True to his words, Kade treated her like a mistress. He showed no mercy to her insides and it left her a moaning mess, saying obscene words.

  Kade's stamina was that of a wild animal. He possessed all the self-control in the world, but lost it when it came to her.

  Only after draining all of her energy, did he finally stop. He had pushed her into six positions within a span of two hours. Her throat had been hoarse from screaming, her fingers limp and her thighs still shaky.

  They had enjoyed four positions on the bed, and two in the bathtub. Afterwards, she was thoroughly washed as the bedsheets were changed.

  "I'm tired," Lina whispered, her head resting on his chest.

  "Hello, tired, my name is Kade," he retorted.

  Lina's lips twitched at the worst joke she had ever heard. She couldn't believe the duality of his character. He was obscene during their love-making.

  Afterward, Kade was kind and attentive. He had cleaned her body when she was too exhausted to even lift her fingers.

  "Are you feeling alright?" Kade worriedly asked, despite caring deeply for her shortly after their sessions.

  "Mmhm…"

  "Truly?" Kade emphasized. "You must tell me if there was something you disliked."

  "Truly," Lina said.

  Kade bent his head and pressed another chaste kiss on her forehead. He had tried his hardest to not be too rough, but she handled him exceptionally well.

  Kade effortlessly carried her to bed. The sun was high in the sky, the afternoon quickly approaching. She was too exhausted to even say anything. Her eyes opened by a crack.

  "I need to greet your parents," Lina muttered. "I haven't properly greeted them as a daughter-in-law since I came here."

  Kade gently lowered her onto the bed. His face was blank, for he didn't want to hurt her. She was as fragile as glass.

  "They're busy," Kade finally said.

  Lina didn't believe him. Unfortunately, she didn't have the energy to argue. He laid the blankets over her body, bringing it to her chin.

  "They have a country to run," Kade added, his voice filled with humor.

  Even Kade didn't believe in such lies. His father was likely playing with the concubines and his mother was likely enraged in her room. The affairs of the state were left to the Crown Prince, who was working quickly to replace his father.

  The resignation of an Emperor was uncommon. They only relinquished their position through death, but the man was tired.

  Kade had spent the majority of his life worrying over who'd stab him in the back, who'd murder him in his sleep, and who was really on his side.

  "Does the entirety of Ritan hate me?" Lina asked him.

  "You still have me," Kade mused.

  "So, everyone in this country except you hates me," Lina pointed out.

  Kade's expression hardened. "I can have them all—"

  "No."

  Lina already knew what her violent husband was going to say. She needed to think of a ploy to get people on her side. She needed to do it quickly, but what? What could a Princess possibly do?

  Wives of Princes often controlled harems. They tended to the appearance of their lord husband's estate. They ensured their body was healthy for reproduction. All of a wife's chores involved pleasing her husband and maintaining his image.

  Lina had already sullied her reputation amongst the handmaidens. After hearing their friends horrifically beaten in the courtyard of the servant's estate, everyone would fear Lina.

  Fear would never harbor respect.

  "What happened to Isabelle?" Lina finally asked. "You said—"

  "I've decided Isabelle is too much of a wild girl to serve you," Kade deemed. "Her energy resembles that of a pup who learned to use it's legs."

  "Are you certain it's not because you don't want your advisor's sister associating with me?" Lina mumbled, her voice low.

  "Dove—"

  "Nevermind."

  Lina turned in the bed, pulling the blankets up to her shoulders. She wanted to sleep. She needed the bed rest to think of a new idea to please Ritan. It'd be difficult with their kidnapped Princess. Their current lives were a stark contrast.

  "I mean it," Kade said. He squeezed her shoulder to show his sincerity.

  "I'd rather have an energetic puppy than quiet ones…" Lina trailed off.

  Kade's gaze softened. "A pup you want, a pup you shall get then."

  Lina hummed in response.

  Suddenly, an idea came to mind.

  Lina had never sent out the letter she wrote with her blood. She had drafted it out of hatred and rage, declaring to her father she wished to go home. She was being replaced in this palace. The Prince loved another woman. She was willing to go.

