Drake's POV
She was a devil in human skin.
She dragged me out of the light and buried me in the mud, only to lift her chin with pride and say:
"You don't need to stay by my side anymore."
It was what I had always wanted. What I'd fought so hard for. To break free from her web.
So why… did it feel like my chest was caving in?
I stood frozen beneath the dying sun, its searing heat pressing down the marble hallway, watching that small figure disappear — her back straight as ever — as if she were walking out of my life for good.
The first time I saw Davina was at the knight conferment ceremony, three years ago.
I was the eldest son in a modest merchant family, but I'd clung to the dream of becoming a royal knight. I still remember every blow of my father's cane when I dared to tell him that dream. Of course, to him, it was ridiculous.
But I kept dreaming. Kept training. Kept enduring his fury in silence.
At eighteen, I passed the entrance trial for the training corps. I didn't tell anyone. I left only a letter and ran away to the capital.
I trained harder than anyone, but being born a commoner, nothing I did was ever enough.
I watched, wide-eyed, as nobles' sons were picked, one by one, basking in glory as they left.
Me? I waited. Foolishly hoping that one day, someone would recognize my effort.
One year.
Three years.
Seven years passed.
And finally, it happened.
The princess pointed at me, choosing me as her personal knight.
I was too blinded by joy to notice the pitying glances or mocking smirks from those around me.
All I could think was: She chose me. I've been seen. I'll prove I deserve this.
But that very night, the same proud princess who granted me that honor pinned me down and used me. On her bed.
I don't remember how it felt anymore. It's been too long. And frankly, it's not worth remembering.
What I do remember is the hatred. The kind that burns straight through your heart, down to your soul.
So this was the world I lived in. A palace gilded in gold, rotting from within.
I once swore I'd give my body for this kingdom. What a shame.
Maybe it was because I lacked experience, or because I hated every second of it, that I didn't please her.
After that night, Davina never summoned me to her bed again.
At first, I was relieved. Maybe she'd grown tired of me. Maybe she'd release me soon.
But I underestimated her. That snake in human skin.
She didn't let me go. She didn't use me again either.
She kept me as a glorified servant.
Bathing her. Dressing her. Every single day. And every time I knelt to put her shoes on, she'd look down with that damned smug smile.
She enjoyed watching me squirm beneath her heel. The more I resisted, the more satisfied she seemed.
So I learned to control my emotions. To freeze everything inside. To give her nothing.
I thought that was my revenge. Pathetic, right?
But what else could I do? A discarded pet dressed as a knight. A commoner with no name or rank. What could I possibly do to a woman who ruled an empire?
Eventually, Davina's attention shifted elsewhere. I watched her burn down an entire kingdom for a man. And I thought, she really is a devil.
That was around the time I noticed Aurora.
A white lotus blooming in a stagnant swamp.
Whenever Davina lashed out at me, Aurora would secretly share her dinner. She always smiled, even when Davina trampled her to the ground.
She told me stories, trivial, silly things. And somehow, I laughed. Maybe she was my only light in this dark world. Just like her name — Aurora.
We endured life in that gilded hell together. And I let myself dream, again.
Someday, we'd escape. Build a little house by the river. I'd chop wood, hunt, farm. She'd cook, clean, and smile.
Just us. A peaceful life.
A beautiful dream. But dreams always end.
I realized I wasn't the only one she cared about. There were others. Men stronger, richer, better than me.
What did I have to offer her?
Nothing.
So I fell back into place. The obedient pet. Waiting for Davina to get bored and throw me away.
Three years went by in a blink.
One morning, like any other, Davina called me in to help her dress. I did my job without question.
But… she was lying on her stomach, hair a mess of crimson, strewn across the bed. From her neck to her shoulders, bruises bloomed like poison flowers.
I didn't know she was into that. If I'd done that to her back then, would she have kept me?
I scoffed at myself for even thinking that.
And even if she had, what then? Would I become just another simpering toy at her feet?
I knew who she'd been with the night before. I knew what she did to get what she wanted. And frankly, she deserved it.
"I can't sit up."
That's what she said.
Maybe I was overthinking it, but… her voice sounded different.
Still, I didn't have time to read too much into it. I just did what I was told.
"Hey Drake… I'm a princess, you know."
I'd carried her like this before. She never complained. Why now?
Even when I bathed her, why did she blush like it was the first time?
Her cheeks flushed pink, bright against her pale skin. She looked… gentler, somehow.
Before I realized, my hands had started moving more carefully around the bruises.
Why was she obsessed with that prince? Even after he beat her like that?
Maybe it was karma. Who knows.
At dinner that night, Davina suddenly told me to sit and eat.
Had she lost her mind?
Letting a slave like Xavier sit at the table was already a scandal. And now she wanted a commoner like me to join?
I refused.
I knew what those noble brats did to Xavier behind her back. I didn't want to be the next target.
But then, she shocked me again, she released Aurora.
And told me to take care of her. Like she knew what was between us.
After that, I started watching her more closely.
Partly to make sure she wouldn't get angry about Aurora. But also… because something felt off.
I knew Davina. Every habit. Every quirk.
But now? She didn't drink her usual morning tea. Refused to summon anyone but Xavier.
Suddenly cared about court affairs?
Davina… had changed.
Still, I figured it wouldn't last. Sooner or later, she'd run off to chase Cassian again.
And come back covered in bruises.
I followed her to the glasshouse, like always.
Waiting. Silent. Loyal. That's all I'd been for three years.
I'd long stopped caring what people whispered about me. My pride had long since been fed to the dogs.
While I waited, Aurora ran out, eyes red.
Davina must've hurt her again. I chased after her.
She cried, saying Cassian had betrayed her.
I knew what had really happened that night.
But I didn't say a word. I couldn't hurt her like that. Cassian didn't deserve her tears.
"She's taken everything from me…" She sobbed into my ear.
That wasn't true. I knew it wasn't true.
Davina never took anything. It was Aurora's light that attracted the men around Davina. Even me.
I couldn't blame her.
I heard footsteps nearby and froze. If it was Davina, Aurora could be punished.
I quickly consoled her, neutral, calm.
The footsteps faded. Out the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of red hair in the wind.
Did she see us?
Would she be jealous, like with Cassian?
A stupid thought. Why did I think that?
Still, I walked Aurora back to her room, ignoring my duties. Maybe I just wanted to see Davina's face twisted with jealousy for once.
But when I returned, she was slumped over her desk. Fast asleep.
As if I didn't exist. What was I even hoping for?
If she slept like that, she'd definitely blame me tomorrow.
I moved to lift her over my shoulder, then paused. She hated that.
So instead, I picked her up the proper way. Like a princess.
And once again, I saw Cassian's marks on her skin.
Old bruises hadn't faded, and now there were new ones.
One day, this will get her killed.
Back in her room, the slave was already waiting. He sat on her bed like he belonged there.
Something inside me twisted.
I ignored the hand he reached out for her, walked past, and gently laid her down, pulled up the blanket.
Then he climbed in, right beside her. Arms wrapping around her like she was his.
I hated him. That was my only thought.
No reason. No logic. Just hate.
That smug, lying smile, and she bought it.
Of course. She was always this stupid.
Still, not my problem. Let her rot.
Once she's done with me, I'll finally be free.
***