𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 // ꜱᴀʀᴀᴡᴀᴛ ✕ ᴛɪɴᴇ

xv

-Sarawat

"I-I only meant that I respected you, nothing more." Tine sighed, rubbing his forehead.

Was he really speaking the truth? If he was then I can say that I've never felt more dumbfounded in my life.

Though his words, at the time, seemed genuine and his face really said a different story than what he's claiming now, I could just be in over my head. It was certainly suspicious, respect wouldn't be expressed after committing such acts of sexual intimacy.

"You're certain?" I asked. But some piece of me wondered if I asked to be relieved or uneasy.

"Yes." He nodded, refusing to make eye contact with me.

"Very well." I cleared my throat, expelling unnecessary thoughts from my head. "You may find some work around the castle. I will visit your chambers to sleep at night. We do not associate more than that."

His eyebrow twitched upon my words but it was a fair reaction considering my harshness. "As you wish, m'lord." He bowed and left the office, not another word spoken. The "M'lord" sounded rather colder than the usual tone, I couldn't help but pay attention to it.

I let out a heavy sigh and sat back down at my desk, staring at the ceiling. My heart felt burdened for some reason.

Am I doing the right thing?

-Tine

Un-fucking-believeable

I couldn't help but scoff as my eyes tried to fight the tears that threatened to fall. I should have known it was too good to be true, like an idiot I foolishly fell for the bells and whistles.

"Tine!" A familiar voice called out to me, drawing me out of my head. I whipped my head around to see Drake making his way towards me. "Would you like to visit the training grounds today?"

"Yes, and maybe teach me a thing or two about swords?" I chuckled, side glancing him to take a peak at his expression.

"Alright Alright, I'll see." He cocked his head back, poking his tongue inside his cheek.

_

I brushed the beads of sweats away from my face, putting the sword back into it's scabbard.

"Wow Tine you're getting good!" Eric enthusiastically applauded as he grabbed my shoulders.

"He's getting there, but not there yet." Drake raised his eyebrows, his sword on his lap and a cloth in his hand.

"General, you're just worried that Tine will take your place since he's a fast learner." Tristan guffawed, receiving a glare from his superior.

"Maybe someday the two of you could give us a show?" One of the other men cheered, a roar erupting from the rest of the men.

"Shouldn't the lot of you be getting to work?" Drake narrowed his eyes at then, making them all groan in disappointment. "Save it!" He chuckled as he shooed them away.

"I think they're right, maybe soon enough I'll get good enough to take you on." I smiled, holding the heavy sword behind my back sheepishly.

Drake took a few steps towards me but I didn't back away. I thought he would stop when he got as close as to feel his breath on my lips and I stumbled back.

Expecting to crash to the ground I squeezed eyes shut but they shot back open when Drake wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me to his chest.

The heat rushed to my face when I felt his heart thumping against my hand. He locked his eyes with mine and I couldn't help but be in awe of how it swallowed me up.