After the disgraced Derrick, Sarce and the rest of the men were led out, the demon prince looked back at me. My eyes unintentionally widened and I gulped. 'Surely I have still won my freedom, right?'
"Um, I'm sure you realize I had no part in your brother's schemes?"
Prince Baymun coolly said, "The thought never entered my mind."
I exhaled in relief, "Good. I guess this means that I've earned my freedom . . . so I will just be going - "
"What freedom?" Prince Baymun's deep voice interrupted.
Narrowing my eyes I sharply said, "That was the agreement. I win - I get to leave unmarried."
"I never entered into such an agreement." My mouth fell open in disbelief as he continued, "Besides, who said you won? If I remember correctly, I was to determine the winner."
I couldn't believe that this horrible man would stoop so low. The nerve - the lack of pride was just surreal. "You and I both know that I would have killed your scum brother if I wouldn't have been interrupted. You even said so yourself only minutes ago. I have won my freedom. If you don't believe so, how about you and I duke it out to determine if I can leave?"
"Such matters are beneath me." Prince Baymun lavishly yawned.
"I'm sure they are, but with your skills it shouldn't be too much trouble should it?" I tried edging him on. Prince Baymun lazily looked at me with those devilish violet eyes while cocking his head to the side, "Hmmm . . . Perhaps. If I agreed to your little competition would it be the same standards? Use whatever means at our disposal in order to win?"
"But of course." I speedily agreed, eager to get this over with. I wasn't sure what he was getting at, but I knew I had to get out of here quickly. This man wasn't like his brother Derrick - he was cold-blooded and cruel. If left alone with this demon for too long, I was sure to be imprisoned or executed.
"Very well, I accept." Smiling at the easily obtained agreement, I moved into a fighting stance. However the prince gracefully sheathed his sword and ordered, "Guards, seize this woman."
Confused from the immediate strong hands forcing me to stay still, I angrily questioned, "What is this?"
The demon prince didn't look concerned as he stated, "I used any means at my disposal. The guards are at my disposal - therefore, I am victorious."
Complete hate washed over me once more. 'This slippery devil out-witted me?' I couldn't stop myself from spitting at his feet, "You coward! Is THIS how you represent your 'glorious' empire? Who are you to lead them -"
I was interrupted once again, "I do not have to listen to a person so beneath my status, intelligence, or level of respect. Your opinions do not matter."
Prince Baymun turned to leave, when for the first time since he'd arrived in the arena, Prince Devin quietly spoke, "Brother, I know that she is very out-spoken and insolent, but you won't kill her will you? Forgive me, but she does have some good views and advice on our empire."
The demon stopped and looked back at me. He fully turned around before speaking to his brother, "Devin, I highly respect you and your opinions. While I do not question your beliefs that this woman has some valid views, I still stand by my earlier deduction. At this point, her opinions do not and can not matter. Although . . ." It seemed as if an idea had come to mind as he turned his attention towards me, "If you were to prove that you carry a level of significance for our empire, I might be inclined to reconsider."
"Meaning?" I asked.
"We are currently in need of a Champion to lead our forces since I will be remaining here in Bodach to rule over matters of state. My brother Devin is not fit for the position seeing as he would rather be in the medical field. My youngest brother Iren is not yet of age to command the battle-front, therefore I will offer you a choice - Seeing as you are obviously here for a reason and you have blatant opinions on our society's future choices, I will allow you to become our new Champion. You will serve our supreme empire by commanding our entire military forces. Any deaths will fall upon your shoulders for YOU will be the one who decides how to tactically win each battle. If we lose, it will be on your head. If you try to escape, you will receive a deserter's punishment. Notwithstanding, if you are still alive at the end of two years and have successfully proven beneficial to our empire, I will listen to any opinion or demand that you have with open ears."
"But I'm a woman." I stated with my brows furrowed, "I thought your race only used women for breeding? Why would any of your military listen to me?"
An undeniably handsome smirk appeared on the demon's face, "Indeed. You ARE a woman. I have no qualms allowing YOU to try and convince the military to listen to you. Who knows? Perhaps you will persuade them that women can be more than tools. That is for you to handle."
'He's setting me up for failure.' If I take his offer, I will obviously fail if not die within the first month. "And what is the alternative to being your Champion?" I asked.
"Immediate execution."
I mulled it over. Trying to convince an army to follow my lead seemed better than instant death. Then a thought entered my head, "But why would you have me be your Champion? I mean - yesterday I was labeled as a spy." I probably shouldn't have brought that up being as I was in yet another life or death situation, but it just didn't make sense.
Prince Baymun narrowed his dangerously gorgeous eyes at me, "You honestly think I didn't make sure you weren't a spy as soon as I arrived? My disowned brother Derrick only wanted you as his pet - he never checked to see if his claims were accurate. You come from Eurosia, a desolate wasteland that will NEVER rise from the hell I put it in. Your people are dying - why would a 'spy' need to bring information back to a place that is going extinct? Barring that, you do have some significantly good fighting skills. I have no idea if you can lead or tactically run a group of soldiers, however Kovin will be there to make sure you don't unnecessarily kill off my men. You can even take your little lackey with you," With a snap of his long fingers, Richie was brought out onto the arena floor. Seeing him in the hands of our enemy caused me to reconsider lashing out against Prince Baymun's insults of our people. 'I can't let them hurt Richie.'
I quickly thought about the pros and cons before easily coming to a decision. Holding my head high, I looked straight in the demon's eyes, "I will be your Champion."
"Good. See that you don't get yourself killed within the first month." With that Prince Baymun turned around and left with not so much as a backwards glance.