REBIRTHED LOVE: DEAFEATING THE SUPREME LORD

PART ONE

A thousand years ago...

The cold wind blew harshly over the arena. Two men were bare-chested, slowly going around the other, patiently waiting for one of them to strike. They were in a magical ring created by one of the well-respected masters in the realm. It was inescapable and so perfect for the sparring match. It would immediately disappear once there was a winner. Around the fighters were the onlookers, most of whom were the nobles and their servants. However, the most respected was the supreme lord, who was seated on the highest part of the arena to gain a better view of the fight. It was a match he couldn't miss because one of the fighters was his son.

Prince Luther.

The fighters suddenly leaped on each other. As the fight was to test their strength, a spell had been placed to prevent any of them from using their powers. They were both masters and so were capable of hiding their wings. Prince Luther grabbed his opponents by the shoulders, trying to draw him into a chokehold, but that was futile. He studied the person he fought with. His opponent was the son of the greatest master in the realm. Before their fight began, he introduced himself as Agar. He was a tall man who had a proud spring in his steps. Luther had heard that he was as powerful as his father and that he made sure to remind everyone of that fact. But as he looked at him, Luther couldn't find anything special about him. His hair had been scraped to the skin, whereas Luther wore his long shoulder-length hair as a short bun. They both circled each other, patiently waiting as they planned moves in their head.

Luther, tired of waiting, struck first. He feigned a repeat of his previous attack, causing Agar to go straight to defense, automatically giving leeway to his opponent. Luther saw it and quickly took his chance, striking Agar with a heavy blow to his side. Agar grunted in pain but didn't fall down.

Luther had to hand it to him; he was a strong fighter. He quickly went for another blow while his opponent was still recovering, striking him in the same place twice. At that, Agar grunted again, almost falling to his knees. Luther was a pretty good fighter, but he had more fun defeating someone the dirty way. He kicked at Agar's knees, forcing him to go down on one knee. As he tried to attack again, Agar held on to his feet, dragging him down painfully. Luther winced, pissed that he didn't see that move coming. Agar crawled on top of him and held him in a chokehold. For one to win the fight, he had to temporarily put out his opponent, causing him to lose consciousness. Agar was going straight for the kill. Since the prince wouldn't play honorably, he didn't have any reason either.

The audience around them watched on, their attention firmly on the fight happening.

Even though his face turned red from lack of air, Luther looked at his opponent and grinned. Confused, Agar wondered what he was smiling about when he shouted in pain, folding himself on the ground. In his quest to end the prince, he had left an opening for his opponent, causing Luther to hit him in the same spot he had attacked earlier. With Luther's heavy blows to that spot, Agar must have sustained several serious injuries. Luther thought of attacking his back to make Agar temporarily unable to use his wings. That would teach him that though they fought in the same ring, they were not of the same level. He slowly stood up, sauntering towards Agar's form. While Agar was still recovering, Luther bent over him and started to strike the injured spot. Over and over again till his blows tore through skin and muscles, causing the wound to bleed. Agar fought, but it proved futile. He could only stay in one spot, screaming in pain as he felt his bones slowly break under the continuous assault.

After a while, he became unconscious.

Luther stood straight, wiping his sweat with his blood-stained hands. He grinned at the crowd, breathing heavily as he took them all in. He looked at his father, who was staring proudly at him. His son had defeated the son of the greatest master in the realm, one rumored to be just as powerful as his father. He stood up and grinned widely.

"I announce Prince Luther as the winner!"

Horns of celebration sounded around the arena, but the air was somber despite the victory. No one in the audience seemed to like the victorious prince. The prince walked to his father proudly, grinning evilly as he faced the audience. Those who caught his gaze bowed their heads in fear. They had all heard of the deviousness of the prince. Tales were passed even to the lowest levels of the realm of the people he had killed secretly without his father's knowledge. Those who reported his deeds to his father also ended up suspiciously missing. Not that his father believed those tales anyway. To the supreme lord, his son was a saint. The most beautiful and powerful of all his sons. He would be the one to take over his throne once he departs from the world. His other sons couldn't compare to Luther. He had been blessed with the brains and looks of gods, skills enough to defeat several average men at once. His other sons just couldn't compare.

