Time slowed as if Eireen’s brain needed to freeze the moment, a keepsake, a memory to remember on him. She stood staring at the rain outside the stable, the wind moving -blowing relentlessly- as if telling her that his journey would be harsh. It was only a few minutes ago Zeke left her, but she couldn’t help to have the aching feeling as if he wouldn’t return.

“Who is he?” Jace voice startled her and she dropped her rake. She turned quickly to see the man stood with his back slumped on the back wall of the stable.

‘How long has he been there? Wait, was he there when I am talking with Zeke?’

Jace had his arms crossed on his chest, his lips pursed and his finger tapped impatiently waiting for her answer.

“I am sorry, but don’t understand your question, master Jace,” she finally answered him, unaware of the saltiness of his tone.

“That guy, the one you been flirting with,” he growled low and moving toward her like a tiger against his cornered prey.

“Flirting?”

“Don’t pretend to be an idiot, you know exactly who I mean,” he grabbed her arm roughly, “the swordsman, the ugly Builderat.”

Eireen winced at the pain on her arms, “Z ? I am not flirting with him, he is my best friend that’s all.”

“Best friend? BAH!” Jace spat bitterly as he ran his other free hand through his hair and stared at her with a stare that could have frozen the lava of an active mountain.

He snarled and added, “sure keep on lying Eireen. Do you think I am blind?!”

Eireen bit her lips down, trying her best to not squeal, his hand on her arm was like an eagle claw seized its prey. She could imagine the bruise that her arm will gain later on.

“I have been watching you all this whole year, giving you time and waiting for you to come to your senses,” his low growl slowly rising to a scream, “and what do I find? You are giggling with another man.”

Eireen yelped when he jerked her toward the wall harshly. Her back hit the wall with a loud thump. She didn’t even have the chance to stand up back properly when he slammed his hand on the wall just a mere inches away from her face.

His smoldering stare held onto the girl that had frozen in front of him. He could feel his thought all gnarl together as the temptation to hurt her poisoned his bloodstream. He knew when he saw her eyes started brimming with tears that he should relent, that a decent person would show forgiveness. But the scene he just saw, the words he has heard about her and the Builderat, added with how he was cornered by Scry made him almost lost it.

“You’re an ungrateful woman. Did you even realize how lucky you could be if you just say yes?” he hissed under his gritted teeth.

Eireen clamped her quivering mouth tight as his fist pounded once more to the wall.

“Why can’t you just see that you belong to me?” His husky voice slurred between suppressed anger and strange excitement as his bleeding knuckle clumsily brushing her right cheek. Eireen squeezed her eyes in fear of what he might do next.

“Now let me ask you once more and don’t you dare to lie to me,” he whispered near her ear, his tone promising her more pain to come if she didn’t give him the answer he wanted to hear, “Who is he?”

“…-- a fr--iend,” she stuttered with her trembling lips, “I—I am not ly-lying my liege, p--p-please don’t hurt me.”

Jace scowled but he finally took a step back releasing her from his arms cage. He then started to pace around her. He regretted his promise to Scry, a promise he made under his influence. He wished he could take it back but that would mean losing the support he needed and also it would hurt his pride.

‘There should be a way around this. She is mine!‘

Jace stopped his pacing and gazed deeply to her eyes, “I’ll forgive you but with one condition only, be mine! “

Eireen didn’t answer. Her mind screamed to just agree on what he demanded, but despite her logic, her body reacted first and instead of saying yes she bowed deeply.

His face became mottled crimson, his eyes popped, his tree trunk neck strained, and his next words were spat out with ferocity “Do you hate it that much to be my wife?!! You are that willing to die in the battlefield than being mine and be spoiled!?!”

Eireen didn’t change her position, she still bowed deeply even though her body trembling with fear of the next blow of pain he might deliver to her.

“Fine! If that’s what you want!” Jace grabbed the rake and slammed it to the wall. A loud crack vibrated the place as it broke into two, splintering everywhere. His action scared Eireen to her core and caused the innocent mounts to stamp nervously inside their stable.

“Hear this out Eireen Silver, this is an order given to you by your king;” he declared with his official thundering voice, “and if you dare to say no or run away, I will have your head hanging on the gate.”

‘Oh No! This time he will use his power to make me marry him.'

“Since your wish is to serve your country, your kingdom, and your Goddess, I shall grant your wish. I order you to give your life as trade over financial and power support from Prince Scry Treeoaks of Treeoaks kingdom.”

Blood was drained from her face, her already weak and trembling body lost the strength and her legs failed her. She faltered on the floor.

“You will be given to him as a tribute in a week from now. From this day onward you are his belongings. Prepare yourself and serve your kingdom as if your life is on the line.”

‘A tribute?! Mom, what should I do now? I have become a slave for trade.’

Jace stood there waiting for her answer. He expected that she would change her mind and agreed on his proposal. To be his second wife was a better option than being a tribute. Any woman in their right mind would choose the right and better choice.

‘Now... what would you do Eireen?’ His lips twitched. He was so sure he would win this time. The girl would finally be his. He would think of other ways to gain support from Scry. The prince likes women. Jace was sure that he could give a better replacement, not just one or two. Even if Scry wanted more than a dozen girl he didn’t really mind. As long Eireen would relent and agreed to be his, he would give the world if he must.

Slowly she moved. Unsteadily she positioned herself in a kneeling position. Her forehead touched the ground.

Jace's lips quivered a smile.

“T-thank you for your benevolence my liege,” she whispered. Her voice was broken and he could see how her body shaking, “If my life can be useful to support the Kingdom as a tribute. I-I will a-accept your order and serve the kingdom to the last breath I have.”

The smile that was growing on his face crumbled. Burning rage hissed through all his body like deathly poison, screeching a demanded release in the form of unwanted violence. His knuckles lost their colors from clenching his fists too hard and he gritted his teeth in an effort to remain silent. His face was red with suppressed rage. He took a step back, without saying a word he turned his heels and left the place.