Marked by Lord Asher.

Lord Asher was standing on his balcony, looking at the beautiful gardens. It was a nice evening, and the air smelled like flowers. Suddenly, one of his soldiers came with news.

The soldier said, "Lord Alaric is very angry. He wants Lily to be his, but he can't find her."

Lord Asher just smiled when he heard this. He knew Lord Alaric was his enemy and wanted to control everything. Asher turned to his soldier and said with a confident smile, "Alaric can keep dreaming. Lily will be safe here, and she will never be his."

The soldier nodded, seeing the confidence in his lord's eyes. Lord Asher knew that Alaric was far away and couldn't touch them. He wasn't worried at all.

.............................................

In the kitchen

Elara,paused mid-task as she spotted Lily in the kitchen. Her eyes widened in surprise, an unusual sight in the usually orderly space.

"Lily? What are you doing here?" Elara asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Lily, taken aback by Elara's reaction, furrowed her brow in confusion. "I... I just came to help?"

Before Lily could say more, the head maid, Madonna, stormed in, her gaze stern and unforgiving. "Lily, all day you do nothing but stand around and stare. Get to work!" she snapped, her voice harsh and commanding.

Lily shrank back, the harsh words stinging. She never understood why Madonna held such disdain for her.

Suddenly, the kitchen's bustling noise dimmed as a commander from Lord Asher's guard entered. All eyes turned to him, a silent question in the air.

"Miss Lily," the commander announced, "Princess Julia requests your presence immediately."

A collective gasp filled the room. It was unheard of for a high royal to summon a lowly maid. The other maids exchanged shocked glances, while Madonna's lips curled into a smug smirk.

Lily's heart raced with a mix of fear and curiosity. "Me? But why would the Princess want to see me?" she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

The commander simply nodded, signaling that it was not his place to explain. As Lily followed him out, the weight of many curious stares rested on her shoulders.

Lily's steps echoed softly as she entered the vast chamber of Princess Julia. The room, adorned with rich tapestries and golden light, seemed to hold its breath. Princess Julia sat in an ornate armchair, gently rocking back and forth. At first, her head was bowed, shrouded in mystery.

As Lily drew nearer, a subtle shift occurred. The Princess lifted her head, her nose twitching ever so slightly. The air seemed to hum as Julia caught the scent of Lily's blood, a delicate yet powerful aroma that filled the space between them.

Princess Julia was a vision of ethereal beauty. Her skin was pale as moonlight, flawless and smooth. Her eyes, a piercing shade of sapphire, held the depth of the night sky. Raven locks cascaded down her shoulders, framing her face in a dance of shadow and light.

"Come closer, Lily," Julia's voice was a melodic whisper, yet it carried the weight of command.

Trembling, Lily obeyed. Each step felt like a lifetime as she approached the vampire princess. Her heart pounded against her ribs, a stark reminder of her mortality in the presence of such timeless creatures.

"I... I am here, Your Highness," Lily managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Princess Julia's gaze softened, and a small, enigmatic smile played upon her lips. "Do not fear, Lily. You are safe here with me," she assured, her tone gentle yet firm.

Princess Julia's gaze drifted away for a moment, lost in thought. Then, she turned back to Lily, her expression solemn.

"You must know, Lily, my brother Asher carries a heavy burden," Julia began, her voice low. "He walks alone, never sharing his troubles with anyone."

Lily listened intently, her curiosity piqued.

"He's... difficult," Julia continued, choosing her words carefully. "Arrogant and quick-tempered. He's been known to act ruthlessly towards those who defy him."

Lily's eyes widened at the princess's candid disclosure.

"And yet," Julia sighed, "he is immensely powerful. More so than even I."

"Why are you telling me this, Your Highness?" Lily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Julia met Lily's gaze, a mysterious glint in her eye. "Because, dear Lily, sometimes the most unlikely of us can bridge the gap to a solitary soul. And I believe you might just be the one to reach my brother."

Lily stood quietly for a moment, absorbing the weight of Princess Julia's words. She knew approaching Lord Asher, it's just impossible. She thinks Princess Julia to be half mad by telling this to her."How can I--"

Julia's eyes suddenly narrowed, focusing on something over Lily's shoulder. "What is that mark?" she inquired, her tone shifting to one of suspicion.

Lily instinctively reached for her shoulder, her movements laced with fear. She remained silent, her head bowed, not daring to meet the princess's gaze.

Julia leaned forward, her eyes locked onto the bite mark on Lily's neck. It was a mark she recognized all too well. "Did Asher do this to you?" she asked, her voice steady but intense.

Lily trembled, the fear evident in her posture. She attempted to cover the mark with her cloth, but it was too small to conceal the evidence of the prince's claim.

Observing Lily's struggle, Julia's expression softened into a smile. "You must brace yourself for a significant change, Lily," she said gently. "You have been marked by Lord Asher, which signifies your selection for the Blood Festival. Soon, you will serve as a blood bank to one of the high lords or ladies of the Azenkial Empire."

Lily's eyes widened in shock. The Blood Festival was a fate she never imagined for herself.

"Given that Asher has personally chosen you," Julia continued, "it is likely that you will be chosen by him. Lily, though I understand it may not feel that way now."

Lily's mind raced with the implications of the mark. To be chosen by a high lord, especially by Lord Asher himself, was a daunting prospect.

Lily's mind raced, her heart pounding. The Blood Festival—a tradition shrouded in secrecy and whispered rumors. She had heard tales of it, but never imagined she would be a part of it.

"Princess Julia," Lily stammered, "I... I am just a simple maid. How can I serve as a blood bank to a high lord?"

Julia's eyes softened, and she stepped closer. "Lily, you underestimate your worth. The Blood Festival is not merely about sustenance. It's a connection—a bond between the powerful and the chosen."

"But Lord Asher..." Lily's voice trailed off. She had seen him from afar, his brooding presence commanding respect and fear. "Why would he choose me?"

Julia's smile held a hint of mystery. "Asher is lonely, Lily. His power isolates him. Perhaps he senses something in you—a resilience, a spark—that draws him."

Lily's mind whirled. She had never considered herself remarkable. Yet, here she stood, marked by the prince himself.

"You must accept this fate," Julia said softly. "Embrace it. You will become more than a maid—a vital link in our world."

Tears welled up in Lily's eyes as she faced Princess Julia. "Your Highness, I cannot be his blood bank," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I fear for my life. The risk is too great—I could die."

Julia's expression softened, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding. "Lily, I know the thought of serving as a blood bank is terrifying. But you must understand, Asher would never harm you. The bond formed during the Blood Festival is sacred and protected."

Lily shook her head, the fear palpable in her stance. "I fear Lord Asher. His reputation... his power. I can't stay here, trapped in the Azenkial Empire. I need to go home, to the life I knew before."

Julia stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Lily's shoulder. "I will not force you into this, Lily. But fleeing the empire is not a simple matter. If you truly wish to leave, I will help you. However, consider the consequences and the life you're leaving behind.

"I don't want this," she sobbed, her voice choked with emotion. "I can't be what Asher wants. I need to go home, to a place where I'm just Lily, not a blood bank for a lord."

With a heart heavy with despair, she pushed the door open and fled. Her sobs echoed through the stone corridors as she ran, the weight of the empire's expectations falling away with each step.

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