Bk 2: Chapter One (4)

"Many were not tricked into it."

"They would still love to be, though." he answered.

"You told me that you promised my brother you would take care of my family." she said, "Is this what you had in mind?"

"It would give the same effect, wouldn't it?"

She said nothing and sat under the shade of the umbreller tree. He followed suit and they both sat in silence for a while.

"Why?" she finaly asked.

"Why what?"

"Why would you marry me?" she asked.

"I..." he started to say.

"Protect me or not, your ridiculous claim may be, I still believe on thing. You want to marry me and I want to know why." she turned and stared into grey eyes.

Prince adrian was silent for a while, still, his eyes never left hers. He wondered if that look in her eyes was caution or anger. Either way, it siped into his bones colder than the freezing air.

"You assume too much." he said.

"Do I? I think myself rather sane."