𝒪𝒻 𝐻𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝒾𝓂𝑒 ║ Calum Hood

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐹𝒾𝓋𝑒

"𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓾𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓸𝓷! 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓷𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓡𝓸𝔂."

The undying feeling of shock overlapped my body, he just locked me in the dungeon? For how long? Will I get fed? Will I be left here to die?

As these ferocious thoughts spun through my mind, I felt my eyes get heavier, and heavier. I looked over at the flat stone bed, it wa decorated with thin blankets and a small plush pillow.

I laid down, feeling the small pebbles below me, but I was so tired it didn't faze me. I closed my eyes, and drifted into a much better world

✟ ✟ ✟

"Just because you're in the dungeon doesn't mean you can sleep in, Darling." Is the sentence that made my eyes peel open, "How long am I staying here?" I asked immidiately.

"Not even a hello?" Calum placed his hand over his chest as if he was reacting to getting shot, "Ouch." He bluntly spoke, "Since you can't get yourself out of trouble, and somehow got on each housemaids nerves, you'll be working at the stables for the rest of your stay."

"The stables?" I repeated, "You're bloody joking, right?" I shook my head in disbelief, I didn't come here to work on horses, I didn't come to do anything at all really, but I was fine being a housemaid.

"You'll quickly learn, Roy. I don't like jokes." He came over to me, I was sitting on the bed, and he grabbed my small wrist, in his larger hand.

the way his fingers clasped around my wrist perfectly, made me notice how skinny I had gotten. While I had been eating many meals a day to get healthier, it definitely hadn't put more meat on my bones.

I stood and walked out the large, iron door alongside Calum. As we were walking to the stables, it was fully silent. Nothing but the birds in the trees chirping.

I wondered, what goes through Calum's mind. He seems like a very close minded man, not really interested in anything fun, other than sex I assume. It was very common for the gorgeous women of the village to come out and boast about their night with the Prince.

Don't get me quite wrong, he's devilishly handsome, breathtaking almost. His dark curls that laid across his forehead, his dark eyes that hold such emotion in them, yet he doesn't express all of it through his actions.

Somehow he looked dashing in almost every outfit, made me wonder what it looked like underneath. But all of these amazing attributes couldn't overcome his inability to act like a normal person.

He is royalty, but that doesn't make it okay for him to force his hand onto my hips, the first day we met.

I was so deep in thought, I hadn't noticed we were at the stables already. A small little cottage, covered in green vibes and rose bushes was placed next to a very large wooden barn.

"This is where you will eat, sleep, and do anything for normal hygiene." He continued, "that is the royal stable, where you will tend to the horses." His hands moved along with his words.

His finger pointing at each place he spoke about, "Roy, if you'd like to keep this gorgeous house, you better pay attention when I'm talking to you, instead of staring at my face."

I cleared my throat awkwardly, I hadn't realized my thoughts drifted off so easily in the moment, "I'm sorry, your Majesty." I gave him a small nod and walked myself over to the wooden barn.

Many horses were held in small compartments, empty buckets outside of the gates that were meant for food.

"The bucket is for food right there." I noticed Calum was sliding the suit jacket that wrapped around his broad shoulders so well.

A white button up was revealed, that he continued to roll the sleeves of. Opening the gate, he ushered for me to enter the pen first. He held up a shovel and a tin trash bin, "this is for the poo." He spoke

I cocked my head to the side, noticing he was holding the shovel up for me to grab. I took the shovel from his hand and found a pile of feces, laying just behind my skirt.

I took the shovel and dug into the dirt cover ground,  where I struggled to lift it back up. A pair of brawny arms wrapped around me, placing each hand over mine.

Lifted the shovel effortlessly and dumping it into the tin can, I looked up at Calum who's face was only inches away from mine, he looked down at me as well,

"I should go." He took in a sharp breathe before looking away, "Indeed, I have some work to do." I spoke quietly, viewing the uncomfortable body language he was displaying. His feet carried him away from the stables and soon through the trees where I could no longer see him.

✟ ✟ ✟

That evening I began to sew, sewing was probably the activity I was the worst at. All I needed to do was sew a pair of trousers, so it would be easier to tend the stables.

In the end, I had a pair of beige pants that fit snug around my waist, I was pleased. I turned back to my sewing room and set the pants down on the table.

I made my way over to the small kitchen that was fit just for one, and I began concocting a fresh evening stew for myself.

I couldn't get the image of Calum's face out of my mind. Absolutely nothing about his personality was attractive, but every attribute of his appearance was enough to make any girl swoon, surely.

I mean, who doesn't like jokes? Has he never had fun a day in his life? Is everything just serious for him? I know nothing about this man yet I continue to thrive off his income.

I'm aware of the fact that if he had not gotten me from my parents sooner, I would've starved and began to pass, but I only hope that my parents are well, and safe.

As my mind scavenged for answers to my questions a note slid under my front door, picking myself out of my chair and picking up the small notecard, I closely read the words scribbled on it,

The Royal Assembly ball, tomorrow at 2:00 pm, make sure the horses are fully prepared. Go to the kitchen beforehand to help with the food.
-Calum

I hope ur enjoying the book !!