The room is silent despite the large group of men gathered, their wives and mistresses sitting stoic beside them. Not a soul dared move or speak, the only sound was the gentle tap of the dukes fingers on the hardwood table, his leather gloves softening the sound. Today was meant to be a momentous occasion, peace finally on the horizon thanks to the trade he was about to make. Looking to his left, his gaze meets wide blue eyes, his wife glancing around nervously, her eyes only settling when they met his. His darling wife Eryn was dressed in a long red gown, the gem crusted lace hugging to her lilth body. He would miss her, though he knew it was a necessary sacrifice, one he needed to make in order to regain peace within his lands. For the last year, those very lands had been pillaged by his greatest foe, a mercenary king from the east only known as Kyval. The bastard had spent months ransacking villages throughout his territory, killing any civilians who wouldn't comply and swear fidelity to him. After months of negotiations, hed finally managed to get a meeting with the elusive king, to find a way to end the decimation of his legacy. The answer had been unexpected, all Kyval wanted was the slender brunette beside him. Compared to his fortune, his land, his people, and most importantly his life, that was a small price to pay. Picturing the smug smile peering from under his hood made his blood boil, not used to being so easily overpowered. As if just the thought had summoned him, the doors finally creaked open, and in walked a group of men clad in all black, whispy hoods obscuring their faces, impossible to decode which was Kyval.
"Evening gentleman." The tallest of the groups voice boomed through the room, his tone laced with mockery and authority. "I hope we didn't make you wait to long." Irritation and unease gnawed at his gut, not liking the fact that he had not come alone. "Where is Kyval?" The masked man laughed, the noise doing little to settle the storm of nerves swarming in his stomach like angry wasps. "Unfortunately his highness couldn't make it to collect his prize from you, rather he's sent us in his stead." It made little difference to him who came and took his wife, either way he was losing her. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he tried to calm down, anger and anguish battling in his chest, the knowledge of what he'd agreed to eating away at his being. It was the only way, they'd spent the two weeks they had till the meeting searching every other possible plan, though none were as good as just giving him what he had demanded. What was one life in comparison to thousands? Everyone in this room knew what they were here to bring back to their master, everyone but one. Her small hand came to rest on his thigh, her nervousness visible as she leaned close to him, her unease growing as the men grew closer, her heartbeat almost audible when they came to a stop before her.
"Stand, Eryn, former duchess of Asmore." The mans words had her grip on his leg tightening, her whole body trembling. "Get up, Eryn." His voice was cool and detached despite his inner turmoil as he firmly removed her hand from his lap. She turned to him, her sapphire orbs going glossy at the command. "A-Ag-gnor whats going on?" Her lower lip wobbled as tears gathered in her eyes, a whirlwind of emotion flying across her face. "Well, you're more spinless than I believed you to be, Agnor. You didn't even tell her, did you?" The tall mans taunting voice paired with his wifes disobedience grated on his nerves. She finally stood, her movements wooden and empty, her sadness turning to dispare as she looked at him. "Tell me what? What is it that you have forgetten to tell me." Anger built behind her voice towards the end, her body radiating fury through the room, a murmur breaking out over the crowd, shock at her sudden brazen behavior. Had this been anything else, he would discipline her, given her a reminder not to step out of line; but with the foreign audience gathered round, he forced himself to remain calm. "I didn't forget to tell you anything. " Her eyes widened at his words, fear taking root in very bones at the fury in his amber eyes, his face contorted in anger. "You simply didn't need to know." His view off her was immediately blocked, the apparent ring leader stepping between them, his hand coming down on her shoulder. "What he forgot to tell you, sweet Eryn, is that you are the prize. "
A small gasp left her lips as the man stepped back to his group, and he prepared for the inevitable tantrum to come.
There was a moment of silence as his words sunk in, her face a mask of contemplation, her eyes flashing with hatred and betrayal, but much to his surprise, her head simply fell, long auburn curls blocking her face. Turning slowly to the men, she placed her hand in his outstretched one, closing the gap between them with two small steps. The men herded his wife toward the door, not bothering to look back at the room full of enemies. "WAIT!" His voice brought the entourage to a halt, the tall man turning with Eryn in toe, a look of desperate hope flitting across her features as she gazed at him. "Where is the scroll? The one that guarentees you will all leave this land?" The fleeting hope died in her eyes, a look of pure disdain entering her gentle features as the tall man tossed a rolled up scroll at the dukes face. "Right there, your lordship. " The words came out on a sneer, mocking and unkind. As they turned to whisk his wife away, their eyes met one last time, her ocean orbs stormy and full of venom, her voice practically dripping with it as she said her final farewell. "I will never forgive you, Agnor, watch your step, because one day I will get revenge on you for this, and all that you've done to me. " The door slammed shut behind them, and finally he could breathe.