Lina knew what she had to do. She had to beg. Either Atlan or Kade. One of them would listen to her. They had to!

  Lina had never begged for something on her knees before. She had never clung onto someone and pleaded for their mercy. For their generosity. She was a Princess by blood. On the day of her birth, Teran celebrated from morning to dusk, seven days in a row.

  Despite the wealth she was raised with, Lina grabbed onto her husband's legs.

  Kade was stunned. He was preparing to help her to stand, but she suddenly held onto his knees.

  "Lina—"

  "Please," Lina whimpered.

  Lina pressed her face above his knees. She held back a sob, her entire shoulders trembling with emotions. She knew Atlan wouldn't listen to her, for all she could send him was letters. But Kade? He was her husband. They lived under one roof, they shared the same bed, and he cherished her.

  He'd listen to her, right?

  "My wife," Kade sighed.

  Kade bent to grab her shoulders. He wasn't furious by her actions. He was disappointed. Did she think he was that much of a tyrannical husband to make his wife kneel like this? If she wanted something, she should ask him properly.

  "Please call off the war," Lina begged him.

  Kade froze.

  Kade's expression became deadly. All emotion disappeared from his handsome face. He straightened up.

  "I beg of you, my beloved husband, please call off this war!" Lina pleaded, raising her head to look at him.

  Lina's heart fell. The man that looked back at her was not her husband. He was Kade, the victorious Commander of Ritan. This was the Seventh Prince. This was not the loving man that embraced her tenderly.

  "Get up."

  His voice resembled a ghost. The tone was low, like the wheeze of the wind passing through a dead forest. She shivered.

  "No," Lina said.

  Lina refused to get up. She refused to leave her position. She needed to convince him to stop this battle. It had to happen before tomorrow morning, when the declaration of war? would be announced. She'd kneel all night long if she had to.

  "I will not ask you again," Kade seethed. "Get. Up."

  "Only if you call off this war."

  "Then you shall kneel until your knees bleed," Kade spat out.

  Kade yanked his legs back. But she was desperate. He was much quicker. He attempted to walk off. He only took one step, before she was on his legs again.

  "LINA!" Kade roared, his voice shaking the entire palace.

  Lina wasn't afraid of him. He was furious by her actions. She knew that much. Even so, she pressed her face to his knees. She was resilient. She'd beg him until her voice was hoarse and her body could no longer support itself. She'd lick his shoes if she had to.

  Lina didn't want any more meaningless deaths. She didn't want to ever see corpses in the forest. No more heartfelt goodbyes from mothers to sons, daughters to fathers. If she could save so many people by giving away her dignity, then she'd do it. If she had to sell herself to every man in this palace to stop the war, she'd do it. Nothing in this world could hold back her resolve.

  "Get up," Kade demanded.

  "Kade, please—"

  "Don't make me repeat myself."

  Lina's eyes watered. He spoke to her like a stranger. Did all the times they had shared in each other's arms mean nothing? Did her love for him mean nothing? She had given him everything she could. She had loved him unconditionally, despite the man that he was. Despite all that she did for him.

  "Kade—"

  "Each second you continue kneeling, I'll have one of your people murdered."

  Lina froze. She was suddenly reminded of the two other maidservants. Trembling at his words, she had no choice but to continue looking up at him. Without warning, he grabbed under her armpits. He raised her to her feet.

  "You must be exhausted," Kade stated.

  Lina was thrown off by the sudden kindness in his voice. When he touched her face, she flinched back in fear. He didn't care. He cupped the side of her face, brought her head close, and kissed her on the cheek.

  "I will forget the events of tonight," Kade murmured. "Because I care for you, my sweet wife."

  Kade slipped his arms behind her lowerback. He kissed her on the mouth. It was a simple peck. He needed her to know he still adored her. That, despite all of her foolishness tonight, she meant the world to him. Even if she didn't believe it. Even if his face was no longer reflected in her eyes.

  Kade had never seen her so heartbroken. There were unshed tears in her shaky gaze. She bit on her bottom lip. Her entire face crumbled. He pretended not to see. Instead, he embraced her tenderly.

