Page 83 of Null & Void

After a quick wash, I put on the outfit I was given. The small bit of lace is underwear that barely covers anything in the back or front. The nightdress turns out to be sheer, with a thin underwire to support my breasts. But it’s see-through. My nipples can be seen perfectly. The nightdress has no sleeves, thin straps, finishes at mid-thigh, and is very form-fitting. For Tovi’s sake, I am relieved that my still slightly bruised ribs are hidden.

“Well, I certainly look like a—” I begin to say as I stroll out of the washroom to show Tovi, expecting a fit of laughter at how utterly ridiculous I look. Stopping mid-sentence, I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow.

“Uh.” Tovi continues to look stunned while eyeing me up and down.

I reach for the cloak, self-conscious and wanting to cover up. “Is it that bad?”

“I mean, bad because it’s going to waste. You look hot!” she exclaims. “Once again, I must ask, if you’re sure the prince is helping us?”

“I highly doubt this outfit is his doing unless it’s a requirement of all doxies.” I pause. “I’m 99% sure he’s helping us.”

She gives me a dubious look and helps to fasten the cloak around me.

I’m flanked by six guards, escorting me to the prince’s rooms for our evening: one in front and one behind, with two flanking either side of me. My heart is hammering in my chest because I know this isn’t the direction of Eryn’s rooms, but I can’t ask because I shouldn’t know where they are.

My escorts and I are waiting outside a set of enormous ornate doors, my toes curling under me in trepidation. The doors swing inward, and the guards move aside for me to enter. As soon as I see the Gifted lie detector, I know I’m about to speak to the king, but I’m not sure if the lie detector’s presence makes me feel better or worse.

“Hello again, Mika.” King Stol’s voice greets me as he sits comfortably behind an enormous wooden desk littered with papers and other paraphernalia. I curtsy in response.

The lie detector closes the door and takes up their position standing beside the king, looking bored. Both pairs of violet eyes watch me closely, neither speaking a word. At least avoiding eye contact with them is easy when I’m supposed to be a cowed prisoner.

“Mika. I thought we could have a quick chat before you see my son. Lylle here is just to keep you honest of course, but nothing to worry about.”

“Of course, sire,” I politely respond, not wanting to speak more than necessary.

“Right, I will jump straight in. I know that this position is not exactly what you had in mind, but I am sure it is better than execution,” he says sweetly, but I sense the thinly veiled threat in his words. “I am surprised though, why my son chose you first. Mievaborn.” He taps his pen against his lips.

Not wanting him to muse any further, I quickly offer a reason. “Tovi, the Erduborn woman, is still recovering from her time in the dungeons. Your son seems like a kind and fair man.” I hope that the two separate facts I state are close enough that the king infers my intended meaning, but not so close that Lylle would see the disconnection and know it’s a lie. I smile sweetly at the king, looking at his mouth. I flick my eyes to the lie detector quickly, but he still looks bored.

“Indeed. Perhaps he is curious too. This is the first doxy he has requested. Truth be told, I had become concerned that he was not showing any interest.” The king’s eyes are still boring into me, but I offer no response for fear that agreeing with him could be seen as lying.

“This will also be your first time as a doxy—a Royal doxy, no less. Usually, more training is given in the art, however, you are being thrust right into it. You do understand what is expected of you?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will do my very best to satisfy your son.” I dip my head in submission and hope again that Lylle can see that I’m not lying about making Eryn satisfied, I just don’t intend to do it sexually.

“Mhmm. It may take some encouragement on your behalf.”

“If I may be honest, sire?” I ask, rather redundantly, given the lie detector standing beside him. “I’m not going to do that.”

The king raises his eyebrows at me. “And what do you mean by that?”

“Your Majesty, I mean no disrespect, and I am not saying that I will hide in the corner or not go anywhere near the prince. But I believe he should remain in control. Perhaps the encouragement could come from seeing him more often, perhaps every couple of days?” My heart is slamming against my chest. Did I show my hand?

My gamble pays off, and the king smiles widely. “I like the way you think. He does need to learn to take control. I do, however, want him to see the Erduborn woman as soon as she is fit and able.” He nods at his own statement and then claps his hands.

The doors behind me swing open.

“You may go,” he says as he lifts his hand and gestures toward the door.

“Thank you, sire,” I say as I curtsy and turn to leave.

“Oh. One thing Mika. Your cloak. My men will escort you into Prince Eryn’s sitting room, at which point you will take off your cloak and give it to them. They will keep it with them outside the doors, awaiting my son to come back and get it when he is finished with you.” A feral grin spreads across his face as he speaks.

I curtsy once again and leave before he can say anything else.

I’m mentally mapping the way to Eryn’s rooms from King Stol’s office in relation to mine and Tovi’s rooms. Thankfully, the prince’s rooms are much closer to ours than his father’s office, albeit on a different floor. I am still not sure where King Stol’s rooms may be, and whether they’re located in the same place as his office or not. I hope they’re not near his son’s rooms.

The guards do indeed take my cloak and exit the sitting room. “Prince Eryn?” I call softly as I look around for him.

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