𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄

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     This is... highly unusual.

     (Y/N) stood at the foot of Adrian's bed stiffly, her arms behind her back and said back straight and rigid, doing her best not to turn around. When Adrian had asked if she could guard him while he slept, the usual guards having been away on other rounds since he had been traveling, she assumed that it would be as those said guard did: outside. But she quickly learned that it was a mistake to assume since he had led her inside and promptly shut the door before locking it, instructing her only to open it if it was absolutely necessary.

    She glanced at the key in confusion, about to say something when she happened to glance up and find Adrian unexpectedly removing his clothing. Her eyes widened, and in that brief moment, she was exposed to the rippling muscles of his chest and torso. Quickly, she turned around, still surprised from the unexpectedness of the situation.

    Clearing her throat, she said, "Prince Adrian, I don't believe it is absolutely necessary that I be in here as you sleep. You see... wouldn't my presence disturb you?"

     "Hm? Not at all," he shook his head as he tied a loose robe around him, the garment still displayed his chest. "Why would your presence be anything other than a comfort to me, (M/N)? After all, you are my personal servant, so that means keeping you close at all time." He tapped a finger to his chin, raising an eyebrow as his head cocked, "I do believe I informed you of this, no?"

    "I see..." she nodding in understanding, still keeping her back turned to him. "I seem to have forgotten that detail. I'll remember that, so please have a good rest then, Your Highness."

    He rounded her so that he was now facing her, his eyes narrowing. She kept her gaze steady with his, her hands lacing tightly behind her back. And though she corrected herself by calling him 'Prince Adrian,' he still shook his head, obviously negating her words. Her brow twitched, though she stayed silent, waiting for him to speak.

    What does he want me to call him now?

    "Honestly..." Adrian folded his arms, peering down at her as if scrutinizing every detail of her face. "Calling me 'Your Highness' and 'Prince' is certainly... dull. Whenever you're in my presence and no one else is around, just shorten it to 'Adrian.'" He pondered the thought for a moment before murmuring, "Yes... that would certainly be more suiting."

    "Pardon?" (Y/N) blinked, her hands squeezing together tightly. "For me—a mere servant—to call the Prince by name is highly disrespectful."

    "Stop," he raised a hand, silencing her. "Do remember who it is that you serve, and who it is that you're speaking to. I am giving you the honor of being able to call me by name, and yet you refuse. Isn't that more disrespectful than anything?"

    (Y/N) couldn't say anything at that, instead merely staring at Adrian in disbelief.

    "Your Highness," she enunciated, trying to stand firm against him. "As a servant, I must address who I serve properly. You are the Crown Prince of this country—soon to be King—so I cannot, even if you command me to, call you by your name. No matter when no one else but us is present."

    Silence wafted between them.

    It was overwhelming.

    Then, Adrian grabbed her by the chin, forcing her eyes to meet his

    "(M/N), I've already warned you not even a moment earlier, but now?—look how bold you've become," Adrian murmured, his intrigue heightening only more by her adamant refusal. "Now, if you don't want me to cut out that tongue of yours, I suggest you do as I say."

    (Y/N) stiffened at that.

    "So... what do you call me?"

    "...Adrian."

    "Was that so hard?" His smile widened, pleasant shivers running up his spine at the sound of his name on her lips. "I expect to see you standing there when I wake back up. I'd be disappointed if you were to leave my side, (M/N)."

     Releasing her chin, he then turned the lights off before slipping under the covers of his bed and closing his eyes. Swallowing thickly, (Y/N) stayed silent as she turned her back to him. Her face still tingled where he had grabbed her, her mind flashing by with memories of the absolute hunger within his dark gaze. Though she knew that Adrian still thought of her as a man, his actions towards her were becoming increasingly difficult to brush off.

    It left her uneasy.

    Something's off here

    Her eyebrows furrowed in worry.

    What is he up to?

    As she stood there silently, fidgeting sometimes when she was restless, wishing to sit down when she was tired, she never once turned back to check on Adrian, which probably was a smart decision in her case since he never once took his eyes off her. He informed her that he would be sleeping, but he couldn't, his mind consumed with thoughts of her—of how right it felt to have her with him. He felt nothing but ease whenever she was right beside him, and nothing but aggravation when she was away, so he knew he had to hold onto her tightly.

    He couldn't allow her to slip away.

    Whatever this feeling was that he felt around her, it was exhilarating—a high that left him trembling and wanting for more.

    To the point he killed a man for it.

    One of his men.

    Adrian stared at (Y/N)'s back.

    This servant...

    What did you do to me?

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