章 24: Holds her heart

The next morning, Prudence woke up when a maid came to knock on the door. She quickly wiped the drool that had escaped the side of her lips. "Milady," the maid called from outside, and Prudence got conscious of what had happened yesterday.

When Prudence did not reply for some time, the maid opened the door and saw Prudence still in bed. Prudence looked up and saw it was one of the maids who had bathed her yesterday. She did not know how to address her and neither was she interested in getting acquainted here.

"Milady, you are up late. His Grace is expecting you for breakfast," the maid said, slightly bowing to Prudence.

Prudence did not want to go and, unlike last night, she did not have to play any nice, so she could be left unattended and could escape easily. Unfortunately, Vincent had stayed here, and she had fallen asleep. "I am not hungry," Prudence replied, walking to the bathroom to wash her mouth. She shut the bathroom door before the maid could follow her and splashed some water on her face.

The maid turned worried and spoke from outside the bathroom door that was almost shut on her face, "Milady, please come for breakfast or His Grace would be furious."

Prudence closed her eyes as she stared at her reflection in the silver-bordered mirror on the wall. Yesterday she had complied because the maids had said it would be a trouble for them, but Prudence won't comply with the same thing every day. She wanted to get home, and she wanted to go to the stables today because the drafting for nationals was going to be today and Prudence did not want anyone to choose Daisy as Norma had done yesterday.

But Prudence did not want to risk telling Vincent about Daisy or, who knows, one day he would threaten Prudence using Daisy as well. All she could do was hope that Mr Carswell did not allow the girls there to take Daisy.

"Milady, please open the door so I can help you get ready faster," the maid knocked on the door with concern. Prudence refused to leave the bathroom, and luckily, there were bathrobes and towels inside, so she took a bath on her own. Yesterday, when the maids had bathed her and she was embraced. Prudence got ready while the maid kept requesting her to open the door before she quiet down.

When Prudence was done, she slightly opened the door to see from a little slit if the maid was still here and, watching the room empty, Prudence rushed out in her bathrobe to go and lock the main door.

When she turned around, she was startled as the maid was still in the room, just that she was standing on the other side of the bathroom door, so Prudence had failed to notice her. "Milady, I have prepared the clothes for you as per His Grace's liking. Let me help you wear them," the maid pointed towards the dressing stand and Prudence did not want the maid to see her naked, although she had already done yesterday.

"Thank you, but please don't do that," Prudence responded. "I feel awkward being tended to by someone else."

The maid bowed as if accepting the command from Prudence, and Prudence couldn't help but feel bad for rejecting her. The maid was a human, which was evident by her dark brown eyes, and Prudence felt like she had been rude by rejecting her since the time she had come here. "His Grace must be waiting. Please hurry," the maids said, and all the guilt drained from Prudence.

"What is your name?" Prudence asked as she went behind the carved wooden screen to change.

The maid answered politely, "Nicola, I and Agnes would be tending to you as per His Grace's order. You have met Agnes yesterday with me."

Prudence slipped on the petticoat before sighing. For a maid, Nicola spoke a lot, more than the answer asked. But she was one innocent soul in Prudence's eyes. Nicola was older than Prudence, unlike Agnes, who was around the same age. Prudence stepped out from behind the partition while still in her petticoat and looked Nicola dead in the eye, "Mrs Nicola, tell His Grace I am not hungry and I don't wish to join him for the breakfast."

Nicola was scared of what His Grace might say if she returned without following the instructions given. She was afraid if she passed on similar words to him, her head would be rolling on the floor.

"Milady, His Grace won't be pleased. Please let me help you dress first," Nicola said as she almost started sweating at Prudence's words.

It was only yesterday had Vincent brought her here and was now keeping her in this house against her will. Vincent has cornered her, teasing and taunting her because Prudence had refused to go for dinner. But she did not see why she had to be placed in such a situation. Prudence turned to look at the dress that was prepared for her, as per Vincent's liking, and she did not want to wear that.

The only reason Prudence had got ready was that she did not like the homesick feeling she was already getting. Her heart was clenching since she had woken up because she knew it was the drafting day today and Daisy wasn't used to the crowd.

"I have no interest in wear clothes of his liking," Prudence retaliated. "Why don't you go and dress him with those."

Nicola felt doomed when suddenly the door opened and in came the head maid. She was a vampire, and like the rest of them, her hearing was good. Vincent's room was right in front of the room that was allotted to Prudence, and there was no doubt even might Vincent have heard what Prudence had just said if he was there. The head maid was a senior, just like Nicola in her late thirties, but the only difference was that she was a vampire and knew how to get things done in a sterner way if needed.