"Come over here." The supreme lord ordered. Luther walked towards his father's side of the arena, then, releasing his wings, flew to the highest point where his father was. Once he landed, he immediately fell to one knee.

"Bless me, oh great one." He said reverently. His father smiled.

"Hence forth, you are in charge of the supreme army. You are to be my sword, carrying out my vengeance on those who defy me."

To be placed in charge of the supreme army was the highest honor in the whole realm. Whoever had that position was just one level below the supreme lord. As far as everyone was concerned, Luther's word was synonymous with the Supreme lord's decree. The somber mood became worse, and the lining of fear passed across everyone. Things were surely bound to get worse in the realm.

The other sons of the supreme lord watched on, drowning in jealousy and anger. But despite their feelings, they knew there was nothing they could do and could only look on as their evil brother was given power over them all.

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The celebration planned for his victory had ended. Prince Luther walked down the lonely hall to his pavilion, grinning as he thought of how the day had ended. He would have to be a blind man if he didn't notice the stares people gave him. He couldn't blame them. After all the rumors about him, it would be strange if people didn't tremble before him.

Prince Luther had always known he was special. Even the great oracle had prophesied that he would be a man no one would contend with. His father was proud and had taken good care of his growth. That was why, no matter how fast prince Luther wanted to be supreme lord, he didn't give in to the growing urge he felt to get rid of his father. The man was already old and had made his decree for his favorite son to be crowned after his death. He just had to wait till then.

He thought of the looks on his brothers' faces. He had never liked any of them, and they were all weak to him. He had no problems with them since none of them tried to get in his way. At least they were smart to know that they couldn't defeat him. He continued his sauntering walk down the hall, passing the garden just before the entrance of his room when a sight caught him.

She was beautiful. With raven hair reaching up to the back of her knees, Prince Luther watched as the maid tended to the garden. He tried to remove his gaze from her, but it proved futile. As he was a prince, it was a taboo for him to get involved with someone from the lower class. But the more he looked at the girl, the more he reasoned that there were always loopholes in the rules. He just had to find the one that would benefit him.

Time went on, and Luther got used to seeing the girl tending to his garden every time the day ended. So far, he has had no reason to bump into her, and the more he watched her, the more his obsession for her grew.

He found the feeling annoying. He had thought that what he felt earlier would pass because he can't remember ever being affected by a woman. But the more he saw her, the more the nagging feeling to claim her pierced him. Currently, he was still studying her when he had a bold thought. He walked into the garden she was tending, startling her with his presence. She quickly turned around to look at him, and the prince nearly forgot how to breathe.

Heavens, she was beautiful. Her skin was golden, and her raven hair fell in wisps over her face, which she nervously tried to remove. Her eyes were copper brown, and the servant gown she adorned did nothing to hide the womanly curves that graced her body.

"Your highness," she greeted, quickly giving a bow. He nodded silently and watched as she stood with her gaze still on the ground.

"How may I help you?" she asked. He didn't like the way she looked at the ground. He wanted her eyes on him.

"Look at me." He commanded.

"M-My lord?" she asked, and even he could hear the fear in her voice. It wasn't customary for a lowly servant to look at the face of one in authority, not to talk of the royalty.

"You heard me." He answered, his voice warning her that he didn't like to repeat his orders twice. Slowly, she raised her head to look at him. Luther slowly smiled.

"What's your name?"

"G-Glovia, my lord." She answered.

"Glovia." He repeated, loving the way her name sounded on his lips.

"How long have you worked here?"

"For almost a year, my lord."

"Hmm, strange. I haven't seen you in this area."

