𝕳𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖘 - (Sapnap)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

"You are aware I... I don't just want to marry you, right?" Sapnap asked initially, raising an eyebrow at the woman who sat in front of him. She was tanned, wore a mask and clothes fitted for sport - baggy pants bandaged at the cuffs and strapped sandals, similar to those of hunters. As well as an airy but fitted shirt to allow for the best possible movements. It wasn't often people wore masks in the coming days, she only covered the bottom half of her face. Her eyes, a brown close to red; and her forehead, fully exposed with a lack of a fringe - her raven-coloured hair was pulled back tightly and neatly into a braid which fell down to her waist. It was clear she didn't cut it. Sapnap travelled across the landmass to see the woman, he was in a warmer climate where the birds never stopped calling the rhythmic noise of what sounded like monstrous crickets constantly echoed around the dry, warm and luxurious land - they sat to the edge of the rainforest, which was why their ambience was so wild to the ear.

"No, I figured. Are you sure you aren't warm? Most men strip to the vest in this heat," She responded with a muffled accent, looking the man up and down. Sapnap had changed from the tunic and pants he often wore for his kingdom, into a black, choker neck sweater with a white, cropped shirt above it. The shirt had a flame embroidered onto it. Added to the black belt, trousers and running shoes; he was barely suited for the weather.

"Oh no, this is perfectly fine for me." He brushed off, she nodded carelessly and looked around.

"So..." she trailed away awkwardly, "if you aren't here to marry me... why are you here, asking to race but to talk first?" She wondered and looked at him.

"Well I barely know your name. And I figured I could make a deal before beating you in that race." He leaned back on the log he sat on and grinned cockily, much to the disinterest of Cassandra.

"You know my name. It's why you're here. Cassandra if I still have to." She narrowed her already narrow eyes and looked at Sapnap who nodded,

"Sapnap." He gave an outstretched hand and she shook it, "and I do know your name. But I don't know you." He emphasised "you" and pointed at her with his free hand. She rested her elbows on the tree stump they sat around and rested her cheek in her hand - which had markings made of henna for her family, "so, I want to know about you. We have enough time to learn about you. And you'll learn about me. If we don't like each other then we can agree to leave it there. If otherwise, we'll race! Same rules apply for me; you win, I get killed. But if I win, I don't want to marry you that fast. I think I'd rather affiliate with you. Be your consort until that point. Wouldn't you agree that's far better?" Sapnap asked and raised an eyebrow, mimicking her posture, she leaned away blandly.

"I only created this offer because I didn't want men knocking at my abode with letters and presents to swoon me. I wouldn't marry out of love, I'd marry for the sake of continuing the bloodline or better yet, just to be left alone." She explained and rested her hands behind her, against the log as she looked around.

"Why not just pick one and marry them?" Sapnap chuckled and cocked his head to the side.

"Because all men are the same and don't know when to stop. You'd think being a slave would bring you down a few steps but no, they're still as painful to my backside as they ever were. If I chose a man, other men would still try for me - no man would be intimidating enough. Anyone who beats me with such high stakes and low chances is bound to keep people away. I will win regardless." She chided as though it were obvious. Sapnap had to give her points for efficiency.

"Alright I get it. It's charming, your brains that is. So tell me about yourself. I heard you were raised by tigers, what's that about?" The man finally questioned. He wanted to ask ever since he met her, since before as well. There was a burning curiosity that came with knowing something so unique to a person, "and can you roar like one!?" He asked excitedly as she pushed away from the tree stump they sat around, grinding against the log she sat on uncomfortably just to avoid the enthusiasm Sapnap held.