Divorce

Two days later, we reached the Duke's castle. A few troops were stationed around the walls ready to go to war. They were the reinforcements the Duke had called for but not all of them had arrived.

A great battle was about to happen, and anyone could smell the anxiety around the castle. The men were preparing their weapons and readying their hearts. They knew they were not enough. They knew their chances of surviving the night were few.

"Open the gates!" The metallic chains moved, and the big gate lowered down letting our group finally got inside safely.

"Miss Irina, I wished you could sell me some of your medicine." That was Elton, the young knight on the verge of death a few days ago. He turned out to be a very courteous and grateful knight to Irina and me. Finally, someone with good sense. The young man procured us the best food and shade, cooked our meals, and set up our tent every night. His friendly talks always lighted up our mood and Irina was getting along well with him. However, he was extremely respectful towards me, the same as if he were looking at his Master, the Duke.

The man surely looked energized.

"I am sorry Sir Elton, I don't have much with me, so I can't sell it."

"What a pity." For sure, he was a very cheerful man. I could feel a hint of appreciation for him growing in my eyes. He was tall, very tall with brown fluffy hair, but his skin was something to admire, even for a woman. The potion had made his injuries, new, and old, recover, even the scars. He looked healthier as if he were many years younger and his mood was extremely joyful, although I think that was his usual personality.

"Elton!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Go with the gatekeepers and bring me a report of the weapons and men available."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The Duke looked at me with those deep eyes and I knew he wanted to talk. He led me into the castle. A beautiful white castle, with big walls surrounding it. Inside were many people, from young to old, from carpenters to knights. Women and children, the families of the knights, and many others who pledged loyalty to the Duke of Docrem. They were respectful to him, when he passed by, they briefly looked at him and then bowed their heads.

He led me into a big study room on the third floor of the castle. Those damn stairs were eternal for me.

"Who are you?" The interrogation began. He looked directly into my eyes. My strength was not at its high point, I felt weak looking at his eyes. How could that be?

"My name is Lucia Reid from the Crotia Kingdom, my father is the Count of Raid."

"You know what I mean. I won't have anyone dangerous inside this castle."

"That is who I am, that is who I've been for the last seventeen years of my life... and... cough... I have some... special abilities, but I've never hurt any innocent people."

"What are these abilities?"

"I can move faster than normal people, and I am stronger."

"What about the blood?"

"What?"

"I saw you with blood in your mouth."

"How could you…?" How did he notice? The others didn't see anything.

"I had to drink blood from time to time to maintain my health. Sometimes human blood, but not necessarily. Irina usually brews me a potion with it."

"Your appearance, it changed."

"Yes, at night."

"…" Are you not going to ask anything else?

"Is that all? I want to discuss this marriage contract."

"What about it?"

"I want a divorce."

"…"

"I don't want a marriage with someone who wants to kill me."

"Nobody wants to kill you inside here."

"Well, maybe not now, I don't know, but a few days before, surely you wanted it."

"…"

"After a month I want a divorce, or you could fake my death. I want protection and some money to get by."

"I will think about it."

"No."

"No what?"

"We are agreeing to it right now." Great, my eyes didn't falter. I made an effort to turn them red again and show my dominance.

However, he only chuckled and looked at me with a mocking gaze. Then he stood and walked in front of me fearlessly. How brave! Then he leaned and whispered in my ear.

"Listen, you could be powerful at night, but you are nothing under the sun. I noticed it in the last few days. So, if you don't want to be chained in the plaza to let the sun hit your pretty face and suffer, I suggest you observe your behavior."

This man! I felt my hand forming a tight fist, how much I wanted to smack his face, but I couldn't. I wasn't afraid, but this man was terrifying. Even with my strength, he could easily overpower me now when my abilities were still recovering.

He looked again at my eyes and smiled. I didn't move, even if now I can't do anything, the night will come.

"You will be my wife until I say so. Do you understand?"

"…"

"If you dare escape, I will tell the whole world your little secret, and how you and your little maid saved my knight from death with your potion, you will be tracked every day of your life, you will never have peace."

"Don't think too highly of yourself, I can bring disaster on you if I want to, Duke."

"Hehe, but now you are at my mercy, wife."

Suddenly, he took my waist and my chin. I couldn't defend myself in that state, even when he put his lips on mine kissing me roughly.

"Mmmm…" I pushed him with all my energy but it was no use. Right now, he was the strongest. I bit his lips, so I could finally free myself. "Stop!"

However, he never let go of my waist.

"I already told you, you are mine until I said so."

"I am not anyone's, least of all yours. I won't let you have me, even if I have to die."

"Then I will have to bind you to me for eternity."

"What?!"

The next moment he pulled a ring out of his pocket, it started to shine when he whispered a word I couldn't hear. Then the whole room lit up and he kissed me again unexpectedly. My hair came loose, and I felt a painful burning sting in my chest. What a horrible first kiss. I blacked out.