CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO:Tamed by love

Aria sat on the bed, watching Lord nigel study maps and scrolls. She got up and walked over to him. "What are you doing?" she asked.

Lord nigel not looking up said"I'm preparing for a potential war. Some kings want to take me down."

Aria's eyes widened. "War??

" it's a war that won't involve armies,I want to catch my enemies unaware"

" Why do those kings want to take you down?"

Lord nigl shrugged. "Maybe they're scared I'll overpower them and take their people captive!

Aria listened intently, then suddenly slapped Lord nigel on the back of the head.

"Ouch!" Lord nigel turned, rubbing his head. "What was that for?"

Aria smiled mischievously. "Payback time. Remember when you locked me in that cell and made me stand in the scorching sun?"

Lord nigel chuckled, his eyes softening. "You seem to have forgotten your fear. You're no longer scared of me... Do you love me?"

Aria blushed, looking away. "No, I don't love you... I just have a crush on you."

Lord nigel pouted, making his face adorable. "Just a crush? That's not fair."

Aria laughed. "I'm sorry, Lord nigel."

Lord nigel shook his head, feigning hurt. "I'm hurt."

Aria's expression turned serious. "What happened to the maid who tried to kill me?"

Lord nigel's demeanor changed, his voice taking on a darker tone. "I killed her."

Aria looked at him, shocked. "Can't you just show mercy? Why would you kill her?"

Lord nigel's face broke into a sly grin. "Just kidding. She's alive. We made a deal: if you survived, she'd live. But if you didn't... she'd die a gruesome death."

Aria's eyes narrowed. "Take me to her."

Lord Miguel bowed. "As you wish, my lady."

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Nina sat in the cold ground of the cell, exhausted and worried. She had silently prayed for Aria's survival, despite Lady Davina's warning about the deadly poison.

Just then, the cell door creaked open. A guard entered, followed by Lord nigel and Aria. Nina's eyes widened as she took in the scene.

"I'm sorry, Aria," Nina begged, tears streaming down her face. "I was sent to do it."

Aria's expression was stern. "Who sent you?"

"Lady Davina," Nina replied.

Aria's eyes narrowed. "The minister's daughter?"

Nina nodded.

Aria turned to Lord nigel. "Is that the same Lady Davina who...?"

Lord nigel cut her short "yes!"

Aria's gaze fell upon Nina's missing fingers. "What happened to her fingers?" she asked Lord nigel.

"I just taught her a lesson," Lord Miguel replied.

Aria sighed, her expression softening. "Are you in pain, Nina?"

Nina nodded, wincing. "But I'm just happy you're alive."

Aria turned to Lord nigel. "Let her go. Keep your part of the bargain."

Lord nigel nodded. "I'll let you go, Nina, leave with your... reminder. Leave this place, go far away where no one knows you."

Lord nigel summoned his guards. "See her out of the castle. Now."

The guards bowed and escorted Nina away, carrying out Lord nigel's orders.

Aria turned to Lord nigel and said, "That reminds me, I want to return to the maid-quarters."

Lord nigel's expression turned stern. "You will do no such thing. You'll be staying with me."

Aria protested, "But Lord nigel, it's not right. I need to go back to the maid-quarters."

Lord nigel fell silent for a moment before responding, "What if something else happens to you?"

Aria met his gaze. "If something happens?..nobody will dare try anything with me again. You've taught nina a lesson, and everyone has seen it."

Lord nigel nodded, seemingly convinced. "Okay, fine. I'll have Lady Charlotte bring you some new clothes."

Aria's face lit up with a smile. "Thank you, thank you!"

As evening fell, Aria returned to work, and her coworkers began to warm up to her. Many apologized for their past behavior, not wanting to risk getting on her bad side, lest she report them to Lord nigel.

Aria accepted their apologies graciously but remained cautious, unsure of anyone's true intentions.

As dinner preparations began, the mates gathered waiting for their dinner,Suddenly, Lord nigel showed up, and everyone bowed their heads

Lord nigel asked Lady Charlotte, "Where is Aria?"

Lady Charlotte replied, "After what happened, Aria is being cautious and staying in the kitchen with the chefs."

Lord nigel instructed Lady Charlotte, "Go bring Aria now. I want her to eat with me tonight."

Lady Charlotte suggested, "My Lord, you could have simply sent for her."

But Lord nigel insisted, "No, I want to pick her up myself."

Meanwhile, Aria was in the kitchen, learning new cooking techniques from the chefs. Lady Charlotte interrupted her, saying, "Hurry up, Lord nigel is here to pick you up."

Aria's expression changed, and she asked, "Pick me up? Why?"

Lady Charlotte explained, "He wants you to eat with him and sleep in his chambers tonight."

Aria protested, "No, no, no! Tell him I'm engrossed in my work."

But before Aria could finish, Lord nigel appeared at the kitchen door and asked, "Engrossed with your work?

Lord nigel's gaze locked onto Aria. "Your work has ended for today," he stated.

He glanced around the kitchen, his eyes falling upon the chefs, who were still bowing. His voice took on a cold tone. "Get back to what you're doing. I'm not here for any of you."

The chefs quickly scrambled to resume their tasks, casting nervous glances at Lord nigel as he turned his attention back to Aria.

As the evening drew to a close, the maids retreated to their quarters. Lord Nigel escorted Aria to his chambers, his presence still making her nervous after the recent events.

Fortunately, the evening passed uneventfully. Lord Nigel and Aria shared a meal together, and then they retired to bed. As they slept, Lord Nigel cuddled Aria close, his gentle gesture a soothing balm for her frazzled nerves.

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Morning came and the group of men hired by Davina to kill Aria prepared to head to the palace. But just as they were about to leave, one of the members rushed in with a scroll and handed it to the leader.

The leader opened the scroll and read its contents. The letter was from Davina, instructing them to abort their plan to kill Aria at the palace. Instead, she ordered them to find Aria's mother.

Davina's plan was to capture Aria's mother and spread the word, knowing Aria would try to come to rescue her. Once Aria took the bait, they would capture and kill her on the spot.

The leader looked at his men and announced, "Change of plans. We're not going after the target directly. We're going after her mother to lure her out."