The head maid came forward and bowed lightly to Prudence. She stood straighter than other maids that Prudence had noticed, who always had their heads low and hands tied in the front of them.

"Lady Prudence, please dress up," said the head maid, "His Grace does not like being disobeyed. We vampires have better hearing abilities than humans and I am afraid if His Grace hears you, he might step into the room himself to dress you up." Prudence looked at the maid, whose words came as a huge shock to her. She wondered if the head maid had heard about Prudence, had asked the dress to be put on Vincent and she had, then even Vincent must have heard it as his room was right in front.

Prudence gave it some thought and murmured in a low voice, "I don't wish to wear those dresses with corsets."

The head maid walked ahead and signalled Nicola to get the dressing table ready, "This is a dress, personally picked by His Grace. Please wear it before he comes here and finds you standing in a petticoat."

Prudence breathed in her words and, giving it some more thought, she nodded her head, walking to where the dress was kept. As much as Prudence wanted to retaliate, she knew Vincent was crazy enough to do what the head maid had just said. Vincent had already spent the last night here as if it was a normal thing to be in the same room with her. He was already invading her personal space, and she doubted he would hold back with coming inside while she stood there in a petticoat.

The head maid helped with the corset and let Prudence fit into the dress. She was dressed in silk and decorated with ornaments of the highest quality. Her hair was tied in a beautiful loose braid that rested on one side of her face.

Prudence looked back at herself in the mirror and somewhere she was convinced that Vincent had liked her looks during the dining party, which was in reality, not her actual personality.

Nicola, who had helped Prudence with her hair, placed a pin in her head that looked like a cherry blossom.

The head maid led Prudence out of the room, walking through the vast corridor that glittered with huge chandelier gems in the daylight. Prudence, who had not observed anything yesterday, saw all the intricate details that adorned the walls. They made their way through the long stairs, passing the same huge torch of flame she had passed yesterday, and noticed it was still lit, even though it was the daytime.

Prudence noticed they had taken a different route than yesterday, and not the one that led to the dining area.

After passing through the main lobby, Prudence saw broad steps, on top of which was a large painting from where the stairs split in two directions. Her head was already spinning with trying to remember the path back to her room, but then she realised she wouldn't be staying here long, so there was no need.

After climbing up the right stairs and walking some more corridors, the head maid knocked on a door, "His Grace, Lady Prudence is here."

She opened the door and Prudence unconsciously stepped in, following her like she had been doing all this while. "You may leave Bertha, get the breakfast here," came Vincent's cold voice. Prudence was looking around this room, which was large and shimmering golden, looking like a guest waiting room. She turned to look at him and her blue eyes immediately glared at Vincent. But when the door behind her clicked close, her body jolted lightly and Prudence snapped out of her daze.

Why had she even come here following the maid? She was so determined to not have breakfast with Vincent, and here she was inside the room.

Vincent took in her appearance, as beautiful as he had seen her the first time. Prudence stood there, almost deciding to leave, but before she could come to any conclusion, Vincent called her, "take a seat, Prudence."

Prudence blinking twice at him and replied, "I don't want to have breakfast with you."

One corner of Vincent's lip pulled up, "Is that the tone you use with a king?"

Prudence, in her anger, had completely forgotten this man was the King. Not just the King of the underworld, who had careless of the law, pulled out a pistol to point at her mother in broad daylight. But he was also the former crown of this country who was still given the same privilege as a king. "I am not hungry, His Grace. Please let me return to my chamber," came the request from prudence.

Vincent raised his two fingers and called her in a come hither motion and ordered, "Accompany me for breakfast."

His eyes shifted back to read the newsletter that had come this morning and Prudence gritted her teeth as she gingerly moved to the table that he was seated on. It was on one side of the room and had a huge white cloth draped over it. As Prudence walked closer, she noticed something odd about it. There was a white prominent lining across the table, as if something was deliberately kept decoration on its border. Prudence took a seat away from Vincent and there were only two seats at the circular table, which was placed near the window of the room.

When Prudence took her seat, Vincent folded the newsletter and placed it at the side of the table. His eyes moved to carefully take in every detail of Prudence.

Her wavey hair looked beautiful in the loose braid and her blue eyes shining with a light that reflected from the window. His eyes trailed down to look at her pink lips and the way she gently tucked the lower lip as if to bite into it, but let go immediately. Vincent wonder what would they taste like under his lips.

