Chapter 3: Mutual Understandings
2031 Words
::Lord Dom's POV::
"Hey, Lord Dom." a commoner gestured to join him for a drink.
I knew that we were to set off in a few days as we rested in Jaron Town. This place holds so many memories, as I remembered it was one of the newest places we liberated. This town was held hostage and used for a breeding ground to fuel the borders as extra bodies. The people here have suffered through generations of time as they were taken by the Royals. The stories I have heard, of the royal guards slaying the elderly men as they were of no use to their cause, raping the women and forcing their first born sons to be drafted to war. It was sickening and I took a look around once again.
"Two of your finest pints for Lord Dom," the man slurred through already drunken breaths.
The Barista smiled at me and gently poured perfect pints and placed it in front of me.
"If there is ever anything I can serve you tonight my Lord," she winked, "You know where to find me."
"I'm a recently married man," I chuckled.
"Well, if you become a recently unmarried man..." she leaned in, "I can guarantee you a wedding night you'd never forget."
She turned and walked away, intentionally swaying her hips with expertise. I shook my head and looked over at the man who offered me the drinks.
"Thank you, Lord Dom," he mumbled, "It may have been 7 years, but our celebration feels like you saved us just yesterday."
I nodded in acknowledgment.
I remembered everything, from the horror stories, to the fight. I had a mission in mind. To get back what rightfully belonged to us, and to free the people of their unwanted misery. At first, it was unsure moments of the people to believe in the new heir of the south to change things. They muttered and snickered amongst themselves, doubting me, the young ruler. But I soon proved them wrong. Instead of utilizing militia, I had tactfully taken down the royal guard's defense and raised the Renek clan's flag along the border. The people had cheered and couldn't believe the proposition of their new owner.
"All I ever asked was for everyone to govern with each other." I said to myself.
"Whaa? What waz that mi Lord?" he stumbled, barely holding onto his few drops of alcohol.
"You're drunk." I stood up and realized that it was past 12am, "Have a good night."
As I was leaving back to my room I heard the man fall to the floor and the bar was up in laughter. This was normal for the people of Jaron Town. They deserved to be free and they enjoyed their liberation.
I then remembered not everyone enjoyed their freedom. My thoughts shifted to the woman inside my room. I couldn't blame her for the failure to see why things happened the way it did, but I knew in the end, I had to retrieve my real prize.
I slowly entered the room and saw her sleeping away under the sheets. I had no intention on disturbing her and decided to sleep in the room next door. The beds were not as comfortable, but I didn't want to risk her being more afraid than she already was.
When I saw her face that night, I couldn't bare to see her end her life like that. When she admitted that she was not full blooded I would've walked away and stormed into the Royal Kingdom and take back what was promised. But her eyes, they held true suffering and sorrow. She kept her side of the deal when the nobles lied about theirs. I know I had hurt her ankle saving her, but she bore the soul of someone who wouldn't ask to be saved, but needed to. She felt like a person who has been silenced, whether through experience or bloodline.
A few months ago, there was a Union meeting between the Renek clan and the Royal Government. Their new king, King Jerard, offered a peace treaty between our people with theirs. To seize fire until the third nation council can commence. He proposed that since I did not have any royal blood, within his clan, he could exchange his daughter as compensation to bring the unity of the two through a new bloodline. I generally opposed to the idea as I was more than fine with taking back what was rightfully ours during their vulnerability. But my right hand whispered to temporarily agree to draw out their full colors and lies. And what was presented to me was definitely a lie.
It was not the blonde with the green eyes, but instead a scorned woman chained against her will. She was mortified at the sight of me and my heart told me this was common throughout her life. So King Jerard not only lied about the proposition, he also lied about the well-being of his people.
Because I'm gonna f*****g kill that bastard.
I heard a gentle rustle and snapped back into reality. Ryanna was gently snoozing away, and I got a closer look at her. Her face was no longer flustered, her eyebrows seemed relaxed, and her breathing was controlled. She had chestnut brown locks that gently cascaded past her shoulders. A few minor old scars along her wrists that she exposed on top of the sheets. Those scars did not look self-inflicted.
She let out a gentle sigh and turned over to reveal a bare back.
I felt my focus enlarge, and I pursed my lips together, she wasn't wearing a damn thing!
My thoughts intruded and reminded me of our little fiasco earlier. When I was on top of her and didn't know why, I enjoyed myself teasing her. She was completely vulnerable, and I could've easily taken her there and then. But, I didn't. I couldn't. She looked up at me with those sad eyes and I could not bring myself to continue. I didn't understand what I was doing! I had saved her because she had given up on life. I wanted to know her.
