<div style="text-align: justify;">Manuela did need some comforting indeed, and took hold of Julian’s hand when it was offered. Just like the Bishop, the young woman had nothing more to say for now. Her mind was still trying to make sense of the new situation, and it seemed like it was too much for her to do it and keep a conversation at the same time. <br/><br/>When the footsteps sounded closer, Manuela tensed. She could feel her heart race and her palms turn cold. When the door opened, the young woman had her eyes glued on it. What would happen now? Would they manage to deceive Sir John and get out of that place? Hopefully, she thought, trying to calm down. <br/><br/>When Sir John said they had come to take her, Manuela stood up out of pure instinct. She had gone through that already before being taken to be burned, and she really hope that this would not be the case again. When Sir John said he would take her and then Julian and the soldier could fight, Manuela touched the Bishop’s arm, standing behind him. <br/><br/>Hearing that the man planned on having some fun with her made Manuela’s grip tighten on Julian’s arm. She knew exactly what the man meant, and did not like the idea in the least. Hopefully, they could make the risk go away with words, but Manuela was willing to use her hands and nails to get Sir John away from her, should she be unable to get rid of him.<br/><br/>Despite her distaste for Sir John, Manuela gasped in surprise when Julian slapped him. She had been too busy thinking about what she could do to improve her situation to have seen it coming. Letting her hand slip from Julian’s arm, Manuela took a step back, expecting the worst. <br/><br/>When Julian slapped the man again, Manuela took yet another step back. Hearing the man ask for her again made Manuela feel weak at the knees. Would they reach an agreement? Hopefully not, but she couldn’t really say anything until Julian gave the man his answer. <br/><br/>Despite knowing that it was all a plan, Manuela felt a little hurt hearing Julian talk about her. She was no witch, but it would do her no good to say anything about it. So, she kept silent and let the men talk. When Julian moved closer to her, Manuela moved her face to make kissing him easier, despite her discomfort.<br/><br/>When the lackey said they didn’t need to prove that they were together by kissing, it was an immense relief to Manuela. <br/><br/>Her relief did not last long, though. She was about to say something when Sir John carried on, making an ever harder demand for them to prove that they were together now. The girl turned red as a tomato, but did not protest. One reason was because, since she was now allegedly Julian’s concubine, it was up to him to say something. And the other was because if she opened her mouth, Manuela suspected that she might tell the truth.<br/><br/>So, she fell silent and waited, hoping that Julian could at least by them time to think of something.</div>