"I-I recently got assigned to this part of the castle, my lord. I was told to tend to your gardens, as I am especially good with gardening."

Luther smiled, watching as she moved her gaze everywhere but at him. It irked him, but he didn't comment on it.

"What do you say, in becoming a personal servant of mine?"

"My lord?" she asked, her gaze snapping on him as her eyes widened in shock. Seeing his raised eyebrows, she swallowed, trying hard to bury the urge to look down.

"My lord, your wish is my command."

Luther grinned widely. "Good. You can start tomorrow. I would inform your head about this arrangement." He nudged his head towards the garden. "You can continue with your assignment." He said, then slowly turned around and left.

Glovia watched his leaving form as her heart hammered heavily in her heart. The last thing she ever wanted was for prince Luther to be interested in her. She was still shocked because there was no rumor of him ever personally selecting his servant. In fact, he didn't even have a personal one. She wondered why he would suddenly take an interest in her.

After the prince had disappeared, she turned back to the flowers she tended. She gently caressed the petals of the one in front of her, lost in her thoughts.

She could feel it deep in her bones that things would take a heavy turn for her.

If only she had known that it would be for the worst.

Glovia was from the middle level of the Enu realm. Her family resided in the northern area, where things were fairly good. But they were able to save enough money for their daughter to go to the higher level, hoping she could gain a better life. They weren't wrong. She earned three times what her parents earned, and she always made sure to send them half of her savings. With the amount of money she had given them, they would be okay by themselves for close to a decade. She had lived a peaceful life ever since she got to the highest level.

She applied to work in the Supreme lord's castle because rumor had it that the pay was much. When she finally gained the job, she heard of Prince Luther.

His ruthlessness was no secret. However, what baffled everyone was how his father was blind to his antics. People who reported the evil prince's actions to the king got missing after a few days. And no search or complaint was made about it. There was a hidden rule amongst the servants; to stay away from the evil prince.

However, there was another prince who Glovia couldn't keep her eyes off from; Prince Stev. To her, he was perfect. He had green eyes and hair the color of dawn. His smile illuminated his face, causing those around him to be comfortable. He was the second son of the supreme lord, coming after the evil prince.

Most times, Glovia found herself wondering how they could be related. Prince Luther had an air of evil surrounding him, while Prince Stev brought peace to those around him. Her heart fluttered whenever she saw him, beat heavily whenever she came close to him. Her previous job was attending the garden close to the training ground, where she would always find him. He practiced hard day and night; one had to wonder if he was preparing for something.

Then her happiness was cut short when she was suddenly assigned to tend to the garden in Prince Luther's pavilion. She didn't know how she could have been so unlucky to get that job. Apart from the fear she had of encountering the evil prince, she also felt sadness that she might not be able to see prince Stev as much as before.

Fortunately, for the first few months, she wasn't seen by Prince Luther. During her break time, she went to take a look at Prince Stev. His appearance was a breath of fresh air for her, especially from the gloom that surrounded the evil prince's pavilion.

As she reached the entrance of his room, she wondered if she would ever have enough free time for her to see her prince.

Slowly, she raised her hand to knock on the huge door. A short while passed before she heard the sultry sound of her new master.

"Come in." he commanded.

She exhaled slowly, then gently pushed the doors open. As she entered the room, she quickly glanced around it, stopping herself from gazing too long at the splendor that bathed the room. Her gaze found the prince seated on a long couch, and she briskly walked towards him. When she arrived just a few feet away from him, she bowed.

"Good day, my Lord."

"Hmm." He replied lazily. Glovia watched him from the corner of her eyes. He was studying a parchment, and he languidly dragged his gaze across its words. Glovia couldn't help but drag her gaze further down his body. Though he was still seated, she noticed the purple robe he adorned exposed his chest. Glovia swallowed, quickly removing her gaze. She couldn't deny that despite how evil the prince was, he was still a sight to behold. He had white hair which hung on his shoulders, and he was well built in all areas. His face would have been on the talk of many ladies had it not borne the pure evil that emanated from it. She wondered how someone that handsome could be so evil.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked, bringing her out of her musing.

