She didn't know what to say or do when he concluded that she was afraid of him. It was hard not to be after that little preview of what he could do to those he didn't like. He also admitted such things happened commonly in his castle. Sajedene couldn't agree with the definition of weakness he had just provided her, implying that should he not punish people with death, his enemies would consider him a coward. If true strength was slaughtering another person without a second thought, then surely animals such as predators would have taken over human beings a long time ago. But no, there was something humans were capable of that animals weren't and this is what she assumed Daishoga could not see.<br/><br/>Sajedene followed him with her eyes as he approached her again, not expecting him to suddenly undo the knot of his robes and pull them off. She momentarily looked away, blinking her eyes nervously and thinking he was trying to humiliate her on purpose by doing something so indecent. Ha, she was one to talk, having slipped out each and every night to find her beloved Maleiek and bare herself to him like a common whore. Eventually, as he continued speaking, her eyes shifted over to his bare torso where countless, gruesome scars pierced the smooth surface of his skin. Blotches of red indicated several very bad burns here and there. It looked like he had been through extremely violent battles and barely survived without having his heart carved out by his enemies. Surprisingly, part of her longed to comfort him, but she doubted he needed pity for his past horrors. He had made it through and here he was, one of the most powerful men alive.<br/><br/>But then, while looking into her eyes and his hand at her chin once more, he spoke of her village in Vaandom. She felt a surge of anger in her guts as Daishoga played with the idea that he might have enjoyed destroying her village. How could he? Did he not know? Of course he didn't. He couldn't know she wasn't a mere peasant. Sajedene swallowed her anger and looked down, fearing he would see the fire that burned in her eyes. Oh, how she longed to wrap her slender fingers around his neck and end his life for his ignorant words. But that was not what she believed in, not at all. There had been enough killing already and Sajedene did not wish to see anyone else suffer anymore. This thought helped her find peace and finally her hands that had balled into tight fists seemed to relax. Yes, killing was not the way. Revenge was not the way. This land had seen far too much of such cruelty and she wasn't about to become part of it.<br/><br/>She looked back up to his eyes and realized he had not looked away or blinked a single time. For a moment she tried to search his eyes for a hint of humanity or some sort of happiness, but she wasn't sure if she could see anything. Judging from the way he spoke of life and happiness, he hadn't always been like this. Perhaps he was just a product of his environment, considering he had always had to deal with the prejudice of others. Sajedene couldn't be sure, but she was quite good at reading people and tended to see good where others saw bad. But Daishoga... it was difficult to go past all those bedtime stories, all that hatred her people and her father had towards him.<br/><br/>When he spoke of her, Sajedene first feared her had figured out who she was. Would he have treated her differently had he known? She pushed such thoughts out of her mind when Daishoga began detailing her future duties as his personal servant. With each word, she found herself more and more confused. A confidant? Speak freely? It almost sounded like he was trying to talk her into being friends with him, which was understandable seeing as he probably didn't have many true friends, if any. Enjoy physically? Was she to be his whore now? A whore he would have a conversation with every now and then. Again, she didn't have much room for complaining since she had already brought that status upon herself for not waiting until marriage and deciding to give up her innocence to a man of a much lower status.<br/><br/>And then, to top it all off, Daishoga asked her opinion. Was this a trap?<br/><br/>Sajedene considered her words carefully, although he had expressed his wish to have her speak freely. However, the image of the dying guard was still very much engraved in her mind and she would have to meet a similar fate at Daishoga's hands. "I'm afraid I do not quite understand your intentions, your Highness." She replied. "It is true that your reputation precedes you, which is why I must say I cannot understand why you would think that someone like me could please you, verbally or physically." Sajedene met his gaze. "To each what he rightfully deserves, your Highness. Perhaps you would prefer a virtuous lady of noble decent to act as your personal servant?" She hoped he wouldn't take her words in a bad way. The last thing she wanted was for him to be angry or upset and it took everything to assure her words wouldn't insult him.<br/><br/>"And... I am afraid of you, your Highness." She admitted. "My life is in your hands and you have not been kind to those who have been in that position before me. Why should I expect you to treat me differently, your Highness?" Sajedene was getting nervous and tried to ignore her heart hammering against her chest. Had she said too much? "But I do wish to see the best in people." She continued. "These lands have seen enough hatred, anger, bloodshed and vengeance. I would rather put down my differences and see if you are truly such an evil man, your Highness." There was a bit of hope in her eyes, as if she was trying to tell him that she believed there was more to him. And she did. She really did, but it was difficult and it pained her immensely. The question was, would she have the strength to keep on believing despite everything she was likely to witness between the castle walls.<br/><br/>"Evil men spare no one. And you just have, your Highness."