Price of Possession

Chapter 5:A Reckless Bargain

Princess Hera stood in front of three coffins, the somber reality of the moment pressing down on her. Lord Hellrune stood parallel to her, his presence imposing and unreadable, with his arms crossed in a stance that conveyed both power and control. To his left stood Valrek Hellrune, his trusted advisor, while Seraphis' guards stood behind them, silent but ready for anything. The tension in the air was thick, as if a single wrong move could spark chaos.

“We brought the bodies as requested, without any defilement,” Valrek said, his voice filled with pride. “Consider it our small gift to you, Princess, for accepting our proposal.”

Hera’s heart clenched at the sight of the coffins. The first gift from my fiancé is a corpse, she thought bitterly, her emotions swirling with grief and anger.

"Thank you for returning them to us in such a dignified state. You even had them in coffins," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

Without warning, Lord Hellrune stepped forward, his movements swift and decisive. Hera flinched, and the knights behind her immediately shifted into attack positions, their hands gripping weapons. Tension crackled in the air.

“Now, let’s discuss the wedding,” Lord Hellrune said coldly, his voice carrying a sense of finality.

In the meeting hall, the atmosphere grew even more tense. Hera and her advisors sat opposite Lord Hellrune and his entourage. The grand, dimly lit room seemed to shrink as the discussion took a more ominous turn.

“I believe neither party stands to gain from delaying the wedding,” Valrek spoke, his voice laced with confidence. “With winter ahead of us, the Hellrune army wishes to break camp and find shelter before then.”

Hera kept her gaze fixed on the table, trying to maintain control of her emotions. This is happening too quickly, she thought, the weight of her decision pressing down on her.

“As for Your Highness,” Valrek continued, his eyes briefly flicking to Hera with a knowing glint, “it would be best to hasten the marriage for the sake of your child.”

Sir Mashlow, who had been standing beside Hera, was taken aback. “What?” he almost fell to his knees in surprise. “What child? Princess, whose child do you bear?” He looked at Hera with a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

“The child is mine,” Lord Hellrune’s voice echoed through the room, cutting through the tension like a sharp blade.

Hera’s heart skipped a beat, the words sinking in slowly. What? she thought, her mind racing.

“The child the Princess will bear shall be raised as my own,” Lord Hellrune continued, his eyes locking onto Hera’s. “And his right to the throne will be safeguarded under my name.”

A cold wave of realization swept over Hera. Oh, that’s what he meant... she thought, her mind spinning with the implications of his words.

“Princess... what on earth did you—” Ser Mashlow and Ser Harold couldn’t hide their shock and disbelief.

Hera’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. I know how reckless this seems... but I can’t take back what I said now... either I pretend to have a miscarriage at the right time, or I actually.....bear his child....Suddenly an image of him on top of her as they're both naked, and he is kissing her with his hands pinning down her hands beside her head flashed in her mind.... Her fingers pressed against her temple, trying to make sense of the path that lay ahead. I’d have to pretend to be experienced, to show the pain they mention as if it isn’t my first time… or else he’ll know there was never a child. What will happen to my kingdom if he finds out I’m lying?

Valrek’s voice interrupted her spiraling thoughts. “That is why the marriage must happen within the next fortnight. Any longer, and the pregnancy will become impossible to conceal.”

“A fortnight?!” Ser Harold exclaimed loudly, his voice filled with disbelief. “That’s too soon! We wouldn’t have enough time to prepare a proper wedding!”

“I will see to what will be needed for the wedding myself,” Lord Hellrune said, his tone dismissive. “The Princess needn’t lift a finger. However, if there is some other reason for delaying the wedding...”

His cold eyes turned toward them, his gaze like ice. “Then now is the time to speak.”

Hera felt her throat tighten. I thought I would at least have some time to think things through, to mourn for my beloved. But this tyrant... if he finds out he’s been deceived, who knows what he’ll do?

She clutched her dress tightly, her fingers digging into the fabric. “Seraphis’ finances are in dire straits due to the prolonged drought. We simply can’t fund a wedding within two weeks.”

“Is it money that’s the issue?” Lord Hellrune asked, his voice low and measured.

“Regrettably, yes,” Hera admitted, feeling a pang of frustration.

Valrek stepped forward, carrying a small box. He opened it carefully, revealing the glistening gold inside. “Take this,” he said with a sly smile.

Hera, Ser Harold, and Sir Mashlow all stared at the box in shock, the gold shining brightly before them.

