[Hazu]

Nina's nose twitched as she caught the scent of warm food. She hadnt eaten since breakfast and her stomache rumbled in complaint. Slowly she she opened her eyes and realized where she was. She scrambled to stand up, blinking her eyes until they adjusted to the dim light. "I uh..." She blushed a deep red as she stared at the prince, who sat in a chair watching her.
He didnt seem angry but amused, "You clean well... didnt except the floors to actually shine." he laughed, "and to get them all done in one day. It usually take them two days or more to just clean the chambers."
"I do as I'm to- meep" her blush deepened as her stomach protested again. "Forgive me, I skipped mid-day meal to finish cleaning...."
"And dinner."Eric added in. That would explain why the room was dim. Only lit by candles and the fireplace. "Why not come and eat." He said gestering to a chair on the other side of the desk, there were two plates on it and the books were stalked up neatly.
"I couldn't...." She murmured. "it'd be wrong my lordship." Nina curtsied.
He frowned, "It wouldnt be wrong at all. You were a gift, and did your job as assigned and better than any others have so far. You skipped one meal... and slept on the floor through the other. Least I can do, or I can give you an order to join me for dinner."
Nina wasn't happy but it was obvious she wouldnt get out of this. "If it's what you wish.." she sighed finally and joined him. She was happy to eat but wasnt happy about the circumstances.
After they had finished eating, it was akwardly silent through the meal, Eric stared at her cuirously. "What area did you come from?"
"Kinlupet, a city to the south, just outside of the Zenear borders, but I havent lived there since I was six. The past of a slave really isnt interesting, my lordship." She said with a forced smile, she hated remebering it.
"I like to know about some, I guess." He shrugged, "and you are far different from any slave I've yet to come across."
"My first master took me in... and treated me as a daughter. Taught me to clean and cook and even to protect myself. But when MeiMei passed on her grandaughter, who never liked me, resold me to my former owner just a year ago. He resold me when.... I wouldnt obey one of his orders..." She mumbled quietly.
"Why were you sold? Did your parents sell you at a young age or kidnapped?" Eric asked, he seemed honestly interested. Nina sighed, she couldnt disobey her master. "My parents were killed by street theives when I was four. My older brother took care of me since I was six until he sold me to MeiMei. And I've been a slave since. Since she was more of a mother... or grandmother I guess since her age... she taught me not to do something that I wouldnt do to others even if I was ordered. So if my lordship ordered me to kill someone I wouldnt, even if it costed me my life. Same as when my past master tried to.. undress me... I refused and bit his hand even if he would have beat me or even killed me."
He stared at her, curious and astonished. "First time I've heard of a slave who would do such things." He said thoughtfully.
"First time I've heard of a prince who had conversations with his slaves" Nina retorted. Eric only laughed.
Suddenly something crossed her mind, "My I be excused my lordship? A child slave has been having troubles with another slave and I worry about leaving her alone..."
He looked at her, one eyebrow raised in curious confusion, but agreed to her leaving. "Come back to my study in the morning, Nina." she called.

Nina slipped into the slaves quarters, everyone was getting ready for thenights rest. When she came into sight she was nearly blown over. Her mind raced as she thought it was the boy from before but if it was she would have been on teh floor possibly dead by now. It was Karla. "Nina!" She said gleefully hugging her. Broc stood near by and smiled. "Can we sleep with you tonight? We were worried about you, you missed the meals. Are you alright?" Karla asked, spinning out questions faster than a spider could spin a web. Nina laughed, "I'm fine I'm fine. I just had alot of work to do, I haven't been here long so I need to make sure I do my best so I dont get into trouble. A missed meal or two wont kill me." She couldnt tell her about eating.. with her master who was the PRINCE.
Nina helped them get ready for sleep, Broc and Karla both cuddled close to her. She didn't mind though she was exhausted. "You smell like Momma..." Karla murmured, half asleep.