Twenty Five

This morning went just like every other morning much to her surprise after what she pulled yesterday. She was fed, bathed, and clothed by none other than her captor, the maids only doing more trivial tasks. He seemed to enjoy watching her get all dolled up. Silla even held him in her embrace and greeted him properly with a kiss on his cheek. Saying everything he wanted to hear, "good morning husband. Thank you husband. Yes husband." It was all to appease him after her previous bad behavior, in the hopes that he would lighten whatever punishment he was going to deal out. Today he seemed to want to go all out with her dress and hair. The dress soft and silky was floor length with little pearls scattered along the train. Her hair matching the dress with little white diamonds in a half up- half down style.

Thankfully it was brief as it seemed he was busy today and must have had work to do. Now she was just stuck in her room all alone again.

Silla bit her nails thinking of what to do as she watched the last maid get ready to leave. She watched the rather young and inexperienced maid like a hawk, the young girl not even noticing her gaze. As she struggled to open the large door on her own one handed, the fruit tray in her arms bumped into the wall a little causing a single orange to fall to the ground. The momentum it picked up rolling halfway through the door getting stuck as the door closed. Leaving the door slightly ajar, as the fruit acted as a wedge.

This... Was certainly unpredicted. She didn't expect such an opportunity to be handed to her so quickly and easily. It was almost suspicious, but even Phanes couldn't have planned an orange rolling perfectly between the door.

How lucky.

Should she slip into his office again? While she didn't want another situation like yesterday these opportunities didn't show up often. He looked busy so hopefully that meant his office would be empty for the next few hours. Since she usually watched him leave the estate through her window when he was preoccupied.

Carefully going through the door she made sure it didn't close all the way so she could get back in later. Silla snuck through the halls as she tried her best to remember which wing his office was in, if she remembered correctly it was close to her bedroom. Passing an archway, she saw the large oak doors of his bedroom and his office doors which were right next to it. Making sure no one was around she went to the door and took hold of the handle only to realize it wouldn't open.

Fuck it was locked.

How could she forget something so vital, the only reason she had gotten in the first time was because a maid had been cleaning. There was no maids around this early in the day. All of this was for nothing and now she ran the risk of getting caught again. Frustrated she violently shook the handle making quite a racket in the process.

Sighing, hand still clinging onto the door her head dropped as she stared at her feet. Not noticing the long pale fingers coming from behind her and slowly wrapping around her wrist. "It v'on't open like z'at dearest."

Silla froze, eyes wide, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. Leaning over her form, Phanes was snugly pressed up against her back. "Never used a key before?" He taunted. When did he see her? She didn't hear him come up behind her.

"Or perhaps..." His green eyes became slitted.

"You v'eren't z'inking of sneaking in after z'e maid again?" His hand moved to completely envelope hers, Phanes fingers slipping between hers so their hands were intertwined.

Impossible.

Again, he says? How much did he know? If he knew she was in his office was he aware that she was watching him through the desk the entire time?! Did he know that she had been through his diary? Or that she had found the nursery next to his bedroom. Sweat dripped down her neck. How did he know she would be here? She never told him where she had went when she last escaped her room.

Using his own hand he opened up her palm and dropped in a single golden key card. His hand re-enveloping her wrist to push her hand to the lock making the door click open for her. Still standing frozen in front of the now open door he whispered, "V'ell? Aren't you going in?"

"O-Oh." She nervously turned to glance at his face. What is she supposed to do? Does she just go in as if nothing happened?

Why was he inviting her in?

Does he not know that she read his diary or saw him...

"V'hat v'ere you so curious about z'at made you sneak into my chambers?" He perched himself on his desk waiting for an answer that never came. She just stood and stared at him perturbed. Smiling he slithered his way back to her and held her chin under his fingertips making her look him in the eye. "Did you really z'ink I couldn't smell you behind my desk or all over my personal belongings."

"I know z'at you were z'ere. V'atching." He pointed to the desk, more specifically the tiny hole in the wood.

"After you v'ent through my things I suppose z'ere's no need to hide z'e truth any further..."

"Silla- you v'ere my childhood sweetheart." He whispered.

"Although your memories aren't intact, It. Is. True." He enunciated. She didn't know why but her heart felt he was telling the truth especially after she read his personal journal.

She eyed him in confusion... At first she would've thought he was delusional. But after reading his diary in her heart she knew it was the truth.

