CHAPTER 6

Maisy

My decision scared me but I didn't care.

No one was going to take advantage of me like that.

I grabbed my dress from the earth and rushed to put them on.

His eyes were on me, I could feel them feeding on me.

I was quick. done clothing my nakedness, I approached him.

With the hate, anger, and humiliation I felt within, I slapped him.

The forest went cold. The birds stopped chirping and the air stopped playing with my hair. A sudden pain I felt in the guts returned 'me' back.

It dawned on me that I was alone with this perv and he could do anything he wanted with me. There had been cases of rape and murder in the village long before. There was no way I was going to become another tale to children.

I got ready for his worst.

His worst... He held his red cheeks and smiled.

"Perv!" I screamed.

He ignored my pain and just kept his eyes on me. I felt uncomfortable.

I left the riverside and took my seat on a rock.

I was red with embarrassment. All I could think of was how to get back at him.

He began to undress and I saw my opportunity. I didn't hide my intentions.

He got his shirt off and moved to his pants. He stopped and glanced at me. He caught me staring and smirked.

Just what I wanted, If he made me uncomfortable, he was going to suffer the same fate.

"Do you want to see something, Miss?" He teased.

"I think it's okay to watch Sir Eric, it's a game isn't it." I played along.

"Are you sure? I can tell you've never seen one before. It would be an honor if I am the first you see."

I was beyond disgusted.

How could this man be a royal? He was a prick... Yes! I said it.

The trousers slowly came off. I held my breath as he slid the only thing that kept me from seeing the huge bulge.

Down it went... I couldn't do it.

I closed my eyes. My mind silently cursed. My daydreams came washing me with desire. I didn't see it last night, what would a little peek cost?

My eyes still closed, I perceived his presence. The musky smell of sweat and dried blood were pungent to my nostrils.  I battled with my lids, I wanted them closed but it knew I wanted otherwise.

"You didn't look." I heard him say.

I couldn't resist anymore. I opened my eyes. They met his, sapphire blue.

"Be quick. We have to go." I countered.

The urge to look below was far enticing but I knew control.

"I know.... but, won't you join me?"

"What?" My jaws dropped.

What kind of a man was he?

"I mean...you didn't have a proper dip. I bothered you."

"Unbelievable", I rolled my eyes.

"I'm done. Get into that lake now or I leave with or without you!" I stood up to him, threatening.

"Okay." He gave in, "But..."

He didn't finish his sentence. Actions spoke louder than words after all.

He swept him off my feet and into his arms.

Shock was my initial expression but when I faced his eyes, they were spells difficult to break.

"Put me down this instant!" I demanded.

"Ok." He said then he let me go.

I went tumbling inside. A cold rush overwhelmed me and for a moment my heart stopped beating, I stopped breathing.

I swam to tell light and took a deep breath. My hair was stuck to my face and I coughed.

I turned to his direction and caught me laughing.

Naked and laughing, My hands went for his legs that were an inch away from the water itself and pulled.

The slippery surface of the bank was all to my advantage and he joined me.

I enjoyed my sweet revenge but it didn't last long.

He splashed out of the deep and swam towards me.

"That was sly." He commented, coughing.

He got close, too close and our cold slippery skins were literally touching. He brushed my wet hair and cast his gaze to my face. I couldn't avoid his stare.

His member hardened and poked me.

That was the last straw.  I pushed him away and headed for the bank.

"We need to go." I declared when I got out.

My clothes were wet so I had to change. I couldn't be late to the plains, Father would be scared to death.

***

Spencer

  The bet was set. A hectare of land. I searched the crowd for Maisy. She hadn't arrived.

As a father, It was disturbing. I still didn't trust Eric but I was sure Maisy was safe.

Like I had hoped, Maisy arrived soon after with the Eric.

She was safe but...her expression...I just couldn't place it. I could tell something had gone down by the river.

I would ask her later.

I prepared Ria tightening her reins, She worked better when tense. I glanced at my competitor, A man in his early twenties.

He was the idle loan shark's son and needed some money for drinking. I needed a new land to expand the ranch. Ewan had caught a school of wild horses and I dying to subdue them.

I prepared myself.

The game gun fired and the field was turned into am arena of life and death instantly.

I took the lead thanks to Ria, She galloped the slope and bends as she ruled them.

She was panting heavily and I felt my pants turn cold.

My opponent gained the lead just as quick as I had gotten it.

His horse left dust in my face.

When the dust cleared up, I discovered Ria had made a wrong turn.

It made me burn There was no way I was going to lose my land.

  And in a furious burst of audacity and will-power, I poured his heart into the beast.

  Ria seemed to channel my burst of energy and gave a mad chase at her opponent, slowly gaining momentum.

There was still a few yards to cover so I was sure I stood a chance.

Ria gained the lead again and this time she gave our opponent a taste of his medicine. She kicked up soil right in his face.

I heard him curse.

I enjoyed playing dirty, I patted Ria for playing smart. Sometimes, I felt she could read thoughts.

I saw the red thread just before me.

Victory!

***

Anthony

I put my attention put the window as the Royal advisor kept on spewing how worried he was about the Royal house's financial state.

"And if we don't accept your brother's demands, the royals might start living like commoners."

"I will not allow Conrad into this palace. You know the Queen's dying wish." I reminded him.

"I know my prince but this are desperate times. Our neighboring kingdoms have broken business ties with us and King of Elyria threatens to wage war if we don't get him his gold."

That I knew. We were under the King of Elyria and we haven't given him tribute for two moons now. The gold mines were hopeless but I knew it was the world of Conrad.

" Thank you for the updates, Gregory."

The advisor nodded, bowed and left.

  Emilia immediately rushed in.

"Are you crazy Anthony?" She yelled.

Oh God! Not again.

"What's wrong now, My dear wife?" I asked.

Emilia wasted no time in pouring out her feelings.

"I'll tell you. We are now living like common people, I had to sell my jewelry" she wept, "why can't you just accept that we are desperate, If you hadn't abandoned the throne for your younger brother, we wouldn't be in this financial crisis."

"So you came here to just complain?"

"And to plead to you Anthony, Give the throne to Conrad. I can't keep enduring this torture forever." She voiced.

Done with her impossible demand, She strode out.

Sometimes I wondered why I had agreed to marry her. The reason hit me harshly.

I had conformed to my late father's desire. My eyes went blurry when I remembered the sacrifice I had made for my family, How they squandered Emilia's fortune and trapped me forever with her.

I prayed Eric returned home if he was still alive. If not, This was another sacrifice I had to make.

To break my mother's dying wish and violate our customs.