19. Princess Sasha

Sasha pov Why was he so enchanting? I watched him work in the garden from the balcony in my room which is on the first floor of the palace. He wouldn’t realise that I was watching him. I watch him almost every day. I had noticed how some of our men used to push him around. It was me who had sent daddy to the garden the day a group of knights bullied him in the garden. I saw how hard he had tried to avoid them, yet, they were just too powerful for him.  I was glad that daddy made it in time. Because he had to see for himself what the poor human had to endure in this place. We may be different from them. Our kind has the power to do magic. But, I believe that it only means that we must use it responsibly. We shouldn’t misuse it.  And that is what my parents had taught me. That day, I watched in silence as daddy kind of lost his temper and removed the powers from those knights and cast them away. I was scared of course. Daddy rarely lost control. I was glad he managed to control his powers because if he did lose it, there would be nothing I could do to help. Only mommy would be able to bring him back. I don’t quite understand what kind of control she had over him. She just did. It was sweet and fun to watch when your parents gave in to each other.  I had always wanted a relationship like that.  I sighed as I thought about my relationship with Killian. He was the duke’s son, who I never really liked. But it seems that daddy and the duke had already promised each other that they would wed us when I was born a couple of years after Killian. What a silly way to promise each other to maintain a deeply rooted friendship.  I mean, he and daddy could be friends nonetheless. Why did they bring us into it? I would have appealed against it when I found out on the day I turned eighteen, but the situation got unavoidable when the duke and Killian’s father fell terminally ill and passed away a few days before my birthday. And by the time I heard about it, my father who was grieving the loss of his best friend, made me promise to marry his son, lord Killian and fulfil the promise he had made to the duke.  I had reluctantly agreed, hoping that I would learn to love him. And perhaps, he too would reciprocate the same efforts. He did seem like he was trying to be good to me. But I felt that it was forced. He was not doing it out of love or from his heart. And at times, I felt that it was just an exhibit. He wanted to show everyone that he was good enough to marry me, the princess.  Rolling my eyes and sighed and my eyes lingered on the human lad who was working hard in the garden. He wiped the sweat off of his forehead from time to time. He had his shoulder-length hair tied up, making it easier to work. His neatly trimmed beard, tanned skin and dark hair made him attractive. I thought his deep brown eyes were mesmerising and the way he ran his thick fingers in his wavy, dark brown hair was just charming.  I saw how his sweat had the thin fabric of his shirt stick to his fit abs, making me run my tongue over my lips. Yes. He was just a human and possessed no magical powers. Yet, he was so appealing to watch. I stared as he skilfully removed the unwanted leaves and twigs. I bet he was tired. He had come to attend his work right after finishing his training.  “My lady.”  Killian’s voice interrupted my thoughts. Taking a deep breath I put up a smile on my face and faced him, who was now in my room. Straightening my back, and holding my head up high, I made sure I was poised enough as I spoke to him. “Why are you here Killian?” I questioned, unhappy that he had entered my room without my permission.  “Princess, you are my fiancé. Sooner or later we will be together isn’t it?” he smirked. He had a point. But the fact that he was coming closer irked me to no end. I focused my gaze on his wide green eyes which hungrily stared back at me. Was that a lust-filled gaze? I didn’t know. What I understood was, I didn’t like it. As his orbs travelled from my face towards my toes, I felt an uncomfortable feeling of repulsion.  How dare he look at me like that. Yes. I was betrothed to be wed to him. But still, he had no right to do anything of the sort without my consent.  “But I have told you, Killian, I would prefer to wait until we are wed,” I stated firmly.  But that creep didn’t seem to care. He just took menacing steps towards me. I was unaware that I was leaning against the railing of the balcony, grabbing onto its metal as hard as he could when he stopped just a few inches away from me.  “Not even a kiss?” he asked in a hushed whisper, making me gulp. However, I felt an unknown force using my tongue from moving to form words.  Perhaps he was hoping to sound seductive, but to me, he was just being annoying. He was staying too close to me. Way too close. Involuntarily, I placed my hands on his chest to push him away, but this guy was delusional. I felt his hand on my waist, as I continued to edge away from him. What a p*****t, doesn’t he see that I was not interested?  “Are you aware of how badly you would be convicted if I complained against you?” I finally found my voice to speak, making him stop right in his tracks.  “You wouldn’t do that?” he chuckled in a low voice.  Narrowing my eyes at him I clenched my jaws, trying my best to keep my anger under control.  “Try me,” I muttered through my clenched teeth.  He stared for some time as if he was studying my face, trying to find signs of submission. Or perhaps trying to find out if I was lying. But I held my gaze firmly making sure that I let him know that I meant business.  “Fine.” He finally muttered back. But was that fury I saw in his eyes? Just because I didn’t give in?  Ha! He better get used to that. Because I won’t give in that easily. If he thought that being engaged to me or even marrying me would make me submit to him, he must be delusional. If he wanted me to be with him, he better make me love him. And he wouldn’t be able to do that by being his arrogant self. He had a lot to change.  “Princess, you may have this your way now, but believe me, once you marry me, you will be mine and you can’t stop me no matter what.” He hissed into my face and stomped out of the room.  What the hell...... I scoffed at the door he had closed behind him. He was not going to change was he? Then how in the world was I going to rule this kingdom beside him once I would be crowned queen and him as king?  King. He would be king. Gulping down a chunk of saliva, I frowned. Perhaps I should talk to daddy about this. I don’t have a good feeling about him being king. If he was such a jerk now, I don’t even want to imagine how he would rule this kingdom once he got hold of all the powers.  What I knew was, his beliefs were certainly different from ours. I was almost certain about it though we never actually spoke about it. He didn’t treat our servants with the respect we believe they must get. Regardless of their positions, I believe that they must be treated with thoughtfulness.  Killian was so self-centred and proud, not to mention he does seem to be controlling. I don’t think I want to marry him, even if it was for the sake of my father. Perhaps I could talk to him and hopefully, he would understand.  Making a face, I turned around once again and I felt the air knock out of my lungs with the sight I saw. The human I had been keeping my eyes on was now shirtless and pouring water over his head from the water hose he used to water the plants. My mouth opened agape as my gaze lingered on his fit body.  Was it even possible for a human to look this good? I felt my mouth run dry. It should be illegal to be this handsome. His dark hair and tanned skin were so good to look at. He looked so delicious. I wouldn’t mind running my fingers over his chest and abs...... I blinked. What was I thinking? No. This was not right. But was it wrong to be attracted to someone who looked like a Greek God? I saw him turn the water off and wipe the water off of his face. The water droplets that dripped from his soaked hair trickled down his body until they reached the belt of the pants he was wearing.  I watched him walk away casually as if he had done nothing to me. Was it just me, or was it suddenly getting too hot? I felt my face heat up as I watched him disappear behind the trees. He must have gone to his room which was located on the other side of the palace.  Why was I feeling so weird? Maybe I need to do something else. Perhaps I should stop watching him every day. But the reason I started to watch was that I had realised how he was being pushed around. I still remember the day I saw him for the first time. He was bleeding and he looked as if he might lose consciousness. I knew at once that he was a human and wouldn’t be able to heal himself, so I helped him.  While I did, I had heard some of his thoughts. He thought I was a remarkable beauty. That thought made me smile as I once again felt my cheeks heat up. He was good looking himself. I wonder if he knew that.  “Sasha?”  My mother’s voice made me jump, startled. “Mom.” I chuckled nervously. “You just startled me.”  I sure hope she doesn’t try to peek into my mind. She chuckled and smiled.  “Why? Lost in your world?” she teased.  I giggled. Of course. She would always say that I would be lost in my world even when I was a little kid. And she was right. I always dreamt of a loving and caring prince charming, who would treat me with love and respect. But ever since I was betrothed to Killian, all my fantasies and dreams had gone with the wind.  But this time, I decided to go along. I didn’t want her to pry into my mind and find out how I was ogling the human slave. No, not a slave anymore, but still he was a servant.  Slave or servant, he sure was a fine specimen and I wouldn’t mind being held by those strong arms. I blinked once again. What was I thinking? Focus. I need to focus. I don’t want my mother to be suspicious.  “Um....y.yeah...” I stammered.  Clearing my throat, I smiled and tried my best to compose my pose.  “Is it time for my studies momma?” I asked and she nodded.  “Sasha, you must finish studying soon. Then only you will be wed and we can crown you queen.” She told me, making me sigh in exasperation.  Wed? Become queen? And to marry Killian? Ugh, I want to be able to choose the one I marry. “Mom....” I whined. “But...I’m not ready to marry.” Pouting, I looked at her. “But...why? Killian sure seems to be ready.” She frowned.  “I guess.” I shrugged. “I just.....” I sighed. “What is it, my child?” Her voice was soft and laced with worry.  “Mom.....I don’t like him.” I whispered, mustering up enough courage to do so.  She sighed. “But baby you know.......” she looked at me with sympathy.  “Yes. Momma. I do. But.... I’ve tried so hard to like him but he is so........” I frowned, not knowing what to say. I could say that he tried to force me to get close to him. But that could cause a lot of trouble.  My mother sighed and cupped my cheeks.  “Baby. Let’s just see for a little more?” she said sweetly and I forced a smile.  “I love you, momma,” I whispered in response.  “And I love you baby.” She replied, placing a lingering kiss on my forehead.