"What would you have for breakfast?" Vincent asked, grabbing Prudence's attention, which was fixated on the table.

Prudence took in a sharp breath as she tried to understand the border decoration that was kept on the table. It was very odd, as it would come in between while they would be having their breakfast. "I am not picky about my food, His Grace," Prudence responded in a low voice.

As if on cue, the butler entered with two maids who brought in the trolley of food. The first thing that the butler did was gathered the unusually long piece of knotted cloth that was surrounding the table border.

As the butler's hands moved, Prudence's eyes widened in realisation. It was not any cloth but the long rope of bedsheets that she had prepared yesterday for her escape. The butler, as his lord had instructed him, pulled the knotted sheets in length slowly and deliberately before bowing and leaving the room. Prudence was petrified, and an icy shiver ran down her spine. She was trying to keep her composure, but she knew she had been caught, and especially after Vincent had warned her yesterday.

Vincent did not say anything till the maids were done serving them with all the breakfast and leaving the trolley of food right there they left on Vincent's signal.

Prudence could not even bring herself to touch the food and, as they were left alone again, she wanted to run away from here as fast as she could. But she doubted she would go any farther before Vincent would catch up to her.

Vincent noticed the tension that had built up on the girl and that was exactly why he had placed her tool of crime right where she could see it. He was not even a bit disappointed in her for her attempt to escape, rather if she hadn't tried anything, he surely would have opened up some path for her to dig a bigger grave for herself to be trapped with him. When Vincent wanted something, there was no extent to which he would go in getting it, and he wanted her.

Prudence felt the corner of the circular table with her slender fingers in shock and her eyes could not dare to lift and take a glimpse at the man who had caught her red-handed.

"You know what, Prudence," Vincent said in a mischievous yet cold voice, "If you are going to escape I will catch you. If you are going to run, I will chase you down till the end of the world." Prudence breathed deeper breaths as she heard his words come deliberately slow, "and when I catch up to you, Prudence." Her eyes slowly raised from the table to look at the man who was sitting passively, yet his expressions grim. "You will not like the outcome. This is the last time I will be forgiving with you, so from now on be careful with your actions and words."

Prudence felt as if she was held at the tip of a sharp sword by the way he had spoken and pointed her crime out.

She had huge rebellious energy, and all of it seemed to have faded away with how Vincent had warned her. It was the second time he was warning her, and Prudence doubted the third time would go any good. She still remembered how Vincent had ordered Drakos to suck Abiona dry, and it worried Prudence that Vincent would use those means again when required.

Vincent stared right back into her eyes with mirth. What belonged to him was not allowed to be taken away from him and when he wanted Prudence to be his, even she wasn't allowed to take herself away from him.

"So Prudence," Vincent continued, tilting his head at one side and smiling. A smile that held an underlying threat, "be good and know who you are sitting in front of."

Prudence bowed her head. "Yes, His Grace," her voice came in a whisper as she said those words. As much as her blunt and bold nature wanted to take over, she had to agree that it was the king she sat in front of and someone who could easily harm her or her family and no one would know.

"Good," Vincent acknowledged her change and ordered, "Eat your breakfast."

Prudence nodded her head, and slowly her hand came up to the plate in front of her. There was a silence that filled the room and with every moment that passed Prudence felt the guilt weigh heavy on her. Guilt that she would never have felt if it were someone else. Rather, she would have glared back at the person, but it was Vincent Dominick, the man who knew the ways of the underworld and he very well knew how hard to tug a string without breaking it.

After a while, Vincent broke the silence that was filling with the clattering of the knife and the fork against the plates. "So Prudence, tell me about yourself. I already know your family and friends. What about your interests?"

Prudence looked up from her plate to see Vincent, who had casually taken another bite of his breakfast. He acted as if he had not warned her a while back!

"There is nothing interesting to know about me, His Grace. I have no achievements or learnings as the girls of rich families. They would suit your taste better," Prudence replied in a polite tone, trying not to be curt with her replies.

Vincent looked at her, his eyes narrowing for a slight moment before he passed her a smile. "I am interested in the girl sitting in front of me. You grew up with Abiona right, I am sure Mrs Thatcher had some good virtues to offer. You see, Prudence, the assets that you have as a person differ from the girls that you just mentioned. Tell me something about yourself then," Vincent asked, raising his brows.

