Sold to the Dark Lord

11| Running Out of Time

Warm and cozy but Arabelle felt that the pillow she was using was a little bit hard. But, wait, she suddenly opened her eyes and found herself sleeping in a position that covered half of Alex's body. The memory of last night appeared vaguely. She remembered when she asked Alex to promise to keep her company and take care of her.

Arabelle didn't expect Alex to actually fulfill his promise, he didn't leave her side all night. Alex even let his chest be used as a pillow. Honestly, Arabelle didn't realize that. Last night, her body was too weak and sick to be able to remember the details.

"Oh, you're awake." Alex's deep, husky waking voice sounded very sexy.

Arabelle was stunned for a while, then she got up slowly. It couldn't be denied that the dizziness and pain in her head were still spreading, it was very difficult to move without making her head throb painfully.

"Let me see," Alex placed the back of his hand on Arabelle's forehead, "The fever has gone down."

His action again and again made Arabelle nervous with both cheeks flushed.

"Your face is getting red, do you still have a fever? Let me check again."

"No." Arabelle kept Alex's hand from grabbing her forehead again, "I'm fine."

Alex scrambled out of bed, "You're not." He said as he put on the robe that was draped over the end of the bed.

"W-where are you going?" Asked Arabelle a little frantically.

Alex came back to her, then rubbed her head gently, "Go back to sleep, later I will ask the maid to bring you food. Sleep, okay?"

"But where are you going?" Arabelle held Alex's thumb.

Alex chuckled softly, realizing that her hand was so tiny compared to his. So cute.

Cute? What was I just thinking? Alex shook off all his strange thoughts about Arabelle. "Never take anything personally, it will only make things harder." He thought to himself.

Arabelle looked at him with puppy eyes, "Do you really have to go?"

"Look, I'm just going to my private workspace. It's only a few steps away, if anything happens, I can still hear it from in there." Said Alex, "You need to rest, or you'll still die from illness. Do you want that?"

Arabelle shook her head, "W-well, I'm sorry to trouble you so much, Your Majesty. I didn't mean to, never."

"You're back to calling me by that title."

"S-sorry... Al- Alex."

"That's better." Alex smiled, "Okay, now get some rest. I won't be long. I just need to save some files for the meeting this afternoon," he said.

They both stared at each other for a while and, for the umpteenth time, Alex was amazed by the red eyes Arabelle had, although only on one side.

"What's wrong?" Asked Arabelle in confusion.

"Nothing, just admiring your red eyes." He replied. "Oh yeah, do you need Renha? She looked sad yesterday."

Arabelle nodded with some hesitation. But after remembering how kind Renha was, she felt guilty for avoiding and being scared for no reason.

***

Super blood moon, only 3 months away. The key that the physician had said before Alex mercilessly cut off his head was already beside him, Arabelle was already in his grasp. But, how would breaking the curse work? Alex was getting more frustrated by the day just thinking about it.

"I wish I hadn't finished him off and let him finish his sentence." Alex let out a tired sigh.

In the midst of his frustration, someone suddenly came knocking on the door.

"Who's there?"

"It's me, Ramond, Your Majesty."

"Come in!" Alex allowed.

Ramond entered the king's private workspace. "Good morning, Your Majesty." He greeted him.

"Morning, have a seat." Alex invited Ramond to sit on the sofa, "You're back sooner than expected," he said, getting up from the desk.

Alex approached Ramond, who had been sent out for three days to find information about curse breaking rituals, whether from books or witches, humans or whatever.

"Here, Your Majesty." Ramond placed three thick books on the table, "I've been trying to find out more, but they're the only ones not in our library at the palace. And..."

"And what?" Asked Alex curiously, "Don't hesitate, just tell me."

Ramond leaned forward, then whispered softly, "Is Arabelle 100% human?"

"What do you mean?" Confused Alex.

"She was adopted, Your Majesty told me that."

Alex confirmed it, because Arabelle herself had said that the family who adopted her was the one who had the heart to sell her.

"What if she's actually a mixed blood between humans and witches maybe? If so, then she could have learned the science of healing and become a healer." Ramond said.

"Does that matter?" Alex raised his eyebrows, "Look, I brought her to break my curse. She's the one the physician mentioned. Arabelle's characteristics are exactly the same as what he mentioned. All of them. And you suddenly want to find out where she really came from? Her real family? Are you crazy?" Alex's frustration was stifled.

Ramond bowed, "My apologies, Your Majesty."

"I know she's beautiful, but you can't like what's mine." Alex said.

"I- I don't like her. It's not like what you think, Your Majesty," Ramond said.

Alex gave Ramond a sharp look, "You heard me right. I will do whatever it takes to break this curse, for the sake of Morthesc's future. My line must not be cut off just because someone cursed me for being unable to have a pureblood heir. He said I can't have a child."

Ramond nodded in understanding.

"Even if I have to kill her, I will," Alex said without hesitation.

Then, he left Ramond's presence and walked towards the window.

Sadly, with his fitness, Alex could not have a child. None of the women he had slept with had managed to conceive. Therefore, Alex refused to get married because he felt it was all in vain. Just a waste.

"Does Lady Arabelle know about all this?"

"She would run away if she knew." Alex replied, "She loves her life so much, even after going through many hardships, she doesn't give up on life and wants to continue to survive." He added with a dreamy thought.

Ramond stood up, "That is all from me, Your Majesty. In that case, I would like to excuse myself."

"Sure, go rest. Thank you."

Ramond walked away.

Now, Alex was left alone again.

Arabelle's sad face when he first saw her at the auction suddenly came to mind. Alex felt sorry for her destiny that had to be sold and instead ended up as an offering for the curse-busting ritual.

"3 months, I have to finish everything on this super blood moon or wait for many more years." Alex muttered.

Then, the sound of the door opening startled him again. It was loud.

Alex rushed to open the door. He hadn't even had time to shower but there was already a mess.

"Ramond, what's wrong?"

"There's a rouge trying to break into the palace gates after causing chaos in the market and causing damage." Ramond replied, "He keeps rebelling and asking to see you, Your Majesty."

Alex nodded, "Alright, I'll meet him in the throne hall. Let's find out what he wants."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And don't make a scene. You don't need to tell anyone. I don't want Arabelle to find out and get even more scared." The message.

Ramond obeyed obediently, "You are very considerate of Lady Arabelle's favor."

"Want to die, huh?"

Of course not. "Forgive me, Your Majesty." Ramond hurried away while Alex went back to his room to prepare.