Grabbing her hand he caught her attention. "But today I have an important decision for you to make. An ultimatum for you." He whispered pulling her closer to him.

"Come. Follow me."

Despite her current state he knew that it was time. There were ways through which he could make her agree and turn her obedient, but Phanes was being patient as it wasn't the approach he wanted to take, not when it was her. At the same time, it didn't mean he wouldn't try them if she continued to defy him.

Phanes wasn't used to being defied, and once he set his eyes on something, he took it for himself. Silla still had a long way to understand where she was, and no matter how much she would try to get away from him, he would never allow it. With an invisible chain tied around her, he would pull her back to him.

It soon became obvious from the direction they were going that they were headed outside. Specifically to the gardens. Today was obviously special as the flowers and bushes were prudently trimmed and made beautiful as if for some special occasion. The usual cobble pathway had scattered flower petals leading to the decorated gazebo ahead filtered by willow trees.

White billowy curtains and flowers decorating the sides, the inside laid out with love seats and plush pillows, the ground covered in white carpet to make it soft to the soles of their feet inside the gazebo. The lake at the edge of the building in front of them sparkling from the fairy lights attached to the pillars and glass dome on top.

As soon as they entered the much quieter garden, she wanted to let go of Phanes' arm and instead wander off on her own over to some jasmine to smell. The fragrant air had an immediate calming effect on her, lifting your spirits. If only she were alone and not in the company of the distasteful man.

Standing next to each other Phanes pulled her to him in a hug, his arms around her waist. So that they were pressed right up against each other. Eye to eye.

"What's all this for?" She asked him skeptically knowing he was planning something.

"Just a special occasion." He murmured giving no details. Silla lightly snorted, her lips curling. He felt relief that he was officially getting rid of the silly notions Silla held about him today. That he'd 'grow bored' and 'toss her aside', as if she wasn't his soulmate. His one true north.

He won't abide her thinking like that. Not for a fucking second.

When he took her Silla said things to be mean, lashing out because she was scared, he knows that. Tried not to take it to heart. She was afraid. Thinking that once he got what he wanted he'd go seeking someone else like most disgusting men.

As if he was stupid enough to let greedy fucking whores sink their claws into him and try to pull him away from her.

They'd sooner have luck drawing blood from stone, but Phanes had always been one to go above and beyond, especially where Silla's concerned. And if it helps put her mind at ease to make a decision today, he's more than happy to prove just how deep his loyalty to her- his absolute devotion - runs. As many times as it takes.

That's love.

"Are you curious?"

She was momentarily stunned by those words.

Who wouldn't be curious, you bastard?

Anyway, he really has a knack for playing with people.

Phanes rested his head on her shoulder and kissed her neck intimately, as if they were lovers deeply in love. His lips were warm, so even if the kiss was light, it was like he was tickling her.

"What are you doing..." Silla wanted to break free from his arms, "Don't lean on me, you're too heavy." She turned her attention back to the fragrant blossoms around, letting her eyes feast on the way the sunlight

seemed to kiss them ever so gently.

A cool wind blew, causing the plant life to sway and rustle softly. For a while, the silence continued uninterrupted. She was busy admiring the flowers, lost in her own thoughts when she was once again unpleasantly reminded of  her companion's presence.

Standing up straighter he moves away from her neck to face the front of her again and he reaches up to gently cup her chin. Not knowing what to say she tried looking away from his unflinching

stare.

"Silla"

Even with all the wind, her ears picked up on his soft utterance of her name. She didn't like it one bit, just like how she didn't like his burning stare.

In one moment, she felt his cool, slim fingers wrapped around her wrist. In another moment, he held up her face with his other hand, both of his hands on the sides of her face. His palms completely enveloping her cheeks. With his hands cupping both sides of her face she couldn't move her head and was forced to make eye contact.

Mysterious green eyes, that resembled the evening sky above, staring back at her with frightening intensity. Her eyes widened as she watched him. Breathes mingled as his rosy lips neared closer... and closer to her face. Silla saw the darkness and madness that had been raging in his forest eyes and shuttered. Her heart started racing again noticing the way his haunted eyes were now trained on her lips as he huskily said two words.

"Forgive me."

