Protopia had fallen. King Dominic was killed and his kingdom was demolished.
Sabrina, the princess of Protopia successfully escaped from the castle through the secret way with her handmaid Gina and a few soldiers.
She tried to reach the neighboring kingdom which was her maternal uncle’s kingdom. However, she failed...
“Princess has escaped… Princess has escaped…”
“Catch her…”
Sabrina was scared as hell to look back. She poked her horse on its sides with her heels and the horse began to run faster, ripping the air.
But something hit her horse’s back and it tumbled down. Sabrina’s entire body flew in the air and she fell to the ground on her face.
“Ah…” She groaned.
The sharp pain from her knees and her elbows spread throughout her body. The golden gown was soiled and torn, her face and body covered with dirt. The skin on her knees and elbows peeled off and blood dripped down the wounds. She raised her elbow to check out the injury.
Clip-clop… Clip-clop… Clip-clop…
The sound of the horse's hooves suddenly paused near her.
Sabrina’s breathing hitched up, and she lifted her head to look up. King Lucas on his horse was looming over, staring at her with his bloodthirsty eyes.
This was the first time Sabrina saw king Lucas so close to her. She had never seen eyes like that, full of infinite coldness and hatred. Her entire body trembled in horror. She dragged her already painful body, attempting to get up and run. But her legs seemed jammed in the ground, unwilling to stand up. Gathering her will and strength, Sabrina got up and ran.
Neigh…
The horse began to chase her after. Sabrina ran faster and faster... without turning around. Suddenly a strong arm wrapped her petite body and pulled her up on the horse.
“Ah…”
A shriek shook the woods. Sabrina squirmed harder and harder to escape, but the grip around her body didn’t loosen a bit.
“Leave me, leave me, you monster.” She cursed.
The horse came to a sudden halt and Lucas pulled her closer to him. He pinched her chin and stared at her with hatred. Sabrina also gazed upon him with fear and hatred in her mind. Tears blurred her vision. Still, she kept looking at his eyes without showing her weakness.
“The most beautiful princess among all the kingdoms on the east side of the Easter Mountain Range and the beloved sister of King Dominic is under my paw. Sabrina... you are no longer a proud princess of Protopia. You are now mine, the slave of King Lucas...”
“No…”
Sabrina screamed and sat up abruptly. King Lucas’s cold deep voice still resounded in her ears. That same dream haunted her every night since she was taken to Oustaburg for slavery. She looked around her surroundings with panic in her eyes and found herself on the cold concrete floor. The four-walled cell and the cold floor had become her companion for the last fifteen days. No ray of sunlight, no sign of hope.
Sabrina hugged her knees and cried quietly. Her kingdom had fallen, her parents, her brother king Dominic, her fiancé Prince Yuri were killed, and she was enslaved on her wedding day. The happiest and most glorious day of her life turned into the worst nightmare. This disaster was brought to her by King Lucas, whom she named a monster King.
She had no idea what had happened to Protopia's inhabitants. Were they also brought here to be slaves or killed? What about her handmaid Gina? She was with her. But Sabrina knew nothing about Gina ever since she was captured by King Lucas. She was worried about her.
“Gina, I hope you're doing well no matter where you are.” She mumbled with her head down on her knees.
Crack…
The heavy iron door of the cell opened, which pulled Sabrina out of her thoughts. She turned her head to the gate and saw two maids enter.
“Bring her out.” A crisp female voice came out of the cell.
The two maids nodded and approached Sabrina. Their eyes were full of disgust while looking at her.
“The then Princess Sabrina is so smelly and filthy.” One of the maids remarked, blocking her nostrils with her fingers.
“Shh… Don’t call her princess. She is a slave now.” The other one shushed her.
“You are right. She is a slave… slave Sabrina.” They giggled.
Sabrina’s face turned pale. She was indeed dirty. Her original white skin turned gray, blue, and black due to dirt and bruises. She was locked in this cell for fifteen days without having a bath.
