Reed's low and calm voice made his words more threatening.
Melrose wasn't sure if the lord was really capable of killing someone, but she didn't know what his life was before he came to Arden. She didn't know what he had been through to assess what he was capable of.
"You must be Lord Knight, the King's cousin," said the leader of the rebels. "I heard a lot about you, but such arrogance is no use to me. I have a lot of men, and you only have a few guards to fight for you. If you are really smart, you should be begging for your life now rather than spurting nonsense."
"If His Majesty knows about this, he will spare none of you!" one of the doctors said.
"I shall see that day, then!" The man laughed evilly.
"How sure are you that you will see that day?" Reed interrupted.
The sun was setting and it was only a matter of time before the day would come to an end.
"Don't be too cocky, my lord. Your life is at my mercy, may I remind you."
"Of course," Reed agreed in a calm tone that surprised Melrose. "So how should I save my life?"
The rebels' leader smiled. "I told you, I want the King's woman. Give her to me and I shall spare you and the rest."
"It's a deal, then."
Melrose's body turned frigid. She wasn't sure if Lord Knight was serious, but when did he make jokes?
Even the doctors and the guards were shocked with Reed's words. They were dumbfounded how the lord, who was the King's cousin, easily gave up the lady for the sake of his own life.
"L-Lord Knight," Melrose uttered in a strained voice while facing his back. "What are you-"
"Say nothing."
"But-"
"Sometimes life requires a sacrifice, Lady Lewis. It's just a pity that this time you are the lamb to be sacrificed. Do you want the people with you to die for you? A queen must not hesitate to die for her people," he said coolly as if they were not talking about her life.
Her eyes watered. She shouldn't have expected even a little goodness from Lord Knight. He was rude and harsh. She should have known that he was nothing but a cold-blooded man.
But then, could she really bear to watch these innocent people with her die when she knew she could have done something?
She pulled her wrist from Reed's grip and he let her go. She stepped forward so that the rebels would see her. The leader's gaze immediately fell to her. His lips curved up, showing his dark crooked teeth.
"It's nice to meet you, my lady. Indeed, you are living up to your reputation. Such a rare beauty, I must say."
His words of compliment sent shivers down her spine. How could someone be so evil to ruin the whole village? She didn't know what they were fighting for, but whatever it was, it could never justify the death of those people they killed.
"Did you kill every person in the village?" she asked.
The reek of blood repulsed her but the sight of these vile men in front of her was more disgusting. Her eyes felt warm in tears but she didn't let it pour. She was already helpless. She couldn't look more pathetic.
"What if I did?"
Melrose clenched her teeth. She was sheltered from cruelty since childhood and never knew what it truly meant until she saw the hanged magistrate and how the old doctor was killed right before her eyes.
"Why are you doing this? What do you want?"
"To overthrow the King," the leader replied nonchalantly as if his words weren't enough to convict him for treason.
"But you don't need to know the details, my lady. We also don't have the luxury of time for chitchats. Since we have already killed so much today, we are a little tired so I'm giving you a choice. If you come with us in your own volition, we will spare the people with you. But if you insist the hard way…" He pointed his spear to the doctors, which made them shriek in fear. "Their fates lie in your hands."
Melrose released a quivering breath. She turned her head to the man standing calmly a foot from her back and wondered if he really had no ways to solve the crisis. She couldn't read him, nor could she blame him if he truly wanted to save his life by sacrificing hers.
Reed raised an eyebrow at her and said nothing. She sighed and looked back in front.
"Do what you must, Lady Lewis," she heard his low voice and she didn't bother to look at him again.
"So, what is your decision, my lady?"
She eyed the rebels' leader sharply. How she wished she had the power to punish them for their sins right that moment.
"Fine. I will come with you."
The rebels' leader burst into a satisfied laughter. "What a smart lady you are. Robin! Tie the lady and bring her to the carriage!"
A man went to her and tied her hands before he led her to one of the royal carriages. All Melrose could do was swear on them in her mind and wish that the news would reach the King or her father soon. Sure, it was a noble death to die for others sake, but dying in the hands of evil people was something she would never want for herself.
"What should we do, master?" Stuart, who stood next to his lord, whispered as they watched the rebels left with the carriage where Melrose was.
"Tell me, Stuart. Are we required to do something?"
"I suppose we are, master. Lady Lewis is your cousin's bride-"
Reed glared at his servant. "Do you think you should keep reminding me that?"
Stuart took a step back like a scared kitten. He knew better than to annoy his lord.
"Accompany the doctors to the nearest inn," Reed demanded.
"Right away, master."