“Your engagement gift seems more fitting as a gift than the three coffins we brought,” Valrek remarked with a smug expression.

Hera could hardly believe her eyes. “Princess... what is all this?” Sir Mashlow asked, his voice full of disbelief.

Valrek spoke again, his tone confident and calculated. “We will stipulate in this marriage contract that the ruler over Seraphis shall be guaranteed to the child the Princess will bear. Moreover, the Hellrune will pledge its loyalty to House Ravencrest, becoming its royal guard.”

Sir Mashlow exploded in disbelief. “What? Are you saying we will hire your entire army as our royal guard? Surely, you realize that even this gold won’t cover the cost?”

“Fear not,” Valrek reassured, his voice calm. “Lord Hellrune will cover those costs.”

Hera’s mind raced. If Hellrune’s forces become Seraphis’ soldiers, Seraphis will rise as the strongest bastion among the five southern kingdoms. Assurance of Seraphis’ survival, coupled with my child’s claim to the throne... loyalty to House Ravencrest, and the immense cost of hiring his own army, why would he offer a deal that not only brings him no merit but only humiliates him? Why?

She was full of questions. “Your terms... sound too good to be true. You expect me to believe this?”

Lord Hellrune’s gaze softened just slightly. “I have no reason to deceive my betrothed.”

No... unless he has some hidden motive, he would do no such thing.

“Seraphis has no need for excessive forces. No one in their right mind covets this barren, impoverished land,” Hera responded, her voice tinged with skepticism.

“What about the knight commander of House Ravencrest?” Valrek’s words cut through the tension like a blade. Hera froze.

“Pardon?” she asked, her heart racing.

“Does he mean Sir Kleinfelter?” she thought, her mind reeling.

“There will be those who seek to invade, whether they’re after Seraphis... or you, the Princess,” Valrek added.

“Alright, I’ll take that as Your Highness’s agreement to our terms,” Valrek said, his voice final. “May I discuss accommodation for the Hellrune army with your attendants in detail?”

“This way,” Valrek said, motioning to a nearby doorway.

As Lord Hellrune and Princess Hera were left alone in the room, Hera felt a suffocating weight on her chest. Would I feel better if I stepped out?

“Would you like to go for a walk?” she offered, her voice faltering slightly.

“Of course,” Lord Hellrune replied, raising his arm as if to signal for her to cling to him.

Surprised, Hera hesitated, then casually slid her arm into his. “Let’s head to the castle’s garden in the back.”

As they walked, Hera couldn’t help but notice the sheer size of him. This man is just so big. Is that why I’m so tense around him?

She felt his solid arm, his strength palpable even in the silence. She brushed a stray hair from her ear, trying to calm herself.

“You haven’t been applying medicine?” Lord Hellrune asked suddenly, his voice gentle but concerned.

“Pardon?” Hera stammered.

Without warning, he grabbed her hand, looking at her palm with intense focus. “What happened this time?”

The sight of the bleeding wound made Hera flinch. “Take better care of yourself, Princess. From now on, every one of your wounds will be my responsibility.”

She was taken aback, and before she could react, he brought her bleeding hand to his lips, licking the wound in a strange, almost possessive manner. The sensation sent a jolt of heat through her, and she immediately withdrew her hand, her face flushed with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.

“I-I’m fine!” Hera protested, her voice shaky.

“Why don’t I treat you?” Lord Hellrune suggested, his gaze softening.

“I’d rather continue our walk,” Hera said, trying to shake off the strange feeling in her chest. “The gardens are this way.”

As they walked through the gloomy back of the palace, the trees stood bare, and the flowers long dead. Hera regretted suggesting the walk here. It’s radiating a gloomy vibe. What if he thinks I’m mocking him?

She sighed, her thoughts drifting. “Is something wrong?” Lord Hellrune asked, his voice suddenly serious.

“No, it’s nothing,” Hera replied quickly. “I’m just regretting that I asked for a stroll somewhere with so little to see.”

“I wouldn’t say little,” Lord Hellrune said, his voice low but steady. “After all, you’re here.”

Me? What does he mean by that? Hera thought, her heart racing. Was he implying that he found the walk bearable because she was with him?

“Don’t move,” Lord Hellrune suddenly commanded, his voice dark and serious.

Hera froze. "Excuse me?"

Before she could react, a swift arrow darted toward them, and Lord Hellrune turned, pulling her small body into his arms to shield her. Hera gasped as the arrow lodged itself in his right shoulder.

“Lord Hellrune!” she cried out in terror, her heart pounding as the sight of blood stained his armor.