  "Let's get you cleaned and ready for bed, dove of mine," Kade said. "When morning comes, you'll forget all about today's nightmares."

  Lina allowed him to hug her tightly. She allowed him to bend and carry her inhis arms. She allowed him to do this, because tonight was going to be the last time he saw her. When the morning dawned, she'd be out of this kingdom for good——

  "I want to bathe alone," Lina suddenly said.

  Kade paused. He was midway into undressing when she requested this. He turned to look at his wife, who was sitting in the bathtub like a corpse. She hadn't moved. Not even once.

  Kade's gaze flickered to her naked body. The candle light added a soft glow to her beautiful skin.

  He still hadn't figured out where his two guards went. Seeing the blood on her clothes previously, he concluded the two guards were either injured, dead, or killed somewhere in front of her. He decided it was the third option and that they were still hunting for intruders.

  "Let me clean you then," Kade compromised.

  Kade tightened his robes and approached her. Immediately, Lina turned around. Despite the perky breasts revealed to him, his eyes were on her face. He never once looked down.

  "I said I want to bathe alone," Lina emphasized.

  Kade couldn't resist her. He had promised he'd give her everything she wanted. Back in his private study, he had vehemently denied the request she put her entire heart and soul into. How could he reject this simple request of hers again? She would think he wasn't a man of his word.

  Holding back a sigh, Kade pressed his lips together.

  "Do you even know how to bathe by yourself?" Kade asked.

  Lina didn't respond.

  Kade saw the detached expression on her face. She resembled the shell of a woman she used to be. Her eyes were far away. She had lost all hope in this world. He knew she was barely hanging on by a thread. Not wanting to shove her off the edge, he reluctantly nodded.

  "I'll be in our bedroom if you need anything," Kade told her.

  "……"

  "Lina," Kade murmured.

  Kade approached the bathtub. She didn't even glance at him. He placed his hand on the edge and leveled himself, until he looked her in the eyes.

  "I love you, Lina," Kade whispered.

  Had he told her that yesterday, Lina would've cried tears of happiness. Instead, she felt nothing. Her heart was numb. Her chest was aching. She felt no love for him.

  "I love you, my sweet wife," Kade repeated.

  "Okay."

  Kade was hurt. He tried not to show it. She was going through a rough time in her life. He didn't want to push her any further.

  "Enjoy your bath, dove of mine," Kade stated.

  Lina didn't bother to respond. She turned in the tub, grabbed the linen off the nightstand, and began to clean herself. She could still feel Kade's presence behind her. She dipped the cloth into the bath water, then poured some scented soap onto it, and wiped at her arms.

  Finally, she heard his disappearing footsteps. The doors gently closed behind her. Lina was no fool.

  Lina continued to cleanse every part of herself. First, it was her arms, her shoulders, her neck, stomach, and then, her thighs. When she brought the towel back to her waist, she felt a sudden wave of emotions.

  Lina wanted to fling the towel to the ground. She wanted to push everything to the floor. She wanted to destroy this palace. Anger replaced her anguish. The change of emotions was so quick, she was thrown off.

  "Damn this country," Lina cursed under her breath.

  "Damn everyone," Lina whispered to herself.

  With her mind made up, Lina rose out of the bathtub. She eyed the nightgown on the small table, but made no move to touch it. Instead, she reached for her dirtied robes, the ones meant for training.

  Lina put on her clothes and opened the window. She knew none of Kade's guards would be watching her as they were assured that she was currently under Kade's protection in their private quarters.

  BOOM!

  Lina jumped at the rumbling of the clouds. She raised her head and saw a storm was quickly approaching. Good. It'd give her enough time to escape.

  Lina remembered her father's words well. There were spy-soldiers in this palace. If she wanted to run, she could. Thus, she grabbed one of the candles and waved it out of the window.

  Lina hoped someone was watching her. Someone. Anyone from Teran!

  Just then, Lina heard it. The rustling of the bushes. She saw them before anyone else could.

  They were here. The soldiers of Teran. And they were going to take her home.