Amara's POV

My hands attempted to push my body up from the ground, but instead I fell on my face right on the dirt floor.

My blurred vision sharpened slowly having me realize my wrists were in bonds made of rope.

"The lady has awoken."

Lady?

And then it dawned on me that I could feel cold air hit my face.

I was completely stripped of my armor with only my simple garment underneath.

Thankfully I favored my layers so I didn't feel bare as much as I would have if I didn't.

"Don't worry your armor is safe. For now."

He dipped his body toward me to help me sit up.

Gallantry I see. But still an enemy.

"You seem surprised." It seems he had noticed my expression.

I said nothing as I choose to stay quiet.

I wasn't use to people seeing my facial expressions due to always having my helmet on.

So for a stranger to see such uncontrolled facial expressions of mine was definitely new for me.

And something I needed to control as fast as I could.

"Silent treatment from a woman is a first for me. But I guess it makes sense that conversation might not be to your strong suit, after all...you're a royal knight through and through. If I were to guess correctly you must be one of those knights that say not a word even when they are tortured and half starved."

"I'm not deaf or dumb you snake."

"She speaks, and with such poison." He stepped back from his crouched position and leaned back on a beam made of wood.

He was but a silhouette to me in the dim-lighting.

Taking in my surroundings we must of been located in the cottage I was suppose to reside in until everything was all over.

He gave me a look of suspicion as I only glared at him.

"I am curious. Why were you wondering about on your own my lady?"

Nervousness arose in the pit of my stomach, knowing full well that he was certainly capable of figuring my secret out.

So I had to lie and lie fast.

"Patrolling for any scum like you!" I spat in his direction and managed to hit the very top of his shoe.

He then returned a stern cold glare and slapped me across the face with such force that my lip drew blood as a bruise was forming on my face.

"I normally never hit a woman. But it seems you may have been an exception." He fixed his glove as he continued to glare.

I glared right back.

"Your women too delicate where you're from?" I spoke with a snarky tone as he kept a cold expression.

"The people I capture are always killed, women included. But you are the first to yet experience death at my hand."

"Why not kill me? Why keep your hand from slaying a woman like me?"

He seemed unsure as he turned his back toward me.

"Caution...To have no mistakes, if my gut is right. But we shall see won't we my lady."

He slung a heavy bag over his shoulder that most likely contained my armor as he lifted my arm for me to stand.

His grip stayed firm on me as we exited the cottage.

"If you're wondering. You were out for a couple days, your war is ending soon and we still have yet to capture the princess. I'll need you to help me find her if you wish to keep your head. My commissioner gave me freedom to do as I pleased all expect kill the princess when she is found. I do not wish to burn the very ground you stand upon just to find her. But if I must, I will."

He wanted me to comply, to listen and to obey his orders.

If I wasn't afraid of death I certainly wasn't afraid of him.

"Don't dare challenge me. It's written all over your face sunshine. No matter your beauty, every flower is plucked. Your beauty has no factor in holding back your death by my hand if you're not careful."

If my expressions were based on weather, I knew I definitely wasn't sunshine.

And was what his talk of flowers? Was he secretly some type of bard?

No. I couldn't see this deadly snake of a man as a bard. He seems all too serious for such a career choice.

"And if I give in and listen to your every order? Then what?"

"You won't die by my hand."

"That's a news of flowers."

"Listen to me or die. Choose." His voice was cold as winter wind to the skin.

"How can I trust you'll keep your word."

"I won't kill you."

"Stop being unclear and give me something real."

"Something real." His tone was in a slight question as to think and ponder on what I had just spoken to him.

He then pulled out a ring.

A silver ring lined with a type of writing on it as if it was held by some type of spell.

"An unbreakable spell, an unbreakable vow I bestow upon you my lady, the secret royal knight of Aster. Until my mission is complete I shall not harm you. I shall protect you until all is done. I shall see you as my own. With this ring I bound my words, my promise to you." As he spoke red glows came from the ring and into his very heart.

"If I were to harm you in any way I will die. That is my real to you."

I nodded as he untied me.

"Now what is your real to me?"

My real.

For him to trust me it had to be something of a sacrifice to me.

Something that meant very much to me. Something that would cost my life.

My armor.

"My armor. I will not wear it. I swear it on my King."

He seemed almost shocked but seemed to understand instantly with sincerity in his earthy eyes.

"You truly surprise me. But I will allow your sword only when I see fit the time is right to give it. That time is not yet."

He may not know...but my surprises for him weren't finished.

After all, he's yet to discover my true name.

For me, I have yet to know his true name myself so it was best to keep my guard up no matter the cost.

After all he was the enemy, a snake ready to strike at any moment.

And when that moment ever came I'll need to have no hesitation to strike.

Just as he will be merciless, I shall be worse.

I'll slit his throat once the opportunity arose and I will not falter on slaying such a dragon.

I will not hesitate because I cannot fail.

After all this was all for Aster. My homeland and people.

My father, brother, uncle and for myself.

(Amara Aster)