She belongs to me

The guard trembled at the sound of her words; he was aware of how vicious and cruel Princess Rose was in nature, yet he had never witnessed her so enraged at someone she had just encountered.

The guard felt sympathetic for the young lady who was oblivious to what awaited her, but he was powerless to act beyond obeying her commands.

But, Your Highness, isn't the punishment a bit extreme for a girl who is unaware of what is happening?

The guard asked.

Are you questioning me?

Rose barked in a tone akin to death.        

The guard quickly fell on his knees to beg for mercy.

Please forgive me for stepping out of line.

The guard pleaded, his face pale as a ghost, as the princess narrowed her eyes on him.
Your head would have been hanging on a spike for your insolence if we were not in

Zaza. Leave!

Rose barked.    

The guard scurried out of the room without a second thought, as he knew that his head would not be hanging on his body if he delayed a minute longer.

**Brock P.OV**        

Countless bodies lay on the ground as I fought my way through the soldiers who knew nothing but blood; these men were not humans, as their swords had killed countless innocents and plundered the wealth of many kingdoms.

My swollen hands gripped the sword tightly as I drove it into the soldier who was holding Jess captive, causing him to collapse to the ground amidst the other lifeless bodies.
My warriors watched as I decapitated the leader of the invaders, and their cheers erupted in a thunderous roar; with swords held high, they celebrated fiercely, gazing at the numerous fallen bodies scattered across the ground.

My heart pounded like a drum, not from the cheers of my soldiers, but from the relief that Jess was unharmed; I was grateful to have saved her and ensured that history would not repeat itself.

I did it, Jess, I whispered to myself while slowly making my way towards her; a sense of pride filled me, and I felt overjoyed about our life together now that the war had come to an end.

The desire I felt for her was far beyond words could explain, with each heartbeat aching for her love; her floral fragrance overpowered the metallic stench of blood.

But my joy was cut short by the loud shriek that escaped from Jess; at first, I was confused about what made her scream in fright, only to realize it was me. She was afraid of me.

She was horrified as I approached her, scooting further away to escape me. I thought the blood dripping from my sword likely frightened her; so to ease her fear, I dropped the sword and offered a reassuring gaze to convey that I meant no harm.

I called out to her, hoping she could see the turmoil beneath my stoic appearance.
Do not come any closer.

She cried.

Her despairing cries struck my heart like a dagger, causing more pain than the numerous wounds on my body; all I wanted was to shield her, yet she was terrified of me.

Her fear and the revulsion evident in her eyes left me stunned and unfocused, causing me to overlook the moment when one of the invaders, who had narrowly escaped, shot an arrow at me, hitting me squarely in the chest.

I opened my eyes to find myself inside the carriage; it seemed I had dozed off, as I had not slept in days. I was glad it was only a dream; Jess would never reject me, she cannot reject me.

I thought to myself.

As I gazed out the window, I contemplated the significance of the dream that still lingered in my mind, leaving an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I gazed intently at the trees lining the sidewalk, bathed in the soft glow of the half-moon above; the fear of being rejected by Jess loomed heavily in my mind.

I need to complete the second phase of my plans and observe her unwittingly fall into my trap; what truly matters is that she belongs to me, whether she agrees or not.

I could not shake the image of her terrified expression from my mind; I realized there was a long journey ahead of me, one that involved winning her heart and ending the engagement with Rose.

I know my parents would not be happy if they even got a whiff of what was going through my mind, especially my mother, who is determined to see me marry Rose.
How long until we reach the place?

I asked Paul, my trusted adviser and bodyguard.

Less than 10 minutes, Your Highness.

Paul replied.

Brock noticed the dark circles beneath Paul's eyes and felt a pang of guilt for pushing him too hard over the past few weeks. His eyelids hung low, weighed down by exhaustion from the long journey and the rough roads.

They hadn't enjoyed a good night's sleep in two days. Yet, despite his evident fatigue, Paul sat upright, maintaining a composed posture and a neutral expression.

Brock would have preferred to take his horse for a ride rather than being stuck with Rose in a fancy diner, but this was a sacrifice he had to make to pacify Rose. When Jess suggested it, he was a bit hesitant but agreed to stall Rose long enough to avoid the engagement.

Once the engagement became public knowledge and his identity was disclosed, ending the relationship would become increasingly challenging, potentially sparking a political conflict between the two kingdoms. He needed to take swift action before being drawn into a political marriage.

Eight years ago, during the peak of the conflict, the Iduim kingdom played a crucial role in assisting Zaza in overcoming the invaders who sought to claim its treasure. The root of the war was human greed, driven by a desire for power and fame. Tragically, countless innocent lives were lost, caught in the crossfire of this struggle for dominance.

Deep within the kingdom of Zaza lies a magnificent treasure that every king yearns to possess. According to prophecy, whoever claims this treasure will ascend as the high king emperor, ruling over all the realms.
Everyone desired these treasures, prompting four kings to wage war against Zaza in an attempt to seize the land and the coveted prize, all in pursuit of becoming the ultimate ruler.

I was surprised when my father revealed that, in return for their assistance, he had pledged to unite both families through marriage. This alliance, according to my father, was to strengthen both kingdoms into a formidable military power.

Sir, we are here.

Paul's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. It was time to put on a mask and pretend to act like a true gentleman to that obsessed princess.