"I am waiting for your orders, my lord." She said nervously. She heard the crinkling of paper, which told her that he was folding the parchment, and her heart hammered fearfully when she heard him stand.

"Glovia," he said, slowly walking towards her. "What did I tell you about not looking at me?"

Glovia swallowed, then slowly raised her head. The prince smiled, causing her fear to increase.

"Good. I do not like to repeat myself. As far as you are in my presence, you must always look at me. I want you to face me. Are we clear?"

"Y-Yes, my lord." Glovia stammered.

"Now about your job, why don't you start with those books over there," he said, pointing to a huge library that covered one area of the wall. "That ought to occupy you for the day. I do not want to see one speck of dust on it."

"Yes, my lord." Glovia answered even as her heart broke. There was no way she would be able to see her prince that day.

"I have something important to attend to. You should get started."

Glovia curtsied and quickly went to work. She walked towards the library, fishing out a rag that she always carried in the pocket of her dress. Starting from the lowest section, she began to clean.

The prince watched her as she started her job, and a small grin lit his face. For the first time in a long time, he had finally found something what his while.

Several weeks had passed since Glovia started working for the prince. So far, the prince hadn't done anything to her, but she still hadn't let her guard down around him. She had caught him several times staring at her, and when she held his gaze, he always grinned. She didn't like that, as it sent chills down her spine. Later on, she learnt to ignore the feeling.

She was fishing out a robe for him to wear from his closet. As a prince, she wasn't surprised at the number of clothes he had. His jobs had slowly moved from giving her menial tasks to more personal ones like sorting out his clothes or preparing his bath. She brought out a purple tunic that she thought would fit him perfectly and took it to him.

"My lord, your attire." She said. She started to place it on the bed where he lay so that she could give him some privacy afterwards, when he suddenly paused her actions.

"Wait." He commanded. She looked up at him, curious about his order. Slowly, the prince stood up majestically from his bed, donning a black robe. He slowly walked towards her, and Glovia took deep breaths to calm her racing heart. She still feared him whenever he approached her. Prince Luther finally reached her, then paused. Calmly, he began to remove his robe.

Glovia's thoughts were filled with questions, especially watching as the prince stripped down in front of her. She quickly bent her head to give him some privacy. She heard the soft thud of his robe on the floor and gulped. What was happening? She thought.

"Dress me." The prince ordered. She was tempted to ask the prince if he was okay with this strange order, but she knew he didn't like repeating orders. She walked towards him and started putting his right arm inside the attire. Then she walked behind him, stretching on her toes to arrange it perfectly on his shoulder. She reached his other side and placed his second hand inside the attire, finally reaching his front and tying it. There were embroidered slits at the back of his clothing that would allow space for his wings should he decide to release them.

The ability to hide one's wings was something she admired and envied from the nobles. Not that she didn't like hers, but it proved a nuisance to her in some situations, especially when she tried to secretly watch her favorite prince. Her wings always gave her away.

Once she was done, she walked several feet away from him.

"I am finished, my lord."

Prince Luther walked to the huge mirror next to his bed. He watched himself, slowly dragging his hands down the clothes he adorned. He could still feel the gentle touch of her fingers on his skin, awakening thoughts he never believed he could have. The urge to own Glovia increased each passing day, and being close to her didn't make matters any easier. He grinned satisfactorily and turned to face her.

"Henceforth, you would assist me in putting on my clothes." He commanded.

"Yes, my lord."

When prince Luther left the room, Glovia collapsed on the ground, clutching her chest. Things were getting weirder and weirder for her the more time she spent in his presence. She was happy, though, when she realized that finally, she had time to see her prince after a long while. She gently waited for a few minutes, then stood up and walked towards the room entrance. Opening the gigantic doors slowly, she watched the hall for any presence.

