Ella’s POV
Two days later, my rash was finally gone. I was sad to see the count come back home this morning but I didn’t think he would want to see me so soon after what happened the last time.
I was wrong.
The butler knocked on my bedroom door an hour after the count got back, pushing his face into my room a minute after he knocked.
I jumped on the bed and gasped, surprised to see him.
“What are you doing?” I snapped at him without thinking. “I haven’t told you to come inside.”
“Why?” He smirked. “Because you could be naked?”
“Yes.” I rolled my at him, staring at him like he was stupid for not knowing that.
He chuckled. “I’ve seen you naked, slave. Have you forgotten so soon that I dressed you up for the count the other day?”
I blushed and he chuckled at my expression. He didn’t have to remind me of that embarrassing moment.
“What do you want? Why are you here?”
“The count wants to see you.” He said, his eyes shining with glee.
He was a sick bastard. He loved it more than the count when we get summoned and treated as slaves.
“Let’s go.” I sighed, getting out of bed.
“Not so fast, girl.” He said, pulling me by the hand. “We have to get you dressed and ready.”
Panic raced through my blood and I felt dizzy. I hoped it wasn’t what I was thinking of. I didn’t have any pollen in the room that I could quickly rub against my skin.
“Can I quickly get to the garden?”
“Why? You kept a wardrobe there.”
“I can see that you have a sense of humor.”
“And you lack a sense of responsibility. What part of the count is waiting for you don’t you understand? Do you think I have the time for this? Let’s go or you will pay for it if he gets late.”
“Late? Is he going somewhere?”
“Yes. He is going to a banquet and you are going as his date.”
“What? Why?” I couldn’t breathe. Why did it have to be me? Any of the cat shifters would have been happy to go with him.
The butler narrowed his eyes at me, shook his head and clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Have you forgotten the rules so soon? You are not to ask questions.”
“Then punish me instead. That means I don’t have to go to the banquet with the count.” I goaded him. I didn’t want to be paraded in public as a slave for everyone to see. I had suffered enough in the house, I didn’t need to be treated as trash by others.
I didn’t know how the people of utopia treated slaves at public functions and I didn’t want to find out.
The butler laughed. “Nice try, girl, but the count wants you.”
I followed him out of my room to another room in the mansion. I had not been there but it didn’t seem like it was strange to those who had stayed longer in the house.
I saw a big bath tub lying in the middle of the room. To the left was a cloth rack filled with many gowns of different designed. I saw two maids standing in the room, probably waiting for orders from the butler.
I realized what was going on and felt a bit of hope. If the count wanted to dress me this badly, I didn’t think I was going there as his slave.
“Make her beautiful.” The butler said, snapping his fingers.
I wanted to scoff. I was already beautiful.
“Yes.” The two maids said, bowed and pulled me closer.
The butler had enough decency left in him today and excused himself from the room. I was pulled into the bath tub, washed, dried, dressed and styled.
I was glad when the torture was over and gasped as I glanced at my reflection in the mirror in the room. The torture was worth it.
I knew I was beautiful but now, I looked stunning. I wore a tailored black gown with its back cut low to just above my waist. The sleeves were long but the neckline though wasn’t cut low was a tease of my bosom. I had on high heels and felt on top of the world.
The count stared at me, looking stunned when I finally walked out. “You look stunning.”
I smiled. That was exactly what I had thought as well.
“Let’s go.” He said, walking towards the door and leaving me to run after him in my heels.
His attitude was a different story when we got to the banquet. He placed his hand on my shoulder as we entered, flanked by two bodyguards.
The banquet was upscale, attended by many upper-class individuals from the utopian town. All of the men eyed me, casting glances frivolously at me and making me uncomfortable.
I realized why I was there and the count had paid extra attention to my appearance. He had wanted to show off his new toy to the public and how beautiful it was.
I felt disgusted. With the way the men looked at me and then back at the count, it was obvious they wished I belonged to them.
As time ticked on and the dance progressed, people danced on the dance floor but I was tired of dancing. I wanted to leave. I was tired of dancing with the count who wouldn’t let me dance with anyone else.
I snorted. It wasn’t as if I wanted to dance with anyone else. Definitely not any of those sick perverts who were probably thinking of what they would do to me in bed.
I was tired of enduring the count’s pathetic flirting and his desperate attempt to make the other guests go green with envy by making it seem like we had great chemistry in bed.
“You look beautiful today.” The count smiled.
“Thank you, sir.” I replied calmly even though I was boiling inside. He had mentioned that to me over six times in the past one hour. Of course I knew I was beautiful.
He leaned forward, nuzzling my neck with his nose and I stilled, fighting hard to not freak out. I wished I had a knife close by and wondered if I was bold enough to do what the angel had done in the presence of everyone gathered here.
I heaved a sigh of relief when the dance finally ended for that round and the lights dimmed, a signal for people to get ready for another dance.
The count left me to talk to someone and I exhaled, thinking of getting some rest for myself. I gasped as a man grabbed me from behind, startling me.
I was about to panic and flip out when I recognized the scent I sensed from the person.
Kevin, I breathed. It was Kevin. I calmed down and wondered what he was doing here.
I was so happy to see him that I didn’t worry too much about why he was there.
He came for us, Ella. Our mate came for us.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Lucy. I smiled at the excitement rumbling through my wolf.
“Kevin,” I breathed, the shock evident in my voice even though it was a silent whisper.
He pulled me into an embrace, laughing to calm me down.
“Why are you here?” I breathed. I couldn’t believe that he was here with me.
He didn’t answer but lowered his head, sniffing my neck. I wanted to giggle. He seemed like he couldn’t get enough of me and I didn’t want him to stop either.
“I finally found you.” He finally said. “I missed you, Ella. I missed you so much.”
I smiled as tears formed in my eyes and I wrapped my arms around him.
“I missed you too.” I confessed. “I’m so glad you are here.”
“Ella,” He breathed my name, his voice filled with affection.
“How did you find me here?” I asked, looking up to stare at him. “How did you know I was here?”
He chuckled and pulled me back into the embrace as we moved gently to the dance. He tucked my head back into the crook of his shoulder and lightly ran his hair through my hair.
“Don’t talk. Let’s not talk while we dance. I want to hold you in my arms for now.”
I smiled as I wrapped my hands around his waist, placed my head on his chest as we continued dancing, not concerned at all that people would see me dancing with another man that wasn’t the count.
I felt peace in my heart for the first time since I got here and there was nothing I wanted more than to be with Kevin at that moment.