Anna's heart skipped a beat, not because she was afraid of the demigod but because she was unsure of his requirements. And given the current situation, Anna felt that handing a maiden over to him wasn't the best option.
"What do you take me for!" The demigod's voice sliced through the air, echoing off the castle walls, and Anna's gaze fell back on the young princess who was still cowering in fear in her mother's embrace.
Anna wanted to step forward as the king had instructed, but her feet were glued to the floor, not out of fear but a supernatural force which she believed came from the demigod himself.
"A whore?" The demigod asked, but the King's expression remained unchanging.
"I thought perhaps, if I couldn't give one tear of Naiad, yet. I can give to you what my father had failed to, a maiden who is unafraid and would bear you a son."
Anna's heart sank to the bottom as she was tempted to tell the king that it was a bad idea. For a start, she came into this world in her own body, which means that she may not be able to conceive.
So if the demigods wanted a child so badly, specifically a son, then wouldn't it be worse to send her with him?
"Come closer, Anna!" The Queen yelled, her eyes gleaming with delight, as much as they all feared the demigod, she couldn't wait to get rid of the young maiden who had shown no interest in her husband.
"She can't move," the demigod cut in, hinting at the power that held her down,
"Not until I let her, and until you tell me why I can't get a single tear of Naiad."
[ System Notifications ]
[New task! ]
[ Convince the demigod to give the King more time by offering yourself]
"Uhm, that's a bad idea," Anna whispered,
[ You are Anna, so you must continue the plot, if you back off now it would be a waste of time ]
Anna took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly, she tried to block out the demigod's bickering but his voice was too loud and all over the place. She just needed him to stop talking for a moment to chip in.
"I offer myself, my lord," Anna spoke up, and everyone paused, with their brows raised in confusion.
Even Anna was confused for a second because she didn't know why those were the first words to escape their lips.
The demigod's gaze narrowed, his expression unreadable, the King's face turned pale while the Queen's eyes sparkled with excitement. As for the princes and other servants in the room, their jaws were dropped.
"What did you just say?" The demigod asked, his voice low and menacing.
Anna swallowed hard, trying to process her own thoughts. "Why did I offer myself again? This I certainly a death wish." But then she recalled what the King had said about the maiden being bold.
"I offer myself, my lord." She repeated, trying to sound confident,
"In exchange for more time. I'll go with you and... do whatever it is that you need me to do."
[ +30 exp ]
The demigod's expression didn't change, but Anna sensed a flicker of interest behind his eyes, she only needed to keep it up long enough to agree.
"Go on," said the demigod, his voice dripping with curiosity. He leaned back on his chair, crossed his legs and placed his steppled finger on his knees.
Anna took a deep breath trying to think of a convincing argument, she took a few steps forward after the demigod had released her, but before she could speak, the King interrupted.
"Anna, no!" He exclaimed, rising from his seat,
"You are not allowed to speak unless you were being asked to."
The demigod's gaze shifted to the King, his eyes flashing with anger,
"Silence, mortal." He growled
"This doesn't concern you."
The King's face turned red with rage, as he realised that arguing with the demigod would be pointless. He had his eyes fixed on Anna with an expression of rage.
The young lady felt a pang of guilt, she knew that King Charlie would have loved to take care of this matter on his own, and she understood his concerns, but the task comes first. So she took another deep breath and continued.
"My lord. I know I'm not the typical maiden you'd want. But I'm willing to learn, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to help you achieve your goal. If it's a son you want, I... " Anna paused, her heart pounding against her chest.
"I will bear you a son. But in return, I ask that you give the King more time to find the tear of Naiad."
The demigod's expression remained unreadable, but Anna sensed a hint of amusement behind his eyes. He leaned forward a bit and his voice took a conspiratorial tone.
"Tell me, Anna... what makes you think that you're worthy of being my companion?"
"Dear lord, what a fool she is," King Charlie whispered under his breath,
"Who told her that she could bargain with the demigod and he'd just agree? She is going to throw my entire kingdom into chaos."
"Hold on brother," Charles who was seated next to him whispered back,
"Anna is different, she might just be on to something."
Anna's heart skipped a beat as she met the demigod's gaze, this was one of those questions that she hated to answer because she never really knew what the listeners expected to hear. But Anna knew that she must be careful enough to tread a fine line between confidence and humility.
"I am not worthy, my lord," she said, trying to sound sincere,
"But like I said earlier, I'm willing to learn, to grow and to become whatever it is that you need me to be."
Anna chuckled in her head as she waited for the demigod's response,
"So much for not letting any damm man control me or tell me how to live my life."
[ +20 Exp.]