Devils in Disguise (possessive royals x reader)

17 Duties And Chores

You let yourself fall a few steps behind the looming prince as he motioned for you to follow. He strode across the room in long steps, opening a door that led further into his chambers.

His dining room, you supposed, mainly because of the long table placed in the center of the room. There was a hearth in one corner, although there was no fire - it was way too hot during this time of the year. There were multiple chairs around the table, but only in front of two of them there were plates and cutlery.

Prince Masashi must've informed his cooks and servants you will be eating with them - when did he even do that?

Soon after you'd sat down (still in total silence) a servant came in, carrying a tray of various kinds of food. It was by no means as pretentious as your first breakfast at the palace before, but there was still enough for a whole family, and it was only for the two of you.

Instead of attempting to break the silence, you looked around the room, your eyes skimming over the walls and a painting hanging on one of them. It looked suspiciously like the prince seated next to you, a tall, lean figure featuring no clothes and only a strip of white fabric over his shoulders and chest, falling down his legs, the man on the painting had a smug expression, a light smirk playing on his lips and mischief hiding in his eyes. He was seated on a barrel and held a glass of wine, with grape vines curling around the edges of the painting.

"I'd look good as a greek god, don't you think?"

Of course he had a painting of himself almost naked in his dining room.

You used the mouthful of food you were chewing on as an excuse to not reply, focusing on the rich flavors instead of the prince's cockiness and ego. The rest of breakfast went by calmly, fortunately.

After having finished eating, he dismissed you momentarily since he had to attent to some of his princely duties, having to meet with his parents and such - you did not question it much. It didn't feel like your business to stick your nose into and, moreover, you weren't sure if you'd understand it anyway even if he'd tell you. Politics were never a topic you took particular interest in. Although he did leave you with quite the homework.

When you entered your room, there was a pile of books on your desk already, meant to be studied by none other than you. Apparently, you lack etiquette. Apparently, you had to read through them and memorize the information.

"Since you are a part of the palace now, you will eventually be meeting quite a few people of high importance. We can't have you look like a peasant - even though you are one - when the time comes," were his words while he was drying his mouth with a napkin.

You scoffed as you recalled his words and stared at the books angrily. They were thick volumes, draped in leather cases and, as you opened the first one, written in fancy, curved script in black ink. They must've been old books. The pages were yellowed and smelled of a sweet and dusty mixture.

But... It's not like you had anything better to do. You weren't sure if you could go out and venture on your own and, in case you did, if you'd even find your way back through the corridors that all looked the same. Besides, you did not want to make the prince angry, especially on your first day, if you'd already cause trouble this early in the day. You knew he wouldn't think twice if you'd make him angry by disobeying him about your punishment. It would be unfair of you. He did give you so much more stability and comfort after all, money, food, clothes, and you could pass this all to your parents, the people in your village that so desperately needed the money.

To disobey and act like you can do anything now that you've attained such a position would be very arrogant from your side. And you did not want to be like him, arrogant and thinking so high of himself. You knew the reality - that you still could get kicked out any second despite the prince himself wanting you there if you'd show you were not actually deserving.