Seven

RAPHAEL POV

"Reserve the finest room for the princess, my newest acquisition, and let her stay there," I instructed Johnson, who nodded with a slight bow. "Very well, sire."

I paced back towards the curtain, turning as I sensed Delicia's presence in the room. My hand instinctively went to my temple, massaging it. I wondered if she was here to unleash another outburst like earlier. I preferred not to lose my temper, which happened rarely. But Delicia had a way of disrupting my peace.

As much as I relished the sight of her, I didn't appreciate her fiery temperament. She approached me, her voice laced with frustration. "You plan to set her free? I thought I was the only one you desired."

"Delicia," I muttered, pouring a generous amount of champange into a flute glass.

"I thought I was enough!" She reiterated, this time with force. "Yet you keep bringing in more women. I've been patient, but this is too much!"

"Silence!" I thundered, exhaling through my nostrils, narrowing my eyes.

Delicia flinched and retreated towards the window as I moved closer. "There were others before you, and not one ever raised their voice at me or questioned me in this manner. I won't tolerate it from you any longer. From now on, you're only permitted in this room when I summon you."

Two guards approached the curtain, bowing before taking their positions beside her. "What is the meaning of this? I am your mate!"

"Mate?" I scoffed. "You're one of my companions, Delicia."

The words sounded harsh, even to my own ears, but it was necessary to set the record straight. I stepped closer, tapping her chin before gripping it firmly. "Just like the other women here, you're here to share my bed, not to be my mate."

The more reason I never wanted to be with her in the first place. I knew she would cling more to me the moment I become intimate with her. I was glad I never did it as we only had the chance to make out earlier.

"But..."

"Escort her out," I ordered. "She is to come only by appointment."

"Yes, sire," the guards acknowledged, moving to take her hand.

"Release me, you wretches!" She screamed, "Tell your mindless dogs to remove their filthy hands!"

I chuckled and shook my head. "Leave her be, she can walk on her own."

As soon as the guards released their grip on her, Delicia turned and stormed towards me. "You're a heartless king. Completely self-centered and a foolish brat!"

She yelled directly into my face, and the guards instinctively moved forward, but I motioned for them to stand down.

"I despise your presence," she screeched.

"I'm quite certain you won't be the last to express that sentiment. And might I suggest, coming up with something more inventive might have a greater impact."

"Raphael Grace, I, Delicia Briss..."

"Remove her from my sight," I growled, and promptly, Delicia was ushered out of the room.

She kicked and ranted, but they didn't release their hold. I knew exactly what she was attempting the moment she invoked her full name. She wanted to form a bond with me, a maneuver she'd tried before.

Delicia's scent hadn't drawn me enough to mark her. I enjoyed her company physically, and that was the extent of it. I didn't see her as a potential mate, just as I viewed the other women in my company.

Or perhaps, I simply had no inclination to mate, contrary to what others speculated.

CINZIA POV

After the guards, led by a man named Johnson, delivered the surprising news about relocating to a new room, I couldn't help but wonder if that was his real name. It seemed to be what everyone called him as he escorted me to the new space.

I felt a surge of elation knowing I wouldn't be encountering Delicia, and I was even more pleased that the Hybrid King had shown this small act of kindness. Still, his identity remained a mystery, hidden in the shadows he often lingered in.

Initially, I had expected the room to be only marginally better than the one Delicia had brought me to, and had hesitated to accept. Yet, after some coaxing from Johnson, I reluctantly followed him. I was grateful I did, for I doubted I would have had the chance to see the beauty of the space if I had continued to resist.

A sigh escaped my lips as I took in my surroundings. A generously sized queen bed dominated the center of the room, adorned with pink linens. As I moved further in, I couldn't help but run my fingers along the wall, adorned with intricate floral and avian designs.

Then, my gaze was drawn to a floating bookshelf mounted on the wall above the headboard. The presence of books excited me, as reading was a cherished pastime of mine.

"You are a slave," my subconscious whispered, a harsh reminder. That was, after all, what I was meant to be in this place. Being in a room like this seemed too good to be true. I shouldn't have been here, and I couldn't help but wonder if Johnson had made a mistake bringing me here.

I glanced at him, noticing he still stood by the door with his head bowed. "Are you certain I was instructed to stay here? I mean, is there a chance you got the information mixed up? This doesn't seem fitting for a slave."

"The King ordered that you be placed in the best room," Johnson responded promptly.

"The best room?" I exhaled, shaking my head.

A myriad of thoughts raced through my mind, contemplating what I might have to give in return for occupying a room as opulent as this.

Back at the prisoner's camp, I was treated with unexpected kindness, only to be sold off to an unknown man, one I hadn't even laid eyes on. And now, finding myself in an even more luxurious bedroom, I couldn't fathom what I might have to give in return.

I wrapped my arms around myself, a shiver coursing through me as a troubling thought crept in. "No," I muttered, shaking my head. "There's no way I can trade my body."

"My princess..."

I flushed, realizing Johnson was still present. I'd forgotten about him, and I wondered how much of my inner turmoil he'd overheard.

"Don't address me that way, please," I murmured, thinking of Delicia. "I don't believe that title is fitting for a slave, and I wouldn't want you to face any trouble for using it."

"The king regards you not as a prisoner, but as a prized possession," Johnson explained.

I arched an eyebrow, and he quickly bowed. "I apologize. I may have spoken out of turn." He stammered, a pained expression crossing his face. "If you require anything, I'll be nearby. And in the meantime, your maid will attend to your needs."

I nodded and watched as he hurried away. What had rattled him? I couldn't understand, nor did I particularly care. All that occupied my thoughts was his statement.

I wasn't seen as a slave, but as a prized possession. What exactly did the Hybrid King intend to do with me?