Make Me Yours

Chapter 1

Beginnings

Dominick Cullen placed a covered breakfast plate onto a silver circular tray, along with a jar of water and a cup of orange juice.

Having been forced to work as a personal servant, keeper, and baby sitter-the latter his own opinion-to a spoiled princess, Dominick found his stay among the royals of Velvet Crown Empire to be filled with many surprises and small adventures.

Short, black hair marked him as an outsider among the people of Velvet Crown. With his eyes being an ombre combination, more silver than brown, he was usually known by many as the royal dog.

About ten minutes earlier, he had received a summon from the princess of Velvet Crown from the mouth of the head kitchen attendant requesting her breakfast. Dominick was more than happy to make the breakfast for Velvet Crown's Princess this morning. He purposely moved slow as he fixed her food.

Once he was finished, he picked the tray up, holding it in the palm of his right hand, and made his way up to her room.

On his way up, the king's dog, a Great Dane, came pouncing up to him. Slowing to a stop, he took a bone from his pants pocket and handed it to the dog with a grin on his face. Just a few days ago, he remembered chasing this very dog around the huge backyard after the beast had stolen his shoe.

In less than five minutes, he arrived at his destination. Straightening his neck tie with his free hand, he knocked on the door. "Princess, your breakfast."

Small noises of glass rubbing against each other could be heard on the other side of the door. Waiting a few minutes more, he reached for the handle and opened the door, walking inside.

A sight that even a dream couldn't capture seemed to materialize in front of his eyes. Dominick made his way over to Princess Iyana, who had been sitting in front of her mirror brushing her hair.

A voice as soft as a child's voice rings in his ears like gentle music playing. "Ser-Dominick, please sit the tray over on the table."

He couldn't help the amused smile that came over his face as Princess Iyana referred to him by his first name. This was new, Dominick thought. Princess of Velvet Crown- Iyana Samson, a girl who is known among her own people as the Tainted Princess.

"Just what is that silly smile about, Servant?" she said, averting her brownish, red eyes away from him. "Dominick, I mean." Her voice gentler this time. Using his name felt odd coming off her tongue.

He noticed her unique appearance. Her eyes were like perfectly carved crystal gems that followed every movement he made. The one thing he admired about the princess was her waist length hair. Her strawberry-blonde hair floated down her back as if it was a river. "Ah, such nice manners today, Princess Iyana," his voice carried a light amusement as he turned to face her.

Disobeying the order to answer her question, he held the tray down to her. He mentally instructed her to eat with the narrowing of his eyes. With a small frown, she sighed and took the tray, placing it onto her lap.

Uncovering the strawberry waffles, she began to eat, uncaring under Dominick's gaze. A softness rested in his eyes, contented to watch her eat the food he made for her.

"Why the change, Princess?" he said, eyebrows rising upward slightly in curious, as he reached into his pocket for a list of her schedule. "If you don't mind me asking." He added as he pulled a small yellow paper out of his right jacket pocket.

"It's not like I want to be this way!" She managed to say through a mouth full of waffles.

Glancing up, Dominick gave her another look to warn her about speaking with her mouth full. Soon a light blush appeared on both her cheeks.

"Mother is making me be nice to the help." Seeing her servant's smile, she swallowed her food, only to glare. "Don't laugh. Do I have anything to do today?" Annoyance evident in her tone. She turned in her seat back to face the mirror to keep from looking at her caregiver.

Reading from her schedule, Dominick sighs softly. "Yes, princess. Several invites have come to you, as normally is the case. Your suitors would like a chat with you. As you have probably guessed, the king, your father, invited them all over." He held the invites out for her to take. "As you can guess, you are to dress appropriately. Your first one arrives in an hour. "

Returning the paper, Dominick found himself frowning as he watched the princess. She had stopped eating and was staring off into the distance.

"Princess, you must take care." It was then that Dominick noticed that Princess Iyana wasn't hearing his words. Dominick dropped down to one knee. Gently, he wiped at the corner of Princess Iyana's mouth with a soft napkin from her tray. The princess turned her gaze to him. "You can't go before your suitors with jam on your face. You have duties as a princess remember? This is something only you can do." Taking the tray, Dominick stood and placed the tray down on a nearby table.

"You're right! I'm the only one," she said with a smile as she stood up. Her brown eyes now blazing with a fire of determination. "Dominick, prepare my bath. I have a duty to fulfill!"

Next time, You'll get to see Princess Iyana shine like a Tainted Princess!