Chapter 10 The Merchant Lure

Ariana’s POV

Unlike Jasper, I didn’t feel the lingering shadow of doubt every time the merchant spoke and a part of me knew that was dangerous.

Why?

Truth called to me like the single red thread of fate, and I couldn’t ignore it, the same way I couldn’t ignore him.

So while the necklace dangled in front of me, with the initial ‘D’ illuminating with the sun, catching my gaze, my thoughts wandered.

Accepting the condition resembled taking one’s life by jumping from the top of a tower and the question here was, would he jump after me, accepting the fate that came with landing?

No, I’d be the one watching as he fell, yet drawing me to follow him. What promises could a merchant fulfill and what confidence did he have that leaned me so close to believe in him without a doubt?

Questions I’d dreamt of while I slept awakened, sent me in an existential fit.

Why was I truly doing this? What was my true ambition? I tried to repeat it to myself.

I’m Princess of Ariana, the warrior of the Warwick Kingdom. Ever since I watched that one warrior training ever since I was five years old, I’d wanted to be the one pushing people.

Then, right there at the promising point, the picture of Jasper then has horrified me. Ah, that was what really happened?

I saw Jasper there and how he chose to talk to me regardless, handing me his chocolate, so carefree almost like he didn’t know who I was. That was why I loved it.

Ah yes… Jasper.

It was all for him but, he was gone. I’d evicted him out forcefully out of my heart together with pieces of myself.

So what was this madness consuming me? Why was I waiting for this man to fall after me? What ambition did I have?

I was truly pathetic, and in the end I had no true ambition. I only followed the direction of men and that would be where my end lies. I could sense it.

After all if I choose defeat I will be handed to a stranger in matrimony. And I couldn’t afford that.

“Princess, what troubles your faint heart?

I blinked, meeting the most delicate pair of rubies. My breath bated, staring, dare I say wanting.

“Will you answer my question sincerely?” I asked.

“I have always been sincere.”

“What is my purpose?”

He extended his hand stroking my hair as the wind blew.

“You have no purpose.” He replied.

“So essentially I am useless?”

“Yes.”

“So what do I do now that I am utterly useless to purpose?”

“Nothing.”

“But I can’t just do… nothing.”

“You have your answer then, you have defined your very purpose.”

I watched as he spoke, completely star struck. With the soft wind that traveled by I began to imagine what it would be like with his hair travelling with the wind, a smile of true content on his lips, devoid of the darkness that followed him.

Slowly, I extended my hand, reaching for his hand. He stared, waiting, without question.

I pulled the band out watching one of the most serene moments of my life come into action. His face stood still but everything spoke volumes. He was truly beautiful.

“Do you like me like this?” He asked.

“Yes.”

“Is the me that follows you repulsive?”

“Not at all. You look… free.” For a very short moment his eyes widened before they fell, closing his eyes shortly.

When his eyes opened, there was an awakening in those rubies. It was infectious. The wind had quietened, his hair falling smoothly.

“Thank you.”

“For what, merchant?” I asked.

“For setting me free.”

“You’ve always been free, merchant.”

“Those cursed by evil cannot be free.”

“Evil cannot curse, it can only blind.”

“I see why he calls you light.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Your father.”

“He’s just being a dad.”

“So what am I?”

“I…” I looked away, warmth filling my cheeks, again. “I don’t know yet.”

Silence consumed. The clinking of metal reminded me of the choice I must make.

What truly did I want? What purpose did I choose? Somehow I knew the answer so why did I hesitate? What was stopping me from stepping forward?

It was their taunts, the look in their eyes as I passed. The look given to a monster. They held me back like chains, stiffening my movement.

If this was the path I was ready to choose, what was the true reason? Did I want to prove myself to them? To finally let them see me? To acknowledge me and my hard work? What truly was this for?

Overhead at the far end of the lake, two swans who swam together caught my attention, they moved slowly, without a glance backward, without a care about what came forward. They continued regardless of death, they moved. So must I.

“I consent.”

Soon, the necklace was wrapped across my neck, and it didn’t feel as heavy as I expected, in fact I didn’t notice it at all, almost like it belonged there.

“What was your reason?” He asked.

“I’d like to choose my partner with my own merit and to be an exemplary figure of freedom to those who have lost faith.”

He smiled, briefly, watching the sun.

“What is the function of this necklace?”

“It is a custom order from the Harmonia Kingdom of The West. Werewolves gives jewelry to their respective lovers, their soulmates.”

His confession startled me. One, from the way it seemed like he didn’t understand what he said when he said it and second from the actual fact that he said it.

“What?” I wanted him to repeat so I know it wasn’t a daydream.

No response.

I gasped slightly.

I turned, in a wave frenzy of so many feelings that took me high and the wave of thoughts that came along with it.

With haste I turned my face away from him, “I don’t like men who are so cheap in superficiality.”

“Don’t judge so fast, princess. At the Royal Final I’ll reveal to you just how expensive I really am.”

I chose to pay no attention to him, I knew this all too well.

Instead I put on my best princess smile, “I’ll be seeing you then at the battle and my victory.”