  Lina swallowed hard.

  If Atlan was really the one who kidnapped the Eighth Princess, then he could return her too.

  "Is everyone still working hard to search for the Eighth Princess?" Lina naively asked, turning in the bed. She didn't know of her husband's plans.

  "Yes," Kade immediately responded.

  Kade took a seat on the edge of the bed. She kept her distance from him, despite clinging desperately onto his body earlier. He narrowed his eyes.

  What happened to her seeking his touch? Perhaps he should lift her in the air more often as he dove deep inside of her warmth. She had never hugged him as tight as that moment.

  "Perhaps I can write a letter to Atlan to convince him to return the Eighth Princess, but at a different cost. I—"

  "You seriously think the mentor who manipulated you into taking your virginity like a madman would pick any other price except you?" Kade demanded.

  Lina only wanted to help. At his harsh words, she clamped her mouth shut.

  "That man is obsessed with you," Kade growled. "Do you not know—"

  Kade stopped himself. Suddenly, he realized something. When he saw Atlan in the tournament, he was dressed as a simple guard.

  Atlan lacked power and prestige. Kidnapping the Eighth Princess was a dangerous mission, but it didn't make sense. Why kidnap Ritan's favorite Princess when Teran's favored one was right within the palace walls?

  What was Teran's motive?

  Teran must've known that Lina would be ostracized in this palace because of the incident. Teran would've predicted that Lina's gentle heart wouldn't be able to handle this mess.

  "I'm giving you more guards," Kade immediately said, rising to his feet.

  It was beginning to make sense now.

  Teran didn't plan on kidnapping Lina. She'd run back to Teran to stop the war. They wanted her to return willingly on her own two feet. But why?

  A married Princess was of no value to Teran. Lina had no virtue. She lost the most important thing that a woman possessed—not that Kade cared. But a conservative country like Teran would.

  In other words… What could they possibly want from Lina?

  "Alright," Lina relented, seeing no harm in having more people around her.

  It wasn't like the guards were there to prevent her from running away. They were there to protect her.

  "How much does your Father love you?" Kade demanded.

  "As much as a Father could possibly love his daughter?" Lina responded.

  Lina didn't understand where he was coming from. She saw the contemplation on his face. He was lost in thought. What was he thinking about? Sometimes she wished she could have a peek inside of his head.

  "Lina," Kade said. His voice was as serious as can be. He turned to her, with an alarming expression.

  "Does Teran also embroider names onto clothing?" Kade asked.

  Lina naively blinked. She slowly nodded. "Yes, why?

  "Bastard." Kade cursed under his breath. Now, it was beginning to make sense.

  Atlan was a conniving son of a—


  "What is it?" Lina questioned, rising up from the bed.

  Lina winced at her shaky arms. Even so, she pushed herself into a sitting position. Kade quickly grabbed a hold of her waist. Without warning, he pulled her to his lap, his arms coming around her.

  "Tell me, did Atlan take your bloodied bed sheets?" Kade stated.

  "How did you know?"

  "Of course he would. Do you want to know what your lovely mentor is doing to you?" Kade said, his voice light and airy, despite the murderous intent in his eyes.

  "Uhm, not really—"

  "Most likely, he's shown those sheets to your Father, and now, your family thinks of you as ruined goods. They want you back because Atlan is trying to take responsibility for his actions," Kade spat out.

  The horror dawned on Lina. How could she not have realized this sooner? Atlan promised he was going to dispose of the sheets. He promised!

  "And if I don't go back?" Lina whispered.

  Lina sat like a stiff rock in his arms. She was still angry at him, but didn't know what to do about it.

  "Do you want to go?" Kade said.

  "No—"

  "Then you won't," Kade deadpanned.

  Lina wondered what could possibly happen from this dispute. She prayed from the bottom of her heart that another war wouldn't ensue.

  With that thought in mind, she closed her eyes and decided to sleep. She was exhausted from today's activities. The last thing she felt was his warm embrace and his lips on her forehead.

  "Goodnight, my dove."