Taming the King of Wrath: The Seven Sins Series 1

It was dark, so Iris couldn't make much of the tall frame towering above her. But his height was so far from where she was, she felt like a ten year old next to him.

She stared at the at him silently. Waiting for him to drag her through this now muddy floor and back to that room. To submit her to master Qin and watch her head being cut off.

But instead, the man took a few steps backwards, creating a little distance between them.

Rain drops trickled down his face, his wet hair glued to his face.

"Watch it," He said, his voice low and even.

A shiver ran down Iris's spine. His presence was both thrilling and intimidating.

She wanted to pee her pants or turn on her heels and go back to the room.

But even though she was standing in front of this tall, grumpy man, she couldn't help but feel a little.relief.

He's not one of Master Qin's men.

That meant he knew nothing about her.

"I'm sorry," She managed to say before moving around him like he was an obstruction in her way.

"Where the fuck are you running off to?" His voiced thundered in a way that made her freeze.

She turned to face him, his dark eyes were on her with an expression she couldn't point out.

"In the fucking rain?" He added. Though he spoke of the rain, his voice held no sort of pity or care. Rather, it was filled with suspicion.

She was frozen in place like a fool when she should turn her back and run.

But as funny as it sounded, it felt like he had cast a spell on her and she couldn't move.

Not even an inch.

"Iris!" A voice that belonged to none other than Haiza broke the staring contest between her and the man.

Iris felt her heart shatter. Once again, she has failed.

"I'm sorry sir, We would be on our way now," Haiza said, stretching an arm.

Reluctantly, Iris took it. Her limbs could finally move now.

Walking back to the estate with Haiza, she could feel the man's piercing gaze on their backs.

What was a grown man doing in the rain at midnight?

The scene didn't make sense.

The fact that she would have been halfway down the mountains by now if it wasn't for him burned her chest.

"Do you want to have us killed!" Haiza snarled the moment they wete back on the walls.

"Im…" Iris had nothing to say. She couldn't even look Haiza in the eye.

"I took you as a sister, convinced Qin to pick you! You know he would blame me if you go missing!"

"I don't want to be a slut!" Iris blurted.

Haiza's eyes widened as she gasped. Anger covered her beautiful face, making Iris regret her words.

She held her hands to her mouth, about to apologize, but the words weren't coming.

Hurt flashed in Haiza's eyes for a second before she replaced it with a nonchalant look.

"Fine. Go." Those were the only words she said before sneaking back through the window, leaving Iris to decide whether to follow her and live the rest of her life as a caged slut or run and cause Haiza's death.

Taking a deep breath, Iris went straight to the window and into the room.

…

The next day came so quick it felt like they hadn't even slept the previous night.

Iris stood in the corner and watched as the other girls prepared for the night in conplete excitement.

"Here," Haiza who hasn't looked her way all day handed her a dress.

"Hurry, get dressed so we can practice some slut dance steps," she said with disdain then left Iris.

She hurriedly put tge dress on, then stared at herself in utter disgust.

In all her years, she has never cone close to such clothes let alone put them on.

The upper part was so thin amd the only reasonable clothing was the two pueces that cupped her breasts. Her arms, stomach, waist and thighs were all in view too. The buttom barely covered her butt properly.

Wearing one of these inside the brothel was one thumg, but now she had to appear in front of thousands of noble men,and try to entertain them.

Chills ran down her spine at the thought. Oh, what would her poor grandmother do if she saw her right now.

….

"Remember, whatever you do, stay around the ball room! And when it's time to leave, assemble yourselves. You are there to entertain. Nithing more." Master Qin's voice was gruff as usual.

"Yes, Master," The ladies echoed.

They were led into a carraige, batch by batch.

This time it was a real carraige at least.

The castle's long gates were open and guests were making their way into the halls.

Iris gaped at the building standing tall in front of them.

This was a castle! She has never seen anything like it. Anything so big, so well crafted. It must have taken centuries to build it.

And that is why it is called the Royal castle.

The csatle she grew up merely looks like a cottage next to this one.

"Smile, ladies," Haiza said and Iris forced one immediately.

If this was her life, she needed to avoid getting into trouble.

"We have about 30 minutes dance in the middle. That is your chance to attract, Ladies," Another woman standing next to haiza with thick brown hair stated. She seemed quite older than the rest. And more experienced too.

"After the dance, you can all have fun. Flirt, eat, drink. Just do not wander too far," All these words were said with a smile on her face.

"What about me?" Iris asked. The lady talked about dancing but she was the farthest thing from a dancer in this case.

"You'll stick around and flirt with the men. Just stay close," Haiza said.

With that they all entered the hall ways and were led to the enormous ball room.

Beautiful diamond chandeliers, the room was so big that one can't see the other end of it.

"Someone can get lost in here," Iris mumbled to herself.

Then it hit her.

She could get lost here.

Lost and away from this brothel work and safe in the Baron's house.

She just needed the perfect moment.

So she waited. Minutes passed and the girls waited for their turn to entertain.

The ballroom was now full, of snuggy rich ladies in their ball gowns, some in corsets and hoop skirts. each, having matching gloves and beautiful slippers.