Even with the forecoming war, I want you to find your happiness.
I knew I couldn't let this unfamiliar feeling take over my focus. I couldn't figure out what it was that got me reacting out of line recently. But, I know that the Royal Government cannot be forgiven, their lies in the ranks must come to light.
I stood up and exited the room. There is no time to be worrying about someone who doesn't have a part in this mess.
::Ryanna's POV::
The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed. I forgot I was completely naked as I wasn't given any extra clothing before bed. I tugged the sheets and looked around. There was not a single woman's clothing to be found!
Well, considering this is Lord Dom's room. I scurried and looked out the door. There were a couple of rooms that were occupied, and I saw one nearby that had a blush pink dress on the bed. I knew it was not mine, but I had to take a chance. I made sure the coast was clear and sneaked into it. I quickly locked the door and made my way to the bed. I inspected it and, surprisingly, it looked like it would fit me. I dropped my blanket, but instantly regretted it as I heard a sarcastic cough behind me. I turned my head around like an i***t and saw Lord Dom just looking at me with his cheek perched on his hand.
"Oh don't mind me, I'm not even here."
I was just about to scream but did not want to wake the whole place up. I bent over and scooped up the blanket.
"That made it better," he added.
I just realized that I had exposed my whole damn behind in front of this man! I wrapped myself and barked at him.
"What are you doing in here?!"
"I should be asking you the same thing," he said amusingly.
His eyes did not leave mine and I could sense something dangerous stirring in his gaze.
"I- I needed clothes. I wasn't going to be redressed in filthy ones." I defended.
"So you thought it was a bright idea to enter another room and steal one?" he asked, still focused on me, smirking.
"W-well no," I stuttered. I looked away and in a few seconds I found myself up against the wall. I couldn't catch my breath and felt myself being lifted and straddled with him once again between my thighs!
"I'm definitely one who loves to take what's rightfully mine," he gently kissed my collarbone.
I did not expect the sensational feeling to rush through me. I was supposed to feel uncomfortable! Why weren't my legs gripping or struggling? Why were my arms not fighting against his strong grip? My body was instinctively giving in to his dangerous behavior.
"I'm not yours," I managed to whisper.
I felt him freeze and then slowly brought me down to where I could stand. There was complete silence and the air in the room only got tighter with each passing second. I felt his body slowly back away, and then he carefully studied me.
"If that is what you want, then I will dismiss the wedding," he did not sound as confident as he did a few moments ago.
I thought I was supposed to feel relieved, but instead my heart stung in pain. But I had to remember that none of this was initially my ideals, nor was it right in any circumstance. Contract or not, it was too easily written that I belonged to someone else. I did not approve of that idea.
"If you decide to go..." Lord Dom stammered away, "I won't stop you."
"But just know," he warned, "I won't be able to protect you either."
The man was offering me my choice of freedom, but I wasn't sure if I'd actually be safe or make it back home. I no longer had a home.
"Do we have to marry?" I asked.
"No," he responded, "You were not the one who was promised anyway."
I stood there and felt the cold rush over my body. I didn't expect his words to feel so cold.
"I will readjust your ranks within the clan. You are free to leave, but you will no longer be involved with me. I can offer you haven until you find a suitable place to live," he gritted, "In the meantime, I am sorry for being too weak towards you. It won't happen again."
He turned and walked out the door. And there I was, naked, clinging onto the blanket like last night.
Did I just ruin my chance at survival? Did I say the right words? Why am I...
Tears began to form and make their way to the ground.
Why am I crying?!
This man killed my people, kidnapped me, and touched me without my consent. I should be happy that he promised to leave me alone, and he said I could go.
So why? Why do I feel so horrible? Why am I crying? I don't understand.
I looked over at the dress and slowly slipped into it. It draped gracefully along my silhouette and I compared it to my torn one. The fabric was not that of the hide on Lord Dom, it was silk and laced with quality cotton. I didn't know how he managed to get a hold of this.
I choked up the courage to go downstairs. I was then called by the coachman who chauffered me yesterday. He caught my glimpse and gave me a straight smile. It wasn't the same sincere smile he had given me last time and I could tell that he was told something. He signaled me outside and I followed. We stopped outside the Inn, and he turned to me.
"So what will it be? Do you want a horse to roam free with, or to remain in the carriage and head to the clan?"
- Writer
