"Let me go out, Mother, please." I begged, following after my mother with the saddest, most pleading expression on my face. When my mother tried to reach for a red apple on a tree, I rushed into grabbing it for her, balancing myself on my toes as I reached for it.

"It's too dangerous out at night, Jewelrina." she muttered. "Reckless boys could be walking around— even from nearby villages, and I don't want my little daughter to be handled badly." she tried to reason, not looking at me as she picked the reddest apples she could find on the tree.

"Mother!" I whined. "Every other girl is roaming around freely. I mean, look at them!" I gestured with my hands at the children and those of my age, playing and laughing. In fact, as I pleaded with my mother, the only things I heard were the laughter and joy they were experiencing. I dislike this village sometimes.

My eyebrows knitted together as I blew out a suffocating breath. "I feel like you're trying to keep me away from the world. Let me be free, please." I was desperate, I wanted to experience the freedom these juniors get. "You can't continue keeping me away and letting Tyler out as he pleases. I'm sixteen and he's twenty winters, for heaven's sake! And I'll be of age soon, please."

She was silent for a while, as though thinking her words through. It wasn't fair. I wasn't the only girl in the village. I wanted to experience what it was like to be out there, I wanted to meet a fierce man and feel what it was like to fall in love. I wanted to experience the gut-wrenching feeling of having my heart broken by my adored. I wanted to experience all these things.

"The world isn't all roses, Jewelrina." she whispered lowly as her eyes glanced at the red rose tucked in my hair. "I don't want my little rose getting lost in the darkness of the world." she turned around, her eyes leaving me and looking somewhere else. I tried to follow her gaze, but I didn't know where she was looking or at what.

"It's not as beautiful as you think it is, believe me."

Blink.

Tyler has been gone for too long. My head twirled around every now and then, my pulse quickening as more time passed. He's been gone for too long. He said it would only take him a short while to get the special herbs father asked him to get, and since then he had left me standing by myself in a corner, near a fruit stand in these busy markets. I was worried— frightened— for this was the first time I had ever left the house. I wanted to go back, I was scared, I was nervous, I was lonely.

"Woah, look at this!" I jumped out of my skin at the unrecognisable voice that startled me and turned my head quickly. There was a boy standing close to me with his two friends walking behind him. I was scared. I've never came in contact with a boy before, I've never stood this close to any boy other than my brother or father.

"I've never seen this beautiful jewel in the village before. Are you from a nearby village?" one of his friends asked as they were now standing beside their leader. They looked dangerous— they scared me.

"Want to have fun with us, beautiful?" the one who spoke to me first asked lowly, his face getting closer to mine. My heart was pounding loudly, the sound even reached my ears. My throat became tight and dry, my body began to tremble.

"Come on, come with us." the leader reached for me, his hand sliding up the length of my arm and reaching for my left shoulder. That's when the alarms began ringing in my head. With the fear being the fuel to my fire, I turned around and ran like my life depended on it, because it probably did. I had to hold onto my simple gown tightly as well as my necklace as I ran.

I could hear them running and shouting after me, which only made me run faster. People were moving out of my way and I wasn't sure if I was glad that they allowed me to run away or hurt that they didn't help me. They wouldn't try to stop me because they didn't know what was happening.

I was running further away, where people started to slowly disappear. I was running into nothingness soon and there would be no one around to help me because there was no one around. I risked a glance back and saw the boys chasing after me with irritated expressions. They'll kill me, I thought as my eyes met with the leader's eyes and suddenly, I collided into something so solid and strong that a scream of terror left my lips.

Instinctively, I closed my eyes as I stumbled back, but then I felt large, powerful hands grip my shoulders firmly and pull me into something broad and muscular. I gasped, realising it was a boy's chest. No, it was a man, not a boy. My palms pressed against his chest flatly as I tried to keep my distance from him. I was in the arms of a man. I was nervous, terrified, yet strangely safe. But I wanted to get out of his arms. I began struggling to get out of his arms, and every time I tried to escape, his arms around my shaking figure would tighten.

The moment I heard the sound of footsteps slowing down was when I stopped struggling, feeling my fear intensify.

"Let her go, we found her first." the leader spoke, his voice sounding angry. A shiver ran down my body and I felt myself shrinking into the man's arms. Again, his arms tightened around me, but it was as if to say he'd protect me.

"That's no way to treat a young lady, children." the sound of his voice, it did things to me. It caused my heart to beat faster, my blood rushing to my cheeks as an unknown sensation embraced my being. His voice was deep yet smooth, it was melodic and masculine.

"Children?" asked the leader. "Clearly, we are not, so how about you hand her to us? We found her first and I'm sure she'll have a good time."

