Zaffera's Pov
"Quit running", says Ginn appearing from a hidden corner.
"It's useless, continues Fenyang stranding at an opposite corner. Meanwhile I'm stuck here in the middle of the two.
" What do you want?!" I scream breaking down, falling to my knees as wet tears start dripping down my face and my nose starts fo run.
They share a glance, and at once looking down at me tehy respond, "You need to pay."
Their words keep swirling in my head as i realise I've made a mistake. Many mistakes acctually, but never with the intention of hurting anyone. Now the person I love most has joined forces with my despised enemy. I lost Fenyang forever.
Slowly, he walks towards me with a softer expression. His hands so cold against my flustered wet skin as he touches it.
"Fenyang..." I whisper softly.
"It's too late... You took my heart and played with ut as though ut meant nothung to you. And now-", he grabs a small knife out of his belt and holds it under my neck "Now, I will be the one playing as though it means nothing to me."
I feel the dagger inching closer, gradually feeeling more pressure applied to tge blade, terrified to make a move. Eventually I lose my senses and wake up panting. It feels like my heart is about to explode and as my chest tightens my breathing is at such a level of irregularity I will lose concousness. Ironically the more I try to breathe in the more I feel as though I'm struggling for air.
"Are you okay? I heard you screaming." Father barges in with a concerned look on hus face, and quickly comes next to me as he sees the state I'm in.
"It was just a nightmare." I feel a sense of deja vu as he tried to gently calm me down.
"But uy felt so real." I quiver. The room is invested in a deep silence apart from my still rather sonorous breathing and at some point i fall back asleep.
The following morming I notice Father isn't here with me and go around Palace in searching for him.
It's been about a month since Father showed up and things are going pretty well, at least so far. Part of me can't shake the feeling that something bad is imminent. My nightmares have been quite an occurrence and call me supersticious but I have my reasons. Ginn hasn't made an appearance since the day my Father got rid of him and knowing the new him he will do something, something bad.
I am not even done reflecting on where he might have disappeared to that an angry Ginn disrupts my search.
"I'm done playing games with you. I have given you a moment of respire and not once have reached out. Everytime I ask to be with you, you reject me. This time I'm switching things up. Take my hand in marriage or I comfort you to war." He points he's index finger shakily at me in threat, stepping forward to bridge the gap between us.
I take a moment to think. Part of me doesn't want to involve innocents in this personal business, but then again I don't want to marry a man who I despise.
"You don't understand it do you? I used to care for you and stupidly still do in a way, but I don't like the new you. I won't get married to you! Not now...nor ever."
"Okay..."he drops his hands to his waist and suddenly his yelling becomes quiet,"You will regret it.", he spits out.
After he leaves I notice Father at the other side of the Hall.
"We need to get ready." I nod in response.
°°°
I'm in front line. Behind me an army of soldiers and opposite me my a fiend turned foe. The dynamic has revolved upside down. As I notice Ginn advance in front line I feel pure anger shrivel up my spine.
Every solder has trained non stop since the threat was made and lest that comes to my detriment I can almost already declaire myself victorious. Either way I am not in the wrong here.
For evident reasons I fight head to head with him. Branding my sword I push my weight fiercly forward, inching for his limbs. I want to hurt him enough to defend myself but I would never take his life and this feels like the best strategy.
In a grin he sways he's chest side to side avoiding my hits. He already figured me out. I duck and quickly place my sward back into its sheath and astutely hide in the nearest free space. I grab two daggers out of my belt and cut the back of his armoury exposing his vulnerable skin to the dust and elements. Then I wrap my arm around his neck and hiss:"Let's stop playing games... This only concerns the two of us."
"Maybe." He swiftly turns around forcebly, making my wrist twist painfully and knocks both daggers off my hands. He inches closer and picking up a dagger to his neck he continues, "See you won't hurt me really" as my eyes widen in terror.
To my rescue, Father hits his back of his gead and he drops to the floor losing conciousness.
"Thanks."
"We need a strategy we have too many injured soldiers. Think fast."
I dig in my mind and nothing. Completely blank, but then something comes to mind.
I command the troupes to retreat and a small number of them is to set the cannons forward and pull up the armoury wall.
Altogether, we lean back pulling at a rope down along with us and a block of wall is erected in which we hide behind with our weapons pointed at the opposite Kingdom.
"Just like when we go hunting, except this time we are going after people."
My father nods.
Eventually the situation flips and we are at an advantage. I wait a second to declare the end of the battle as the opposing kingdom retreats. A sigh of relief comes out of all of us.
Quite some time later after the victory chanting and celebrations I withdraw to a quiet room.
"You fought a good fight today. And hopefully that man can stop harassing you like that." Father sits next to me. I hum in agreement as I squeeze my knees to my chest and stuff my head in tge little gap between.
"I've noticed how miserable you have been... Are you sure this is how you want to live the rest of you life?"
"Honestly, no..." I heave, "but I have no choice."
"I'm sure the male you told me about is just waiting for you to make a return." He says mimicking air quotes on 'the male' refrencing the time we went hunting. I nod.
"Maybe."