Seraph instinctively tightened her hold around the towel, clutching to it as though her life depended on it. Of course it did, she was absolutely naked in front of a stranger!!
He looked away and by the look on his face she could tell he was flustered. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to just barge in.."
It was his house, he didn't need to apologise.
She was about to tell him it was fine when he dropped the dress and walked out of the room. Slamming the door behind him.
She walked to the bed and glanced at the dress he brought in for her. It was so beautiful, it screamed wealth and class like a princess would wear. He really went all out..
She peeled the towel off and wore her under garments then wore the dress. It was a sapphire coloured, gem stone ball gown, topped with a beautiful blue ribbon on the back and adorned with stones which shimmer in the morning light. Ghe corset was a perfect fit which made her wonder how he knew her waist size?
She finished the look with sky blue heels and sky blue gloves. Her hazelnut curly hair, naturally blended with the look. Making her feel elegant like an actual lady of the court.
She stepped out of the room to meet Sebastian, decked out in a simple black trouser and black corset with white streaks, with a white dress shirt under it which clung to his body like second skin. His long brown hair falling in waves over his shoulder.
He was incredibly dashing.
She was hypnotized for some seconds before she looked away.
He took couldn't stop staring at her. She was so ethereal. He didn't expect her to look this good in the dress, he just chose it randomly and prayed it would fit her.
"Are you ready?" He asked his voice so low and husky.
What the hell?
Was he trying to seduce her?
No bloody way.
She formed a smile and looked at him. "Yes. Let's go." She said and he nodded, walking to her. He stretched his hand and she hesitantly took it, her mind racing with different questions.
Why were they all dressed up?
What was he planning?
"What are you planning? Why all dressed up?" He turned to her his emerald eyes slowly pulling her in.
Stop it Sera!!!
"You are going to win the Prince's heart by winning the competition today and we get to enter the palace with me as your trusted bodyguard." He stated and she gasped. What did he mean she would marry the prince?
No way.
"I can't do that...I have a mission at hand." She didn't say that last part but she wished she could say it.
"What do you mean? You get to marry Prince Xavier, the man who most women in the kingdom lusts over?"
"Is that supposed to be a good thing?"
He scoffed dryly.
"Or are you worried about your master? He probably would be excited to find out that his maid got married to the prince."
If only he knew....there was no master.
"I'm not worried about that, it's just that I can't just get married to someone I know nothing about..." She said and he scoffed, rubbing his forehead.
"You literally slept in a stranger's house and now marrying one has become a big deal??" He half yelled.
"That doesn't count, I'm not going with this plan..." She stood her ground, crossing her hands over her chest. "Then tell me, do you have a better plan??" He groaned and she stayed quiet for some minutes thinking of another plan but she couldn't think of any.
She could go there as a maid but he seems like he really wants to go to the palace and she can't just leave him when he helped her so much.
But she didn't have time for this. She didn't want to get entangled with some prince who ends up falling for her and can't live without her.. She had someone to kill and time was running out, demons were dying every passing day and she couldn't keep delaying the mission.
With a dejected sigh, she shook her head, avoiding his gaze. He reached for her face, making her face him. "Hey, don't be scared okay. I will make sure nothing happens to you, if he tries anything to hurt you I'll make sure I deal with him. Properly." He assured and she couldn't help but feel safe with him.
Those green eyes made her feel secure—protected.
"Fine, I'll do it." She said and he smiled. "Thank you." He appreciated. "You really seem to want to go to the palace why is that?"
"It's not important—" he answered. "I'm just going ther to find someone." Just like her...she too was going there to find someone.
"Okay but can you stop touching my face now." She said and he immediately retracted his hand, standing up from where he knelt. "I'm sorry."
He really loved apologizing.
"It's okay. Maybe you got lost in thought." She said and he chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his hair. "Shall we?" He stretched his hands towards her and she took it, without hesitation this time.
They walked to the door and he opened it for her. He lead her to a stable nearby, the streets were empty probably because everyone was on their way to the palace.
He walked inside and pulled out a black horse, he placed a saddle on the horse and mounted it. With his assistant, she climbed the horse and placed her hands beside her, she didn't know where to put her hands since it was her first time riding a horse.
"Hold onto me." He said and she didn't understand what he meant. "Huh?"
He didn't reply her, he grabbed her hands and wrapped it around his waist then he flicked the reins and the horse broke into the steady gallops, wind rushing past them as Seraph held on tightly.
She could see him smirk as she pressed her body against his hard back and it annoyed her, she wasn't some soft girl who needed help with everything, she was a powerful witch and could do many things all by herself.
Soon, they reached the palace and the gates were open wide as different families and kings from different Kingdoms came to win Xavier's heart and get their daughters married to him.
From the outside alone, thousands of people were in line, as their horses moved in a slow and steady pace into the palace.
Thousands of girls.
Just for one prince?
What the hell!!!
They reached the palace stables and Sebastian jumped off first, then helped Seraph down. He then pulled the horse into a stable and closed the gate to avoid her running away.
As they walked Seraph looked around the palace, her mouth hung open in awe. The palace was and exquisite design of everything wealthy and fancy. The vibrant green hedges which framed the walkway. The peaceful sound of water trickling out of the water fountain, the properly trimmed trees which moved lightly in the wind.
It was beautiful, she couldn't take her eyes off the infrastructure and was constantly being called back to her thoughts by Sebastian.
"Are you okay? You seem distracted." He said which made her snap her head towards him. "Oh, sorry I'm just amazed by the beauty of the infrastructure that's all."
"Okay, let me go get the form I'll be right back." He said and she nodded.
Her eyes moved back to the intricate design of the building and she couldn't help the curiosity in her which wanted to see the entire building.
She strolled through the vast garden, admiring the gorgeous flowers, especially drawn to the scent of the lilac flower.
She continued walking until she remembered she was supposed to be in one spot, waiting for Sebastian, she looked around and was covered with nothing but green bushes and flowers.
She was about to re-trace her steps when guards blocked her. "You're not meant to be here." One gruffed.
She didn't want to look weak but knew she had to formal with them, normally she would burn these guards to a crisp and walk away like nothing has happened but she couldn't use her powers, she would get caught and probably beheaded.
"I'm sorry sirs, I didn't know i was just intrigued by the beauty of the flower and followed them here." She explained with a pout.
The guards shot her a look. "And you expect us to believe you? For all we know, you could have sent here in disguise to kill the king." The other said and truth be told, he wasn't lying. She was here to kill someone but not the king, unless he was the one with what she needed.
She waved her hands in the air defensively. "I mean no harm sirs. Please my bodyguard is waiting for me, I need to go back to the front yard."
She tried walking away but they blocked her again. She tried the other direction but the second guard blocked her as well.
"You are coming us....if you're really here for the competition." He said smugly laying emphasis on the last word. "Then we'll have to check the forms and if your name is in the list then we'll let you go."
They grabbed her by her side, holding her up with her two hands, she kicked and struggled, her fingers itched to just burn them but the necklace her father gave her was holding her back.
They started carrying her away when a voice stopped them. "Drop her, immediately.."