Burning desire

🌹 Prince Arthur pov 🌹

"What's going on here?" I asked, they all stopped and bent their heads to show respect.

"Your highness, she didn't follow the other slaves to work in the field, she claimed to be sick" one of the guards said and bowed again. I had caught them beating an old woman slave, I didn't find it funny at all.

"Let her go at once. I am setting her free from slavery. Let her go at once" I ordered.

"But the king's permission is needed" the other guard stated, but before I could say another word,

"Don't tell me you're trying to go against my son's orders!" my father, the king entered and everybody, including me bowed in respect.

"We are sorry your majesty" they chorused.

"Don't you ever question his orders again or you'll be beheaded. Now do as you're told!" the king said in fury and they bowed before scurrying off with the slave.

"Son, there is something urgent I'd like to discuss with you" he said, inviting me to walk with him.

"Yes father, what is it?" I asked.

"My very good friend, the king of Berginia is coming to pay us a royal visit with his family tomorrow. You know why, don't you?" he asked, arching a brow. I sighed, sadly.

My father had told me a few days ago that I'd be getting engaged to princess Elizabeth of Berginia, a woman I know nothing about. I didn't have a choice other than to marry her, for the sake of my kingdom and the people.

"I want you to go with some men into the village to bring the singer. The famous blind one, I hear he sings extremely well" he said and I sighed again.

"Why do I have to go there? Why can't we send for him instead?" I questioned and he smiled.

"Because it's your engagement dear, I want you to confirm his talent to be sure it suits you" he answered.

"Alright then father, I will go" I said and excused myself to prepare.

🌹 Arya's pov 🌹

"Grandma, I have to go soon, mother will be waiting for me at the castle. You know there's so much work to do since the royal family of Berginia will be coming over. I don't want mother to get into trouble because of me" I said while folding my grandmother's clothes neatly into the basket.

"That's okay dear, you've worked hard enough" she said with a smile.

I have always had big dreams, the kind that will never be a reality.

Having to watch prince Arthur get engaged to another woman is the worst feeling in the world. I love him so much, I have loved him since the first day my mother and I set foot in the castle as slaves. But there's nothing I can do about it.

"I'll be on my way now grandma, I'll visit some other time" I kissed her forehead and exited the house. I remembered that I wanted to see a friend of mine before leaving for the castle, so I made a diversion.

Quinn was my only friend, we grew up together. I was chosen to be a slave while she was spared to take care of her old, blind father who happens to be the best singer in the whole kingdom.

"Arya! You came!" she squealed in excitement and embraced me warmly. I hugged her back and went to greet her father.

"Good evening papa" I greeted.

"Is that my sweet daughter Arya?" he asked, caressing my hair lovingly. I giggled.

"Yes papa. How do you do?" I asked.

"Good my dear" he replied. I turned to Quinn who was smiling sheepishly.

We discussed for a while and I decided to get going because my mother will be expecting me soon. I was on my way out when I bumped into someone. I fell to the ground with a groan. When I opened my eyes, my eyes first sighted the shoes of the person I bumped into. It wasn't any ordinary shoe, it had the royal symbol on it. I trembled in fear realising what I had done.

"Forgive this slave your majesty. I didn't mean to, please have mercy" I fell to my knees and pleaded. I didn't dare to look up, I didn't have that right.

"Stand up" his soothing voice came. That was when I realized it was the prince. My heart raced inside my chest. I thought it would fall out even. I started to sweat profusely, not knowing what to do.

"Didn't you hear me slave, stand up!" he said again, his voice having a hint of anger. I slowly got to my feet but I was trembling. I still did not look up.

"Aren't you supposed to be at the castle, getting things ready for tomorrow?" he questioned.

"I was on my way your majesty" I answered with a bow.

"Look at me" he ordered and I gasped. I hesitantly lifted my face and I swear a gasp escaped from his lips.

"Do you really work in the castle, as a slave?" he asked, I nodded. He kept mute for a while.

"Fine, go immediately and join others in the preparations" he said and I bowed. I was about to leave but my trembling feet failed me and I fell towards him. He caught me. I almost melted.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Oh I'm so sorry your majesty.." I apologized and ran out quickly. I smiled stupidly all the way home. The prince actually touched me!

🌹Prince Arthur pov 🌹

I have never seen a woman more beautiful all my life. I asked her if she was really a slave because someone like her should be in a temple, where people can worship her. She is a goddess.

Her eyes were deep brown and so captivating that you could drown in them, her lips were pink and inviting, her tender voice could calm an angry giant. I could no longer get my mind off her.

I finished up my job quickly and hired the blind singer for my engagement then I went back to the castle. I was hoping to get a glance of the fair maiden again but it seems luck was not on my side.

"Arthur?" I was startled on hearing my brother's voice. He had caught me snooping around the slave quarters.

"Oh, Victor. It's you" I smiled nervously.

"Yes brother. What are you doing over here?" he asked.

"Nothing, what about you?" I returned sharply and he grinned.

"I followed you here brother. You haven't been yourself since you came back from the village. Is there something you are hiding?" he asked with that stupid grin still plastered on his face. I frowned at him.

"Why would I be hiding anything?" I snapped.

"Calm down brother. Let me guess, you're looking for a maiden to please you tonight before your engagement with the princess right?" he asked and I felt disgusted.

My younger brother Victor has always been a lady's man. He changes women like clothes which I find quite appalling.

"I don't know what you're talking about Victor. Now leave me alone" I said and walked away while he laughed.

I placed about endlessly in my room. I couldn't get my mind off the beautiful maiden I saw today. What do I do and how do I see her again? I stood in front of the mirror and sighed.

"What are you doing Arthur? You're getting engaged tomorrow and you're thinking about another woman, a slave for that matter!" I yelled at my reflection and sighed again.

I made up my mind to forget about the maiden and concentrate on my engagement.

"Prince Arthur" a knock came on my door.

"Come in" I said and my brother walked in.

"I'm going for a few drinks, are you coming along?" he asked. I thought it would be a good way to get some things off my mind so I joined him. We went off to have some drinks and talk as well.

🌹 Arya's pov 🌹

"Arya!" my mother called. I was helping to set up the decorations in the ballroom where the engagement party would be taking place.

"Yes mother" I answered.

"Go to the prince's room immediately and clean it up" she said. My mother was in charge of giving out orders to the other slaves.

"Okay Mom" I said and left immediately. This is not the first time I will be cleaning prince Arthur's room. It's one of the best chores I look forward to doing always. I entered the room and started cleaning and also snooped around some of his stuff.

I was making his bed when the door opened and the prince entered in all his glory. But he looked drunk.

"Welcome my prince.. I'll leave now" I bowed and was about to leave but he slammed the door shut and locked it. I gasped in fear and started trembling again.

"I have been searching for you everywhere, beautiful one" he said. I blushed stupidly.

He moved closer and I kept going backwards.

"My prince, please..wha.. what are you doing.. don't" I trembled, finding it hard to speak.

"Shhh" he said seductively and pushed me into the bed. I gasped and my breathing became heavy. He took off his coat and lay beside me. He caressed my face with his finger.

"You shouldn't be doing this.." I said softly, already getting turned on by what he was doing. He smirked, seeing that what he was doing was working.

"I am the heir to the throne, I can do whatever I want" he whispered and in a split second, his lips met mine. He kissed me passionately, I couldn't believe it, my fantasy was becoming reality.

💜 TBC 💜