The day had started with her being in the kitchen, doing the dishes. One would assume that living in such a large and beautiful house, she would be treated like a princess. Well, the case was different for her. Only she knew what she was truly facing at home. Her stepfather would not allow her to have freedom. She never went out except he came along. She never had any friends, except the ones he approved.

Anything in general that had the potency to cause her freedom was disapproved of by him. She was living as a maid in her own house. After losing her father, her mother remarried. The man treated her nicely until her mother left. He was the legal custodian since his marriage to her mum was legal. The day her mother died was the day she lost her freedom. That was the reason they had maids in the house but she did everything.

Gradually, the man gambled the house and her father's wealth away, leaving her to suffer extreme poverty and still be in debt.

"Diana! How long will it take you to finish doing the dishes?! We need to hurry and leave!" He yelled from the sitting room. Sighing to herself, Diana rounded off the washing and cleaned the kitchen counter surface, making sure everywhere was shiny.

She went to her room to bathe and dress up. They were supposed to attend an elite party and although she wasn't interested, her stepfather would never want to catch wind of her lack of interest.

"Mingling with the rich and clueless is the surest way to make enough money." He would always say.

Diana picked a fancy dress. It was one out of the only three dresses she had left. Her fancy clothes had been sold off by her stepfather to clear some outstanding debts.

The man hired a cab to the venue. Diana was surprised they were using a cab. Where did he find the money to pay for it?

"You must be on your best behavior, Diana. We can't afford to screw this up." He said softly.

Diana was also surprised he was speaking so softly to her. "Why is this one so important?" She muttered.

"Well because we shall be meeting a lot of wealthy people. Ah, we might even find a good husband for you! You have to bring out your charm, be ready to enchant all the young and wealthy men out there."

Diana scowled at him, but she turned her face to the window so that he would not see her scowling. What did he mean by finding a wealthy husband? Was he about to sell her off as well? She would not accept it.

When they arrived at the venue, Diana looked around the environment. The house seemed like a castle. There were different cars parked in and around the building. Diana felt like she was walking through a maze as she walked between the cars which were parked in a pattern. Occasionally, she would stare up at her stepfather.

"Raise your legs!" He scolded with a glare that seemed to be piercing her heart. Diana shuddered in fear. Being in the castle made her feel very unnerved.

They entered the ballroom, unnoticed. Everyone was concerned about making friends. She was standing to the side, silently counting the hours to the end of the party so that she could leave.

"Diana!" She groaned silently, hearing the gruff voice that belonged to no one else but her stepfather. Changing her scowling face to a slightly smiling one, she turned to answer him.

"Sir?"

"Free yourself. Make some friends, don't just stand there like you have no life!"

Diana chuckled lightly. "Alright. I will do as you have said."

That was what led to the incident with the strange and powerful man. After listening to his instructions, she couldn't find him anywhere else so she stayed at one spot.

Diana didn't care about the repercussions of her actions. She had had enough of him. Yet she couldn't do anything to him. Absolutely nothing.

The masked man stood above them, watching the interaction between the girl and the man. He could tell that he must be her father. He smirked when she turned around and didn't find him. But instead of saying the truth, she said nobody.

But when she trailed off in her sentence, he couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. His right-hand man started from the girl to him. Was this nobody amusing to his master?

He watched the entire drama, smirking to himself. Diana was her name? And the man was here to find a worthy mate for her? Well, he needed someone to break his curse and she seemed like the right choice. No one else was willing to give their daughter out.

He signaled for his assistant to come.

"See that man over there, the one wearing a green cloak?"

"Yes sir, I see him."

"Good. Follow him. I want to know his house. Then send an invitation to him. He must meet me here tomorrow by noon. We have a matter to discuss."

"Is it about the girl whom you find amusing? Is she about to become your queen?"

"George."

"Yes, Master," George answered.

"Never question my order. Whatever I say, you comply with no questions whatsoever."

"Yes, master."

"Good. Now go after the man and make sure you do not lose him in the crowd."

Diana had no idea what was being planned for her. She only managed to escape and took the very long walk home. But she was grateful for the walk because it helped her to clear her head. That was what she needed.

Getting home, she broke into an emotional mess. She climbed up to her room sluggishly, her eyes were getting wetter as she did and once she entered her room, the waterworks began. She had no control over them again.

Diana cried and wished that her sorrows would be over. Somehow, she just wanted a miracle to happen. So when her stepfather returned home and began to yell curses at her, he got interrupted by a visitor.

She tried to listen to the conversation but she didn't grab anything. All she knew was that the person who had come was her savior. Who was he anyway? And what had he told her stepfather to have him calm suddenly?

By the next morning, Diana had still not come out. Thomas was getting angrier by the second. The king requested for him to come with his family member, how come she didn't want to come along?

"Diana! Why do you make me so cross!" He fumed. Diana remained still in her room. She knew that she was only adding to her troubles.