Prince Luther hadn't ordered her not to leave his room, but she had the feeling that he didn't like it whenever he came back and couldn't find her. She quickly hurried across the hall, her footsteps light against the tiled floors. Glovia wished she could fly, but it was against the rules for servants to fly in the castle. She ran fast, going through different corners and turns. Finally, when she arrived at the garden close to the training ground, she stopped to take a deep breath, calming her nerves. She hoped that prince Stev was still there, as she was so occupied with working for the prince that she barely even had time for herself.

Slowly, she entered the garden, keeping her ears sharp to hear a sound from the next ground. She smiled softly when she heard the swing of a sword and the grunt of a man.

Blushing profusely, she began to tend to the garden silently, content to bask in his sounds.

She didn't know how long she stayed there when she heard a grunt of pain. Quickly, without thinking twice, she rose and rushed towards him.

Prince Stev had collapsed on the ground, and his face was masked in pain as he massaged his ankle. Once she arrived in front of him, reality slammed into her with force, reminding her that they were not on the same level. But she couldn't bear to see the pain on his handsome face, so she swallowed her fear and asked bravely.

"M-My lord, do you need help?" her hands were linked at her front and were shaking nervously.

Prince Stev looked up to see who had spoken to him, and words got stuck in his throat once he laid his eyes on her. The woman in front of him had to be a goddess. It was impossible how someone could be that beautiful.

"Who are you?" he asked when he found his voice.

"Glovia, my lord. I tend to the garden nearby." She replied, her head bowed.

Oh, so she was the garden stranger, he thought. He knew that there was someone who always watched him as he trained. Whenever he wanted to confront the person, he never found a trace in the end. After a while, he slowly got used to the presence and always felt calm and happy next to it. As a prince, he didn't have a close relationship with anyone, not to talk of his brothers. He believed that he and whoever watched him had formed a mutual friendship basked in silence. He hadn't felt the presence he was used to for a while and was a bit worried. Prince Stev was happy, though, when he finally felt the stranger again that day.

He was practicing a new sword move and had made a mistake in his foot work, causing him to sprain his ankle. He half-heartedly hoped that the person who watched at him would come out to assist him. His wish came through, but the last person he expected to see was someone as beautiful as the maiden in his front.

Slowly, he grinned. "Glovia, I may need your help in getting up."

"I am happy to help, my lord." She answered happily.

A few days passed since Glovia talked with Prince Stev. Since then, she had been over the moon and couldn't wait for her break time. She and her Prince may not have talked as much as they did the first time she spoke with him, but she made sure to check up on him whenever she came to the garden. Prince Stev always awarded her a charming grin that never ceased to make her heart flutter.

She was currently scrubbing the floors of Prince Luther's room. Unknown to her, the man had taken note of her expressions since she came to work for him that morning. He didn't feel comfortable that she was smiling about something that wasn't related to him. The more he thought of it, the more he wanted to push her to find out what made her happy. She had been working with him for a long time, and all she had expressed at his presence was fear. Suddenly, he stood up and walked to his closet.

"Prepare my bath." He commanded, opening it in search of his bathing robe. Glovia stood up and bowed, then quickly went to do as he had ordered.

The Prince's bathing room was huge. It had a wooden bath with some parts lined up with ceramic tiles. It was in a rectangular shape and almost took up half the whole room. It was big enough to contain up to twenty people. Royals were never misers when it came to themselves, Glovia tutted. She couldn't imagine being the only person to share a bath so big.

She turned a lever by the side, which caused all the taps to come on. She patiently waited for it to fill to the brim; she put her hand inside the giant tub and used her magic to heat it up. It was one of the basic magic moves she had been taught as a kid. She remembered dreaming to improve her powers once she reached the highest level. However, her hopes were temporarily dashed once she found out how much the courses cost. She simply began working to earn for herself and her parents. There were incidents where she picked up on new moves from the royals without them knowing, and she practiced whatever she learned in secret.

