Sold to the Dark Lord

04| Do as I Say!

A sense of curiosity filled the air, citizens passing by along the road to the palace took a step back and bowed as the horse their King was riding passed them. Whispers spread from one ear to another, citizens questioning the King's decision to buy a human slave and employ her in werewolf territory like theirs.

The news about Arabelle spread so fast, the five rookie soldiers who had arrived a few days earlier must have spoken up when asked about the whereabouts of Alexander, who didn't come with them. Yeah, Alex decided to keep riding the horse so that Arabelle wouldn't be scared. We wonder what her reaction will be when she sees Alex's transformation from a handsome human to a big black wolf. She'll die of fright.

Arabelle swallowed hard, she could feel the stares of the people. Luckily for her, Alex gave her his cloak so she could hide under its hood.

"The light of Morthesc's life has arrived. Open the gates!" Shouted a royal staffer, then came another voice chanting Alexander's name.

Arabelle was getting tense.

"Welcome Your Highness." Greet Ramond, Alex's confidant, who was already preparing to welcome his king behind the palace entrance.

Ramond seemed to be stealing glances at Arabelle, who was bowing so low. She was frightened and intimidated, as well as cold, because the temperature in the north was much colder than the Western kingdom where she lived- the Borcasc Kingdom.

Alex stopped his horse, "How is the injured soldier?"

Ramond quickly took his eyes off Arabelle. He was sure that Alex would not buy a human slave for no reason, especially since the girl sitting on the horse seemed to be very weak. His king must have had other intentions.

"He's been treated, luckily the wound isn't that bad." Ramond again stole a glance at Arabelle who was trying to hide her face on Alex's chest.

"I know you have many questions, but save them for later. I need to get this girl out of sight of my people immediately." Alex said.

For the umpteenth time, Ramond failed to hide his thoughts from the King.

"Close the gates and afterward, meet me in my work space."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Alex spurred his horse back towards the main palace.

"Hold on, you can get a rest soon. Very soon." Alex wrapped his arms around Arabelle's waist, who was getting weaker in his arms.

The royal staff and servants were already preparing in front to welcome their King to the main palace. Although curious about the king's decision, they could only guess the answer in their heads.

As soon as Alex's favorite big black horse arrived, they rushed over to help. However, Alex refused and asked them to retreat, giving himself and Arabelle some space.

"Welcome back to the light of the kingdom! Let us help Miss-"

"No, it's fine." Alex adjusted the hood that was covering Arabelle's hair, "Should we take it off? You can take it off if you want."

Arabelle shook her head. She was still too scared to see the reaction she would get later. It could be worse than before.

"Not now, Your Majesty. I'm sorry..."

"There is no compulsion." Then, Alex smiled and led her down from the horse.

The servants looked even more curious. After all this time, this was the first time Alex had brought a woman under his own supervision. Moreover, she was a human. It was strange, but real.

Just as Alex was about to lead Arabelle up the stairs, her grip suddenly tightened.

Alex looked back at her, "What's wrong?"

"My feet... I- I can't walk." Arabelle whispered hesitantly. Her legs were stiff, her waist was sore from sitting on a horse for so long, not to mention the scars from the auction site.

Without any hesitation, Alex carried Arabelle's body in his arms. Suddenly, the servants who watched were surprised. They did not think that Alex could be so patient and willing to waste his energy on something outside of work or important matters concerning the kingdom. Usually he would be cold to the women who desperately sought his attention.

But, this time was different. His attitude towards Arabelle left everyone gaping. The previous Alex would definitely leave anyone behind. What a rare sight.

Alex headed into the palace followed by several palace maids.

"Prepare warm water for soaking. Ask the butler to prepare a room in the left wing of the palace," Alex ordered.

"But I'm sorry Your Majesty, there is only the work room, your room and... the room for the Queen." Said a female servant whose age was not very different from Arabelle.

Alex stopped his steps, then turned around and looked at the maid coldly. "Do as I say," he emphasized.

"W-well of course, Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness for my impudence." The servant regretted.

Arabelle's hand moved, tugging lightly at the collar of Alex's clothes. "I can sleep with the other servants, Your Majesty. I will not be late for work and will come immediately when you call."

