" I want... So desperately, for me to understand myself."
"Just because I have begun to adorn you! Doesn't mean you can go-on ahead and try to seduce that monster!
What would have happened if he hadn't been in a good mood?"
SLAP
The moment his hand collided with Jannet's cheek, she fell hard to the ground, eyes wide in shock. Her breath shortened and her heart sank as she trembled, trying to crawl to a far corner of her room.
Flashbacks of her mother being beaten by this man flooded her mind, sending shivers down her spine.
What was she expecting, coming from a nameless Barony in a small kingdom that relied on the mercy of the Empire?...They weren't even part of.
(Jannet's point of view)
--- Back in the Palace ---
As he stood there with a blood-soaked sword in his hand, reflecting the light and proving just how sharp it was... his hazel eyes stared directly into my trembling brown ones.
They felt like they were boring right through me.
His eyes held no particular meaning, devoid of any emotion.
Yet, his presence felt like a warm salvation.
Without considering the consequences my actions could bring upon me, I stretched my hand towards him, tears trickling down my face.
He watched, and I waited... Waited for his response, for him to take a step.
Then he turned away, holding his sword out. An attendant emerged from the shadows, took the sword from his hand, and slowly disappeared again.
Leaving no trace.
Just as my hand was about to fall, he grabbed it, pulling me up and holding me in his arms.
My entire body froze for a second; nothing made sense for a while now.
Just minutes ago, I had been sold, and now this man—who had killed for me—was carrying me in his arms, taking me away.
I nestled my face into his neck, taking deep breaths of his musty scent to calm myself down.
No matter how rude my behavior had been, he said nothing and simply carried me... somewhere I didn't know, but I no longer cared.
Just for today, I wanted him by my side.
I pleaded with all my heart as I clutched his shirt and cried again.
For the first time, I had cried in front of someone else; for the first time since I had lost my father.
I felt safe in someone's arms.
"Don't leave me," I whispered between hiccups, trying my best to avoid meeting his eyes.
However, he never spoke a word.
From the moment he appeared until I passed out from crying too much, he remained silent.
---
When I woke up, I found myself alone in an unfamiliar room, with no one in sight.
I picked myself up and fixed my appearance before heading outside.
It was late at night, and everyone seemed in a hurry; chaos had erupted.
I guessed that no more than three hours had passed since I fell asleep.
It was understandable; the sole duke of the Arze Empire had just been executed, along with four of his men. That should have shaken the hypocritical nobility to their cores.
A blush crept onto my cheeks, along with a shiver, as I recalled how I had behaved in front of none other than the emperor, the man whom everyone feared.
Our escort came running the moment he spotted me and urged me to make haste, saying that "the baron" was waiting for me and it was urgent that we leave right away.
I rolled my eyes internally and nodded, looking back at this place one last time. I might never return, as I was sure that next time "the trash" would try to sell me to someone from our own kingdom.
"My lady, please," the escort pleaded, his demeanour showing how much my father had abused this poor man under the guise of employment.
"Lead the way," I whispered, and he smiled weakly as he led me.
Though my heart felt devoid of any heaviness at that moment, it also felt empty. I would have at least loved to thank him and swear my loyalty to him, but what benefit would he have from someone who couldn't even stand straight? Just like now, I was heading back to the same person who had sold me tonight.
I was sure he wouldn't want someone so pathetic clinging to his side.
"There, my lady, please take my hand."
As soon as I sat down in the carriage, the baron shouted for it to start moving. Just how scared was he?
The entire ride was silent; he didn't speak, and neither did I.
No words were exchanged.
How shameless but I am not shocked at all.
It took us more than a day to reach our mansion. This man left the carriage in a hurry and ordered his butler to investigate what had happened back at the banquet as he stepped inside.
I simply went to my room, took a long, cold bath, applied medicine to my wounds, and slept... I slept for fourteen straight hours and yet dreamed of nothing. This whole situation had left me hollow inside.
My worst fears had come true: I was dragged away by a maniac, saved by a tyrant, and brought back here.
What awaited me next?
Another exhibition of myself where no one would come to help, except of myself?
What if I didn't change?
What could I do when I was lucky to eat more than a piece of bread every two days?
What will happen to me when this luck will run out?
Just tell me what I am to do?
"Father... Why was I given this life?"
The cold wind shook the window of my door, the weather was lovely, dark and cloudy...
I gazed up at the sky... The sky which gives me a sense of peace.
Sometimes, I wish I would have been born a tree... All the world and struggle than would exist just inside of me and
on the outside... I would have been, always...sturdy and tall. Standing at heights with pride...