Total pages in book: 207
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
All citizens of the kingdom are expected to be a role model to our recreational visitors. Proper attire and decorum must be observed at all times. For more information about this, please refer to the enclosed modules.
The well-being of its citizens is of the utmost importance to the kingdom, and it is our dearest hope that you view this new chapter of your life with much joy and hope for the future.
Sincerely,
The Office of Citizen Affairs
Chapter One
Sunlight persisted in the last hours of daytime, its rosy rays bleeding into heather-colored skies. Underneath its faded light, a flock of coots floated leisurely on smooth waters, its surface offering a near flawless reflection of the row of narrow neck-gabled houses that ran parallel to the canal.
It was an unusually quiet afternoon, with not even a single hushed murmur to drown out the crackle of dried, rust-colored leaves over cobblestone streets. And so amidst the silence, fleeting sounds reigned, and this included the footsteps of a figure striding swiftly down from an old, pillared bridge that arced majestically over the river.
He was dressed entirely in black and wore a grim look over his handsome features. He was on the hunt, with an intoxicating scent drawing an invisible path for him to follow. Gradually, the full notes of its fragrance unfurled itself in the air, and the man found himself sucking his breath.
A tranquil stream of lavender, a beckoning burst of frangipani, and an intriguing, barely distinguishable hint of poison ivy...
A scent like no other, he thought pensively, and one so mild that only those with the sharpest senses would detect the dangerous threat underneath.
The scented trail continued into the heart of Amstel Square, and the man followed it with his customary briskness. He despised waste and inefficiency of any type, and the only instances he was inclined to take his time was when he was fucking someone.
A short distance away, he heard a panicky rush of words being uttered, watchtower sentries frantically sending out messages to anyone who needed to be alerted.
The marquis!
The Marquis of Sangre!
The marquis is on his way!
OBLIVIOUS TO THE CHAOTIC flurry of activity taking place within the walls of her school, Rhapsody, seated under the shade, had her head bent over notepad while absently tapping on the blank page with her pen. Already on her twenty-seventh attempt, she was still no closer to finding the ideal words to impart...
I know you know I am Not Normal. It must therefore have been clear to you from the very start that making me your pet and heartkeeper would be A Terrible Mistake.
No, no, no. To write such words would be akin to begging for his lordship's pity, and that would not do. Her Master was an exceptionally kindhearted man. He would never set himself free of her if he believed his departure would cause her the slightest bit of sorrow.
It shames me to admit that I Did Not Completely Understand the duties and responsibilities of being your pet and heartkeeper. It was only when I witnessed the interactions between Lady Zari and Lord Alexandru, your brother, that I realized how Grossly Mistaken I was about my role.
Rhapsody nearly gagged at what she wrote and quickly flipped to the next page in a rare fit of frustration. Why, it was almost as if she was begging her Master to prove her wrong - when that was not the case at all!
She knew - and had long accepted - that she was not the kind of girl men would fall in love with, and most especially not men like her most precious Master.
Vainly she had waited for her Master to break the contract between them, as what was only proper, but two years had already passed, and still she remained under his care.
It was as if her Master was prepared to suffer for her shortcomings, and Rhapsody could not in good conscience allow such a thing to happen. This letter should ensure that her Master would find someone better. Or at least it should do so...if she could only figure out just what to write exactly.
Dear Master,
It has long been made clear to me by A Credible Source that I am Without the Necessary Womanly Assets to properly Stir A Gentleman's Interest. It is therefore best that his lordship—-
Rhapsody's head snapped up as an unexpected sound interrupted the silent stillness of the air around her.
Someone was coming.
AWARENESS RIPPLED THROUGH the gaggle of breathless young ladies the moment the Marquis of Sangre strode into view.
Tall and strikingly virile, the dark-haired nobleman had a punishingly autocratic air about him that appealed to the ladies' innate desire to be dominated. They loved how the marquis' lethally sculpted muscles were prominently defined against the sophisticated cut of his overcoat, and oh, how their secret parts quivered at his swoonworthy looks, which were as harsh as they were immaculate in its perfection.