As she stirred the day after her wedding, Saga was certain she was still asleep, still dreaming. The mattress underneath her was too soft. The fabric of the blankets too smooth. Her body didn't ache with any type of pain. The light from the window, which hit her closed eyelids, was bright enough to tell her it was late morning.

None of those things were as she expected, and the only conclusion she found was that she was still dreaming.

"We should be leaving," an unknown voice said, causing Saga to pull the blanket closer to her body.

"We can wait a bit longer," another voice answered. She recognised that baritone voice, though she couldn't put a face to it.

"The Priest and the Duke are impatient to get proof of the consummation," the first voice pressed on.

"You can tell them my wife had a long night and needs undisturbed rest to be ready for the journey we have to do. That ought to shut them up," the known voice said, and the word wife stirred Saga.

Memories of the previous day came through her sleepy haze. She had been married. She was now someone's wife. And that someone was no one else than Lord Viggo. The bounty hunter turned vassal with his own fief. A ruthless man, who had spoken softly with her and looked at her with kindness. Who had made a deal with her, one which seemed too good to be true.

Saga rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she sat up in bed. Looking over at the entrance, she saw Viggo, her husband, dressed in loose-fitted and comfortable clothes. As he turned to her, she couldn't understand how she had ever thought of the man as scary. Of course, the scar running up his neck and the mere size of him made it clear he wasn't one to be trifled with. But his eyes were as gentle as they had been the day before.

Which was a huge contrast to the other man standing in the entrance. He had his armour on, and likely out of subconscious instincts, one hand rested on the hilt of his sword. His jaw looked tense, as if he was biting down hard to hold words back. And when Saga met his eyes, she wanted to shrink back and hide under the blanket.

So she quickly turned her eyes back to Viggo.

"My apologies if we woke you up," Viggo said and took a step closer to her. In the corner of her eyes, Saga saw the other man's free hand twitch towards Viggo before falling slack by his side.

"What time is it?" Saga asked, casting a glance out the window.

"Almost noon"

Saga's body froze. She had never slept that late before. There were always things to do, tasks to tend to. Lazying around in bed was not for her. Only the beautiful and privileged could afford that, and she belonged to neither group.

"I'm sorry," she rushed to say. "I shouldn't have slept this long. You should have woken me up. I'm so sorry for any trouble..."

"Saga." His voice was lower than usual, but it made her hold her breath as she waited for his verdict. "I am not upset. It is quite alright. You needed your rest."

Air flooded her lungs again as she could clearly see in his eyes that he meant his words. Behind him, the other man scoffed, however, causing Saga to flinch.

Viggo sighed and turned back. "Will you see what Kai is up to? And tell him to come here in about thirty minutes."

The man gave a curt nod, then turned to briefly look at Saga. He opened his mouth a bit as if to say something, but then closed it and walked off.

"Forgive Audun," Viggo said, turning back to Saga. "It is not you he is upset with. It's..." Viggo shook his head as if he couldn't find the right words to explain what had Audun upset.

"Of course," Saga mumbled and held back the other words which wanted to spill. That she understood why Audun would be upset with her, that she had slept far too long. But saying it again when Viggo had already reassured her he didn't care would only make her more of a nuisance. So she held the words back.

"You ought to get dressed. They brought a dress in for you earlier," Viggo said and pointed to a dress hanging by the wardrobe. A dress much prettier than any of Saga's usual dresses with intricate patterns embroidered on it rather than the monotone dresses. "And there is breakfast for you." He pointed to a small table in the room where bread, butter, cheese, and fruits stood. Very unlike what Saga was used to having for breakfast, if she even had some. "I'll call for a maid to help get you ready."

Saga opened her mouth to protest, to tell him she didn't need the help of a maid. But then she remembered he had to believe she was a precious daughter to her father. That it had to be a part of why he had agreed to the marriage, though he didn't want it. And what would he do when he realised that wasn't the case? When he realised she had only ever been a duke's daughter in front of others, quite like she would only be his wife in public spaces?

He would be, undoubtedly, disappointed. There was no other logical reaction. Would he be disappointed enough to cast her out?

And then there was the part that he couldn't know the reason behind her father's treatment of her. As she had thought the previous evening, he couldn't know she was cursed, that she had evil in her. If he knew that, he would have never agreed to marry her. And he would definitely not act as attentive to her as he did, and it needed to remain that way for if he were to find out about the evil in her, then he would surely have her killed so as to not fall victim to it. 

So she needed to hide both of those things from him. Needed to do everything she could to not evoke his anger, so she could finally have a taste of what a life without constant pain was like.

Therefore, she didn't protest at the notion that she needed a maid to help her dress. Instead, she smiled.

"Thank you," she told him in a soft whisper.

He nodded. "I'll give you some privacy."

