Chapter 5

"And if I refuse the proposal?" Faye asked, barely concealing her rage. This asshole had some nerve! He had the gall, nay, the audacity to grin at her almost condescendingly and reply:

"You would not want to do such a thing."

"Oh?" She stood and paced the room for a moment, clutching her forehead, glancing nervously at his hand, which had flown to the hilt of his sword. "And why is that?"

            "My king is not very merciful, I'm afraid. Or at least, he's not anymore. I don't think there is any easy or painless way you can get out of this, little girl." He stood and gripped her shoulder, almost in a comforting way, but fixing her with a very threatening gaze. "It's not wise, Miss Valentine. If you refuse his offer – or should I call it a command? – I'd be forced to… Well…" He sat back down in his chair, and motioned for Faye to do the same. "Neither of us would be very happy with the circumstances."

            "Just spit it out you lackey! You know what I'd be sacrificing, at least give me the courtesy of knowing what I have to protect!" She really couldn't decide whether she should cry in defeat or beat this grinning fool into a pulp. Right now the latter was looking very tempting… If only he didn't have a sword!

            He leaned forward, pulling on a more business-like face and attitude. The smile had almost magically vanished from his face, yes, but his eyes held something akin to amusement. How could he find something like this funny?

            "Your father. He's not doing so well nowadays, is he?"

            Faye sat forward in her chair, elbows on the table and hands over her face. Oh. So it was like that. Would they really kill an old man on her account? Well. They had certainly struck the right nerve. They had her attention. If she disobeyed this command to marry the king, her father would be killed… The messenger had gone silent. "And the silk mills?" She whispered, unable to hold back a few fugitive tears.

            "Either destroyed or seized by the government. If you decide to come with us today, you can select your successor before we leave." There was a long moment of silence.

            "Oh." She stood and turned in an instant that felt like an eternity. The decision had been made, right then and there. What else could she have done, honestly? Really, what could she have done? "I don't have much time to pack, do I?" She pulled her shawl closer around her, feeling cold all of a sudden. What would she do? Was there no way out of it? This king, she had heard about him, she was positive. But what had she heard? She could not, for the life of her, remember.

            "I'll send up some men to pack the clothes and things you will need for your journey. The other things… We may as well leave. They won't of any use." Once again he pulled a smile.

            As she made her way to the carriage, her arm held tightly by the messenger, she fought back the urge to weep. Her father came running up to her, albeit very slowly; lately he had to use a cane to get around. She broke away and ran to him, and finally the floodgates opened.

            "Daddy, I have to go now." She hugged him tightly before she was grabbed around the waist and hauled back to the carriage. She let her fists and legs fly in every direction, screaming bloody murder all the while. Tears were dripping down her face, and she was trying with all of her might to hit a vital area. Why wouldn't he just fucking let go?! The messenger then tightened his grip until she slowly, slowly ran out of steam.

            "I suggest…" He was breathing hard, "That you say whatever you need to say to your father. This will be the last time you'll be seeing him. Make it quick, dear." He loosened his grip, still pulling her towards the carriage, and pausing at the door.

            Faye, her eyes already puffy and red, had a look of pure and unrestrained sorrow. She turned them, for the last time, to her father.

            "I love you so much daddy!"

            "Faye, what—" He was cut short as the carriage door slammed shut and it took off. "Faye!" He screamed at the quickly receding form if the royal carriage. He stood and watched as the sun began its descent towards the horizon. As the sun began to set, he stood there still, listening to the crickets chirp and breathing in the cool flowery-smelling air. Somewhere nearby a swan sang sweetly, and its echo carried throughout the entire village, waking everyone from their peaceful slumbers.

            Still he was there, on the side of the road as the sun began to rise once again. This time, as the light gently caressed his face, he sat against the gate and took one last look down the road down which his daughter had gone. A warm and lazy breeze floated over to him, and as he breathed his last breath, the wind picked up speed and took his life with it.

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Alrighty… I guess this is my "I don't give a shit whether you like it or not" stories. I don't have a whole lot of reviews, yeah… I'll keep writing chapters no matter what though. I just don't care anymore. If you *do* like where I'm headed with this though, please tell me. It might hasten the writing and posting process a bit. Alright, that's all I've got to say. Blessed be. ^_^

-QueSeraSera