In To The Demon's Arms

5. The King of Darkness

"Where's Lord Rife?" I asked the maids that were cleaning the room.

"Lord Claude had arranged a funeral for him when he died last night. They took care of his body in the royal funeral homes." The maid answered and continued cleaning the room.

I quickly went to the funeral home to see his body but they didn't allow me to enter. They said, he has to be ready by ten in the morning for the ceremony.

"Where have you been?" Claude surprised me with a question as I opened the main door.

"I tried to find your father in the funeral home." I said and closed the door.

"Prepare yourself for the ceremony." He said and left while talking to his adviser.

I bathed first but I can't choose anything to wear from these plenty of dresses.

'I knew it!' I pulled my drawer and grabbed my knee length black dress that Lord Rife has given me as a present and tied my hair in a messy bun.

The mirror showed my reflection. My lips became pale, my cheekbones and collar bones are already showing, my eyes are bulging and becoming dark so I untied my long blond hair  to hide my cheekbones and collar bones. I used a concealer to cover my dark circles around my eyes and a coral lipstick for my dry and pale lips.

The Lord and I had very tough days during this month. We have been busy, sleepless and skipped meals that's why we both got sick. But I didn't expected he will become worse.

"I should have taken the burdens instead of him dying." I looked down and my tears fall to the floor.

"Lady Lux, it's time to go now." Claude's adviser fetched me in my room.

...

The ceremony had drawn thousands of people to mourn with us. Their ruler died and a new ruler is assigned.

"Csarie, how are you?" I heard my mom behind me.

"Dad, mom." I hugged them both. "I missed the two of you. I'm sorry, we have been too busy and I haven't had time to visit you."

"It's fine. We know our daughter is struggling too much if she isn't able to come." Mom pulled me closer to her and observed my face.

"Melch, look at her, she became skinnier unlike before. Are you fine with this Csarie? Your eyes are bulging and darkened." Dad took a closer look too.

"Please don't worry about me. It's just like the weather. It changes time to time. How's the lands and farms dad?" I was talking about the Rifes had promised to us.

"Everything's great. It's hard to manage because we have a lot already and they added three farms and three lands. I want to give it back." Dad looks very happy and a bit exhausted since the time it was given to him.

"You shouldn't have accepted those in the first place. You knew we had a lot then why did you took it?" I was getting frustrated but realizing the fact of being with Lady and Lord Rife isn't something to regret.

"Darling, we accepted it as a 'dowry' and not a payment for your hand. We didn't sold you. We accepted it immediately to secure your future. We dreamed of you becoming a great ruler's wife and we wanted that to happen. We knew that you are more than that." Dad explained to me while holding my hand.

I just shaked my head and looked at them. "I know you're doing what's best for me. I'm telling you this, I didn't regret it." I smiled at them and they left secured by my words.

I did my job similar to what I do with Lord Rife. Claude was amazed by my diligence and abilities.

"I thought you were just like the others who grew up like princessess. The women who knows nothing but to sit and sleep, buy expensive clothes and attend their friends' parties." Claude crossed his legs while observing me preparing his tea.

"My life is different, Claude. I grew up in your parents' house. It was my choice to live like this. I'm easily bored with my life so I chose this path to make my family including yours to be proud of me." I filled his cup and mine with tea.

We finished the day with no more conversation. He tried to find any mistakes that I can make, but I am too practiced with my job and he had no complaints to say.

Next Day.

I went to his office early like my daily routine. It's been an hour and I already finished half of my daily tasks but Claude still haven't arrived.

"He's late." I went to his room and found him naked under the blanket, sleeping soundly.

"Claude!" I shaked his naked shoulder.

"Mmm..." I heard him but he still don't seem to wake.

"Claude!"

"Zzzzz"

"Claude!"

He opened his eyes angrily and saw me.

"Aaaah!!" He pulled me inside his blanket and sits on my waist.

"Are you crazy?! What are you doing?!" I tried to escape but he pinned my bony wrists on the bed.

The door opened and a young pretty maid entered. She was startled and left enraged.

"Was that the woman you slept after your mother's burial?" I looked at him suspiciously.

He gets off the bed and closed the door ignoring his nakedness.

I immediately covered my eyes so I can't see his naked bady.

"You shameless man. How dare you show your nudity infront of me." I still resisted to look at him.

He laughs and sits again on my hips while removing the buttons of my blouse.

"Stop! Stop!" I struggled trying to get away with out opening my eyes.

He successfuly opened my blouse and I felt the cold air on my skin. I struggled harder until he released me.

I quickly got away from the bed and buttoned my blouse while my back is facing him.

"You're late already. Dress up quickly and start your work. You wasted a lot of time." I said and left him to take a bath. I locked his door and walked back to the office.

The maid who saw us is glaring at me from the hall way. I ignored her and I entered the office without losing my confidence.

I don't feel good about that woman. She looks deadly. Why is she here again. I don't remember her working in here. What's her motive?

The thoughts of her didn't left my head. Claude and I have been busy continuing what his father left. I don't know how he does it because everytime I tried to peek, he will glare at me.

There were a lot of projects that needs his attention. The roads, farms and houses that has been ruined by calamities.

He has a lot of appointments coming each day. We never wasted time and we only eat and sleep if we have spared a little space.

One day

"Csarie." I turned to face Claude calling me.

"Yes?" I looked up at him to know what ever he needs.

"I already arranged our marriage. I cancelled all of our assignment tomorrow and moved it to another date." He said in a cold manner and turned away to continue his work.