On the day of the wedding, Lufner sort to escape having no problem forfeiting his whole life, his reputation, not even his friends.

He had major plans and the idea of starting over did not bother him the slightest.

But Earl Genzic was a sharp-witted man and sent men to capture the Viking before he could step foot outside the village.

He struggled a great deal but the big, burly men did not let up and the Viking was tossed and bolted in a room where there was no opportunity to escape.

He cursed the wind and leaned up to rub his aching head. It was a wonder he did not find blood.

In the stuffy and poorly lit room, Lufner silently questioned the gods. Wondering whether or not it was his fate or if it was a sign to get away from the village as far as possible at the earliest convenience. Never to be seen or heard of again.

Something moved in the corner and the woman promised to him emerged from the shadows. The exact woman he did not want.

She was dressed in indigo and her vibrant, silky tresses cascaded freely down her shoulders. The kohl lined her eyes and her lips were tinted pink. Any normal man would have been enthralled but not Lufner Modig.

He scowled. Her presence made this more the real and his insides churned in protest to his impending doom.

There was some time left before the ceremony and as Namitha requested, Genzic brought Lufner to her. But the only thing shared between them was silence.

This time she managed to look him square in the eyes but the long minute they stared at each other came to an abrupt end when Lufner turned on his heel and moved to leave.

Suddenly, he was knocked back down by an unexpected force and an all too familiar coldness of a blade was held dangerously close to his neck.

"Don't move."

The day after her birthday, Earl Genzic had a little talk with his daughter.

His adorable little girl was now a beautiful grown woman and he knew that it was about time things had to change.

"My dear, sweet Namitha."

"Father."

Together they sat in the dining room for the first meal of the day. She was having porridge with a helping of fruit while her father opted for a bowl of stew. An occasion usually enjoyed in silence.

"Have you thought about what we discussed? You're a fine woman, and it is long past the time you thought about starting a family. Do you not want that?"

"I do. But I don't want to leave you, especially mum. Her sickness refuses to leave her and she grows weaker by the day. I owe you two my life. How can I leave now?"

Namitha looked at her meal and pushed it away.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm no longer hungry."

"Eat. Unless you want to fall sick and add to your mother's worries, you have to eat."

Nami fiddled with her bowl and lifted an apple slice to her lips taking a small bite.

"We have the maidservants who cater to your mother's every beck and call. I too will take care of your mother."

"But father..."

"Belhild is not going anywhere. If the gods were ready for her, they would have taken her ages ago to dine and spar with fellow shield-maidens in Valhalla. She clings to life because she has faith."

Namitha agreed. Her mother was the strongest woman she knew. And the time for her to wed was drawing inevitably near. It was custom for women to marry whilst still young.

"Who do you have in mind? Surely the alliance or land you'll trade me for will be vast. I have always longed for the day you would sell me off like cattle."

Namitha's voice though bitter, broke. What she spoke of was the truth.

"I will never do that to you."

"Is that not what Earls do?"

"You know greater than I that I do not crave power. It takes many risks. Many kingdoms have fallen to these so-called alliances or trade deals. Only because they lacked one thing."

"And what is that?"

"Trust. Nothing is more burdensome than betrayal. A father's greatest joy comes from his children's happiness. And I want that for you. I want you to be happy."

Namitha smiled and Genzic began to dread the day he had to give her away.

"Lufner and the rest of the men will be returning to the village soon. They have no doubt been victorious."

"Lufner?"

Namitha was too interested for her own good. The way her eyes lit up was telling. In fact, she was always present and engaging whenever there was mention of the Viking's name.

"Would you like to be his wife? He is a man I know I can trust. He has the gods' favour and the respect of the people. I cannot think of anyone else."

"Me?" Namitha asked. Her eyes widened like plates.

He was about a year younger but the fact did not dampen her appeal. It was inarguably better than being betrothed to a man twice or thrice her age.

"The choice is yours."

"Lufner Modig is a distinguished man."

"That he is."

"He is an honourable and valiant man. Why would he want a nobody like me?"

"But you are not a nobody and you know that. If he ever doubts you, prove him wrong."

Lufner glared at the woman pinning him down. She straddled him locking his arms in place with her thighs and he struggled to move. Without a moment's notice, the knife pinched at his skin and Lufner froze in place and collapsed on his back.

"I said don't move."

"I could easily throw you off. I'm running out of ideas to do it nicely."

"Do your worst."

Lufner's brows rose but eased from surprise owing her confidence to her blade.

"Are you going to kill me?"

"No."

He rolled his eyes and said, "Why wield a weapon if you have no intentions of using it?"

"Do not tempt me. Any woman would want to take your life after being deemed less than a sack of meat. Surely you would find it somewhere in your heart to apologize."

"Why should I? I said what I said. Meant every word."

Lufner tried his luck again but her unwillingness to let up made it impossible to move. Then again, a death such as this would not be half bad. He would miss out on the feasts of Valhalla but it would be a far cry from the ruination this day would bring to his life. He fancied the thought of driving the metal in himself but he had more to live for.

"You impress me, " said Lufner.

"How so?"

"No woman has ever pinned me down like this. None have ever dared."

"Consider this your lucky day."

Lufner chuckled. Was beginning to like her against his will but nothing was going to change his mind.

"What do you want?"

"To introduce myself. I'd hate to marry a man whom I have never been acquainted."

"I don't want to get married."

Nami scoffed. That was not exactly news. When word came of his desertion, she became a laughing stock to all her friends.

"What do you know about strength, Lufner Modig?"

"Without it, I would have been dead by now; bleeding out somewhere in some foreign land."

"Do you know what a man needs to be truly strong?"

"Meat?"

"No, my lord. It is a wife."

Namitha returned her knife to its sheath and swept the tendrils of hair that had fallen between them behind her ears. He had settled down enough for them to reason on the matter. There was much to be discussed.

Luffy's lips parted very much interested in what she had to say. But he was not going to give up that easily and remained as stubborn as a mule.

"I do not want a wife. I have gotten on fine without one. Why don't you open your eyes and see that? You're being forced into this. Must you do everything your father says?"

"The choice was not his. It was mine."

"W-What? I don't even know you."

"But I for one know you, my lord. I have always admired you for your insight; for your respect and your kindness and your goodwill. I want you. Make me yours. I will be good to you as long as you are good to me and I will be a good mother to your children. Our children.

"And I will make you strong. Stronger than anyone. Let me serve you."

There was a stirring in Lufner's stomach.

"Are you asking me?"

"No. I'm telling you."

To be continued...