For the little while Saga had until the maid showed up, she thought through all she needed to keep from her husband and how to go about it.

Viggo had already the night before talked about separate beds for them. That would make it easier to hide the dreams. Then she wouldn't risk waking him up when those dreams became too intense for her.

As for hiding she wasn't as noble as he thought, that would be more difficult.

She knew etiquette and such, having been taught it to be presentable when others dined with them. But she knew her sister had been taught a whole variety of different things. History, politics, singing, dancing, other forms to entertain, the different aspects of managing a household.

Some of it all, Saga had learnt by listening in on others and from reading by herself. But the thought of managing a household, as would be expected of her as the wife, was a daunting task. She didn't even know what to start with and could only pray there were old records she could use to figure it all out.

The maid came, and Saga was thankful she hadn't said no to it. The dress definitely wasn't like what she usually wore. The fabric felt much smoother against her skin than the coarse material she commonly wore, which had at times caused rashes on her skin. It also had a corset bodice, which she would have never managed on her own.

When she was finishing up her breakfast, Viggo returned, dressed in full armour now. The same knight as before, Audun, as well as another knight, a priest, and her father accompanied him.

At the sight of her father, of his face which was forever frozen in malice, Saga instantly stood and bent her head.

"The Priest is here to confirm we consummated the marriage," Viggo said, and Saga nodded towards the floor.

A few tense seconds followed as the Priest looked over the bedding.

"All is in order," he said, and a shaky breath left Saga.

"Then we will be departing shortly," Viggo announced.

"I would like a moment to say goodbye to my daughter," Saga's father said.

To most, the request would sound normal, but Saga had trained herself to notice any subtle shift in her father, and she could hear the demand and underlying threat.

"Certainly," Viggo answered, and though they hadn't spoken much, Saga could discern a coldness in his voice.

Viggo stepped over to her. He placed two fingers under her chin and pressed lightly, an invitation for her to look up. His eyes were darker than they had been the other times he looked at her, resembling more of the eyes of a hunter from her memories. But as he held her eyes, his softened ever so slightly.

"I'm going to go and see to that the carriage is ready. Kai," who had to be the younger knight he had brought with him, "will stay with you and escort you out when you're ready. If you have anything of sentimental value you would want to bring, then take that. As for clothes and such, I will buy you new things fitting for my wife."

Viggo then took her hand, moved it up and placed a gentle kiss against the back of it. Once done, he turned around and walked out. He squeezed Kai's shoulder before exiting with Audun, leaving Saga alone with her father and the other knight.

"Leave us," the Duke ordered the knight when it was just the three of them.

The knight's hand travelled to rest right by his sword. "Lord Viggo instructed me to not let the Lady out of my sight."

Her father rounded on the knight. "Are you implying my daughter would be in danger when in my company?"

"I'm merely stating my orders, which I intend to uphold."

Saga saw her father's knuckles whiten as he clutched his cane.

"It's alright," she spoke up, catching the knight's eyes for a second before averting her gaze to the floor again. "You can wait outside."

"Are you certain, milady?"

"Yes." Saga swore over how the trembles in her voice had to be giving her fear away.

"I'll be right outside if there is anything then," the knight relented and left her alone with her father.

"The audacity of those barbarians believing they can order me around in my own home," her father said as he walked over to her. "Now, do I need to remind you how important all this is?" he asked when he stood right before her. Even with her head bent, she felt how he towered over her.

"No, Father, I know," she answered, her fingers fidgeting as they always did when her fear became overwhelming.

The side of her father's cane struck her hands with enough force to make her bite her lips to avoid hissing in pain.

"What have I told you about that nasty habit?" he snapped.

"My apologies, Father," she mumbled. Tears stung in her eyes.

"Make sure to keep him happy. At least until after your sister is married. All of this is embarrassing enough, but will be worth it when your sister becomes a princess."

"Yes, Father."

Without another word, he walked away, and Saga did something she rarely dared in his company. She lifted her head to see him one last time before she left. To get one last glimpse of the man who had ruled over her before she escaped him. 

His back was as straight as ever, and though he completely lacked the physique to be intimidating like Viggo, he still had a presence which demanded respect. He was getting old, but his hair was still brown without a single strand of grey. It laid in perfect order on his head, just like his purple outfit with golden embroidery was impeccable. She was happy she got this last look of her father as he walked away, that way she didn't have to see his ice-blue eyes.

The knight reemerged into the room as soon as her father stepped out.

"Is everything fine, milady?" he asked.

Saga pressed a smile forward. "Yes."

The knight had a frown, but it eased a bit at her answer. "Do you have anything you wish to bring along, or are you ready to leave?"

"I have one thing to collect from my room, then I'll be ready."

"After you, then." He bowed slightly and indicated with his arm for her to walk before him.