"Why don't you go and answer the king, Tommy." She mocked. Thomas banged the door even harder at the sound of her mockery-filled voice.

"You stinky brat!"

"Go on. I have a lot to do today. Once I'm done, I will come and see the king with you." Diana bargained. Thomas agreed instantly. Anything to get her out of the room. Once they returned home, she was going to see hell!

He hired a cab and left for the castle.

Calhoun was at the tower of his castle, looking down at the vast kingdom. Being a feared king was one of his treasured traits. But now, if he wanted to break the curse, it depended on how feared he was. He hoped that the man would come with the girl. When he saw the cab stop in front of the castle, his stoic face cracked into a small smile. He watched the man come out, waiting for the girl.

Alas, his wait proved useless because the cab man drove off. The small smile that cracked his cold expression seemed to freeze and then disappear. Did the man want to defy him?

"Sire, it seems that the man you requested has arrived." His assistant said to him. Calhoun didn't move an inch.

"Did he come with any member of his family, George?"

"No sir. He came alone." George answered with a bow, despite having Calhoun's back to him.

Calhoun hummed. "Then I shall not see him. He did not fulfill the requirements for today's meeting."

"What shall I tell him, sire?"

"Tell him I said if he wishes to defy me, he should do it completely. So that when I visit him in rage, he shall have no guilt whatsoever."

George bowed again and left. Calhoun squinted his eyes at the castle gate. He stood there for hours, staring at nothing in particular. No one ever could defy him. Not his second in command, not his third in command, not any noble in town. He was the Alpha of Wisteria. Curse or no curse, he was unstoppable.

Calhoun returned to the castle after spending a few hours, doing nothing, to find the man still there. He turned to glare at George who had his face on the floor.

"Seems like someone has become incapable," Calhoun said, tapping his chin. He walked around the meeting chamber in his thick scarlet robe, making a trail after him. He walked with all manner of pride and dignity, to the throne where he sat. His movements were very precise.

"Why is he still here, George?"

George bowed again. "My king, I had asked him to leave. But he returned a few minutes later with a young maiden, saying she was his family member."

Calhoun became interested. "Well, where is the family member? Is she a ghost?"

"She left, sire," Thomas replied. Calhoun ignored him. After a few seconds of silence, he smirked down at Thomas.

"She left? How disrespectful." He murmured. "Do you know the punishment for refusing the generous offers of the king?"

Thomas bowed. Truly, Calhoun was a menace. Listening to him bellow from his throne was akin to hearing the voice of the gods.

"Forgive me, My Lord. I'm sorry on her behalf. I will bring her to apologize personally to you." Thomas begged.

"Apologize? I do not need apologies." Calhoun said.

"Then what can we give to you, My Lord?"

"I want her as a slave."

"S..slave? My Lord, what if she refuses?" Thomas stuttered. He knew how stubborn Diana was. She was never going to accept being a slave.

"Figure something out. I give you twenty-four hours, Thomas. If Diana isn't in my castle by then, you will have your head rolling." Calhoun said with a small smile. Thomas gulped. He bowed and left.

Diana sat beside her stepfather in the cab that took them to the castle. Although she was unnerved, she also couldn't help but notice that Thomas seemed happier that she was leaving.

"You look as if you are the one marrying the king," Diana whispered. Thomas scowled at her.

"Don't utter such nonsense about the king. Learn to close your mouth and bridle your tongue!"

"What's there to bridle? I was only asking.." she shrugged. "I was only referring to your happiness. It's more unnerving than the thought of being married to King Calhoun."

Thomas scoffed. "Keep your mouth shut and let me do all the talking."

Diana turned her face away. She looked through the window, watching the road through to the castle. The cab slowed down at the entrance to the castle and she came out with Thomas. Diana stared at the mighty but familiar building before her.

She was once again here. For the third day in a row. But now she was here for a different purpose. To be married to the king.

She wondered what he looked like. Alighting from the vehicle, she turned to take a glance around the castle. The previous day she was mad and hadn't bothered to enjoy the castle's beauty. The other day, she was bothered by how to escape, also it was night.

Her eyes went up to a particular side of the castle. She thought she could see a man staring down at her. She blinked twice and the man was no longer there.

"Diana! What are you staring at?! Hurry up and let's get in!" Thomas whispered. Diana scrunched up her nose. She followed him into the castle. The servants would occasionally stare at her.

Diana frowned a little. The castle did not look like they were preparing for marriage. What exactly was going on? She narrowed her eyes at her stepfather. He looked way happier than he was supposed to.

George was the man who had seen them. He had watched them come in and run to meet Calhoun in his chamber, dressing up. He was dressed in a white shirt and grey pants. Then he wore his purple robe over his attire. He stood before the mirror watching as the maids dressed him up. Very soon, it will be Diana, his maid, dressing him up so nicely.

"They are here, my Lord," George said, bowing slightly. Calhoun turned left and right before the mirror.