Even though he had done nothing to poke at her character, he knew she was sure to speak up, and he wanted her to, because that was one of the reasons he had picked her up from the crowd.

Prudence did not know what to say to that. The way he had mentioned about Mrs Thatcher meant that Vincent had done a background check on her and a thorough check for that matter if he was aware of her childhood.

Prudence did not want to be, but it made her furious, knowing this man had pried in her life. "There is nothing interesting about me. I don't know what you saw in me, but I have no values or virtues and I don't even know how to speak softly in the mannerism that girls of your status speak. I plan to have a very simple life. You should choose someone of your standing, His Grace," Prudence added, his title deliberately slow to show the difference between them.

Vincent took the glass of wine and raised it to his lips, taking a sip before he got back to her answer.

Prudence almost huffed in anger but held herself back, knowing what Vincent had discreetly warned her about. Vincent placed the glass of wine back on the table as his tongue rolled over his fangs, which Prudence did not notice.

"There are no girls of my status, Prudence," Vincent reminded her, and Prudence bit the inside of her cheek, knowing it was true and yet that was not what she had meant when she had said that. "Women of higher status go to parties and indulge themselves in finding a prospective husband. I do have a lot that wishes to stand by my side, but none who would dare to handle the dark side. Plus, I don't like leftovers left by others. I prefer someone I can defile on my own."

What was he even talking about! Prudence exclaimed in her mind. Was he planning to defile her and had brought her here for those purposes?

She wouldn't be surprised given this man was the king.

Prudence was quick to reply, "I don't wish to stand by your side, and neither do I want the dark side. Having said that, you don't know who I hold in my heart. I might not be as clean as you think I am."

"Be careful with what you say, Prudence," Vincent's demeanour completely shifted as he heard Prudence's words.

Prudence was aware that she was angering the man, but it was his fault, to begin with. He had no right to hold her captive here. "I already told you I wish for a peaceful life and I don't think you have that to offer, neither can I offer you what you want. My heart lies with someone else." It was a lie, of course, but Prudence did not care. She just wanted him to let her go.

Vincent gave her a cold glare as he said, "Are you talking about the man who you were running away from at the party?" Prudence stiffened at those words, remembering George Edler and how he was hitting on her. Vincent had even figured that out, thought Prudence in her mind with displeasure. He was too smart for her to outwit him this easily. But Vincent was still not pleased with the way Prudence tried to claim she belonged to someone else.

Prudence was too in the flow to notice she had stepped the line, "It is true I was simply shy of him at the party. We have spent a lot of time together."

"I can hear your heartbeat, Prudence," Vincent said curtly, his voice deep and eyes flaring red. "I know a lie when someone says it. But if you dare to say anything like that again, you would be on my bed and I know you won't like that." It was enough for Prudence to gulp nervously, and she had lost her appetite the moment she had heard those words from him. She did not want to test to what his limits were when it came to handling the anger because from what she had heard from the maid, he had a bad temper.

Prudence finished the food on her plate as she was not used to wasting food, while Vincent did not say anything after that.

Ever so often, Prudence glanced at Vincent and noticed him gazing at her. If his eyes could breathe fire, Prudence would have been crisp meat by now. Promptly there was a knock on the door and a Drakos entered the room as if he was allowed to do that even without Vincent's permission.

Drakos noticed Prudence, and her increased her beat. He did not have to guess how Vincent must have scared her about something. Although it still amused him, how she had still managed to hold her ground against Vincent.

"There is a letter from Cirillo," Drakos informed Vincent, and handed over a parchment.

Vincent was done with his breakfast, and so was Prudence. He wiped his mouth with the napkin kept on the table and replied before keeping it back in its place, "Take it to the study. I will join you there in some time." Drakos bowed slightly and turned to leave from there. Vincent got up and came to stand a little away from Prudence and extended his hand ahead for her to take, "Come, I will see you back to your room first, you might get lost."

Prudence looked at his outstretched hand and then at him before replying, "You don't have to bother yourself for me, His Grace." Prudence got up and bowed to him, trying to be polite, "I have a good memory. I am sure I can go back on my own."

Vincent stepped closer to her and Prudence took a step back, conscious of his presence. He lowered his hand and moved close to her, and Prudence hit the table, not being able to go back any further. "Do you think I should let go on your own with what you had just tried yesterday?" Prudence gulped, hearing his whispered yet stern words. Vincent's face was too close to hers and Prudence shook her head in a no immediately. "Come then, Let me see you to your room."

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