I felt like I had been punched in the gut as I took in the scene before me. The reality of what I was seeing hit me like a ton of bricks and I couldn't believe what was happening. I felt a wave of emotion wash over me, starting with shock and quickly turning into betrayal.

I had trusted this person, believed in them, and now I was faced with proof that they had been lying to me all along. I was filled with anger, hurt, and disappointment, all battling for dominance within me.

I felt like I couldn't breathe, like the weight of this realization was too much for me to bear. My thoughts raced as I tried to understand what had happened and why. How could I have been so blind? So foolish?

I stood there for what felt like an eternity, grappling with the shock and pain of this newfound knowledge. I couldn't believe that the person I had trusted had let me down in such a significant way. I felt like I was losing my grip on the foundation of my world and everything I thought I knew was crumbling around me.

As I looked at Nate, I could see the truth written all over his face. He had lied to me, and he didn't even seem to care. His expression was stoic, devoid of any emotion or remorse, and I felt like I was staring into the eyes of a stranger.

Nate's unwavering stance, his complete disregard for the pain he had caused me, made me feel like I was facing a monster, not the man I had once seemed to care for. As I gazed upon his indifferent face, I felt like a part of me had died. I was no longer sure who he was, and I didn't know if I would ever be able to trust him again.

"Is there any space for us?" Claud commented, swaying on his feet as though he was a couple of drinks in. But you'd be a fool to believe that Claud would come to the Lion's den intoxicated. He had an agenda. And he was putting it all in motion.

My father's voice carried across the quiet dining room. "Find any vacant seats. I can't promise you'd fine three empty seats."

I managed to stop looking at Nate to glance around the dining room. He was right, there were no three empty seats together. There was one single seat available a few seats to my right, and two available further down on my left.

I watched Claud nod and then walk towards the left, his brother – Nate's father! - follow him. Nate didn't so much as glance at his own father. He quietly started to walk down the long table, passing by the front of me and sat towards m right.

I swallowed audibility and clenched my hands together that were resting on my lap.

"Continue the feast! We will have a blast tonight." Claud slurred his words, but his eyes were narrowed in slits and for a brief moment, I could see the venom slithering in his eye before he made them his usual vibrant but dull one.

I sat, with ants running up my back and my stomach hurling from its insides. There was a plate of food in front of me, but all I could think about was Nate. I could feel his eyes on me, even though I hadn't glanced in his direction since he sat, and the thought made me shiver.

Goosebumps rippled across my bare skin and I absentmindedly rubbed my arm. Maybe that would help. I picked at my food, moving it around on my plate without really tasting it. Nothing seemed to help until I dared to look up.

As I caught Nate's gaze fixated upon me, a wave of feelings washed over me. I couldn't shake off the uneasiness that was creeping up my spine. His eyes were piercing, seeming to examine every inch of my being, and I couldn't help but feel like I was standing naked in front of a crowd.

The air felt thick, and I could almost hear the sound of my own heartbeat echoing in my head. But then I took a deep breath and reminded myself to stand tall and proud. I held his gaze, allowing him to see the confidence and determination that lay within me. I wouldn't let his intense stare make me falter or feel small. He came to me in a place where I mastered myself. A place that created the ice within me. Ice he would lay witness to now.

Moments later, but what probably was an hour or more, my father stood up indicating that he was done. Usually this meant he gust followed him into the next room form the dining room. This is where the entertainment usually happened. Drinks and games. Gambling and frolicking of all sorts

I stood up and started to follow the crowd. "You look ravishing," someone hummed form next to me. I snapped my head in their direction and came to face Claud smirking down at me.

"Thank you." I replied stiffly, speeding up in my heels so he had no chance to start a conversation.

"Running?" Another voice hummed from my other side. This one caused my heart to speed up and stop all at the same time.

I swallowed through a heavy bulge in my throat. "Walking." I responded lamely. I could haven give him a better reply but to be quite frank, my mind was running like a deranged lunatic.

"Speedily?" He asked.

"Accordingly." We weren't even making sense anymore. I just wanted to get away from him.

I tactfully bumped against the person in front of me and excused my way between them. I shot them an absent smile and bypassed them.

"Got you," He whispered in my ear. I felt a cold grip on my wrist and a slight tug.

"Don't you dare," I seethed at him through a smile. "Get your hand off me."

"Princess, relax yourself."

"Five more seconds and my father will blow your head to pieces."

"I'd like to see him try," he scoffed.

"And what makes you think you are invincible?" I stopped walking and turned to look at him. He towered over me and man, his looks always threw me off my feet. I snapped those thoughts down. "You're in my domain. His domain. You're nothing here." I snapped in his face.

"You think that will deter me?" Nate scoffed, shooting his gaze towards my father. "It is men like him who think control is in how many people are scared of him."

As I stood there, I watched as the crowd ahead of me slowly dispersed, leaving me alone with Nate. I felt my pulse quicken as I realized I was now the sole focus of his intense gaze. I didn't know whether to feel flattered or intimidated. I felt like a gazelle caught in the crosshairs of a predator, unsure of what his next move would be.

I tried to appear nonchalant, but I could feel the sweat beginning to form on the back of my neck. I could sense his eyes on me, analysing every movement I made. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, with nothing but a free fall waiting for me below.

Despite my nervousness, I stood my ground and refused to be the first to look away. I held my head high and tried to project confidence, even though I felt like I was about to crumble at any moment. As the silence between us stretched on, I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking, and if he was going to say anything at all.

Then I realised he was waiting for my thoughts.

"And don't forget men who lie as they beg to climb to the top."

Nate threw his head back and let out loud. I panicky looked over to the other room but could see the doors were now closed. I was fully alone with him now.

"Beg?" Nate repeated over his chuckle.

"Yes."

"Princess, I did not beg."

"Let go off my hand."

Nate gripped tightened on my wrist. "I can't."

"Fuck you," I spat in face, contouring my body so I could get out of his hold. "Nate, seriously, let go of me.

"You need to hear me out but not like this."

I let out a comical laugh. The sheer audacity this man has to even say such a thing!

"You'll be a fool to think if I will ever listen to you. I am only having this conversation with you, because you are holding me in place." I just about held it in not to scream in his face.

Yes, I was angry and fuming. But below all of that, I could feel the hurt swirling in the pits of stomach. He was just like them.

I could almost feel my mothers disappointment. One of her valuable life lessons was to never trust anyone that seemed too good to be true,

"Stop being so stubborn."

"Did you get close to me to just get information?" I asked out the blue.

Even Nate did not expect that question.

I watched his jaw clench and unclenched as he searched for his words. "I can explain, but not here."

That was an answer itself.

"Screw you Nate."

I lifted my heels and jabbed it in his foot. He registered no pain on his face, but he did drop the hold he hand on my wrist.

I took that moment to dash away, practically running to the other room so I could lose myself in the guests.