Oh, how much Iris missed that life.

The men were also neatly dressed in their doublets and pants. Each embroidered in either gold, silver, or amber.

The place was quite lively with the classic music and the chattering of the guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the King and Queen of Aestheria," The royal announcer spoke. The music was turned off and two large gold colored doors opened.

The king and queen walked in with so much charisma that it felt like time was frozen for everyone except them.

They both walked to their Royal chairs, kept in the highest view in the castle.

"The Princes of Aestheria," he said next.

Line by line, four men walked into the room. Each looking like they had a whole sack of ego stacked in their pants.

From the crowd, some girls started squealing, "Prince Athan," "Prince Eamon!"

The undeniably good looking princes passed the crowd to their designated places.

"And, the Princesses of Aestheria," The royal announcer proclaimed.

Two beautiful ladies walked past the crowd in so much pride, so much charisma, all the girls in the ball room looked invisible in their presence.

"Where's the fifth prince?" Haiza murmured.

Yes, Iris has never been to the capital for any event even though they do receive invitations. Her parents and now, brother, think it's too dangerous for her. But as a noble, she was taught about her kingdom more than she'd liked.

Five cities under one rule.

The royal family.

Five sons, two daughters.

The demon rumors.

And a lot more.

But right now, there were only four princes. Where was the fifth one?

Music started playing in the background and the brothel girls were given space to perform their duties.

"To entertain men with their almost naked bodies.

The men in the hall all had their eyes glued to them.

Going from their full breasts, to their thin slender waists that moved like snakes.

While the men were all busy lusting over them, Iris saw another opportunity.

She slowly created a distance between her and Master Qin who was also busy with the dance.

Once at the other end of the hall, she sprinted to the nearest door.

Her eyes caught Master Qin's own the moment she dashed out the door.

He was trying to get to her, but the crowded ballroom and the distance between them made it seem impossible.

An advantage.

Iris smiled, pacing through the dimly lit corridors.

But after a few minutes of running, she realized that she was lost.

She had no idea where she was going. There were tons of pathways leading into different corridors.

Abd each one she followed, she hoped it would lead to the back exit.

But who was she kidding?

This was nothing like their simple castle. The sophistication was a hundred times more.

*Shit*

The lobbies were dark, and the thought of getting caught by Master Qin took her anxiety to a different level.

That didn't reduce her pace.

She wanted out of here.

She needed to get to the Baron.

For safety.

She took a sharp turn towards what looked like the grand corridor.

The sudden turn revealed a towering figure standing in her way. She tried to stop, but she was coming with so much speed that she collided with him, her palms slapping against his broad chest.

She stumbled backward, almost landing to the floor, but he grasped her elbow, steadying her.

"I am sor..." She tried to apologize, but her words were caught in her tongue as her eyes met his face.

She found herself lost in eyes that sparkled like polished onyx, lined with long, thick lashes, a strong jawline, and sharpened features. He was beautiful, dangerously beautiful.

The beauty that can destroy someone with just one finger.

"At this point, you are doing this on purpose." His voice was a low rumbling growl, firm and filled with authority.

One that rang a bell in her head.

Her eyes caught his thick, wavy neck length hair and she gave his features one more look before confirming it.

This was the man she had bumped into last night in the rain.

If it weren't for him, then maybe, she would have been able to escape.

Now, here he was, stopping her escape one more time.

Her jaw clenched at the memory.

"You are always in my way sir!" She fired. She didn't know where she found the guts to talk back at this scary, fierce man, but her anger was more than her fear.

"I beg your pardon?" He chuckled darkly, amusement glinting his eyes.

She gazed down at her elbow which was still in his grip, then back to his face.

"Let go of me sir, and I'll be on my way." Even with the tough girl attitude, her fear was still very obvious.

His hands left her elbow and went for her chin instead. Raising it to meet his face, her eyes locked with his.

And for a moment, it felt like they were frozen in time.

The more his gaze bore into her, the more intense it felt.

His eyes traveled down to her neck, and then her chest.

Awareness rippled all over her.

She felt even more naked now that he was looking at her exposed body.

He looked back up almost immediately, their eyes locking again.

Time frozen.

Locked in a spell neither of them could explain.

Their eyes broke off with a loud sound.

Screaming.

People were screaming.

Then a bell rang.

And they both knew it was bad news.

He let go of her chin, his eyes focused on the lobbies as he strode towards the ball room.

Foolish of her, but she followed, scared at what might be causing all the noise. And the bell, it must be bad.

"It's the King!" Someone ran towards them the moment they got to the ballroom.

Iris couldn't see what was going on clearly, but the king was on the floor, helpless, perhaps, lifeless.

Everyone wanted to get a good look at him.

Including Haiza and Master Qin.

Seeing them reminded her of why she was running away.

So she turned back to the hallways, not knowing which route to take.

"Going somewhere?" A manly voice asked, making her stop abruptly.

He was in one of the castle guards uniforms.

"The back exit please?" she knew it was a stupid move, but what if, just what if he helped?

To her surprise, she took her hands,

"This way," he said leading her into one of the hallways.