He had ill intentions, something told me that he had ill intentions.

The man who was holding me snickered lowly, the sound causing the feelings in me to intensify, and he said, "I'm quite sure that I'll be the one to pleasure her, not kids like you."

I tensed, dread urging my blood to stop as the trembling of my body became more palpable. He felt it, too. He must have felt it, for he held me tighter and got serious. "She's not a piece of meat. Trying to feast on a young maiden is contemptible, especially when she isn't willing. You three better flee, because if you don't get away—" he stopped and visibly tightened his arms around me. "—you might get hurt."

His voice dropped, being so dangerous yet remained enchanting. I shivered, and I was sure the three boys must have, too. After a while, I heard the sound of feet moving and they slowly began fading. They left. The man's grip on me didn't loosen, and when I was sure we were alone, I got more nervous.

I pushed myself out of his arms, but I didn't succeed. If anything, his arms around me became tighter. I could feel his eyes looking at me with amusement, but I didn't want to glance up at him. I was too frightened and compared to his frame, I was small and vulnerable. I thought I was going to cry soon— if he doesn't let go, I might cry. I was really panicking.

"I won't hurt you, you know." I froze as he whispered softly. I dared to look up at him slowly, but I wish I didn't, for I was struck speechless.

He had beautiful ash blonde hair which was soft-looking and slightly messy, but in a really charming manner. His golden eyes looked at me silently. His defined jaw and his soft, plump lips. His muscular yet lean frame and his tall height. He was beautiful, the most beautiful man I have seen in my entire sixteen winters of existence— even though I had not seen many men.

He was looking at me silently for too long, and it made me uncomfortable. He seemed lost as his eyes took in my face and I even noticed his lips parting slightly. He was making me anxious, so I dropped my head down and pushed him away from me gently. He allowed me, and he even backed away a little to give me some space, which I was grateful for.

"I swear on the Gods above," he whispered so softly— breathlessly— that I had to force my ears to listen carefully, but I didn't dare lift my head. "I have never witnessed true beauty in my existence, until this moment."

I felt my cheeks warm up quickly. What was this feeling in my chest?

When I noticed him beginning to take long strides towards me, I lifted my head and became alarmed. He walked until his chest was brushing against mine, and he moved a hand to caress my cheek tenderly whilst the other snaked around my waist, keeping me close to him. What was he doing?

He must have seen the panic on my face, because he began whispering reassuring words to me. "I won't do anything to harm you, that I swear to you. And I also swear that I'll make you mine."

I didn't know what to say, I didn't know what to do. I had never been this close to any boy, not even the ones from before. I had never been touched by a man before and I had never had one say those things to me. He was making my heart dance.

"Jewelrina!"

I gasped and pushed the man away as I heard my brother yell my name. I felt the man's hand caress my neck before my brother pulled me into his embrace and glared at the man, who backed away with a happy grin on his face. My brother held me tightly and began to lead me away, but before I left completely, I turned my head and glanced at the man as I continued walking away. The feeling in my chest kept buzzing and fluttering, yet I did not know what it was.

Will I ever see him again?

Blink.

The screams and laughter outside seemed to be calling out to me. They urged me to leave quickly. I glanced at myself in the mirror one final time. My mother had done a wonderful job.

A simple, crimson red gown with blood-red daisy flowers embroidered on the fabric flowed over my figure. It wasn't tight, but it wasn't too loose. It had a black sash that went around my waist, adding more beauty to the dress. It had long sleeves which widened and loosened the further they went down my arms. The neckline was a little low, showing a fair amount of my cleavage. Mother fixed my hair and made it more wavy. I wore a crown of red roses on my head to adorn my black hair— fresh, red roses which I picked out from a nearby field.

"Time to go, Jewelrina! The Spring Festival is amazing this year!" Tyler cheered as he walked into my room. When he spotted me, he stopped, his smile falling.

What, did I look bad? I thought worriedly.

"You look..." he paused, looking lost. "Oh my Gods, mother!" he yelled, storming out of my room. Did I look that unpresentable?

I quickly gathered my gown in my hands and walked out of my room to the kitchen, where my mother was.

"... it's going to be too difficult for me!" Tyler complained. "How am I going to keep the boys away from her? It's already bad as it is! Your little rose will be snatched if she goes out looking like this!"

"It's alright." she said plainly, cleaning the dishes and drying them. "I know you'll take care of her."

I adored the calm wind tonight! I adored the big fire and the open food stalls! I adored the prizes' stalls and I adored this entire festival! It was so enjoyable this year. I had been holding Tyler's hand as we walked through stall to stall, taking food and trying to win prizes. What I adored most about the festival was that everything was free, just like the other festivals we had.

