Realms of power

As the chariot rattled along the cobblestone streets, Sarah found herself alone with Prince Liam. Constance had chosen to ride with the other servants, who were following the prince's chariot on foot.

Sarah's nerves were on edge, but she struggled to maintain a calm exterior. She didn't want to give the prince any reason to think she was vulnerable or weak.

But Prince Liam noticed her tension, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed at her. "Don't be frightened, Sarah," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I'm happy to defend you from those men. You need not fear that anyone will harm you while I'm here."

Sarah's heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze. She knew she wasn't scared of those men at the inn, not even when they'd almost touched her. She was crafty enough to have found a way out of that situation.

But her real fear was the man sitting in front of her now. She knew Prince Liam had intentions for her, intentions she didn't care for. She could see the way he looked at her, the way his eyes lingered on her face and neck.

The prince's gaze drifted over her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You still look as beautiful as ever, Sarah," he said, his voice dripping with sincerity. "But something's missing."

Sarah's instincts told her he was teasing, trying to get a rise out of her. She raised an eyebrow, playing along. "Oh? And what might that be?"

The prince's smile grew wider. "Your neck is unadorned. Your necklace must have fallen to the floor in the inn."

Sarah's hand instinctively went to her neck, feeling the bare skin. She had been so shaken by the events at the inn that she had not even noticed her necklace was missing.

The prince reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace, its delicate chain glinting in the fading light. "I found this on the floor," he said, his eyes locked on hers. "I thought you might like it back."

Sarah's instincts screamed at her to refuse, to tell him she didn't need his help. But the prince's eyes were so sincere, so genuinely kind, that she found herself hesitating.

"Please, Sarah," he said, his voice low and persuasive. "Let me put it on for you."

Sarah's heart skipped a beat as the prince leaned forward, his fingers brushing against her skin. She felt a shiver run down her spine, a spark of electricity that seemed to arc between them.

But she stood still, frozen in place, as the prince deliberately touched her neck. His fingers were warm, gentle, and yet they seemed to burn with an inner fire.

The necklace settled around her neck, its weight a subtle reminder of the prince's touch. Sarah's heart was racing, her senses on high alert, as she met the prince's gaze.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension. Then the prince smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and Sarah felt her heart sink. She knew she was in trouble, that she had just made a grave mistake.

The prince's smile grew wider as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold bangle, its surface studded with glittering diamonds that sparkled like fire in the fading light. The bangle was exquisite, a masterpiece of craftsmanship that seemed to shimmer and shine with an inner light.

"I think this would suit you perfectly," the prince said, his voice low and smooth, like honey dripping from a spoon. He held out the bangle, his eyes never leaving hers, and Sarah felt her heart sink. She knew she had to refuse, knew that accepting such a gift would be seen as a sign of favor, a sign that she was willing to accept the prince's advances. He had just helped her wear her necklace, and now he was doing this!

But the prince was not deterred. He begged her, his eyes pleading, his voice filled with a sincerity that made Sarah's heart waver. "Please, Sarah, accept this gift," he said, his fingers brushing against hers as he tried to put the bangle on her hand. "I want you to have it, to wear it as a reminder of our meeting."

Sarah felt a jolt of electricity run through her body, but she refused to react. She kept her eyes downcast, her face expressionless, as she tried to push aside the sensations that were swirling inside her. She knew she could not give in, not when she knew what the prince was trying to do. He was trying to seduce her, to win her over with his charms, and Sarah was determined to resist.

The prince's fingers lingered on her skin, his touch sending shivers down her spine. He gently raised his hand to her face, his fingers tracing the curve of her jaw, and Sarah felt her heart skip a beat. She tried to pull away, but the prince's fingers held her in place, his eyes locked onto hers.

"You are not pleased?" he asked, his voice low and husky, like a whispered secret. His breath was warm against her skin, and Sarah felt her pulse racing in her veins.

Sarah swallowed, her heart racing in her chest. She knew she had to be careful, had to keep her wits about her if she was going to survive this encounter unscathed. She could not refuse, and she could not say yes. At least not now. "The prince always gives the most perfect gifts. Nothing you do will not be pleasing to anyone in the kingdom."

" You speak well," he responded. " The daughter of a prime minister indeed. What eloquent! I have known you since we were young and in the royal Academy. Indeed, you are still as lovely. Thank you for your kind words. So, my gifts will please everyone in the kingdom you say, does my gift please you?"

Don't you give up! Sarah screamed in her heart. She smiled calmly. " Your gift pleases me, my Prince," she replied.

" Then act like it," he said. 

 Sarah shot him a sharp gaze.