Chapter One I have always been poor. There has not been a day from what I have remembered of ever being wealthy or close to that. My father had to work without sleep for 6 days a week to just find money for the rent and scraps for food. The memories of being a child were always being hungry, apparently I was malnourished and always dehydrated. My mother had to go out and lower herself by sleeping with rich men who ripped her off, she had to sell her body, then she had to come out and look after my siblings. Many families were like this and I believed that we were the worst ones affected in Gorum. My youngest sibling was very sick, she was only 18 months old. She didn't even cry anymore which was worrying, she was that exhausted she didn't have the energy to even lift up her head and walk like a normal child. Our clothes haven't been washed for months, I started to smell badly and my mother couldn't even afford baby food for my little sister. My mother looked older for her age, her eyes were bulging and her hair was falling out. She lacked much energy and her skin was dry like sandpaper. My brother had many cuts and bruises, he looked hungry and fragile, he didn't look healthy like he did when he was a baby. My house wasn't even a house, it was two walls and branches as a roof that were weak and unstable. Eventually, I couldn't take this anymore. I was a 19 year old girl and my father didn't want me to work and help provide a living for my family and so I had to sacrifice myself for them. My younger brother clutched onto my pink finger, his eyes were wary but very mature for his age. "Where are you going?" He whispered, his fingers were brittle and fragile I winced at him and kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry Lucas but I have to sell myself to be a servant at the King's Castle." "No!" He shouted but I put a hand over his mouth, Mother wasn't getting stressed the bay wasn't reacting quick enough and she nodded her head at me. "Daughter, you are doing the right thing -" "Mother, how- how could you say this?" He hissed at her still clutching hard onto my finger and it was starting to turn blue. "It is for the best, she's looking after us. She's not going forever." My brother slammed into me with a hug. I bent down and kissed the tip of his head. "I'm going to be fine, you'll see. Plus you'll have loads of money. Mum's taught me everything, from being courteous and respectful." "You can't go," he cried and stuttered, I stroked his hair softly. "Lucas. Let go." "No," "Lucas, do you want your family to die?" "Of course not." The tears streamed from his eyes and his dirty brown hair tickled my face. "Then let me go." "Fine, I'll look after mum and Baby Rue." He opened his arms to his mother and she grasped him tightly in his arms. "And Dad," I pointed out and he nodded at that. "Love you," I kissed my hand and made wings out of them towards Lucas, he made the wing shape and grabbed the kiss and hugged it to his heart. "Love you too." He said as I got out of the small shack. The air breeze was light and the sky was clear, the air was humid and sticky. I walked towards the pool of water on the ground and knelt down. I stared at my green eyes and wished they were brown and moody, it would have been easier to be normal like everybody else. My blonde dusty but frizzy hair was long past my waist and I braided it to try and look my best for the General at the Castle. I dusted off my clothes which were purple but had blotchy colours. I faced the direction of the Castle, put my head up high and took a step forward towards it. Before I knew it I was there, regret started to settle in and I remembered I had to do this for my family and I went in. There were guards EVERYWHERE, I couldn't even turn my head before I saw one. I walked over to the shiny curtain where a woman with expensive clothing, bright red lips and pale white skin sat. Her clothes were white, a white dress with white shoes and she sat at a crisp white desk it was like she wanted to blend in with the building. Her eyes were as black as the night, there were evil in them and I cringed away from her instantly. The whole room was white, trying to reflect the goodness in this place."What do you want?" She barked at me and I automatically hugged my shoulders. "I-I would like to be a servant for one of the King's-" "He is not in, come back later." She sat back from the microphone and typed on her computer. "But its important-" "I SAID SOMEONE WILL SEE YOU LATER!" She screamed at me and I dropped to the floor from the impact. The guards were behind me in a flash and picked me up from my hands and let me towards the door. "Wait!" A woman called, the guards halted and turned towards her, she was beautiful. She had earth coloured hair that was dyed green like the plants in a garden, her face looked like she was made in the image of God she was remarkable. Her dress hung from her shoulders and tightly around her small waist. Her dress matched her hair and she wore a golden hair band across her hair. She was an angelic woman who took time to look as good as she did now. Her eyes were golden and bright with an idea. She looked down at me and I forced myself to bow down before her. "Queen of Gorum, bless thee." My head was down and I felt blessed to even be in her presence. "Rise child." Her voice was stern knowing what she wanted. I stood up slowly and tried not to stare into her eyes, afraid she