(Chapter 31)
(POV Clarisse Faeloria)
I felt increasingly trapped in this situation. Lorcan Frostborne, with all his desires that clashed with mine, made me feel more and more distant from myself. Why should I submit to his every request? From the very beginning, I had doubts about whether I could handle everything alone. Sasa, my loyal servant, always seemed nervous whenever Lorcan arrived. I tried to stay calm and strengthen my resolve to reject his every request, especially for something I was not ready to accept.
The first night...
That thought haunted me. I thought that after my firm rejection, Lorcan would give up. However, he remained stubborn, as if his desires were the only important thing in the world.
My head began to throb. His cold voice pierced my ears, making my thoughts scatter. His once controlled demeanor had now turned into relentless insistence.
Just when I felt like I might scream, Aedric Thornshade, his loyal aide, appeared at the door.
"I'll see you again later," Lorcan said flatly before leaving with Aedric.
I could only let out a sigh of relief. At least, for the time being, I was free from the pressure he placed on me. However, the discomfort didn't fade. I realized, as time went on, I was becoming more and more trapped in this difficult situation.
After his departure, Sasa approached with a concerned expression.
"My lady, are you alright?" she asked softly.
I nodded, trying to calm myself. "Thank goodness, he's gone."
"The Duke seemed very angry earlier..." Sasa murmured.
"Yes, he was angry because I rejected him."
I turned my gaze to the window. "But I won't just give in because of his insistence."
"I will protect you, my lady," Sasa said with sincerity.
I gave a small smile. "Don't worry too much, Sasa. It's too dangerous for you."
That night, I asked Sasa to investigate the rumors that were circulating. It turned out that Lorcan was going to the border to face the barbarian threat encroaching on the Northern lands. He would be gone for a long time.
For a moment, I felt relief. No Lorcan meant peace for me. However, that relief was short-lived. What if something happened to him?
When Lorcan returned to my room, there was tension in his eyes.
"I'm going to the border," he said bluntly.
I knew I had to respond politely. "I hope His Grace the Duke will successfully complete his task."
He approached until we were face to face. His gaze was cold, but there was doubt there.
"Don't reject me again, Clarisse," he said slowly, but with pressure. "I want you with me tonight."
"I can't do that."
He sighed heavily. "When will you be ready? The time for our first night has long passed."
"Why is that the only thing on your mind?" I asked, unable to hide my frustration anymore.
He fell silent, holding back his anger. Lorcan was not a man who enjoyed violence, but his pressure felt like invisible shackles.
"I'll be back," he said finally. "And when I do, I will make you fully mine."
His words made me sick. I let him leave without saying a word. Deep in my heart, I knew I had to find a way to protect my freedom—before it was too late.
After he left, I sat at the edge of the bed, trying to calm the turmoil inside me. Lorcan's words kept echoing in my ears. "I will make you fully mine." It all felt like a threat, even though he said it in a calm tone. What did he mean by those words? Did he really think he could control me like that?
I felt a wave of confusion and fear so deep it was overwhelming. On one hand, I wanted to fight back, but on the other, I knew that every rejection would only make things worse. Lorcan was not someone who could be easily faced. I had to be smarter, plan my next steps carefully. But I couldn't do it all on my own. Sasa, with all her goodness, had already borne enough burdens for me. I had to find a way to protect myself—before time ran out.