Sold?

•Azalea

I woke up to an empty room on a king size bed. Waking up sluggishly I sat up and looked around at the royal room. Even though half of my brain wasn't working, I was still amazed how the room looked. The huge window was allowing as much light in as possible and I could see how spacious the room was. The bed had a canopy but it was tied at the ends. The furniture was neatly placed and was rather modern compared to how the castle looked.

The door opened and a maid entered the room with a tray of food.

"Oh! You're up miss." She walked over to the sofa and table by the window and placed the food there and then gestured to it, "Please, have some breakfast."

"Ah.... Thank you." She smiled at me and gave me a slight nod and was about to leave, "E-excuse me?" She stopped and looked back

"Yes?"

"Where's Arius?"

"The master went to take a bath in the Jacuzzi room."

"... Jacuzzi room?" Seriously?

"Yes. He's getting a spa treatment there.He gets one every time he's here."

"..." No wonders that asshole has such fine skin! Why is he the one getting a spa treatment?! Enjoying luxuries like that while I was the one who was scared to death last ni-ght… OH!

The events from last night came rushing back to my mind and I shuddered.

"Miss would you like to join the Master?"

"Huh?" I looked at her confused, "Join him in the bath?" At that time rather than any embarrassment, there was another thing that bothered me. I placed both my hands on my back. "I think I'll pass." I was even more conscious about it.

"As you wish."

"Oh and I'm not in the mood to eat anything can I leave for the town?" I want to see Matthew.

"I wasn't told to stop you or anything but the master did want to explain a few things to you himself."

"Well, right now I want to see someone urgently. Please take me to the town." The vibes from yesterday still hadn't vanished.

"As you wish, then please freshen up and I'll take you to town."

I went to take a shower and freshened up. I always wear jeans or tights since I had to train but the maids had prepared a skirt for me. It made me feel a bit giddy, it had been such a long time since I wore something so girlish.

***

I made my way straight to the police station. Luckily Matthew was outside.

"Matthew!" I called out to him and ran. He looked at me and opened up his arms for me as I jumped into his embrace.

"Lea baby what's wrong? You look rather pale."

I hugged him tightly, "Matthew the castle is too scary…" I think I heard him suppress his laugh so I shot my head up at him, "You're laughing?!" I glared at him.

"No!" He pressed his lips together to stop his lips from curling up, "It's just that you're still the little baby from long ago." He hugged me again, "You were always scared of haunted stuff." He snickered, "You still haven't grown up."

I blushed, "Idiot!" I tried getting away from him but he didn't let me.

"Alright alright I'm sorry~" He caressed my head, "But don't you feel better now that you're with me?"

I nodded, "Hmm"

He chuckled, "Ah~ I remember the time you always ran over to me when you were scared."

"And when aunt threw me out of the house…"

Matthew sighed and then kissed my forehead. I felt my ears heat up immediately, "Matthew! I'm not a baby anymore!"

"Well your reaction's the same." That's because I had a childhood crush on you! You natural air head!!!!

"Well you two seem to be having a good time." Arius sudden cold voice from behind sent a shiver down my spine and I slowly looked back at him. His gaze was colder for some reason. And it turned even colder when he ran his gaze down on my body, his eyes on my naked legs made me feel a bit weird. "Come here." He demanded.

"Yes." Instinctively I answered and was about to go to him when Matthew held my arm.

"Hey~ There's no need to be mad at her. She's still like a little child." He kissed the top of my head. It's nothing to Matthew. He used to do it all the time when I was a kid. He loved me like a little sister and he never meant any harm either since he's an airhead but Arius's expressions weren't good.

He smiled that somehow felt like it was cracking, "Don't worry Matthew she's my guard. I'll take good care of her." He extended his hand to me, "You made me sleep with you yesterday night and clung onto me the whole night and just the next morning you run into the arms of another man."

"What!" The way he's saying it anyone would get the wrong idea. "That's-!"

"Did I say anything wrong?" Arius raised his brows at me.

"Ohhhh." It seemed like Matthew came to a realization. I gulped and gave Matthew a glance, "Well I'll be going then." He said and smiled all of a sudden then waved me goodbye.

The next moment Arius and I were the only ones left facing each other. He moved closer to me, his gaze piercing through me, "So, since I didn't leave you behind you now want to jump on your childhood sweetheart here."

"Hey!"I yelled but he glared back at me.

"Am I wrong? You even wore something so girlish for him." He grabbed my wrist and yanked me closer to him, "Tell me, why else did you run to him first thing in the morning." He ran his other hand down to my bare thighs, "Wearing something like this." His touch made me flinch.

Why is he getting angry like that? Isn't that his fault he left me alone and went to get a 'spa' treatment? Such a jerk! I felt my eyes fill up again. Stupid!

"It's your fault…" I whispered as I looked at the ground. He's never been angry like that. What's wrong with him today?

"What did you say?" He grabbed my chin and made me look at him but didn't say anything else after seeing my face but pulled me along with him towards the castle.

As we were on the tree covered road I spoke lightly, "Why did you leave me?" My tears were on the edge of my eyes and I was trying my best to make sure they did't come out, "You shouldn't have left me alone in the morning when you knew how scared I was you jerk!" He stopped and I tried pulling my wrist away, "Let me go!" He didn't budge and it made me frustrated, "Let me go!"

He didn't. Instead he pulled me in again and kissed me. His sudden move halted all my actions.

He's such a bad person… Doing this to calm me...

He broke it off pretty fast, "Alright. I'll apologize. I'm sorry but you should have come to me why did you go to him?"

"Because he's a very caring person." I can't even look at him in the eyes, "And you're not."

"I know I'm not but-" He took a deep breath, "Don't forget you're my property. You will not be going anywhere or meeting anyone without my permission."

Property…

The word was like an arrow through the heart.

"You wanted to tell me something?" I asked him to change the subject.

"Yea.Follow me."I followed him to the castle garden, "Huang-fei and Ayaan will be coming today." The garden was nicely maintained. Filled with white roses. It made me think that he must like roses a lot. He has them in both his gardens.

"Okay." I said and he paused, then gestured for someone to come over to us.

I followed his hand direction then immediately clung onto Arius's arm and looked away as I saw the person come out. It was that thing I saw in the hallway.

"Relax." Arius said, "Look at him closely. He's a human too, just less fortunate." I looked at Arius, "Look at him. He isn't as scary as you think."

Hesitantly I looked at him as he was walking over. His hair was tied this time and he was wearing a shirt unlike last night, but I could still see the bump on the chest. His limbs were long and so were his fingers. Plus is felt like he didn't have any joint from how he moved them. His eyes were droopy and head elongated but he looked human. Way more human than last night.

"His name is Jack, he has Marfan's syndrome." Arius said as he kept his eyes on Jack while smiling, "It's a genetic disorder."

Ah...

It suddenly made a lot of sense, but still. What a horrifying disease.

"Hello." Jack greeted me as he stood in front of us.

"Hi…"

"I'm sorry miss I scared you last night." He seemed rather sad, "I'm sorry I can't help the way I look…"

"No!" I said, "I-it wasn't your fault." I gulped, "I'm just scared of the dark and the castle was so creepy at night. I-I'm sorry I screamed and ran away...."

"Oh no miss it's fine I'm used to stuff like that." He gave me a wry smile, making sure his lips were sealed together, "And I'm thankful for the master who let me work here."

"No need Jack. We'll be leaving now, make sure to get the wiring fixed."

"Yes Master."

What am I doing? I feel like I'm just messing everything up ever since I came here and I feel like I'm the one getting messed up the most.