Chained Freedom

“Dulce, come here! There is somebody I’d like you to meet.”
“Father, must I?”
“Dulce sweetie, I think this person really might do you some good.” This time, his voice turned sweet, sugary sweet, warning Dulce to come down.
“Yes Father.” She rose obediently from the rose cushion she had been sitting on in her room and walked out of her room. Her silk dress whispered softly as she glided down the stairs, lowering her head when she reached the door of her father’s study. She knocked softly,
“Come in.” her father’s voice rang.
“Yes Father.” She entered the room and silently closed the door. She glanced up from lowered eyelashes to see a tall man in front of her father’s desk. He had soft blonde hair that went up to his shoulders, unsettling coal eyes placed themselves on her body as if measuring her worth.
“Princess Dulce” he said oily, “A pleasure to meet you. I hope you are doing well this fine day?” Dulce glanced at her father who stared stonily at her.
“Dulce precious, I’d like you to meet Prince umm….” he glanced down at his desk “Prince Adrastos. A man worthy of your love.” The prince had the modesty to look aside as if interested in the invisible cobwebs in Father’s study. “Dulce, why not invite this charming young man to stay with us in the palace? Surely he has no other place to stay having just arrived. He can have the room across from yours. What do you say Adrastos my good lad, will you accept?”
At this, Adrastos flicked his eyes back at me and smiled that sent a chill down her spine.
“Father, do you think it wise to place him next to m-……”
“Enough!” his voice rang out. “Prince Adrastos will stay as long as he wishes and you will be the most gracious hostess won’t you Dulce dear?” His tone turned threatening, there would be no good refusing him. I smiled graciously and curtsied, facing Adrastos,
“Welcome to the Royal Palace of Alastine. While in Alastine, you are under the protection of my father, the king, and my protection as well.” my voice flowed out. Adrastos nodded elegantly,
“I accept. Pardon, but I must leave to settle into my room. I await your presence soon, Dulce.” he left the room without another word but a smile at me and a nod at my father.
“Of course, we shall eagerly await you at dinner Adrastos.” my father said. Adrastos closed the door silently. Father waited a few minutes until he was sure Adrastos was gone, then stood up swiftly and crossed over the room to where Dulce stood by the fireplace.
“Dulce! Do you have any idea what would happen if you had refused?”
“But Father….”
“Don’t you dare ‘but’ me!!!” so saying, he took hold of her arm and twisted it behind her back. She screamed silently, knowing that if she dared make noise, he would inflict greater pain on her. He would never dare hit her face, a bruise would become visible. Even if they covered it with powder, it could become smeared and the bruise could be seen. He only injured her in places that she could hide with her dresses.
“Now listen,” he said bringing her close to him, “I want you to be the perfect hostess from him, I want you to meet his every need. I don’t care if they’re needs for goddamn roses that he wants in his room or if he wants you, you are to satisfy his EVERY need. I intend for him to be your lover, do you understand me?”
Dulce nodded her head, answering softly, “Yes Father.” He released her and she cradled her arm, wincing in pain.
She left the room and silently ran up the stairs to her room, nodding her head at Prince Adrastos. As she put her hand on her door, she felt a hand grab her waist and turn her around so her chest was crushed against another. She looked up into the cold eyes of Adrastos.
“Dulce, as you are my hostess, are you not obliged to fill my every need?” he asked huskily. She fought the urge to pull away, but memories of what her father would do prevented her.
“Yes Adrastos, whatever you desire, I shall give.” she gritted the words, hating herself for saying them.
“Then dear Dulce, I would like to have you.” She raised her head to stare into his eyes, cold and calculating.