Closing the distance, he kissed her deeply like he was trying to mark her soul, it happened before she could utter a single word the moment those soft, plump lips crashed against her own. Moving in a slow, sensual rhythm, that same warm and pleasant vibe making its way throughout Silla's entire body once again, pulling her even closer to him, like a magnetic force. Her lips felt encased as he tasted her mouth. He was already breathless, lost in her even when she refused to kiss him back, only making noises of protest as Silla squirmed. The forced of the kiss caused warm tears to fall out her eyes and run down her cheeks. Jolts Of electricity pulsed through her entire being, each time his slender fingers caressing her bare skin.

To him her lips were as soft as petals and to her his were gentle and firm. The kiss was sweet and chaste almost romantic. Yet it was needful and he didn't stop to let her breathe, not letting her pull back for air for several minutes. Dipping her backwards the way a groom would his bride.

They stayed like that for a few moments before he slowly pulled back leaving her speechless. He pulled back to give her breathe.

This was the first time he had kissed her.

Sure he had given her pecks on the cheek or forehead but nothing this intimate and never on the lips since he had taken her. Phanes was quite affectionate but still adhered to a level of modesty, giving her chaste kisses on your forehead every time as a greeting.

"You took my first kiss..." Silla whispered fingertips on her lower lip as she stood still a bit shocked a blush coming to her already pink cheeks.

"Technically yes and no." He looked down at her as she stared at him confused.

"Yes, I v'as your first kiss but quite a few years ago v'hen you ran away from home. Z'ough you don't remember."

"Willingly? Your telling me I kissed you of my own volition?"

"Yes," he practically seethed.

They had not only known each other but they had been close.

For whatever reason the her in the past had trusted him.

Trusted him enough to do what she never thought she was emotionally capable of. Love a man romantically.

Her previous comment about her aversion to kissing him proved she was really more and more not afraid of Phanes. If it was in the

past, she would definitely not dare to talk to him like this, but after getting along with him for a while, she found that he had a good temper at normal times, and he was not so easy to get angry when it came to her. She even insulted him on several occasions like this one and he took it relatively well.

But to forgo punishments she gradually figured out some ways to get along with him.

His gentleness could be divided into two types. One is the gentleness that he pretends to have before he gets angry and crazy, such a false feeling was not

difficult to understand. Carefully observing the tone and expression when he speaks, she can definitely

find it in time; the other is the gentleness when feeling happy. In this case, he is relaxed and will not make people feel scared. Now it was obviously the latter.

After their kiss, he held her in his arms, her bottom firmly planted in his arms as he held her up. Feet dangling far up from the ground. She used his shoulders for support as he gently sat her down on the gazebo seat.

He went down on his knees and kneeled before her so they were eye to eye. He laid his head on her soft lap, his arms wrapping around her waist and hips. His head burrowed in her lower stomach and thighs. His deep green eyes looking up into her blue ones. Although half his face except for his nose was completely swallowed from how deeply he pressed his face against her midsection. Slowly she brushed through his snow blonde hair with her fingers. His hair was soft and felt like the thinnest strands of silk.

"Silla." He softly called out.

"Yes?"

"I have an ultimatum for you, Silla." He paused sitting up. Still kneeling in front of her.

"What is it?" She asked genuinely curious and maybe a bit worried. He seemed so serious all of a sudden.

"A contract."

Sitting back up he was knelt on one knee and they were now eye to eye as he held her hands in his.

"What kind of... Contract?"

"A binding contract between a man and a v'oman." As soon as the words left his mouth she felt a pit form in her stomach.

He wouldn't.

She was more serious this time. Whatever it was, it wasn't good. The last contract that was made with him was the one between her father and him; selling her to him.

"You could call it a mutual benefit for both of us," he said not clarifying.

"And what do I get in exchange?" Silla asked.

"Money, power, luxury, pleasure. The Kaiserriech name. Anything you v'ant, not having to v'ork or do anything for the rest of your life..." He listed.

"But what do you get from this deal?" She asked suspiciously raising a brow; whatever he wanted wasn't going to be a small ask.

"Everything." He slipped one of his hands in his pocket and held something in his hand. She couldn't see what it was until she felt him slip cold metal over her ring finger. It was a beautiful green diamond. It definitely had to be a family heirloom. She sat frozen, her eyes looking only at her hand.

"Marry me." He said not even phrasing it as a question.

"Become a Kaiserriech bride, my bride, my wife."

She was stunned. All she could do was sit silently for a few minutes.

"Why..." She asked him.

He let out a long hallow laugh. "You know v'hy."

"I know you're smart enough to have already figured it out."

She wasn't ready for the next worlds out of his mouth.

"I love you."