"What do you think, George? Do I look like a man who is ready to accept a woman?" Calhoun asked lightly. George frowned slightly.

"Pardon me, my Lord, but isn't the lady going to be employed as a maid in the castle?"

Calhoun turned to stare at the man. "Maid? In the castle? No no no no no."

"Diana is going to be bought, a slave for the king. She isn't a maid for the castle. Meaning, she serves only me."

George scratched his head. "I might have misunderstood then."

"I hope you haven't blabbed a thing to the poor lamb," Calhoun said distastefully. He took three steps forward then stopped abruptly. "Do you not know how to answer me?"

"Oh? No no, my Lord. I haven't blabbed a word about the business to her. She is as ignorant as her stepfather would have told her."

Calhoun smiled. "Good. Now, come with me. We have guests to welcome. Inform Nichole to prepare a mini feast for the guests. Tell her I want blood mixed in the wine. Just like we royals feast."

George bowed in response and turned the other way, towards the kitchen. Calhoun watched him leave, his smile darkening as he did. He turned and resumed his journey to the meeting chamber.

Once he got in, he went to his seat and sat down, he spared them no apology. They stood up to greet him and he simply waved the greeting off.

"Let's get down to business then. I believe we all know why we are here?" Calhoun asked.

"Yes," Thomas answered immediately. "I have briefed my stepdaughter about the arrangement."

"Did she accept it?" He asked. Then turning to Diana, he asked as well. "Do you accept it?"

Diana was perplexed. Did he expect her to reject it? "Yes, my Lord."

Calhoun hummed. "Well, in that case, it's settled. She will begin to live in the castle from now. No need to get her clothes or anything, those things will be taken care of."

Thomas grinned and nodded. "That's good, that's good. Do you hear that, Diana? You get to live in the castle."

Diana managed a smile. She had a gut feeling about the scenario playing before her and it wasn't good in the least.

George arrived. "My Lord, the meal is ready and has been served in the dining room."

Calhoun turned to them with a smile. "Let's dine."

Thomas and Diana stood up after him and followed him to the dining. Calhoun sat at the head. Thomas pushed Diana to sit beside him while he sat two seats away.

"Relax, I don't bite," Calhoun whispered to her. Diana shuddered. Why did it sound like a wolf beckoning on a sheep?

She focused on the meal. Whatever went on between the king and her stepfather, she didn't understand. Not long after, Thomas stood up and requested to leave.

"Alright, it was nice doing business with you. The rest of your package is with George." Calhoun said.

"George!" He called almost immediately after ending his first speech. "See Mr. Thomas out and make sure to give him the remainder of his promised package."

"Yes, my Lord," George said with a bow. "This way, Mr. Thomas."

Diana watched her stepfather leave. Her heart sank with each step he took away from the room.

"If you want, you can go with him. I'm sure all he needs is a few dollar bills and he can have you back." Calhoun said.

Diana scowled. "Have me back? I don't think I want to return."

"Your expression tells a different story." Calhoun pointed out.

"A different story? What might it be?"

"You look as if you want to follow him. You have that look of longing, like the ones the women who have previously climbed my bed held."

Diana gagged at his words. She glared at him. Was he that shameless? Calhoun chuckled darkly.

"I'm not longing for Thomas, and that is so disgusting! I'm just confused."

"Confused? What about?"

"Thomas said I was getting married to you. I was wondering why he was leaving without the wedding banquet." She said, Calhoun laughed. His laughter sounded nice in her ears, but the sound shook her heart. How could one man make her feel different emotions all at once?

"Your stepfather told you that you were getting married to me? And you believed him?"

Diana frowned. "What do you mean by 'and I believed him?' Was I supposed to not believe him?"

Calhoun stared fixedly. "You do what I say. I ask the questions. You haven't earned the right to ask questions yet."

Diana shuddered. "But, if not marriage, then what?"

Calhoun tapped his chin. "If you complete your daily task, you get a chance to ask two questions."

Diana exhaled softly. "What tasks am I supposed to do?"

Calhoun grinned. "I like the sound of that. But I prefer you ask, "What do I want you to do?"

"What do you want me to do?" Diana asked slowly. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"First, go to the kitchen and bring me a bottle of wine mixed with blood." He said. Diana stood there, waiting for directions.

"Well, get to it." He said.

"I don't know where the kitchen is," Diana replied. "What's the way there?"

"You haven't earned the right to ask any questions yet. Follow your instincts. Use your sniff to find the kitchen. Don't tell me you're truly a lamb and not even a cub." He teased me. Diana turned around and left the dining room.

The moment she left, Calhoun's jovial expression disappeared. How did Thomas end up telling her that he was to marry her? Did he not tell her he wanted her as a slave? Did he also trick him? He narrowed his eyes.

"Pray to your god Thomas, that she does everything I ask." He murmured. He got up and left the dining room, returning to his chamber.