Chapter: The Disgusting Things We Endure
The merchant clapped his hands and barked, "Take the children to the servants' quarters. The Baron will decide later which ones are worth keeping."
The little girls shuffled out with lowered heads.
Their bare feet slapped against the floor, and the way they didn't dare to make a single noise felt deeper than any scream.
Nadeira wanted to reach for them, to drag them back, but her wrists still stung from the rope.
The merchant smirked, satisfied with his delivery. "Enjoy your new treasures, my lord." He gave a low bow, then strutted out the door.
The lock clicked and everything went quiet.
The Baron leaned back in his chair, sighing as though bored by the whole thing. Then he stood up once again, but slowly, enjoying every emotion on Nadeira's face.
His fingers went to his belt. The buckle came loose with a dull clink.
Nadeira's mouth went dry.
'No. Not this. Anything but this.'
He stepped closer. "You must know what happens to pretty things in my house," he murmured.
His hand rested on her shoulder, so heavy, claiming her.
The baron's shadow fell over her, and Nadeira suddenly couldn't breathe. Her skin burned where his fingers pressed.
Baron leaned down, pressing his nose against her hair. He inhaled the scent of her almost purple hair slowly, like he was savoring it.
A cold, hollow pit opened up in her gut like a sickening emptiness that spread through her chest. Nadeira wanted to rip her scalp out.
"You smell… expensive," he whispered against her ear.
Nadeira jerked her head away, teeth clenched like a knight's, ready to strike its enemy. "Get your hands off me."
He chuckled. "So fiery, but don't worry. I'll enjoy putting out that flame."
His hand slid down her arm. He was taking his time, touching her like she was already his.
Nadeira wanted to bite his hand off. But her whole body stiffened, paralysed between rage and fear.
Then his lips brushed the side of her neck.
That broke her…
"Stop!" she spat, twisting away. Her chest heaved, her pulse hammered in her throat.
The Baron lifted his head. "Ah, the fight. Always the best part."
He leaned forward again, but Nadeira caught movement in the corner of her eye. Shadows against the wall. Shapes that didn't belong.
Her heart skipped…eyes widened, and sour water came out from her eyes once again.
She saw them…Men…Lurking just out of the Baron's sight.
And suddenly…her eyebrows rose in relief.
"You should step back," Nadeira stated loudly, her voice was trembling but it was commanding enough to forget the fear.
The Baron raised his brow. "And why would I do that?"
"Because you're not alone," she replied back.
His eyes narrowed. He glanced around the room, but saw no one. "Pathetic bluff," he spat, gripping her chin hard. "You think anyone is coming to save you? You belong to me now."
Her glare didn't disappear. "You're about to regret touching me."
The Baron opened his mouth to laugh—
—and the door immediately opened.
Three men filled the frame, the glow of the hall caught on their sharp eyes.
Caspian…Nyxmaris… Orrisian...
The room seemed to shrink under their presence.
The Baron froze, his grip slackened as he stared at them. His face paled almost immediately, his tough character cracked like an old mirror.
Nadeira let out a shaky breath, her body started flooding with happiness, knowing her plan actually worked.
She whispered, almost smug, "Told you I wasn't alone."
The Baron's lips moved soundlessly, confusion and anger flashed across his face as the princes stepped into the room, staring at him.
"How dare you touch what doesn't belong to you, vermin?"