"I want you to be near me. I'm your master and the King of this land. Don't you dare argue or contradict me again in the future. I don't like it." Alex was very serious about his words, all visible from how intensely those two red eyes looked at Arabelle.

Arabelle nodded obediently. She could die at any time there, so, it would be easier if she obeyed all the rules there.

Alex resumed his steps, walking down the vast lobby of the palace, then he began to climb the stairs and took a left. The left side of the main palace was exclusively for the King, especially Alex. He didn't really like crowds, but royal business often forced him to attend some important events.

Silently, Arabelle stared at Alex, who carried her as if she had no weight at all. His sturdy body made Arabelle drown in comfort and she almost forgot that Alex was her Master and King whom she had to serve with full responsibility. One more thing, he was a werewolf who must have another side outside of humanity.

Arabelle blinked her eyes, "God, what was I just thinking?"

At the same time, they arrived in front of a large door with a man unlocking it.

"Your Majesty, you can put me down now." Arabelle said, feeling bad for the others for making their king hold the shabby woman in his arms.

"Be quiet. The door is already open, I'll put you down on the bed." Alex ignored the request of Arabelle, who continued to try to get out of his arms.

"Please, Your Majesty." The butler took a step back.

Alex's eyes closed for a while, he sucked in the scent that enveloped the room. This spacious room had not been lived in for a long time, all the objects were still in the same place. Alex thought back to his long-dead partner. 20 years was a long time, but the wounds of regret over his disappearance were so deep that they were hard to heal.

Alex regretted having treated his partner, the Queen of his people, so badly. Really, he regretted it very much.

"Your Majesty?" Rebuked a servant.

"What?"

"The warm water has been prepared." The servant pointed her hand at the door.

Alex looked at Arabelle for the umpteenth time. "She is the key." His heart said.

"Let me take her, Your Majesty." Said the servant, holding out her hand.

"I'll take her into the bathroom." Said Alex, and immediately walked away past the servant.

***

Arabelle sat in front of a mirror with a servant combing her long wavy hair, the same servant who helped her clean up.

Her body already felt much better, more relaxed and, of course, cleaner.

"What's your name again?" Arabelle asked.

"Renha, My Lady."

"No... Just call me Arabelle, let's be friends." Said Arabelle, "I'm not a Lady, I'm just like you. His Majesty bought me for 500,000 gold coins, I'm his slave."

Renha smiled while continuing to comb the rare hair that had two different colors on both sides of her head. But Arabelle was happy that Renha wasn't freaked out when she first saw her in the bathroom earlier.

"If we were the same, there's no way His Majesty would ask me to help you prepare and make you comfortable here." Renha sprayed fragrance on Arabelle's hair. "It's done. I'm sure His Majesty will like it."

"Ha? Wait, why should he like it?"

"Soon there will be a female butler who will pick you up to meet His Majesty in his room," Renha replied.

Arabelle's breath caught, "Meet him? At this time of night? Are you going with me?"

"Of course not," Renha laughed, "You must go alone. From the way His Majesty treats you, he must have bought you to be a different kind of servant. He no longer needs workers in this palace," she explained.

A different kind of servant? Arabelle turned her head to search for the true meaning of the word.

Arabelle's eyes immediately bulged, "Don't tell me that tonight I have to accompany His Majesty to bed? Sleep?"

"Maybe more than sleep." Renha blinked her eyes, then laughed again at Arabelle's agitated expression.

Then, someone opened the door suddenly and entered without any permission at all. That woman, she must be the female butler Renha was talking about earlier. That middle-aged woman looked fierce, Arabelle thought.

"You, get up and come with me quickly!" She ordered sternly.

"Who are you and where are we going?" Arabelle glanced at Renha who couldn't do anything.

"I, Marline, am the head butler in this palace." She said, "His Majesty must be waiting for you. Hurry up! You, you're so slow! It's not good to keep him waiting, you sluggard!"

Arabelle's hand was pulled, then it led roughly to a room at the end of the hall not too far from the room Arabelle was sitting in.

After that, Arabelle was told to stand in front of the black door.

"After I leave, knock on the door and be nice when His Majesty appears. Understood?"

