Page 24 of Maid for the Alien Prince

He hadn’t earned it the way my father had, slowly working his way up through the ranks, but by dishonesty and deception. He seemed to be waiting for me to respond.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

When I turned, I found him leaning over me, leering, the grin having slid from his bulging face. I’d never felt like hunted prey so much in my entire life.

“But your main duty will be conducted elsewhere. Follow me.”

His strides were long and it was a struggle for me to keep up. The doctors had told me to rest and take it easy. Now I was beginning to see why.

My hip barked as we headed up the stairs, each compounding the pain stabbing at my leg. We came to a more ornate door which Ges shoved open. He led me inside and I saw it was the Pink Petal Suite.

It had a huge bed, a large open space, a writing table and chairs, and a private bathroom. Far more luxurious and comfortable than my own room.

“Here is where you’ll entertain the Prince,” Ges said.

I snapped my head around and appraised his expression.

“Oh yes, he told me. He told me first thing this morning about your little… agreement. In the wardrobe, you’ll find a collection of costumes and lingerie. If Prince Rayaw tells you to wear one, you will do it immediately.”

It wasn’t a question, never mind a suggestion.

He paused and took me in. “You are actually quite plain, aren’t you? But I suppose that’s why he chose you, isn’t it?” His eyes flashed menacingly. “It’s the excitement of extracting a great deal of value from you. Yes, I can understand the thrill of that.”

He ran his eyes over me, unimpeded by social norms or good manners. He drank in my every curve, every detail. He even licked his lips.

“Yes. Quite plain. But sometimes vanilla is the best flavor, no?”

He stepped toward me, growing larger, towering over me, and grinning maniacally. “I want you to know your secret is safe with me.”

He tucked a wayward strand behind my ear, sending a cold shiver down my spine. “And you should also know…” He leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “That Prince Rayaw and I are close. Very close. We share everything. He will not have need of your services every moment of the day. And during those moments, I will come find you and…” He licked his lips. “…check to ensure your services are up to scratch. Do you understand?”

I nodded, the blood having drained from my face.

I understood all right. And wished I didn’t. I felt woozy and lightheaded. And then it dawned on me.

When Emma had said he was ‘hands on’, she wasn’t referring to how he managed the palace, but by how he acted around the staff!

“Good,” he said. He leaned back. “I’ll let you get settled in. Begin your maid duties when you’re ready but don’t wander too far from this room. If I know Rayaw, it won’t be long before he comes knocking on your door.”

He knocked on the suite’s door as he shut it behind himself and left.

* * *

What the hell did he think I was?

Some toy he could pass to his friends after he was done with me? Sleeping with his buddies was not part of the deal.

I growled at myself, annoyed I had even accepted his original offer. He was like every other ‘elite’. Only out for himself. I wasn’t owned by anyone, damn it! I am my own person!

“Um… I think that sideboard is clean…”

“What?” I snapped, whirling around.

Emma just stared at me, eyes wide and scared, moving between the rag in my hand and how aggressively I was attacking the sideboard.

She was right. It shone brighter than it likely had in decades. I’d only succeeded in making the rest of the sideboard seem dull by comparison. I had lost myself in my work, taking out my aggressions on the helpless furniture.

I snapped the cloth and moved on to the next item that needed buffing.

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