"Wait here," Tyler said as he looked behind me. "I'll be back. If anything happens, call for me."

He left after that. He was probably meeting with his friends. I can't keep him with me and not let him have fun. I made sure to walk around where many women were, because they would always step in to help those who needed help and when they did that, the men would also step in to protect them. The women were looked after very well and taken care of by our men— they were even protected if they were unmarried maidens.

"Jewelrina!"

I twirled around, coming face to face with one of my mother's friends. "My, you look so beautiful!" she walked towards me, opening her arms and giving me a hug.

"Thank you, Aunt, but you look more beautiful. It's so enjoyable this winter!" I grinned, clapping my hands slightly and giggling.

"Oh, stop trying to flatter me." she gushed, holding a palm to her cheek. "Greet your mother and father for me and enjoy your time! Youth is the best time of a woman's life!" she cheered happily as she walked past me. I giggled at her words, not really sure if I agreed or not.

I turned around and just as I was going to walk back to where Tyler left me, I stopped. My heartbeat increased and that buzzing feeling came back, only it was a little different this time.

His eyes were looking at me with confusion, as though not sure, but when my own eyes met his, a smile curved his lips slowly with recognition.

He looked so handsome, so captivating.

He was a little far away from me, so when he began walking towards me slowly, I decided to play a little game of chase. I turned around and began walking away, glancing back every now and then to make sure he was following me.

There was a side smirk on his face, as though he knew what I was thinking of.

I made him chase me into the woods. Even though it was dark with only the moonlight to guide me, I didn't feel scared walking in the mass of dark trees. When I didn't want to go in too deep, I stopped and turned around, only to find him standing a fair distance before me with that side smirk still on his face. He still looked beautiful, maybe more.

"You're still following me." I said, looking at him with admiration.

"Why wouldn't I?" he asked, shaking his head lightly with a soft smile on his lip. "I've been looking for you everywhere ever since that day, and now that I found you, I'll do whatever it takes to make you mine." he declared so strongly and confidently as he walked towards me with slow steps.

I understood that he was a very playful and carefree man.

I grinned before I turned around and scurried away from him. I heard his laugh, and for a second I thought I was going to trip. It was the most mesmerising sound I have ever heard. I giggled as I jogged away from him, taking a turn every time he was close enough to catch me. It was a little hard to find my way around because of the darkness and the trees that appeared in front of me occasionally, but I still ran, keeping a firm hold on my gown so it didn't tangle between my feet.

I hadn't expected for him to be able to catch me so quickly. Then again, he wasn't trying too hard in the beginning so that he didn't ruin our fun.

He pulled me against him and I almost gave in, but then something crossed my mind.

"You took my necklace," I narrowed my eyes, almost accusing him. "I want it back."

He smirked, his hand digging in the pocket of his pants and then he pulled out my necklace by its chain. My hand instantly shot to grab it, but he pulled it high above his head, which became impossible for me to reach.

"Give it back!" I felt my cheeks warming up, and I felt my heartbeat quickening.

"Why?" he asked lowly. "It became precious to me, and it helped me through tough times I experienced. I can't give it back. I feel that I need it more than you." he breathed, teasing me by lowering it down and when I tried to grab it, he would pull it over his head again.

Fine, I see how it will be, I thought.

I pouted my lips and prepared myself before shyly whispering, "A gentleman like you should't be doing this to a young girl like me." I looked at him with big, round, innocent eyes. I heard him tense and suck in a sharp breath.

Did I do it right?

When I noticed his hand lowering, his grip on the chain loosening, I reached for it and grabbed my necklace before I bolted away from him. I heard him laugh, making me smile as I held the sides of my gown tightly and ran away.

He followed after me, and he was gaining on me quickly. I was breathing deeply, trying to get past the trees that came into my view every now and then.

But he caught me.

He pulled me by my hips and then pinned me against a tree gently. We were both breathing hard, our chests rising and falling rapidly because of how much we ran. I became alert once he rested his forearms against the tree bark— just above my shoulders— which brought his body closer to my own. I straightened my body in hopes to put some distance between us, feeling fear taking over me little by little as I tensed.

"Don't be afraid," he whispered softly, his temple touching my own. "I won't hurt you."

His face was too close to me. I was nervous, I was frightened. I turned my head to the side, placing my palms on his chest and trying to push him away.

"It's not right to be this close to an unmarried girl!" I spoke quickly when I noticed his head moving closer to me.

"Then marry me." he stated with determination as he pulled his head back and glanced into my eyes. He looked serious. But I was surprised— perplexed.