Each evening, the prince summons me to his bed, and I fall into the arms of a man who desires me, who hungers for me.
I no longer feel the bite of hunger, the sting of cold, or the grip of fear. Instead, I experience pleasure, rapture, and gratification.
They told me no life in Brier Len would offer me such privilege. Perhaps it was true. Maybe I would have hated that life even more than the one I live now.
I gave myself one last glance in the mirror, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my temple. As I studied my reflection, I softened my expression into a gentle, lamb-like smile. The prince always liked me best this way at first.
Soft, quiet,demure.
On the vanity, a thick gold chain lay in a porcelain bowl. I picked up the heavy chain, feeling its cool metal bite against my skin. Clicking my tongue, I realized there was likely only a minute left. Quickly, I wrapped the gold chain around my waist and fastened the ends together, creating a belt that rested just below my navel.
I gathered the skirts of my robe in my hands and flared them out behind me, letting them fan out as they brushed the floor.
Thirty seconds left.
I held my head high as I stepped toward the door, my fingers grazing the crimson tassel still resting on the bedside. As I had for the past three hundred sixty-four days, I looped the cord around the gold chain at my waist, securing it in place. I didn’t need to look to know the tassel now hung perfectly from my hip.
Without hesitation, I stepped to the chamber door and knocked once. I heard the familiar clink of keys as my guard came to unlock it. His duty, as always, was to escort me to the prince’s quarters.
Though I was allowed to wander certain parts of the castle by day, I was confined to my room each night, expected to be ready the moment I was summoned.
What a life I led.
The wooden door eased open on its hinges, revealing a guard in a bronze chest plate standing just outside. As usual, he avoided eye contact, but that didn’t stop me from studying him. He had a rough, weathered look, short, honey-colored hair, and a crimson cloak that marked him as a high-ranking knight. A clear step up from the fledgling guard who had come before him.
He was replaceable too.
“Good evening, Sir Karst,” I said sweetly.
At my greeting, the guard grunted. Though his body stiffened, he kept his eyes fixed on the hallway, holding the door open for me. His reaction sent a ripple of satisfaction through my spine. Sir Karst wasnervous, and with good reason. It was common knowledge as to why the last guard was gone.
I had spoken, and the prince had listened.
Unlike the fallen guard, Sir Karst was far more cautious, well aware of the danger in provoking my ire.
Over the months he had escorted me to and from the prince’s quarters, I had stolen the occasional glance. His presence was steady. Naturally, I didn’t expect him to falter tonight. He was committed to his role, and silence was his safest choice.
The rest of the walk passed in quiet. The path to the prince’s chambers was familiar, etched into memory after countless visits. Even with my eyes closed, I could’ve found my way.
The silence broke only with the soft click of my slippers against the stone as I approached the grand twin doors of the heir’s quarters. Seeing them, my heart quickened, and warmth spread across my skin.
Sir Karst stopped just short of the twin doors, and I stood still as he stepped forward. With a firm hand, he struck the door knocker, the iron ring echoing sharply against the wood. After a brief pause, a muffled voice called from within. Without looking at me, Sir Karst gave a nod, then opened one of the doors. Watchful, he silently signaled for me to enter.
I stepped into the prince’s quarters, the door clicking shut behind me.
The room was empty. The prince was nowhere in sight. His quarters, sprawling across nearly an entire wing of the castle, were quiet. I held back my impatience, knowing there was nothing to do but wait until I was summoned to his bedchamber.
Even then, he rarely made me wait long.
My life was constrained by a web of rules, each one controlling every part of my being.
Rules on what to eat, when to sleep, who I could speak to, how to fuck.
Soon, my fingers grew clammy, and every sense sharpened. I could hear each breath I drew, feel the flicker of candlelight from the sconces casting shadows across my skin.
But my anticipation wasn’t for the prince.
It came from a simple truth: I would escape Hyrall by the next winter solstice.
