Chapter 3: Take Over Control:
Once Isabella left with the guard, Rahl threw himself on his bed. He stared at the decorated ceiling, thinking about what just happened. "How could she look so cohesive and serene? How dare she challenge Heather? She wouldn't do that, unless she knew she could fight well, and apparently, she does. And the agiel...that's another mystery! How could she hold it with her hand? She is not pristinely un-gifted and she is not a mord-sith, then how?".
Rahl was so confused, especially because of what happened when he put his dagger on her neck. He saw it in her eyes...she was really willing to kill herself if he tried to force her. Unlike what people may think, Darken never ordered his mord-siths or his guards to bring him any girl against her will. Although he never admitted it to anyone, but forcing a woman to sleep with him was not an "entertaining" thing at all. It was meaningless, and it would spoil all the fun. Besides, why would he force anyone to do that unwillingly, when he had his mord-siths, and when many whores in all D'Hara would -literally- jump into his bed, at one sign of his finger?! But still, for some reason, he wanted this particular young woman in his bed, even against her will. She was irritating him, and that made him uncomfortable. She wanted to prove something to him; she was not like the others.
When Rahl's silent thoughts reached that point, he rose up sitting on the bed, narrowing his eyes. He couldn't allow anyone to mock him. No one dared to stand against him or violate his orders, then how could she? She must be insane or...insane! He couldn't find any other word to describe her.
"No. This will never happen. She is mine, whether she likes it or not. I will have her, even if I have to train her and turn her into a MORD-SITH", he shouted.
In the eastern chamber, Isabella kept walking back and forth like a wounded beast, thinking of a way to get out of that hideous place. Actually, she was thinking of a way to escape from Rahl, although she knew that was impossible, but she was not willing to surrender to him. At the end, she realized that she must retain her strength and get some sleep so that she could think clearly. She threw herself on the queen-size bed, hoping she could get some rest before tomorrow's battle. She tried so hard to clear her mind, but she failed. She could still feel his fingers tightening on her bare arms. She could still feel his breath on her neck. She could still smell him. She felt that he could storm into the chamber at any moment. Besides, being forced to sleep at the People's Palace -even if she was sleeping alone- was not comfortable. She finally whispered, "Get some sleep, Belle. It might be your last".
It was early morning when Isabella woke up. She was used to waking up early. She got up from bed, and for the first time since she entered that chamber, she looked around to check it; she couldn't deny that the chamber was very nice and elegant. Apparently, it was one of the chambers that Rahl would keep for his high-class guests. The queen-size bed was covered with very soft red covers that were decorated with yellow strips, and the pillows were of the same pattern. There was a big window near the right side of the bed with a table and two chairs by it, and a big couch was placed near them. On the other side of the bed, a large dresser stood. On the opposite wall of the bed, there was a big fireplace with two armchairs on both sides and some red cushions thrown randomly in front of it. On the other wall, there was a big wardrobe, and on its left, there were some bookshelves and an armchair, while on its right, there was another wooden door. Isabella assumed it must have been the bathroom. Isabella wondered why Rahl would let her stay in such a nice chamber, and then she shook her head and walked towards the window. She looked through it to the yard outside. Involuntarily, she smiled, she couldn't deny that the sight was fantastic; the trees and the flowers, even the sky looked clear; the weather was good.
As she was admiring the view, she suddenly remembered why she was brought here. Her smile faded, she walked away from the window and said in disgust, "Poisonous beauty". Moments later, she heard gentle knocks on the doors. Isabella knew that it couldn't be Rahl; he wouldn't knock first.
"Come in", she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
A girl -a few years younger that Isabella- opened the door, carrying a tray of food. She smiled at Isabella and said, "May I come in?". Isabella stood still for a moment, "Is there anyone in this place who can talk politely?" she thought, and then she said, "Of course", smiling back at her. The girl walked into the chamber and placed the tray on the table beside the window, then turned to Isabella, "There are some dresses in the wardrobe and I can prepare the bath for you now if you want. Is there anything else you need?". Isabella looked at the girl for a few moments before saying, "Um...No, thank you". The girl nodded then turned to leave, but before reaching the door, Isabella said, "What's your name?". The girl turned around and said, "My name is Nyla, and I'll be at your service throughout your stay here". Isabella looked at her, surprised, "My stay!...anyway, thank you, Nyla". Nyla smiled, then turned around and left the chamber.
"He has ordered a maid to be at my service for the 'duration of my stay here'. So funny". Isabella was furious. He was already treating her as his mistress; a maid to serve her, dresses in the wardrobe for her, and maybe he has already bought a piece of jewelry for her. Isabella walked towards the table beside the window and sighed heavily, "If I have to fight, I need energy". She sat on the chair beside the table, removed the cover of the tray and started eating.
At the same time, Darken Rahl was heading to the meeting hall to meet his commanders. The guards opened the gate to their master, and he entered with a big smile on his face.
"Good morning", he said, happily.
"Good morning, my lord", the commanders responded, looking at each other, trying to figure out the reason behind their lord's happiness.
Rahl looked at them, and then he said, "I don't see Commander Garrison. Where is he?" Egremont leaned on Rahl's ear and said in a low voice, "He apologizes for not attending the meeting; he hasn't finished the task entrusted to him by you, my lord". Rahl nodded to Egremont, then looked at the commanders and said, "I have ordered to meet with you today to discuss some important issues. I have been away for a long time, but I am back now and I would like to be informed -in detail- about what happened throughout the period of my absence".
Rahl spent hours talking with the commanders, discussing many issues. And when it was time for lunch, Rahl raised his hand, saying "Let us take a break and eat something to regain our strength". The commanders, including Egremont, kept looking at each other in surprise. Rahl noticed that, so he asked, "Is there something wrong?". They looked at each other again; no one dared to speak, until Egremont looked at Rahl and said, "No, my lord. Nothing is wrong. But you have never invited us to dine with you before". Rahl stared at them and then burst into laughing. After a few moments he stopped laughing, looked at them and said, "Let's say I am following a new approach".
After lunch, Rahl and his commanders continued the meeting until he felt exhausted. Suddenly, he raised his hand and said, "I think that's enough for today. We shall continue tomorrow". Silently, the commanders stood up, bowed to their lord and left the hall. Rahl stayed with Egremont discussing some points for tomorrow's meeting. Once they finished, Egremont looked at Rahl and said, "I have heard that a young woman was brought to you". Rahl looked at Egremont for a while before he said, "And what is so special about that?". Egremont paused for a while, and then he said, "I heard about what happened between her and mistress Heather".
Rahl looked at Egremont suspiciously, "How did you know? Heather won't say anything about that particular matter". Egremont smiled and said, "Not Heather, my lord. It is someone else. It seems that many mord-siths have been talking about it. It is a very strange incident". Rahl smiled back at Egremont, "Don't worry, Egremont. She will be punished for what she did ...for all what she did, but not now". Egremont looked confused, "Why not, my lord? She has to be punished quickly to be set as an example for anyone of those villagers who even thinks of standing against your orders". Rahl -still smiling- said, "Be patient, Egremont. Be patient".
Before Egremont could ask another question, Rahl stood up and left the hall. He headed towards his bedchamber. He was thinking about her, about what she might be be doing at the moment. She was definitely not aware of his small plan; he was not going to go to her chamber tonight, or the next few days. He was not going to see her. He was going to make her expect him at any moment, just to comfort her from the torment of waiting. He was going to make her wish that he came. He knew more than anyone else what it meant to wait for something bad to happen. For him, that young woman was no longer a 'temporary pleasure'. She became a challenge; a challenge that he was determined to win at all costs.
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