To Bewitch a Devil

Freya had called her out, so she had not seen the last two princesses. She was a little sad, but she did not have a choice but to go back into her room. There would be a party in the Castle and everyone would have fun, but she would be locked up inside.

Neera was not happy, but she did not have a choice.

Following a lone staircase in the backyard, she found her way back to the king’s chambers. As she climbed up the stairs, she bumped into someone.

“Watch where you’re going.” The deep male voice warned, catching her before she tripped over the stairs.

Neera gained her footing and looked up. And in front of her was a familiar face. Her eyes widened when she recognized him as the Prince she had seen beside one of the Princesses just now.

What was he doing here? She asked, looking bewildered.

A smirk stretched the man’s lips, and he let Neera go when he saw she was standing on her feet.

“I didn’t think I would meet the rumored doppelg?nger this soon.”

.....

He said, smiling. Neera blinked and moved away from him, bowing her head.

“I’m sorry, my lord. I should have watched where I was going.”

She said, panic riddling her. Freya had explicitly warned her not to be seen, but she just went and bumped into a duke’s son. How much unluckier could she get?

With those words, she turned to walk past him, but the Prince held her waist swiftly and the next second she was up against the wall.

Neera’s eyes widened as she stared straight at him.

The Prince was smiling as he placed one hand on the wall, stopping her from leaving.

“I did not ask you to leave.” He spoke, staring into her eyes. Neera panicked. What if someone caught them like this? What would the king do to her?

“My lord, I’m sorry if I hurt you, but I have to leave now. If you cannot forgive this mistake of mine, I would serve any punishment you would inflict, but on a later date, as I cannot risk being seen today.”

Neera pleaded. She wished he would just let her go. The more he kept her there, the more she was at risk of being seen by others.

A low chuckle rang from his throat and Neera looked at his eyes.

“You’re cute.” He spoke, pinching her chin lightly, and it blushed against her will.

Neera rubbed the part of her cheek that he touched as she got more scared now. What did he want? And why was he staring at her like that?

“I won’t forgive you.” The Prince spoke and her face fell. The man looked handsome, and she did not think that he would be that heartless as to not forgive the simple mistake of her bumping into him. It was not even totally her fault.

“But I’ll let you go for today as I can see that you’re in a hurry; but when I send for you, you must come.” He said, dropping his hand and letting her go.

Neera stared at him, and then she blinked.

“Thank you.” She replied half-heartedly and ran off. Axel stared at the girl until she disappeared up the stairs. A smirk tugged at his chin, then he turned around and walked away.

Neera breathed out when she got to her room, locking the door behind her.

That Prince must be a wicked person. She thought. This was her first encounter with one of them, and it was not good.

Neera rolled her eyes as she walked to the bed and lay down, panting heavily from running. She had not stopped for a second until she reached her room.

Standing up, she walked to the window and checked if the bird had taken the food she placed for it. She smiled when she noticed it was no longer there.

It was still afternoon, and Neera thought of the fact that she would be in her room for the whole day doing nothing. She sighed and fell onto her bed, shutting her eyes to sleep.

...

“Oh my, you’re so beautiful, Princess Lyra.”

Her maids praised her as she dressed for the party that night.

Penelope was surprised at her maids. Yes, she was stunning to look at but they had been with her for years, this was surely not the first time they were seeing her, but looking at how they were gushing at her beauty, Pen realized that Princess Lyra must love to be praised and worshiped.

“The king won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” Another spoke, and at her words, Lyra rolled her eyes.

“The other princesses are beautiful, too. I doubt he would even notice me.” She said, and the third maid opened a box, and Pen peeked into it.

“They are beautiful, but you stand out amongst everyone, Princess Lyra. I’m sure the king won’t even notice them. We got you this perfume. It’s especially for attraction, as long as you spray it when you’re beside the king, he won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

Pen blinked. They were all ethereal to look at, but if she was to rank in beauty, Princess Jasmine and Princess Kitana came before Lyra.

She was sure the king would not select a bride based on beauty alone because he had seen millions of beautiful women all his life. They had to be special to be selected.

“That is very sweet of you.” Lyra smiled and took out the tiny bottle.

“Just a drop Princess, not more than that.”

The maid spoke, and she nodded, placing the bottle underneath her sleeves.

“What is your name?” Lyra asked. She had noticed that Penelope had been quiet, so she asked her.

“My name is Penelope, your majesty.” Pen walked forward and bowed.

“Penelope, how is my dress?” She asked, and Pen raised her head.

“Your Majesty, this is the prettiest dress I’ve seen in my entire life.”