Sage tried to be thrilled for her luck. Other than her father, who also controlled her weak minded mother, she could manipulate almost anyone into doing what she wanted. Why not use that energy on herself and try to be happy?

After all, marrying the prince would mean all of the unwelcome advances of other men should subside. Lady Saigera was considered the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, and she reasoned it was only a matter of time before she was forced into marriage. Perhaps the prince was her best option. She went to bed that night convincing herself that she would finally find some peace.

Within the week, Lady Saigera was summoned for an engagement feast with her betrothed. What should have been a lavish affair was instead a banquet for two.

Not knowing the prince well, Saigera wondered at if the change of tradition was meant as an honor or an insult. It did not matter, the end result was that they would be alone.

With trepidation and fear that she hid behind a polite smile, Saigera entered the feasting room. Torben greeted her with a slight bow as he kissed her hand. "It is nice to finally have a moment alone with you. You will have to excuse the extreme measures I went to in order to get it. You are a tough lady to pin down."

"Your method was quite effective," the brunette answered as she curtsied. "I am honored that you went to so much trouble."

"You are as charming as you are lovely. Please come and sit," Prince Torben told her with a gentle smile. Returning his smile, Sage let her guard down slightly and joined him at the small but heavily laden table. The meal included all manner of beast, bread, fruit and vegetable.

Torben was charismatic, reasonably handsome, and he played the perfect host. Sage was beginning to feel that her fears were unfounded. Being very careful around the princes, the lady had only met Torben in groups before, and up close he seemed personable and not at all like the rumors.

Torben had just finished telling her about his adventures fighting a band of mercenaries singlehandedly—a fanciful and fully fictional account—when he stopped and stared longingly at his dinner partner.

"What is it?" Sage asked with a blush.

"You will make a beautiful bride," he complimented her. His eyes were full of passion. Carefully his fingers slipped along her arm and took her hand. A chill of pleasure ran down the lady's spine, something she had not experienced before. It was a very pleasant feeling.

"And you will be a very handsome groom," she responded honestly.

Her heart was beginning to warm to the idea that she would marry this man. A little spring of hope bubbled inside her as a genuine smile overtook her polite grin. Torben tilted his chin and with a knowing smile. Running his unoccupied hand through Sage's hair, the prince leaned in to kiss his fiancée.

The touch of his lips against hers ignited a fire within her that warmed her whole body. It was soft at first, making her want more.

Then the kiss deepened, and Sage could feel her head swimming. The prince released her hand and head to pull her chain up against his. Then her wrapped his arms firmly around her. Sage was swept up in the moment.

Then the prince's touches became more determined as Torben's hands began to wander down her back. His kissing also became less passionate and more primal.

Lady Saigera gasped. She did not like where this was going. Her senses began to panic. As Torben roughly grabbed her knee, she instinctually pushed his palm away with her hands.

The prince paused. "I do plan to marry you," he assured her. "You are just so beautiful."

Before Saigera could answer, Torben pressed his body against her with all his strength. The dark haired woman cried out in pain from the pressure. She pushed against him to released her, but it was no use. The chair on which she sat creaked against their combined weight.

Suddenly, a pitcher of wine drenched the pair. Sage looked over and saw a horrified servant scrambling to her feet, the empty pitcher still in her hand. The servant's whole body was trembling.

Having not heard the servant approach, Sage was surprised but incredibly relieved. The action had drawn the attention of the man who had her in his grip.

"You stupid wench," Prince Torben yelled. He flew away from his passionate endeavor straight at the helpless girl.

The charming façade melted away as a fury overtook him. He struck the servant, sending her reeling across the ground.

"How could you assault a member of the royal household in this manner?" He boomed. He kicked at the servant, and she barely escaped the metal toe of his leather boot.

Sage realized the spill had not been an accident; the servant had seen the lady's struggle and did the only thing that she could to cool the man's passions. Now the servant was about to part with her life. The beautiful brunette rushed forward and grabbed the prince by his arm.

"Please, Prince Torben , stop! You know the servant girl cannot hear you." Sage pleaded.

It was true. The king made sure all but the highest servants were rendered deaf upon arrival at the castle to prevent secrets from leaving the palace walls.

Torben turned on Sage and raked his open palm across her face. A red whelp immediately formed on her cheek. She cried out in pain. The servant, sensing that the attention had been taken off of her, ran from the room with a sympathetic glance to the future princess. Torben didn't seem to notice. His gaze was intently on the woman who had just defied him.

"It is just a little spilled wine. Surely it is not worth all the fuss." Sage spoke calmly as she nursed her swollen cheek. Torben took her face in his hands a squeezed. Sage cried out once more. "It is our special evening after all," she reminded him, quelling the anger burning in his chest.

He smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "You are beautiful," he drawled, "But that does not excuse your insolence. Do not ever challenge me again! I will not be so kind next time."

"It won't happen again." Sage responded with a hint of defiance.

Running his fingers along her injured cheek, Torben released Sage. Calmly, he took a cloth from the table and dabbed at the stains. "Do you think these will come out in the wash, my dear?" He asked with his previous conviviality. It was as if nothing had happened between them.

Sage stared at him wide eyed for a moment, but answered casually. "I suppose they will, your highness. You have very capable servants."

The two masters of deception returned to the table, each playing the part they had so carefully practiced. The rest of the evening went off smoothly, and Torben even kissed Sage on the cheek when they bid farewell.

"I will see you again soon, my love," he said as they parted.

Sage managed to smile coyly. As she turned to go she muttered under her breath, "No, you won't."

Although the well of hope for a better future had dried up, Lady Saigera still had no desire to live the life of assault and abuse that awaited her at the palace. The brunette beauty made her way out of town in the cover of darkness the very next evening.

She took a few belongings from her room and any coin that she could easily find, and began her journey across the border. The trek was long and arduous, and she worked hard remain unseen as a massive manhunt for her was initiated once she was discovered missing.

At times her adventure had been harrowing, but with great determination Sage pressed onward. With one last great effort, Sage had crossed into Birle and made her way into a small sleepy town.

Rynnlee had not been her original destination, but Sage had grown short on funds, and the job at the inn was too good to pass up.

Lily seemed far too nice and bubbly for her taste, too. No one was genuinely kind like she was. But whatever the girl wanted in return, Lily was very slow in asking.

Eventually Sage reluctantly called the blonde a friend even though there was a large part of the woman that did not trust the too friendly girl.

In time the town of Rynnlee had grown on her also, and Sage decided she would call it home.

For three years she had lived in relative peace and even found a place she felt like she belonged.

Now, the man in front of her threatened to turn all of it to ash.