Silence.

No more words left her mouth.

She suspected after all the things she'd found out about him but it still didn't register in her mind. He was planning to keep her forever, and she hasn't done much to stop it.

"You... Love me?" She mumbled to herself. No one had ever loved her, not in this way at-least or this intensely and intimately.

Silla only knew of one kind of love; the love she had received from her stepmother. Familial and friendly love, not what he was expressing. He knew this and yet he was greedy and not satisfyed.

Opening her mouth to speak surprisingly he sat there letting her finish everything she was going to say."But I- do not love you." She stated.

"You might not love me now, Silla, but I can assure you things v'ill change. Remember, I have an entire lifetime to change your mind, my flower." He smiled. It seemed he was hell bent on putting his ring on her finger. A chill ran up her spine. Even though he gave her the option of saying no she really didn't have a choice. It was just the illusion of a choice.

"Now I need you to answer me. What is your decision. " He said impatiently. Wow. He wasn't even giving her time to think about it.

The Phanes she sees is mostly kind to her. He's someone who keeps her company, chats and flirts with her... His pledge to love and give her power and luxury is a double edged sword. If he were to change his mind, he could use that very same power against her.

Sure, he's nice now.

But she's scared she'll fall for it and even worse end up developing feelings for him. Then she'd be utterly trapped if she reciprocated.

But his proposal was convincing. A part of herself was saying maybe working with him would be easier than working against him.

"What if I say no? There's a catch, isn't there? What is it?" Her eyes narrowed as he laughs.

"Smart girl." He pulled a transmitter out of his pocket. Flashing it on various pictures shot up into the air. Pictures of her family and friends. They all seemed recent too. Although she was glad Raizel, the child she left behind seemed to be doing okay."

"If you decline I v"ill kill everyone dear to you and make you mine anyway. It's up to you if you come v'illingly or kicking and screaming." Silla wasn't sure if it was an empty threat... But the serious look on his face said otherwise.

"Now that you understand..."

"I v'ill keep z'is simple. Love me- or, they'll die."

Well, nowadays it was rare to marry with both participants being in love and not something else. Mostly arranged marriages especially for aristocrats. At least he loved her which meant in some strange way he cared.

"You can reject me all you v'ant but remember this-

V'hy deny me my right v'hen I can give you everything you've ever v'anted. Truly v'anted.

Love. A family. Someone to love and someone v'ho loves you unconditionally.

I know z'at material objects and gold v'ill not sway you. You may crow about how much you hate marriage and children all you v'ant, saying z'at it's not for you. But I know z'e truth. I know v'hat your heart secretly desires."

His willowy eyes looked at her softly, meaning every word he said. "I can give you v'hat you v'ant. I can give you a family." He took her hand in his placing it over her lower stomach, right where her womb would be.

That very moment. He couldn't help but wonder what could have been if she hadn't been taken from him and forgot him. She would've already loved him and he they wouldn't be in this situation with her practically hating him.

One thing he was sure of was that he would have married and impregnated her the very day she had become an adult. He couldn't have had waited a minute longer to let the world know that she was off-limits, that she belonged to

him, now and forever. He was sure, they also would have been parenting at least one child, right now, with one in her womb. He dreamed of having a big family with her.

Silla let out a withered sigh. She chose peace over pride. It's better this way."Okay... I'll marry yo-" She started before she was cut off by Phanes immediately pulling her to him. Crushing her in his embrace. Although the decision was somewhat forceful he did sort of care about her feelings.

He was honestly expecting to have to drag her away kicking and screaming so that he could begin the long process of showing that she belonged with him and only him.

This was much more preferable though. He can show her more love and affection than any stupid plebeian ever could. He would shower her in riches and love aplenty. Silla will never have to lift another finger again.

"The engagement party is in a week and if you behave I may even bring your beloved ones."

Her rational side was screaming at her to stop this insanity, to push him away and say she changed her mind. However, she knew this wasn't the right choice. It was about survival, and surviving meant turning to him. It meant marrying him, agreeing to this life. It meant finding comfort in him despite it all.

Back in the lower ring she would've been fine. But for how long? She was barely making it day to day. Now she had the choice to sleep in a safe and warm bed. Not worrying about food or if someone was going to sneak into her room at night and kill her.

She'd much rather cry surrounded by sparkling jewels than next to a dumpster.

It was an obvious decision; a smart one. One she almost seemed to welcome and this scared her.

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to be continued...