She hummed in satisfaction once the water reached the perfect temperature. She was about to leave the bathroom when she saw prince Luther staring at her from the doorway, his hands folded across his chest and a blank look on his face. She gulped, her hands shaking nervously as she folded it by her front.

"My lord, your bath is ready."

The Prince remained where he was, staring at her intensely. Slowly, he began to make his way toward her. Glovia couldn't move. She knew that she ought to, but it felt wrong for her to do so at that moment. Her chest hammered heavily when the Prince stripped in front of her. She released a soft sigh when he went past her, straight to the tub. She started to leave when the king commanded,

"Wait," he ordered, and she paused immediately.

"Bathe me." Prince Luther said. Those two words caused Glovia to erupt into a full-scale panic attack. Her heart hammered heavily, and her blood rushed to her head, yet she tried to calm it down, thinking that perhaps she hadn't heard the Prince well.

"M-My lord?" she questioned, her voice shaky.

"I do not like to repeat myself!" he reprimanded, raising his voice at her for the first time since she started working for him. She flinched at his harsh words, then briskly walked towards him, her nerves flying everywhere. She didn't like it. She didn't like it at all. Glovia reached where he sat in the tub, and her hands began to shake as she reached for the soap. Why did she have to bathe him? Even though he was the naked one, she felt violated. But she was a lowly maid; her objections couldn't be voiced out and to Prince Luther no less.

She took her time lathering the soap with her hands, hoping he would change his mind any minute. But the serene look the Prince had on his face made her hopes slowly disappear. She gulped, then quickly began what he had ordered her to do. Perhaps if she did it quickly, she wouldn't have to relive the nightmare.

"Gentle," the Prince ordered softly. "I do not want any marks on my skin."

Shakily, Glovia took her time washing the Prince. She avoided his privates, avoided looking at it totally. She felt used and violated. Never in her life had she felt so humiliated. No servant in the history of the realm had been recorded to bathe a grown royal, especially not one of the opposite sex. As she was also a servant, the action alone could cause her to lose her head.

She swallowed her indignation and continued her job. When the Prince's breathing changed, she knew she had to end it quickly. She rinsed him off and drained the water, then went several feet away from him.

"I am done, my lord." She said, bowing her head. She refused to look at the Prince as shame clouded her expression.

"Dry me." The Prince ordered. Without looking at him, she went straight for the drying cloth on the rod beside the tub, then returned to the Prince and began to dry him. When she was done, she returned the hanger back where it was always kept.

"Would that be all my lord?" she asked.

"You may leave." The Prince ordered drily. Glovia bowed and then quickly hurried out of the bathroom, trying to stop the tears that escaped her eyes.

Prince Luther watched as Glovia ran away from him, and his frown deepened. He didn't like the way she reacted to his order. So many people would be vying to be in the same position as her, and she was taking him for granted? How dare she react like that? He had given her the highest honor. If she did well, she could even end up becoming his queen. He had to teach her a lesson. He remembered the way her hands had caressed him, and he smiled.

A serious lesson indeed.

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Glovia ran straight for the garden close to where her Prince stayed. She didn't know why she felt like going there. The last person she wanted to see was Prince Stev, especially with how distraught she looked. She continuously dried her tears and sniffed, harshly weeding out the unwanted plants. In her anger, she had realized that she left the Prince's room without informing him. He might have commanded her to leave the bathroom, but not his room. But still, she couldn't bring herself to return. The job she did for Prince Luther was meant for who he hoped to share his bed with.

Was that why he called her to work for him? Was that his real plan for her? The more she thought of it, the more she became scared. It was a taboo for a royal to stay with a lowly maid like her, but Prince Luther was the supreme lord's favorite son. There was no way he would believe any accusation she laid on the Prince's head. In fact, such accusations were likely to cost her head. She didn't want to die, but she didn't come to the high realm just to be used as a body slave. If, for any reason, prince Luther behaved wrongly toward her, there was no one she could talk to. There was no one she could pour out her heart to. She took a deep breath, calming herself. She had to start thinking of a way to escape the palace. She doubted that Prince Luther would allow her to hand in her resignation.

