Everyone in story is 18+ years old
"You won't outrun us, boy!"
My heart felt like it was about to explode as I weaved my way through the town market. Small clouds of dust kicking up under each hurried step, but it still wasn't enough to create a comfortable distance between me and the kings royal guards. I have been stealing food from the barracks for nearly 3 months, however, I wasn't so lucky this time.
"Move!! Out of my way!" Thankfully due to my thin frame I am able to slip between the crowd of people quite easily.
I glanced back to see the guards nearing on top of me. I brought my focus back to the path in front of me just in time to use some stacked crates to hop over a merchant's cart. To my unpleasant surprise, it did not slow the guards down even a little. One of them was carrying a crate. I used everything in me to pick up my pace, but it was useless. I felt the hard wooden box slam into my back before I collapsed. In no time at all the men were lifting off the ground by my underarms.
The taller, but thinner, one on my left exclaimed, "Thought you could steal from the royal army, did ya?"
"Can't wait to see how the king punishes this lil bastard," says the huskier man in an excited tone as they began to drag me back to the barracks.
They got me back to the barracks so they could get me in chains and return any food I stolen that was smashed during my capture. They then brought me to the royal palace, where waited outside the throne room in the grand hall. My stomach was turning and I thought I might be ill. The king was known for being unknown. There are times he's executed small thieves, while other were let off with a mere warning. They say your fate is decided simply on his mood of the day. The unstableness of my untold future made me nauseous.
"The majesty is now ready for you three," the king's right hand announced after stepping out of the throne room. The guards lifted me from the bench and escorted me to my possible executioner.
Even through my nerves the throne room's beauty was astounding. The floors and walls made out of granite were plastered with stunning deep purple fabric detailed with gold pattern cloths. Suites of armor lined the walls and at the end there were small stairs leading to a tall magnificent golden throne, there sat the king.
"My lord, we bring you the thief that has been stealing your army's food supply," declares the husky man as they both throw me to the ground. With my hands chained behind me, I land face first onto the long rug right before the stairs. I struggle to get up onto my knees as I must rely on my core to lift myself. Finally, I am face to face with the royal king for the first ever time laying eyes on him.
His handsomeness being the first thing I notice. He is a large man, I see why rumors of him being half giant have been spread throughout the kingdom. He is very tall, and even though there is a nice layer of fat, there is certainly no denying the power in his muscles. Though his beard isn't very long, it is very much full and it's dark color is riddled with white hairs as is his head. His dressing is the same royal colors as the cloths on the walls and a gold crown with red jewels rest atop his head. I notice how the sun shine makes his eyes look like deep pools of honey as they pierce through me. I am broken out of my trance as his deep voice booms through the still air.
"It either takes a lot of guts or lack of brains to steal from me. What do you have to say, boy?"
I restrain my irritation for my voice braking so that I can plead for my life, "I am so deeply sorry, your Highness. I did not mean any disrespect. It's just that your army has taken almost all of the town's food. My family and I are starving." I'm on the verge of tears as I bow my head.
"Hmm.. I will propose two offers to you and you can decide your fate." His face is almost unreadable except a slight glare of amusement. "You can either be taken to the dungeons where you will be kept prisoner for one month for each time you have stolen from me..."
"But that would be 22 months of being held prisoner!!"
"Precisely," he said with a grin as he raised his chin high, "however... you do have one more option." His words were heavy as if he knew that there was really only one choice and he was daring me to make the decision.
"Please, sir!! What is the other options?"
"You can become my servant for as long as I see fit."
"Your servant?"
"Yes, my servant. You will live in the palace where you can eat, dress, and bathe like royalty."
I thought of this proposal for quite some time, but I had on question, "that seems like a dream more than a punishment, my lord. What would be my duties as your servant?"
"You will only have one, my boy. As you know, I am a man of high power, of which can be stressful and draining. Your job will be to alleviate that pressure so that I can do my job more efficiently." He says those last words whimsically, and gives me a wicked grin that sends a mixture of intense terror and excitement through my body.
"What about my family, sir? They mean the world to me."
"Yes, well I'll need you to remain in the castle in case any.. urges may arise. You won't be able to see them, however, rest assured they will receive plenty of money and food for as long as you remain in service to me. That, I give you my word."
I would like to say I didn't know what I was signing up for, that I didn't understand what he was implying, or even that I was forced to say yes due to the only other option being prison... but it would all be a lie. I knew what urges he meant and how I would have to relieve him of them. The truth is I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to relieve my family and me from the struggles of peasantry. It also helped that in front of me sat an enchanting giant of a man whose mere presence demands respect.
"I accept this offer, my lord. Thank you for your generosity."
He gave me a smile that may have brought me to my knees if I was not already there. In a pleased tone, he says, "perfect! You can start right away by thanking me in a less formal way."