"I am in the ca… castle? Prince Mikel?"

Sylvia stared flabbergasted as the maid closed the chamber door and walked out to fetch her another helping of food.

Though Sylvia pretty much had the rest of the day to herself, stomach full and clothed comfortably, her mind was in complete disarray.

She felt as if her head was going to burst, not knowing what the hell was happening.

Sylvia gulped nervously and took a peek for the umpteenth time inside her faded violet-colored dress, in between her cleavage.

But it was still the same. There was no mark and there was absolutely no glow of any kind.

Hmmm… She pondered for a while and then loosened her dress in the back slightly, before pulling it up above her head.

Sylvia wanted to see if the crescent mark would again show up and glow in the darkness.

So she ducked in and also used her hands to close any small gaps on the side.

Her posture looked extremely comical as if she was a turtle trying to get back inside its shell.

Unfortunately for Sylvia, the door creaked open again at this exact same instant and this time it was not the maid who walked in.

The temperature in the room dropped immediately and Sylvia could feel the man's frosty aura, even with her head under her dress.

A shiver crept up Sylvia's spine and she immediately tried to duck out and stand up in respect.

But while trying to do so, she unintentionally used too much force in a panic.

As Sylvia fumbled around, the old dress ripped apart right in the middle and came undone, leaving her upper body completely bare and naked... again…

Ahhh… Shrieked Sylvia, partly in fear and partly in embarrassment.

Mikel stared at the woman in front of him, and his eyes turned even frostier.

"Pull up your dress." His deep voice sounded, stern but velvety smooth. "I am not interested in your body."

Sylvia immediately nodded with her face flushed red. She stood up, covering herself properly.

"I am sorry, your highness." She bowed and prayed inwardly that the Prince wouldn't cut off her head for this blatant insolence.

"Hmmm…" Mikel simply waved his hand wordlessly.

He sat on the bed and stared at the woman, whose head was still lowered.

"It's good that you are aware of who I am."

Sylvia slightly shivered at the sound of his voice.

"Rest assured. You are not in any danger here." Mikel mumbled. There was subtle tiredness in his tone.

"You will be a maid in the castle starting today. There is nothing special that is expected of you."

"Report to the head maid and she will give you further instructions."

"You are not allowed to speak of what happened earlier and you are not allowed to talk about your crescent mark."

Sylvia listened intently and with every passing second, the knots in her stomach were slightly relaxing.

She had imagined the worst and this didn't seem half bad.

"Now go. Scram." Mikel waved his hand and flopped back onto the bed.

Sylvia spun on her heels and quickly twirled around to dash out of the room.

She was wrong to relax!!! This man was scary!!!

She realized that she was holding her breath and forced herself to breathe.

Her heart raced as she quickly opened the chamber door to get the hell out of there.

But before she could leave, the man's cruel voice sounded again.

"And one more thing… Don't ever step out of this castle."

The man's last few words contained an unveiled threat within them and Sylvia knew that he meant it.

She bowed her head again, closed the door softly, and turned around.

Only then she sighed a breath of relief. Her heart, however, was still beating laboriously fast.

What a fearful man! She patted her chest and looked around.

She had never been inside of a royal castle and she had no idea where the head maid or anything else was.

Of course, she couldn't really turn around and ask that devil for directions.

So Sylvia braved herself and slowly walked along the long empty corridor.

The castle was made out of polished white stoned, with a clean and smooth interior finish.

The walls were not too extravagant and proudly displayed a couple of elegant art pieces here and there.

Sylvia gasped ever so slightly as she slowly walked ahead, drinking in everything around her in marvel.

Luckily for her, not long after, she came across Jane again, who was now dusting a couch and the two cushioned chairs next to the couch.

"Hello, dear." Jane greeted warmly on seeing her.

Sylvia first stared blankly but eventually managed to flash a small smile in return.

She couldn't help but wonder if the woman would still treat her this kindly if she knew that she was a mere slave.