Prince Stev waited for Glovia to greet him once he heard her in the garden. At first, he wondered why she didn't come to greet him immediately after she arrived. They had formed it as a habit of some sort since the day she helped him. He internally struggled between going to check on her or simply remaining where he was. The latter was to help him regain his pride as a prince. But worry and curiosity won in the end, and he went to meet her.

He was surprised to see her huddled on the ground, weeding out plants and crying silently. He felt his heart squeeze in pain. He was in turmoil. He had never had any experience with ladies, and Glovia, in a strange way, had become very special to him. He knew when she heard him because she stiffened and quickly wiped her face.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"Your highness," she greeted, quickly getting on her feet and bowing to him.

Prince Stev walked towards her and gently touched her face, raising it to meet his gaze. "You have been crying. What happened?"

"I do not wish to worry you with such a small problem of mine, my lord."

"It's your choice if you do not want to tell me. But I was slowly coming to the conclusion that we were friends."

Glovia's eyes widened. "Friends?" she asked. The Prince simply smiled at her reaction.

"Yes, friends. I don't know if you noticed, but I don't really have any friend. I was beginning to enjoy the interaction between the both of us, no matter how brief."

"M-My lord," Glovia stammered, floored.

"I'll ask you again, what happened?" he asked, his expression filled with concern. He gently let go of her face as he waited for her to answer.

Glovia remained silent, contemplating how much she should tell him without outing his brother on what he had made her do.

"Don't think of hiding some parts from me. I am very good at finding out." He said, winking at her. She blushed at his actions and looked down to avoid embarrassing herself. If she wasn't careful, she would reveal the great crush she had on him.

After thinking for a while, she realized that Prince Stev was her only choice if she wanted to escape from the palace. So she decided to tell him the truth. She took a deep breath to calm herself, then spilled everything that had happened to her since she started working with Prince Luther.

The more he listened, the more his frown deepened, causing black lines to appear on his handsome face. He couldn't believe what this poor girl had suffered at the hands of his brother. Could it be that his perfect brother fell in love with a maid? No, it couldn't be. That would cause a dent in the image he created for himself. As Glovia was rounding off her tale, her tears fell rapidly. She was still shaken by the event that had taken place.

Stev felt bad that the innocence of the girl in front of him had been harshly taken away. He felt his fist tighten when she described the action he forced her to take earlier that day. Once she was done narrating her ordeal, she quickly wiped away her tears.

"That's all, my lord."

"Glovia," the Prince called out softly, his heart pained. "Do you wish for me to avenge you?"

"My lord!" Glovia exclaimed, her mouth agape as she looked at her Prince, surprise written all over her features. "My lord, I am honoured, that you would seek to avenge me, but please, for my sake, do not do it. That is not what I wish for."

Prince Stev sighed. He was not as powerful as Prince Luther, but he would go the extra mile to carry it out if she asked him to avenge her.

"What do you wish for then?"

Glovia looked up at him, hope shining through her eyes. "I don't know if it may be possible my lord, but I wish to leave the castle."

"What?" Prince exclaimed, his heart breaking. Glovia simply nodded.

"Had I still been under the head servant of the castle, I could have easily handed over my resignation whenever I felt uncomfortable. The pay in the castle is good, but I prefer my sanity over anything else. Prince Luther, unfortunately, made the head servant to hand over the authority over me to him. If I wish to resign, I'll have to tell him. I doubt he would accept that."

"Are you sure about your decision?" Prince Stev asked.

Glovia nodded. "I am sure."

He sighed. Though he could feel his heart slowly breaking into pieces, he smiled and said to her, "Then I'll help you if that is what you wish."