SHE remains seated as she witnesses the man killing the men with minimal effort. The man was almost as big as the rest of the tribe's men. So it wasn't difficult for him to fight them.
"Who the fuck are you?" asked a member of the barbaric tribe.
But the man in the black robe said nothing.
"I said who are you to indulge in someone's matter- ugh!" the man slowly knelt on the ground while looking at the man wearing a black robe.
"Me? I'm just passing by..." At the same time, his sword went deeper into the man's stomach, who was already on his knees.
Princess Solvahne let out a loud sigh at the sight. And her eyes widened as the man looked at her. Despite the fact that the hood of its robe covers its entire face, its distinct aura is visible.
What caught her attention is his deep black eyes. It was almost infiltrating her whole essence.
A shiver rumbled through her chest as he began to walk closer to her. She had never met anyone like this before in her life. Someone she had a strange fear of.
She wasn't even afraid of dying before, but this mysterious person terrified her.
Whether she wanted to get up and run away from him, was too late.
The enigmatic man was already in front of her.
He looked at her as if she were just a useless thing he saw on the road, emotionless and lifeless.
Princess Solvahne gasped as she saw his face clearly as she squatted to level her face on her.
She has never seen a man prettier than a woman. He, who looks just like an angel, has fallen from above. Yes, she knows, he was written by a demoiselle. From his black mane hair, curled eyebrows, red-rimmed eyes darker than the color of a raven, alluring lips that fascinate the eyes and mind of the beholder, to his jaw sculpted by the greatest sculptor.
Indeed, he was the prettiest she had ever seen.
Princess Solvahne drew a sigh and parted her lips. "Who...?" she asked, but she didn't finish her sentence.
He didn't say anything, but he cut the ties around her pulse silently.
She swallowed and observed the man who had assisted her as he moved quickly. He stood up, his gaze returning to her as she remained motionless on the ground.
He held out his hand to her, wearing black gloves. Instead of reaching for his hand, she simply stared at it.
"Are you going to stare at my hand all the time, my lady?"
She understood what he said and immediately reached out to take his outstretched hand. She took a deep breath and turned away from the man. Her fear for him had faded slightly.
Solvahne cleared her throat, "uhh... t-thank you for s-saving me, sir," she honestly didn't know what else to say.
He didn't say anything, so she just stared at him. She noticed him adjusting the sword he had been using earlier.
"I ... uhm ... Can I ask for your name, if you may?" she asked the man weakly.
The man stopped what he was doing and looked at her. The side of the man's lips rose. "The name's Segrian, my lady. Segrian of Southern Helios."
She nodded her head and smiled a little at him. "I am pleased to meet you, Sir Segrian. My name is Sol-" she stopped when she realized what she was about to say.
No one else can find out about her.
Segrian looked at her, waiting for her to continue. "Sol?"
She blinked before nodding her head. "Yes ... uh ... Sol. It's my name," she said trying not to look away from the man.
"Interesting," said Segrian who was already busy with his sword again.
She would have said something if only he had not looked at her again. He cocked his head and fixed his gaze on her. "Are you in the middle of running away, Lady Sol?"
She stopped herself from looking surprised at what the man said.
How did he know she was trying to escape?
When she looked at him, he adjusted her posture and proudly stood up. "What may you say that?"
He approached her slowly, lowering the sword he was holding. She retreated with every step forward. Until she stumbled and a muscular arm wrapped around her waist.
"Isn't a little obvious, my lady?"
She was puzzled by what it said.
She was about to push him when she heard footsteps approaching. There were gallops of horses reaching them.
She knew who they were even before they arrived at their location.
"The imperial knights..." she thought to herself unconsciously.
They were already searching for her. Does her plan fail? Of course, yes. The emperor wasn't a fool to believe her scheme.
She silently prayed that they would not stop where she was. She was concerned about her safety.
And the man named Segrian was just standing there staring at her.
"Are they after you?" the man asked.
Princess Solvahne raised her eyes to him. "What?"
Segrian grimaced at her, "I guess I was right. You're really running away..." he said, bringing his mouth to her ear. "... by imperial knights."
Princess Solvahne took a deep breath before speaking.
"I didn't-"
"You are, my lady. This route was a way to the imperial palace, didn't you know it?"
"No. I s-said, I'm not running away," she firmly said.
Segrian nodded his head. "Right. Then, it's okay for them to see you?"
His words caused her eyes to widen. She grabbed her two hands into Segrian's dress just as the man was about to let her go.
"Wait- no! Please hold me still! I... I... yes! I was running away from them!" she almost yelled.
Because the man did not respond, she spoke again.
"S-So help me, I'll do anything, J-Just help me!"
She bowed before biting her lower lip and turning to face the man. Her eyes were welling up with tears.
To be honest, she doesn't want to beg for help from anyone. But she doesn't have a choice; it was the only way she could get away this time.
"Help you, huh? My lady, I don't do charities."
She gave a slight nod. "I said I'd do anything you wanted, and I'm going to repay your kindness," she stated firmly.
"Everything?" he asked.
Solvahne gave a nod.
He locked his stare on her. His black eyes darkened even more.
"Even if it means marrying me?"
Her lips parted at what she heard from the man.
"Huh?"
"Be my bride, my lady," he said sternly, sending shivers down her spine.
First, the emperor was asking for her hand in marriage and now, this man in front of her was asking the same thing.
God, what's wrong with these guys asking for her to be their bride?
To be continued...