As she passed him, she took a closer look. She couldn't be sure if it was the case, or if it was simply because she compared him to Viggo, but the knight looked to be more of a boy than a knight. He had soft and round features. Completely flawless skin, no mark of age or his profession on it. He was a bit shorter than Viggo, though still a head taller than Saga. Similarly, he wasn't as muscular as his commander, but still looked strong enough to break bones as if they were twigs. His head was covered with messy blonde hair, which greatly contributed to his boyish appearance. And his eyes were blue, just like her father's. But if her father's eyes were blue like ice, then this boy's eyes were as blue as the sky and contained an innocence which didn't fit for the line of work he had chosen for himself.

"Lead the way," he exclaimed as they were out of the room, and as Saga began walking, he fell into steps a pace behind her.

She felt awkward. Being a knight, and a good-natured one as it seemed, he was more worthy than she felt. To have him place himself behind her created knots in her stomach.

"Your name is Kai, right?" she asked to start a conversation.

"That's right, milady!" the boy answered in a chipper tone.

"And how old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"Nineteen!" Saga echoed and stopped in her tracks to look at him. So young to have an occupation which could lead to his death. "Nineteen and already a knight?"

"Well," Kai scratched the back of his head a bit and sent her a shy smile. "Technically, I'm not a knight yet. Lord Viggo refuses to let anyone under the age of twenty become a true knight, so I'm still a squire. But you need not worry! I am as good as a proper knight, so you can always feel safe when around me."

His voice was upbeat, but there was a simmering worry in his eyes as he looked at her.

She found her smile widening automatically. "I'm certain Lord Viggo wouldn't have left me in your protection if you weren't among the best."

The worry disappeared from his eyes, so they instead glittered like a rising sun. "That's right!"

A short giggle escaped Saga. The boy was quite adorable, though it was probably wrong of her to think of him as a boy considering he was a year older than herself. But his sweetness and excitement seemed more fit for a boy than a man.

As they continued walking, Kai didn't stay behind her, but walked by her side.

"This place is so big," he commented. "I would get lost daily if I lived here."

"You would learn to find your way," Saga answered as she took a turn to the left.

"And everything is so beautiful and grand," he continued. "So many paintings and tapestries and statues." They turned another corner, and he shuddered a bit. "Did the temperature just drop?"

Saga didn't answer, but she agreed with him. It had always seemed like the corridor in which her room was located was colder than the rest of the house. It could be because of the lack of the decorations Kai had marvelled over moments before. Or it was due to the lack of fires burning in the far end of the castle. 

She walked a bit down the corridor before coming to a stop before a door. Glancing at Kai, she saw his frown had returned. How much deeper would that frown become if he saw what was on the other side of the door? And would he tell Viggo about it? If he did, then her plan to keep Viggo in the dark about how worthless she truly was would fall.

"Could you turn around?" she asked and looked away from him. "My room is in a bit of a mess, and I would rather no one saw it."

A second of silence, followed by the sound of the armour as Kai turned around.

Saga sighed in relief and opened the door.

The space was just enough for a bed, a table, and a wardrobe. The bed was so small that would she have been any bigger, she wouldn't have fit on it, and the mattress was stuffed with hay. Nothing hung on the walls to give the place any colour or warmth.

Under the bed was a box. Saga bent down to pull it out and lift it up into her arms. In the box were the few things she owed which mattered to her. Then she stepped out of the room and closed the door, glad to see Kai still had his back to the room.

"All done. I'm ready to leave," she told him.

He turned to face her again, and the brightness was gone. Instead, he studied her with a scrutinising intensity, which caused her to look down to the floor.

Neither of them spoke again as they left the estate. Knots built in Saga's stomach for each step they took, and she desperately wanted to know what Kai was thinking to find lies to cover it all up. But she also didn't dare to ask. Too afraid of what conclusions he might be drawing.

But it was fine, she tried to tell herself. As long as Kai didn't tell Viggo anything, it didn't matter what Kai had seen. As long as she made it onto the carriage, everything would be alright. Then if Viggo decided he didn't want anything to do with her anymore, she would hopefully be able to persuade him into at least letting her off in some village where she could start anew.

"Any problems?" Viggo asked as she reached the carriage.

"No problem," Saga answered, and then saw him turn his eyes to Kai as well. Her heart drummed like thunder while she waited for his answer.

"All good," he said, and Saga's heart calmed again.

"Then it's time to leave this place," Viggo smiled at her and helped her into the carriage.

With her eyes out of the window, Saga saw the distance to the castle growing as they drove. A castle which was grand and beautiful with statues of lions by the entrance and a well-kept garden with a massive fountain outside of it. A castle which held no appeal to Saga as it had always felt like a prison.

They rounded a corner, and she couldn't see the castle anymore. A sigh escaped her together with all her worries and anxiety, at least for right then and there. She was leaving. She was finally free of her childhood home.