Dear Immortal Tyrant

Kade should've expected as much. He knew that bastard Atlan was up to no good. Taking advantage of Lina, kidnapping the Eighth Princess, that man had the nerve to live another day? The audacity.

Kade already knew what he was going to do to Atlan. There would be no mercy. The word was forever wiped from his dictionary. He was going to torture that man in ways no one should ever be violated.

"Stay put," Kade instructed her. "My guards are here. They will protect you with their lives."

Lina slowly blinked. "I can't come with you?"

Kade shook his head. "No, my dove. You must stay in our room."

Right as he said that, Kade placed his thumb and forefinger on his lips, blew, and made a sharp whistle. Instantly, the double doors to his estate opened up. A crowd of his people, men and women, dressed in full black walked inside.

Lina's eyes widened.

"These five women will accompany you at all times," Kade said, gesturing to his female soldiers.

"And these ten men will guard the living room. There are more outside of the estate," Kade concluded. "Until I return, you're to stay in our chamber."

"Where will you be going?" Lina asked, grabbing onto his long sleeves.

"To the council. By now, word of the incident must've spread," Kade stated. "I'll need to prepare my people."

Lina let out a small breath. So it wasn't a war meeting. "Can I come? I can offer guidance, advice, and—"

"You will betray your home country of Teran?" Kade demanded.

Lina flinched back. "Teran is my home—"

"I am your husband. This is your family now. Ritan is your home."

Lina's eyes flashed. She slowly shook her head.

"Exactly," Kade deadpanned. "You will stay put in my room and that's final."

"Kade—"

Lina's voice died in her throat. Kade shot her a fiery glare. Stand down. He was using his authority as her husband. She felt her tongue being grabbed by his ferocious glower. She could do nothing but frown.

"Be a good girl," Kade asserted, trying his hardest to sound soft. It didn't work. She was still hurt by his approach.

Kade wrapped his arms around her, despite the hatred that burned in his heart. He was furious that the Eighth Princess was stolen right under his nose. He wanted to take Lina with him. Every part of him believed she'd disappear. But he could not. The details of the council would break her heart.

It was his duty as her husband to keep her safe and sound. It was his duty as her lover to keep her happy and oblivious. So, he'd do just that.

"Wait for me, my dear dove, I will return soon," Kade promised.

Kade pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead. She numbly stood there. His heart pricked at her reaction, but he said nothing else. He heard the sound of his troops approaching. Soon, this palace would be crawling with his well-trained soldiers.

"Under my jurisdiction," Kade coldly instructed. "No one is to leave and enter my estate."

"Yes, Commander!"

- - - - -

Lina felt awkward. Every little move, she was being watched. The female guards never took their eyes off of her. She tried to leave the room, but was blocked. There were men standing guard at the windows as well. There was no way she could leave the room.

Holding back a small sigh, Lina flipped a page in the book. She found things to read on Kade's bookshelves, but they were all war tactics. Nothing distracted her.

Just then, Lina heard a commotion outside the bedroom. She quickly rose to her feet.

"Princess—"

"I just want to see what it is," Lina said to the guards.

Lina approached the doorway, but the soldiers were faster than her. They opened the doors themselves.

"Princess!" A maidservant cried out.

Lina recognized her as one of her maids who had accompanied her as she traveled to Ritan. These were her Teran maidservants!

"Let her through," Lina instructed. "She's here to get me ready for the night."

The guards exchanged glances with each other. They were strictly warned by the Commander.

"Unfortunately, Princess, the Commander has instructed us that no one is to—"

"I heard what he said, I was standing right in his arms," Lina responded.

The guards traded knowing looks with each other. They understood her claim. The Commander cared for her. The Princess was his woman. His wife, even.

"Now, let my maidservant through," Lina said. "Surely, you don't expect me to undress by myself?"

The female guards nervously looked at each other. Neither of them knew how to properly dress a Princess. They were worried she'd be injured by their rough force. What if there was a scratch on her? The Commander would have their heads on a pitchfork.

"Only one maidservant then, Princess," one of the female guards said.

"Only one," Lina agreed.

The maidservant let out a sigh of relief. She nervously walked through the doorway, feeling everyone's eyes on her. She forced a smile and bowed her head.

"Princess, let me prepare you for your sleep," the maidservant stated.

"Yes please," Lina slowly said, walking with her into the bedroom.

They were heavily followed by the female guards. Lina said nothing else. They wouldn't give her privacy, no matter what. She had even requested to use the chamber pot in private, but they still watched her as she went.

It was a good thing these soldiers didn't know the difference between a nightgown and a normal dress. They hadn't realized Lina was already in sleeping clothes. This was from Teran, though, so they must've thought it was something else.

"Please fix my hair into a braid," Lina stated, taking a seat at the vanity.

Through the corner of her eyes, the maidservant could see the guards watching her like vultures awaiting a meal.

"As you wish, Princess. But first, your dress is dirty, let me change you out of your clothes," the maidservant stated.

Lina saw the blood on her sleeves. She shakily nodded her head.

The maidservant quickly went to the wardrobe and pulled out a nightgown from Ritan. She returned a second later and bowed her head again.

Lina got up, but stopped. She saw the women soldiers follow her; their presence looming over her every movement

"I'm only going behind the bamboo screen," Lina relented, gesturing to the corner.

The soldiers quickly checked behind the bamboo screen. Nothing. There was no one waiting for her there. There wasn't even an escape route here. With compliance, they stepped back and allowed the maidservant to walk behind the screen with the Princess.

"Princess, if you will," the maidservant said.

Lina was about to turn around, to allow the handmaiden to take off her clothes. Suddenly, the maidservant touched her hand.

Lina felt something in her palm. She saw the maidservant slowly shake her head to silence Lina.

Lina's heart raced with anticipation. So this is why the maidservant had caused a scene to enter. She slowly unraveled her fingers. There was a note.

"Yes, please step out of the gown," the maidservant loudly said, pretending to undress the Princess.

Lina shakily unraveled the tiny piece of parchment. At the familiar handwriting, her heart fell.

The letter read as such:

'Love of my life, you must've heard the news. The Eighth Princess has been kidnapped. Ritan is no longer safe for you. Return home. Spy soldiers are waiting for you. You're far too young to get married.'

Lina raised her head. Spy soldiers. That meant…

The maidservant slowly nodded her head. She was a spy. There were many more in Ritan.

"Please let me take the dirty gown," the maidservant stated, gesturing to the letter.

Lina quietly gave the note back. Then, she watched in horror as the maidservant crumpled it, placed the note into her mouth, and swallowed.

"Now, Princess, please change into the new clothes," the maidservant said, as if she hadn't just eaten paper.

Lina shakily allowed herself to be undressed. Then, she stepped into the nightgown of Ritan. Suddenly, the maidservant leaned in.

"War will break out between Ritan and Teran, Princess, you must return," the maidservant whispered. "The Emperor has already sent his army here."

Suddenly, Lina heard the sound of metal. There was a commotion in the background. By the time she was dressed, the bamboo screen had fallen over. To her horror, the entire room was filled with smoke.

Lina choked and coughed, fanning her hand. It was useless. She felt a sharp pain behind her head. Then, everything went black.