4

"That's a very pretty name, Miss Luna."

"You can call me just Luna, no need for the formalities. After all, I...I'm the same rank as you. I was brought here to become the prince's new servant or something...but I'm very confused as to where here is. Can you tell me where I am?"

All of my questions seemed to overwhelm Eliza. Instead of answering them, she began to unfold the clothes that she had brought me. "Miss Luna, it would be very helpful if you could allow me to help you change into these clothes. The Presentation will happen at sundown, and the sun is already beginning to fall. We haven't got much time left to prepare."

I decided to ignore that she continued to call me "Miss Luna". I didn't really mind what she called me, I simply wanted her to be comfortable. However, I couldn't ignore the fact that she still wanted me to wear those stupid clothes despite everything that had just occurred.

"I'm sorry, Eliza, you seem like a really sweet girl, but I can't do that."

Eliza turned her sad eyes towards me. "Please, Miss Luna, You must let me help you change. If you don't, I'm afraid that one of the guards will have to do it. And you don't want that to happen."

At first I was slightly shocked by the ominous warning that Eliza had just given me. It seemed so out of the blue for this timid girl to suddenly deliver a line like that. But I saw that there was no malicious intent in her eyes; only sadness and empathy. Had this girl undergone the same torturous kidnapping as me? I decided it would be best to follow her advice and change into whatever clothes she had brought me. There was absolutely no way that I'd let that guard from earlier force me to throw on some new clothes. Besides, that would require me to fight back, and I thought it best to save the energy for whatever this Presentation thing was. Sighing, I told Eliza, "Fine. I'll wear the clothes."

Without another word, Eliza pulled the pile of cloth off the bed, which, to my surprise, was really only one article of clothing: a long white dress. It was a similar style to Eliza's dress, except much more elegant. The sleeves were incredibly long due to the fact that the ends flared out so far that they nearly touched the ground. A white sash was tied around the waist. I wouldn't have been so fazed by the garment if it hadn't been for the fact that--

"Why...why does it look like a wedding dress?" I gulped, not too keen on hearing the answer anyway.

"The prince likes his servants to wear white upon first meeting him. He calls it a 'marriage to his service'. He likes to make sure that all of his servants know they can never leave...and that we are his."

I felt my blood run cold. Suddenly the idea of wearing the dress, even touching it, repulsed me. To willingly put it on would be to admit that I was a possession of this sadistic kingdom and its awful prince. I backed away from Eliza. "N-no," I stuttered. "I'm not wearing it."

Eliza gave me another one of her depressed looks with her big brown eyes. "Miss Luna, please. I don't want to have to call in the guards. Please don't make me do that."

I stayed silent. I was determined to fight back against this world however I could, even with something as trivial as refusing to wear a dress. Besides, my refusal would prolong the amount of time until I had to see Sir Byron and the rulers of his kingdom. And I did not want that time to come.

Without a word, Eliza walked over to the door of my room and knocked lightly on it as she had done before. I already fearful eyes grew even larger in terror as I recognized the guard that had caught me earlier enter my room. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, his sheathed sword hanging in a belt around his waist. My eyes travelled to it, and when he noticed this, he began laughing. "Oh, I don't think so." He began walking towards the bed, causing me to change my position in the room to get as far away from him as possible. The reason why he scared me so much wasn't necessarily because he had caught me earlier, but because he couldn't have been much older than me. He held a hungry look in his eyes that I recognized from Biology class; it was the look of a predator about to attack. I shuddered miserably as he lifted the dress up from its place on the bed. "Why won't you put on your new dress? It's so beautiful...just like you. I want you to put in on for me."

I could feel myself gag silently. I shook my head back and forth silently to indicate my refusal.

The guard scowled. "What's your name, girl?"

I remained silent. The guard narrowed his eyes at me and repeated his question. "What is your name, slave?"

When I still didn't give him an answer, he began emitting a low growling noise. Grabbing the dress in one hand, he swiftly made his way over to me and grabbed my neck with his free hand. He pinned me up against the wall roughly. I grabbed onto his hand with both of mine and attempted to pry his hand away from my neck. I could already feel my vision fading.

"A stubborn one, huh? Yeah, Prince Eren is gonna love breaking you. But not if I can break you first." The guard turned his head towards Eliza, who had been silent throughout this entire scene. "You. What's this girl's name?"

"Miss Luna," she answered obediently.

The guard smirked and chuckled lightly. "See, Luna? Eliza knows better than to disobey me. I've already broken her. Now, put on the dress before I rip off your clothes and stuff you in the dress myself. Not that I'd have a problem with that." With that, he let go of my neck, sending me toppling to the floor. I gasped for breath, clutching my neck in pain. I lifted my head just in time to see the guard exit the room. "I'll see you at the Presentation tonight, Luna. I'm looking forward to it." He left the room cackling.

I felt tears pricking at my eyes. I didn't want to cry again, but I couldn't help it. I was so helpless in this situation. I couldn't do anything to resist this world.

Eliza picked up the dress from where the guard had dropped it on the ground. She held it out for me to take. "I'm so sorry about Zachariah...he's always been like this..." My crying lessened as I realized that she spoke from experience. This Zachariah must have abused her as well. Maybe that's why she was so timid. "You can change in the washroom if you'd like. I'll help adjust the dress and your hair when you're finished."

I gave her a light smile as I took the dress from her arms. Or, as close as I could to a smile, since I didn't really feel like smiling at the moment. I sighed as I entered the luxurious bathroom in order to change into my dress. I stood there for a few moments, closed the door, then slid down the door of the bathroom as my tears began to return. I was completely and utterly helpless.

To be continued.....

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