Finally, the Lord had made an appearance in the dungeon to look over the thieves. He looked over the two men and told the guards that they were to be hung in the morning. When he got to me, he just stood there, staring at me. I looked back at him, pushing a strand of my hair away from my face, I gave him a flirtatious smile.
Lord Jarin looked at the guard, "There must be some mistake. Why is this beautiful creature locked in my dungeon?"
"No mistake, my Lord. She was caught stealing a loaf of bread. When she was caught, she spit in the face of the man she stole from."
He turned back toward me, "What is your name?"
"Seraphina Victoria."
"Well, Seraphina Victoria, is what my guard said true?"
"Yes, my Lord. I am afraid it is. But you see, my Lord, I was living on the street. I was hungry. Perhaps it was bad judgment on my part, please forgive me, my Lord." I used the softest, most innocent, and seductive voice I could muster.
He reached through the bars and gently caressed my cheek, "Perhaps you could be of some use to me."
I simply responded with, "Yes, my Lord."
Lord Jarin turned toward the guard, "She is pardoned. Take her to the Hall, her and I have much to discuss."
I was let out of the cell and led upstairs to the Hall, where I was sat on a wooden bench. After a few moments, three older women came in and began fussing over me. They led me upstairs to a bedchamber where I was bathed, clothed and had my hair done. I looked in the mirror that they had placed me in front of. I barely recognized myself. I looked like a princess, far much prettier than Gwendolynn had looked the night of her party.
When the women were satisfied with the way I looked I was led down to Lord Jarin's chambers. I stood in front of his throne, waiting for him to speak. "Turn around. Let me look at you." I slowly spun around. "Yes, yes. Very nice." He looked at the guards and the women, "You are dismissed. Let us speak privately."
As soon as everyone was gone, Lord Jarin stepped down off his throne and slowly walked around me, taking in one more look. "Did you enjoy being pampered, Seraphina?"
"Yes, my Lord." I stood there, my heart pounding.
"I wanted to give you a taste of what life could be like for you. That is if you agree to my terms."
"And what terms would that be, my Lord?"
"I agree not to hang you if you agree to stay here with me."
"A servant, my Lord?"
Lord Jarin chuckled, "Not exactly. You will be serving me, but it will be to fulfill my needs, either in my bedchambers or on my arm at parties."
I was flustered, "Surely you could find another girl for that, my Lord. Say at the brothel, they have plenty of beautiful women who get paid for that." Apparently I had spoken out of line because for that comment I got slapped across the face.
"That is not the way one speaks to their Lord. You will have to be trained to keep your mouth shut and only speak when spoken to. Do we have an agreement?"
With my only other option being death, I agreed.
