Chapter 2 The promise with the devil - Part1

Chapter 2 - the promise with the devil

Luke thought he heard footsteps while his eyes were closed. But he soon put such an idea aside, after all, no one entered his room but his sister. And she would always wake him up with a hug and shrill cries. If it was Aretha, he'd already be crushed.

However, though his thought was discarded. Luke returned to his mind seconds later. After all, the sunlight touched his face. Right after the curtains were opened.

So after his green eyes opened, Luke could see a stranger in front of him. A young maid, who had never seen before, with pink blonde hair, bright blue eyes, fair skin and flushed cheeks. Her navy and white uniform fit her perfectly, making her very cute. Especially with something the young man had never received from an employee, a smile.

"Good morning, sir. Miss Aretha asked me to come and wake you. Pleasure, I am the new employee; Lily Sous. I am here to serve you. Call me whatever you need."

Luke was really confused. The events of the previous night came back to his mind. The first question was, why the hell wasn't he dead? Second question: how did he get home? And third question: why was the poor novice maid assigned to him? She would be despised.

Lily still watched him with a smile, waiting for directions.

Luke was really sorry for the young woman, just the fact that she was there with him, could already have problems. So he wanted to end the situation soon.

"Well, good morning first, Lily. I appreciate the help. But you don't need that, okay? Since you're young, they probably didn't tell you... I'm someone who doesn't deserve the attention of the servants, you know? If you take care of me, they'll isolate you. You seem like a gentle girl and you don't deserve that. Please get out of here."

Lily seemed surprised. No lord would care about the reputation of a servant like that.

"Let her help you, asshole. Lily is young and said she wanted to make friends, so I asked her to work for you."

The owner of the new voice, was soon attached to he. And pressed it as if it would never release again.

"Aretha, let me go... you're suffocating me." - Luke muttered.

His older sister's laughter filled the room. She let him go, still laughing. Today she wore a green cotton dress that contrasted with her eyes of the same color and wavy brown hair. He'd sure miss her.

"Bath time, sleepyhead. Lily, prepare the bath."

The maid agreed and went to work while Aretha continued to chatter.

"Yesterday the prince came to bring you home after meeting you drunk. Very kind of him, don't you think? "

The mention of the prince reminded Luke of the night before and about his kiss. He blushed at the memory, but was distracted again.

"Focus, Luke. You have to tell her." - Thought hastily.

"Sister, do you really want to marry the prince?"

Aretha now had a lost look. She stopped teasing him and sat on the bed. He thought for a few minutes, bit his lips and lightly pressed the sheets, as if he was choosing well the words he should say.

"Well, no." - Answered directly. " I wanted to travel, ride around with someone I really loved and be able to stay with that person until the end of my days, having tea and talking about the new release of Author Jane Hullers. " - after a long pause, she continued. " But we can't have what we want, right? "

After hearing that, Luke was sure that he could not leave his sister in the hands of that madman.

"So don't marry him, Aretha. Please. He's not a good guy. He..."

Luke Exitou, would you believe him? Even his sister who was there for him forever. That was too absurd for anyone to believe. Even so, he decided to risk it.

"I heard something yesterday, he wants to kill you after the wedding, Aretha."

Aretha watched him, now would be.

"I know you're worried about me, little brother. But everything will be fine. I know you're jealous, but you didn't have to. " - she smiled squeezing his cheeks.

Luke sighed, knew that would be his answer.

"Now, time for the bath."

Quickly, she took the covers off him, making him run to the bathroom in shame.

"Don't do it, you freak. You can see what you don't want."

On the other side of the door, Aretha laughed.

"I gave you a bath when you were little, there's nothing there that I haven't seen." - She went further behind the door. " I'll wait for you for breakfast, don't be late."

Luke sighed relieved, hearing the footsteps receding.

Fortunately, he was still covered in a white shirt, which was soon on the floor.

On his back could be seen small scars marks that were healing. However, what caught the most attention was how thin and slender Luke was, his bones almost jumped out of the body.

He entered the bathtub and began to rub, it hurt, as it seemed that the skin did not protect the bones of his body. Another reason not to let your sister see you, other than shame.

She would have many questions and Luke was not interested in answering.

After bathing, he put on black pants and a shirt of the same color. Almost disappearing from view.

-------------

When Luke arrived at the dinner table, his parents soon frowned, as if his presence brought a plague.

The young count sat down and took some milk and bread. That would be enough for today.

Aretha put a few more pieces on his plate and asked her to eat. But soon the mood worsened with your father's hoarse, loud voice and the smell of milk in Luke's hair.

The patriarchs looked at him with intense hatred and disregard.

"How dare you give trouble to Prince Artanis, your nobody. You're lucky your sister is engaged to him and the prince is kind." - His father screamed, looking at him with brown eyes possessed of anger, while his mother held the empty milk jar and his green and deadly gaze seemed to want to spoil him. A look colder and emptier than the prince himself.

Luke didn't answer. They didn't deserve to be talked to.

The servants around seemed not to care. Luke could hear the whispers later, of how abused he was. Only Lily watched everything in shock and with a true look of pity.

Fearing to weep so much humiliation. He got up and left.

"Luke, Luke... come back here."

Aretha's voice could be heard from afar, but was successfully ignored.