Page 2 of The Princess's Pet

“My grandfather—Percy’s great-grandfather—was Nikolas Auster,” my father explained.

“Prince Nikolas Auster, you mean,” the Princess corrected. “While the Auster coven has chosen to taint their bloodlines they were, at one time, worthy of royalty.”

My father didn’t respond. I met my great-grandfather once before he passed. I was very small, but I remember him being fun and silly. He took me for ice cream. I knew my father loved him dearly. But as far as I knew, he held no royal title. He was a pureblood, true, but most purebloods held no title.

“Hmm,” The Princess hummed in contemplation. “An interesting mix.” She paused and took a few quick steps toward me. Rosemary tensed, still clutching my hand, beside me. The Princess stopped directly in front of me, and I did my best to stare at her collarbone and not look up into the liquid-silver eyes of a Borealis Royal. “You’ll be leaving with me now,” she commanded. There was no question.

“No, she will not!” my father snapped, angrily. The two guards with the Princess braced, their hands moving towards guns at their hips.

“The only other choice is death,” the Princess spoke calmly, not turning her head in my father's direction.

“I’ll tear your...” My father began but did not finish as Rosemary released my hand and flung herself into my father's arms. Her sudden movement caused the guards to twitch in my peripheral vision. My father caught her in his arms and I heard her frantic whispers, pleading with my father to calm down.

“May-maybe we c-could talk privately, for a bit?” I asked, daring to look up at the Princess. Her brows lifted in surprise, just barely, and her lips held only the hint of a smile.

“Why?” the Princess asked simply.

“So, we can agree on my leaving or d-d-death,” I stuttered out. Her presence was intimidating, and she stood only inches away, staring down at me. I was no fool. The Borealis coven was very strong. If rumours were true the Princess could end my father, Rosemary, and me, before her guards even had a chance totry and protect her. The way things were going my father would get us all killed. I needed to remove him from the situation.

“Where do you suppose we speak privately?” she asked, her eyes never leaving my face.

“M-my garden,” I whispered in response. I didn’t know why finding my voice was so difficult under her stare.

She seemed to think for a brief time. She didn’t seem happy about speaking with me, but after a few shaky breaths of my own, she nodded. “Lead the way,” she commanded.

I walked stiffly out the open door. My father called my name, but I didn’t look back. I was acutely aware of the Princess walking by my side. I stopped once I reached the furthest end of my garden.

“Thank you for agreeing to speak with me privately,” I said as I turned and looked up, my yellow and blue eyes meeting her liquid-silver ones.

“Speak,” was her only reply.

I gulped. I knew there was a chance that my life would end soon. Especially if my request was deemed insulting. I didn’t know how to behave with royalty or nobility. I had no social standing myself. But if my words were to end in my death, at least I’d die in my garden among the strawberries, my favourite fruit.

“I know that if I don’t go with you, it’s the same as choosing death,” I started. “But I ask that if you want me to come with you willingly, I would do so in exchange for something from you.”

She laughed mockingly, slowly, her face contorting to almost disgust.

“And out of pure curiosity, what is it you think you can ask of me?” the Princess hissed.

It took all my resolve to continue and not step away from her in fear.

“I’ll go with you, willingly, if you can ensure my family's financial future.” I explained. I had no choice here. Not really. I was playing with my death, currently. But still, a part of me believed that something good could come from this. If Father and Rosemary and the child I’ll never know could be taken care of, that would be something good. That would almost make my life have some meaning at least.

The Princess was quiet before asking, “And how much do you suppose you are worth?”

I didn’t know how much a person was worth. I knew the Royals had slaves and would purchase others, but it wasn’t something people like me were familiar with. We were lucky enough that we didn’t have to sell ourselves, but that didn’t mean life was easy. That didn’t mean we were never hungry. When my gift developed, and I became able to help, we didn’t know painful hunger again. But without me and my garden, I didn’t know how long before my family would be hungry once more. And the thought was unbearable.

“How much does a person cost usually?” I asked her in response. She smiled at me unkindly.

“A filthy mixed blood like you?” she asked, and though her words stung, I nodded. “Hmm, no more than five hundred gold coins,” she said, as if it were a pathetic amount. My eyes must have shown how large such an amount was. My father couldn’t earn so much in a lifetime.

She smiled that cruel way again. “I forget that such small sums are a fortune to the lower classes,” she said with a sigh.

“Will you p-pay my father five hundred gold coins for me?” I asked nervously. This was where I silently prayed to Poseidon to help sway the Princess. She didn’t have to buy me. She could simplytake me; no one could stop her. She could cut me down where I stood next to the strawberries, and no one could stop her.

“You think I should pay for you?” she sneered.

“I would leave with you right away. No fuss,” I explained.

---