Chapter 87: Are You Stupid

It was all beginning to make sense to Lina. Initially, she had been surprised that a bandit would want to marry a Princess. With such little power and authority, would he have to keep her in his house, hidden away? Now that she knew he was a Prince, she understood his reasoning.

Behind her, Kade let out a string of curses. They made Lina's ears burn.

"Now look at what you've done," Kade muttered, his voice deepening. He had no choice but to take this one with him.

"I just have to kidnap you now," Kade said, his grip tightening on her waist, digging into her stomach. She had discovered his identity. 

"Wait," Lina said.

"Save that lecture—"

"You don't have to kidnap me!" Lina stated, turning around in his arms.

Lina was met with his baffled features. He regarded her like she had lost her mind. Maybe, she did. Or maybe, she didn't. One way or another, she'd agree.

"I'll go with you willingly," Lina said. Her voice was filled with determination, for she couldn't let this golden ticket get away. 

"Are you stupid?" Kade remarked.

"Are you?" Lina shot back.

Kade's lips twitched. Not many dared to insult him directly to his face nowadays. In the past, servants neglected him and his siblings were vile. Ever since he conquered battlefields and became an accomplished Commander, none dared to do it in front of him. Only behind his back.

"There is a war between Ritan and Teran," Lina stated.

"Really? I'm surprised," Kade said.

Lina glared at him. This man was infuriating. She was beginning to regret saying she'd willingly go with him. Maybe she'd die of frustration on the journey to Ritan. 

"My sister is on the frontlines," Lina explained, her fingers wrung together. 

Lina remembered her mother's face filled with worry whenever there was news about the battlefields.

Lina used to blame the Emperor for not holding back her older sister. However, Lina knew better than anyone else there was nothing that could prevent her determined older sister from sneaking off to battle. It was better to award her with a title and an army.

"And this war has taken far too many casualties," Lina mumbled towards the end, her heart stinging with the painful memories. 

Lina had witnessed one of the true horrors of war, not too long ago.

"So you want to save your sister?" Kade deadpanned. "Just for an older sibling, you're willing to sell yourself off to stop the war?"

Lina's heart fell at the way he phrased it. Then, she realized it wasn't an insult. He regarded her earnestly, as if her words had touched him. Lina remembered what her mother told her.

When Lina was born, a monk had come to visit and bless the royal children. When the monk saw Lina, he had kneeled to the ground and sobbed for her. Lina had the fate of a lamb—she was meant to be sacrificed. 

Lina didn't know what that meant until war tore through Teran, taking everything with it.

"A monk told me I have the fate of a sacrificer," Lina admitted. "I've prepared myself for the day that I must fulfill my duties to the nation and my duties as a Princess."

It was why Lina closed her heart to every man that came her way. Lina didn't have the luxury of experiencing a sweet first love. She had been pampered since birth, for it was the kingdom's gift to her before she was sold off to marriage.

"My wife will not be sacrificed for the war," Kade snarled, wondering what was wrong with this woman. 

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Was she dropped on her head as a baby? Why was she so willing to die, as if her life meant nothing?

"If we are to wed, you're to live a long time," Kade seethed. "I won't accept any less than that."

Lina grimly smiled. She'd let him believe that. They said her mother's illness was hereditary. She just hoped it'd never trigger inside of her. 

"One sacrifice to marriage is enough," Kade deadpanned, leaving no room for an argument.

Kade was beginning to wonder which Princess she was.  When he had observed her in the fighting arena with such confidence, skill, and even a hint of arrogance, he was sure that she was the reputed Fourth Princess of Teran, the Emperor's favorite. 

Now Kade wasn't so sure.  This was not what he had expected of the Fourth Princess. He eyed her carefully. 

With her humbleness, Lina certainly wasn't the first Princess. If not the first, then who? 

Kade knew the Emperor of Teran had taken two concubines. Rumors spread far and wide that the Emperor only loved the second.

The politics of an Imperial Family was messy. Kade knew that firsthand. Kade had watched his mother die of heartbreak in the palace until she was a walking shell of a woman. 

A soft heart was meant to be squeezed to death. Only a strong heart could bear the schemes.

Something about this Princess's tenacity told Kade that she'd last long. But with her mentality to sacrifice herself for the greater good, the Princess will not last long in Ritan. 

"Mark my words," Kade warned her. "My wife will be treated like the royalty she is, so get rid of that mentality of yours."

Lina slowly blinked. This man didn't seem so bad after all. 

Lina pushed his arm away and decided to start afresh. Who would've thought her golden opportunity would present itself right in front of her like this?

"I see…" Lina trailed off.

The only reason Lina joined the tournament was to acquire one of the prizes. It was a slip of paper and on it was the word "wish." Anyone who selected the box that contained this piece of paper could make a wish. 

One time, Lina had begged her father to marry her off for the sake of stopping the war, but he had denied her. When she tried again, he gave her the impossible task of naming a specific Prince to marry.

Lina knew her father wouldn't let her leave Teran if it wasn't for that slip of paper. Now that Lina knew one of the Princes from Ritan, the Emperor would have no choice but to let her go.

"Let's start from the beginning," Lina said. "I am the fourth daughter of the Great Emperor of Teran, Princess Lina."

Kade's lips twitched in amusement. So she really was the Fourth Princess. He expected someone haughty and spoiled. She seemed the opposite of that.

Lina was the one and only Princess he had come here for. His prey had walked right into his trap. What a marvelous thing.

Kade straightened his shoulders and smiled.

Lina's heart stopped right then and there. He was handsome when he smiled. It soothed out the sharpness of his face and stony expression.

"As the Seventh Prince, it's a pleasure to meet you, Lina," Kade said.

Lina shivered at the way he said her name. It rolled off of his tongue perfectly, like he was meant to utter it.

"Now," Kade began. "Tell me why you want to sacrifice yourself to stop the war."

Lina's throat tightened at the memory of that haunting day. She shakily raised her head. Opening her mouth, she began to tell the story of what happened.

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