She was once a beautiful princess, desired by many kings and princes. No one dared to look at her, let alone humiliate her. However, ruthless monster king Lucas had turned her into a slave. Now the humble maids didn’t hesitate to slander her and made fun of her. Her hands curled gradually in fists to endure the rising anger and hatred within her.
“Why are you taking so long? Bring her out first.” The crisp female voice again resounded.
“Yes, Azura.”
Holding her arms from both sides, the two maids took her out of the cell. Only then did Sabrina's eyes fall upon the middle-aged woman holding herself outside the cell. She was the Azura, Sabrina guessed.
Azura’s eyes were also cold, which reminded Sabrina of the bottomless cold eyes of king Lucas. She leveled the stare with Azura, holding her chin high. Although she was enslaved, the aura of royalty always emerged from her apparition. The way she held her chin up and shoulders straight made her different from other slaves and servants in the castle.
Azura could see the former princess Sabrina even though she was covered in dirt. The pain crept into his eyes for the split of a second, recalling the past. However, the coldness resumed before anyone could notice.
“Go get her ready. Don’t make the king wait.”
Azura turned around and walked away. The two maids followed her, pulling Sabrina along with them.
Sabrina panicked when she heard Azura and asked, “What do you mean? Where are you taking me?”
Azura neither responded, nor stopped her steps. She turned deaf to her.
“I am asking you something. Why are you not answering?” Sabrina snapped with her authoritative princess tone.
Azura stopped her steps and turned around frantically, casting a cold glance at Sabrina.
“That tone... Never use that unless you want to be punished. And never open your mouth if you are not asked to say something. The sooner you learn this, the better is for you.” She turned around and walked forward soon after saying those words sternly.
Sabrina was angry. But she didn't want to fall into any trouble. So, she kept quiet and let them take her where they were taking.
They brought her to a big room where a big bathtub was filled with water. Rose petals floated across the surface of the water. They made her sit on a small golden stool. The two maids helped her take off the cloth she was wearing. It was her wedding gown which was now torn here and there. The golden color of the dress had turned grey, brown, and reddish.
After taking off her clothes, the two maids poured lukewarm water on her and scrubbed her body with a soft napkin. Her original white skin hidden under the dirt surfaced by now, which stunned the maids and Azura as well. She used to be a beautiful princess of Protopia. Her beauty was once the topic of discussion amongst kings.
The maids envied her to see her beauty. Even though she was now a slave to the king, the aura of dominance was not hidden. Out of jealousy, they scrubbed harder at her which turned her skin red.
“Hiss…” Sabrina hissed in pain and glared at the maids.
“What are you doing? Remember, she's the king's personal slave. You can’t hurt her without his permission.” Azura grumbled with her warning tone.
“Yes, Azura.”
The two maids said in unison and hung down their heads.
“Quickly finish the bath,” Azura commanded.
The maids took Sabrina to the bathtub and soaked her in the water. They washed her hair and applied a scented oil as well. Sabrina relaxed her tense muscles in the warm water. It was the first time she had taken a bath in these fifteen days. She didn't want to think about what would happen after that and what the monster king Lucas would do with her. Her only desire was to enjoy the moment fully.
After the bath, they dried her body with a soft towel and took her to a room. They then applied scented oil to her entire body, put on some makeup, and combed her hair. She looked stunning. They took out a dress for her and helped her to wear it.
Sabrina’s face turned ghostly pale to see the dress. The dress had two parts, the upper half and the lower half. The upper part of the dress could barely cover her chest, more precisely only the areas of nipples were covered. The hem of the lower part ended just below her upper thighs. It was so provocative. She looked like not less than a whore when she watched herself in the mirror. Tears started gathering her eyes unnoticed.
“Take her to the King’s chamber. King is waiting for her.” Azura’s command brings her out of her trance.
