"Good morning, Alex," said a smooth voice from behind her. She whirled around, heart pounding in panic as she saw King Erebus standing in the doorway to his chambers. "I trust you slept well?" he asked innocently, giving her a charming smile that did nothing to ease the knot of fear forming in her stomach.

"Um, yes... fine, thank you," she stammered, quickly curtsying before him. "Shall I bring your breakfast now, Master?"

Erebus's eyes narrowed slightly as he took in her disheveled appearance. "And whose fault is that, I wonder?" he said coolly. "Perhaps if you had been more careful last night..." He trailed off, leaving the threat hanging heavily in the air between them. "Very well," he continued after a moment. "You may go and find something suitable to wear from my wardrobe." With that, he turned away and disappeared back into his chambers, leaving Alex feeling more exposed than ever before.

Erebus looked at her with a mixture of confusion and determination. "Because you are everything I have ever wanted," he said slowly, as if trying to convince himself more than her. "You are beautiful, strong-willed, and unyielding in the face of adversity. Those traits would make you an excellent queen by my side." His gaze drifted down to her lips before meeting hers once more. "And I will not rest until you understand that I mean every word I say."

Erebus reached out, cupping her cheek with his hand as he wiped away her tears. "There's nothing to thank me for," he murmured gently, his expression gentle and soft. "You are everything I could ever want; the perfect partner for my life." He leaned in closer, pressing their lips together in a tender kiss that spoke of promises and hope for the future. As they pulled away, he looked deep into her eyes, searching for any sign that she felt the same way.

"You are mine now,"

"Oh, and Ben?" he called as she turned to leave. She paused, her back still to him. "I think... I'd like you to join me in the bath." His voice was low and husky now, his words barely more than a whisper. "It would be such a shame for us to waste water if only one of us enjoyed it, don't you agree?" He chuckled softly, enjoying the way her entire body seemed to tense at his words.

Erebus watched her carefully as she turned to face him once more. Her expression was unreadable, but he could see the slightest hint of nervousness in the way she shifted her weight from foot to foot. Good. He wanted her uncertain; he wanted her to crave his approval and attention. Taking a step closer, he reached out to caress her cheek gently with the backs of his fingers. "I think you'll find that bathing together can be quite...therapeutic."