The King's Rejected Lady

The Rogue Chieftain

THE ODYSEUS ship sailed the moment she stepped foot into the enormous merchant ship. Unlike any other merchant shape that she had seen in the capital's docks, this ship was built with fine details, made to withstand the strongest of storms. Its pillars were sturdy as they support the main frame of the ship. The sails were hoisted to ride along the swift northern wind, speeding up the travel time. And the myriad of workers, all sporting their lively and well-trained countenance as they moved according to their task, were all imposing. One could mistake them as warriors with the way the spec of their muscles flexed from their work. It was safe to say that this was no ordinary merchant ship - not at all.

A guide led Tori to a cozy-sized cabin with only a study table, a small bed, and a hammock inside. The lamp hanging on the wall gave a warm light to the place she was staying. After setting aside her luggage, Tori took time to breathe as she reevaluated her plans with a solemn expression.

According to Crown Prince Yei Lin and Crown Prince Allistair, she would be welcomed by the chieftain himself. Her plans would be set into motion after the meeting.

Three successive knocks shifted Tori's attention to her cabin's door. She remembered Crown Prince Yei Lin's instructions; three knocks meant that her guide would lead her to the chieftain.

The chieftain is inside the ship! So that is why the ship was waiting for me.

Tori remembered the information that she got from the two crown princes and Duke Rowan. And she would make use of that information to strike a deal. Opening the door with her sugary smile, Tori almost tripped. Openly gawking at the brawny man in front of her, Tori could almost feel her jaws hitting the floor.

Right in front of her, standing with all of his glory, was the modified version of Liam Hemsworth with tattoos littering his bare top.

"Hey there, sexy. Wait. Am I dreaming? If I am, please wake me up later." Tori whispered to herself which the man before him heard. The frown on his face was a screaming dead giveaway that he disliked her comment which snapped Tori from her stupor.

I am such a slut.

"No. And I'm Chief Keiran Arin of the northernmost tribe of Arin. Follow me." He walked ahead of her, not even bothering to check if she was following him. His loincloth made of wolf's fur emphasized his toned bareback. His sexy tattoos of nomadic words crisscrossed across his back too, covering a large scar subtly. His braided brown hair contradicted his silver eyes. And his well-defined shoulders could protect her small form – or smash her to pieces if she dared say those flirty words again.

The last thought snapped Tori's train of thoughts. Tori shook her head.

No matter how strong you are, only I can protect myself. I only need myself to protect 'me'. If I become someone with equivalent power to the emperor, no one can threaten me anymore – not even the emperor himself.

Toru followed the young, dashing chieftain through the narrow hallway of the ship. The lamps that lit their path clattered every whip of the waves that hit the Odyseus. Tori tried her best to steady herself as she followed the young chieftain who walked like the ship, not swaying at all.

Unbelievable!

Tori was used to men in the capital who respected ladies even in pretense just to hide their motives. She momentarily forgot that the northern men were not like them.

Well, there's an exception to the capital's men. Prince Corean never respects me after becoming bitter. The poor soul who can't move on with my beauty. Such a shame. Well, he'll be mine in no time. I just have to secure this leverage to trade with that bastard king.

Chief Keiran stopped her thoughts when he glanced at her as he spoke in his hoarse, deep voice. "The crown prince of the Ming Country promised me help. I hope his mind is right. I never thought his help came with ribbons and twirlies." The mock and discontent oozed from his rough accent.

Flinching inwardly, Tori smiled at the muscular man in front of her as if he did not insult her at all. She endured far worse insult from the pompous second prince. This insult was nothing for Tori.

If only I don't need you, I could have bashed your head up.

"These ribbons and twirlies will help you with all her might if you do as she says," joked Tori as she closed the distance between them and link her right arm to his left one which astounded the latter. A secret grin appeared on her face upon rendering the rogue chieftain stupefied for a moment.

Though Chief Keiran was frigidly walking by her side, he did not utter any insulting words to her. Leaning her body to his, Tori spoke in a hushed voice. "Tell me, Chief Keiran. What were you expecting? A muscled warrior? You've got a lot of that already, right? An old man? What, you need someone to die first in the battle? No. You have all that. What you needed is a strategist, a brain. You needed someone who can't be read by the three other chieftains. Coincidentally, I am good at decision-making. Wanna try?" Her daring red eyes met his stone-cold silver ones.

The young chieftain's silver eyes traveled down from her eyes to her lips.

Such a man.

A pair of strong hands unlinked Tori from the equally startled chieftain. "Public display of indecency. You love to leave a trail wherever you go, Lady Victoria."

Tori had to pivot her head and tilt it upwards to see the rude man who held her by her wrists. But the telltale sign of her frantic heart gave away who he was. Her glaring ruby eyes met his icy golden ones. "For the love of the goddess, what the hell are you doing here, Cory?"

"That should be my line." The second prince turned to the puzzled chieftain who recognized the sigil of Prince Corean's coat of arms. "I am sorry, Chief Arin. She'll see you later."

Not waiting for the young chief's reply, Prince Corean dragged her shell-shocked body to the deck. The cold wind snapped Tori from her reverie and pried her wrists from his hold.

Gulping her emotions down, Tori steeled herself before offering her sweet smile to the lunatic of a prince. "Again, what are you doing here? Your Highness."

Not a minute after she stepped away from him, Prince Corean closed their distance by cornering Tori to the ship's railing. The splash of the waves trickled like a drizzle at her back. "Why can't you just stop stirring trouble? I don't know what to do with you anymore, Victoria."

"Stop pushing me, Corean." Gone was the sweet façade she had and replaced by a cold warning to the second prince.

"Or what?" His lips were just an inch away from her so Tori leaned back only to be stopped by his hand secured on her nape.

"Or I'll have to kill you."

"THE ODYSEUS WILL LAND on the port of Theodam, a small port village near before the Mynron Cliffs. Come with me and let's stop this idea of yours." Prince Corean commanded Tori with his no-nonsense voice, but Tori only raised her brows as she crossed her arms with defiance.

"And you care because?"

And who told you about this conquest of mine?

The second prince's icy glare replied to her question.

So you want to play dumb huh? Then let's play stupid.

"Either way, his highness should mind his own business. And no. I will not go with you so please excuse this subject. I have a meeting to attend. By the way, blessings to the empire's star." Tori curtsied before she went down to look for the chieftain, mockery laced every word that she spat in a very calm tone. But the glint of disdain beneath her ruby red eyes could be seen by anyone including the second prince of the empire.

"Victoria!"

No. Trusting you will be suicide. I do not want to die. Not now, not ever.

Not looking back at the second prince, Tori stopped to reply, "You need to go back alone, your highness. Tessa is waiting for you, after all. Please don't waste your time on me just to blame me in the end. Please leave me alone."

Gone was her teasing tone as she stripped her façade for a moment just to show him how serious she was. Her jaws clenched and her ruby red eyes screamed murder as they looked back at the second prince.

Prince Corean was left alone, eyes still fixated on the retreating back of the woman who once trusted him – or so he thought. After all, Victoria Rozenreff had no word 'trust' in her glib vocabulary.