Arabelle was silent.

"Understood or no?" Marline growled to herself.

"U-understand, but how M- Madam? Where are you going? Don't- Oh no... She's really leaving. How is this?" Arabelle rubbed the back of her neck, nervous. "Do I knock on his door now? Arrgh."

Arabelle was determined to do as she was told, so she got up the courage and started knocking on the door of the King of the Kingdom of Morthesc.

The first knock, there was no answer. Neither did the second.

Knock! Knock!

"Your Majesty!" And the third time Arabelle decided to call out to him.

Sure enough, a deep, heavy voice rang out.

"Come in!" Alex said from inside.

Arabelle opened the door slowly. Although it was heavy, but the door could be opened easily, price and quality never lie.

Alexander, who was reading a book on the bed, was instantly distracted. His gaze was now fixed on Arabelle, who stood in front of the door while holding both sides of the nightgown that fit her so well.

"Arabelle?" Alex smiled, then climbed down from the bed. "Hi, what happened?" He asked as he approached.

Arabelle bowed her head deeper and deeper.

"Do you need anything? You can ask the servants anything you need," Alex lifted her chin up, "Get used to looking at me in the eye when we talk."

Arabelle shook her head, "I-it's not polite, Your Majesty. Servants, ah no, slaves like me should not look directly into their Master's eyes."

"No, don't say that." Alex tilted his head while rubbing the black hair part, "You are different, you are not a servant."

Different? Does that mean what the butler said and Renha said was true that she should serve Alex in bed? What? No way! Arabelle blinked her eyes.

"I'm not ready yet," Arabelle said suddenly, with her eyes closed.

Alex's brow furrowed, confused, "Not ready? What's not ready?"

"Please forgive me, but I... I've never done it before. Please, give me time to prepare myself..." Arabelle clasped her hands together and begged.

Alex was getting more and more confused, "Wait, what's going on? Why did you come to see me?"

"The b-butler, Marline said, I should accompany you to bed or even more. I'm not ready yet, Your Majesty..."

Darn.

Alex chuckled, "I don't know where such thoughts come from, but, rest assured, nothing will happen that you don't expect." He said.

"R-really? Are you angry? Are you going to punish me?"

With a smile, Alex rubbed Arabelle's right cheek, "No. Now, go back to your room and rest."

"But what about Mrs. Marline? She'll be furious. Just now she pulled me all the way to this door,"

"I'll talk to her tomorrow, don't worry."

Finally, a smile appeared on Arabelle's face. She looked so happy that she unconsciously made a small jump.

"So happy that you don't have to sleep with me, owh... I'm offended."

Arabelle immediately shook her head, "No, I mean... You're handsome, have a nice body and-" she realized her words and automatically closed her mouth. "I mean..."

"Thanks for the compliment." Alex stepped closer, "I just realized that you have a beautiful smile. Show it often."

Arabelle's cheeks instantly turned red, "No, I am not..." She was embarrassed.

"Yes you're. I love your smile." Alex added.

Alex grabbed Arabelle's right hand, "Next time, please don't wander outside the room dressed like this. The guards who accidentally see could lose their minds."

"Does that mean it's not safe here? But, didn't you say that no one would dare touch me because I belong to you, did you?" Said Arabelle in one breath.

"Oh God, no... I mean, they'll lose their minds because they want to touch you but can't because you're mine. This nightgown can be ripped off easily, you'd catch a cold if you wandered around wearing just that." Alex explained.

His explanation was too clear that Arabelle felt embarrassed. Now her ears must have turned red too because of her embarrassment.

"Thank you then, I'll go back to my room and have a good rest. Good night, Your Majesty." Arabelle bowed, then turned to leave.

"Wait," Alex stopped her from leaving, "Come closer,"

Arabelle approached obediently.

~chu...

Alex landed a peck on Arabelle's forehead.

"Goodnight kiss. So you don't have nightmares."

Goodnight kiss? Arabelle was silent for a moment.

"See you in the morning!"

Arabelle nodded and hurried away from Alex's presence.

Alex's smile slowly disappeared, replaced with a cold stare. After that, he closed the door and went back to bed.

"What a day," he muttered.