. The dark mark that crossed his face only made him more beautiful and he was so young. Probably in his mid-30s and that made Desire wonder how he became a Prime Minister so early. 

His blue eyes bored into hers for a while before Desire finally looked away again, waiting for her judgement, her dead judgement for breaking a rule. 

He quickly cleared his throat and moved back from her a little bit. 

"You have a decision to make, little Dove. There are three options available, three things I could do to you, it'll be better if you're wise enough to pick the better option"

Fearing what the options could be, a lone tear found its way down Desire's face. 

"The first option is to have you killed by hanging, the second one is to send you to the Harem while the third one is to make you my private maid and you're the only person who has the privilege of this rare chance. So, my dear little Dove, what do you say?"

Desire knew the second and third option was a death sentence, a life sentence that could get her killed at anytime, so why not take the death right now? 

Much to his disappointment, Desire looked at him without thinking about the rules. 

"I'll pick the first option, let me die at stake or by hanging. Whichever option suits you, My lord but please just let me die a quick death"