The words had been slung at Danielle at the pace of a jackrabbit, fast enough to act as a splash of cold water on her face. The shock resonated and must’ve been visible, as some part of her had not accepted the reality that this noble man had been responsible for the death of her husband,<i>until death do us part, </i>her instructor. Anger flared in the depths of her, but she quelled the flames before they could consume her. In her eyes, she had said enough to do damage to her already damaged reputation.<br/>Of course, the rejection of the outreached hand was a stark act of disrespect. She wanted him to think that she was not content, as that was certainly the case. He didn’t take her rejection well it seemed, as his rough hand instead latched on to her thin wrist. He didn’t think twice and she saw that, and it didn’t give her an opportunity to verbally object. She was pulled along suddenly, her slender legs moving quick to keep up with his pace. She tried to shake him free of her wrist a handful of times, but he was firmly clamped, and she had no option but to succumb to his leadership.<br/><br/>He walked decisively, almost as if he knew exactly where he was going. She concluded that he must’ve already scoured the entirety of the castle, laying a mental map of his future home. She had assumed he would be the future leader of this castle, the king, in his own respect. Her stomach churned at the thought, a nauseous feeling overcoming the now-widow.<br/><br/>She stole glances at the men as they passed, but she quickly learned that it was a mistake to do so. Their bloody armor and weapons made her shiver, the bodies scattered occasionally making Danielle stiffen with grief. Even as they entered her chambers she was reluctant to move, too caught up by the place where her guards stood. She knew them personally, and it was a jab to the heart to see how they had been taken out.<br/><br/>She was dragged into the room, left standing stranded a meter away as the man hauled the door shut. She was puzzled for a second, questioning why he would stay, until it dawned on her. A primal need to protect herself quickly overcame the young lady, and she began to undo her corset. It felt restrictive now.<br/><br/>It was in this lighting that she could truly be seen: her milky white skin tinted with a very slight tan, her piercing blue eyes and starkly contrasting dark hair. Her waist was small and pinched, her breasts large yet proportionate. Her shoulders were angular and narrow, her collarbones visible. Her hips were tapered out, yet she still maintained a quite frail look. She had heart shaped lips, painted a soft mauve and plump. Yet the fire in her eyes dared the man to come closer as she pulled her corset from her body, then promptly throwing it at the man.<br/><br/>It was not a throw meant to damage, clearly, but one meant to act as a warning. She backed away, folding her arms over her chest. “You liar! Stay away. I know what you want. I know what you think.”