will reject me or put me in jail for wasting her time. She lifted my chin carefully and looked at my face, her face softened and she smiled at me. "I'd like her to be the Prince's servant." She pursed her lips and took my hand. "I think he'll like her." I blushed slightly at her and she squeezed my hand softly. "How much are you?" "I just want my family to be fed and well for a while, my Queen." "Ahhh, I'll make sure your family are no longer poor." "My Queen I don't want you to-" "It is fine my dear, we take care of our servants here. Do you see them not fed?" I nodded. "Do some of them take advantage of you and your family, my Queen?" She shut her mouth and I stuttered out an apologise. "My Queen, how rude of me-" She waved a hand and dismissed it quickly. "It is fine child. And many of them do, this is when we really treat them like slaves." She led me to a cave where it was dark and had very dim light. The sounds of thrashing, screaming and torture grew and the hairs on my body stood up in fear. I started to shiver and the Queen reassured me everything was fine by hugging me closely to her chest. "This is the place where disrespectful people are kept for their disloyalty." I didn't want to see, I didn't want to hear. The pain was unbearable and I had to put my hands over my ears to try and block out this bad thing. Tears sprang from my eyes and the Queen led me back, she wiped away the tears and looked confused to my reaction. "What is wrong child?" "That was horrible my Queen." She kissed my head. "It is fine, your innocence is still with you." "I'm sorry for showing weakness my Queen." "It is fine, Child. What is your name?" "Ina," "Beautiful name, Ina." I nodded. "Thank you," "Well, I will get one of my guards to take your family to the Village where they will be fed and kept safe. Then you shall bathe and get ready for my son to arrive home." "Yes, my Queen." I bowed and she went off to the guard beside her. I looked around and I saw a royal red carpet laid in good condition, there were painted pictures of her family in a gold frame. There was the Queen, The King and her five children. Four were princesses and one the Prince, he was very beautiful. Brown dark hair, big grey eyes and high cheekbones. His skin was tanned and flawless, his eyes were intimidating and it seemed that he was not at peace in this picture. "I see you have recognised my Son." "Yes my Queen." I glanced towards her and she grinned at me. "Let's get ready," she took my hand again and led me to a big room where the bathroom was remarkably big. Four women were standing with oils, soaps and towels ready for me. "These women will make you perfect for my son." She greeted the women with smile and they all bowed before her. "We will gladly make her suitable for you Son, my Queen." "Good to hear, well Ina I will see you later. I have errands to do." I bowed at her and kissed the ring on her finger. "Thank you so much, my Queen." "You are very welcome my dear." She walked away and I turned to bow in front of the women who were about to wash me. "Thank you for doing this for me. I don't want to seem like a nuisance." "You are not." A woman with dark red hair said. She walked towards me and put her hands on my shoulders. "It will be a pleasure for someone as grateful as you to feel as welcome as we were." I smiled at her and they helped me into the bath, they washed my hair while I asked them about the Castle. "How big is it? Is everyone like you? Is the Prince friendly?" They answered every single one, when I was dry the combed and braided my hair with roses. They dressed me in a beautiful garment that was very expensive and put makeup on my face, painted my nails then led me to the Prince's room. "There's nothing to be afraid of." The woman kissed my head and opened the door. His room was extraordinary. It was respectful, neat and tidy. His walls were dark blue and his furniture was white. His books were in order and I was intrigued on how he could read so well, he had a piano inside and I felt amazed as my lightly touched the keys. I heard a loud slam of the door and I quickly turned around. A young man stood before me bewildered and I instantly bowed down. "My Prince, I am here to serve and honour you. It is great to meet you." I couldn't look to see his face, I already knew he was gorgeous. I heard footsteps towards me and he knelt down and pushed my chin up. I looked away from his eyes afraid he would tell me to disappear. I was taken aback by his beauty, "Look at me, servant." I obeyed and the static current hit me. His eyes were like the moon, grey and light, he stared into my eyes and took my hand. He stood me up and smiled slightly, His hair, dark and lustrous, could almost have been mistaken for jet black. But the sultry deep brown could be seen around the edges and in its wily shine; anywhere the room's darkness didn't obscure. As he spoke to her, shifting his head slightly, the light seeped down his hair, barely settling on each strand. He had an athletic build, he was sure of himself and his strength. "You are beautiful. What is your name?" "Ina my Lord." I wanted to bite my lip badly but it was a bad habit. He cupped my cheek and leaned forward. I froze still, I didn't want to be his mistress but I would obey if I had to. It was my duty. He leaned away and his eyes turned mischievous, this was a test. "Ina," he breathed and I closed my eyes. "It is nice to meet you too."