"I beg your pardon, Your Grace." Aldrich said.
Yeren didn't even blink. His smile remained intact.
"I believe you heard me, Lord Bronan."
"B…but you can ask for anything else… Lady Stenly is my betrothed… my soon-to-be wife, Your Grace. She is not something to be used as a prize."
Yeren took a stepped forward, forcing Aldrich to retreat backwards.
"You have nothing else of value to offer me, Lord Bronan."
Aldrich darted a brief glance at her. Yet in the short while, she saw the battle in his eyes.
"I have some of the best horses in the Kingdom. I can gift them to you."
Yeren glanced at her briefly as well.
"My slowest horses are faster than your best."
Claire blinked then. Why wouldn't he give up?
"Forget about the whole challenge, Aldrich." She reached out and held his hand, offering a reassuring squeeze as he did for her on so many occasions.
But she felt his hand stiffen in hers before he pulled it out of her grasp.
No.
He can't accept the challenge.
