Thread: Sold to an Arrangement (Rania Lark x Wander)

Being raised in a swamp makes one believe that everything is ugly. It makes a toad believe that fresh water cannot exist. Leopold was not a bad man. He was born in chauvinism, raised in it, and hated it. Thus, when he gave Susanna the kind of freedom that no woman in Xanaphia or all land was given, he believed she would be overjoyed, suffusing with gratitude. Her reaction, however, left him utterly confounded. This woman was quite different from any ordinary woman he had met. In fact, she was the complete opposite. She was not willing to just accept all liberties, she was had conditions of her own. Impressive! What surprised Leopold even more was her demand. Friendship! She wanted friendship? This was utterly unexpected. All his life that was the only thing Leopold ever wanted himself. Friendship. Something he never had and never could get A friend. Her hand was placed before him and Leopold stared at it as if he was an ardent catholic and was given the chance to look at the Holy Grail. You desire friendship? Exclaimed Leopold. My lady, I am a prince. People covet and crave the bond of friendship with one such as me. All my life I have had men and women inching, like leeches, with promises of companionship and friendship only to attach themselves upon my person and suck some royal blood to fatten their hides, coveting riches and fame that would otherwise be acquired through the price of strife. And here, finally, there is a person to whom I am offering it all without the despicable friendship and you ask me for it instead. A smile...the very first in front of Susanna a curl of the lips so genuine, white teeth shining within the dim lighting of the room presented itself before the beautiful woman as Leopold wrung her hand vigorously. Before you accept or decide to undergo the ordeal of friendship with me, my lady, let me confess to you what the word friend means to me. I have never accepted any friends in my life. It is clear that it is so because I have only had sycophants who wanted nothing but to befriend the prince of Xanaphia, not Leopold. A friend is synonymous with selflessness a friend is someone who seeks to place his friend before himself a friend is someone who stands by in all circumstances, good or bad and a friend is someone who does not desire anything but the companionship of his friend. For me that is friendship and that is how I give it. I have never given it to anyone before because none has ever desired friendship from me in the same way as I did. Every word is subjective and its meaning changes from person to person. I told you my meaning of friend and if yours is the same, you may accept my friendship and I shall willingly give it to you. If it is any different, then a friendship between us shall not work. Leopold had released her hand now, staring into her eyes. He grabbed a pair of pillows from the bed and started to move towards the couch. Without turning, he added, You have time to think, my lady. I practise horse riding and swordsmanship within the confines of Dandak forest each morning. There is a trail that leads right into the forest all the way to the Mahin waterfalls. That is where I practise my skills at archery and swordsmanship. If my friendship is acceptable to you, then I shall meet you there tomorrow at dawn. And if I am there alone, I shall believe the friendship was never meant to be. You may choose any horse from our stable. The one that you select shall be yours and no one shall touch that stallion or mare. You can select any weapon from the armoury as you desire. Walking up to his couch, Leopold laid the pillows and put his head between them. Goodnight, Susanna. He intoned. Dawn broke, and light shone upon the river like little sparkling beads, reflecting off the magnificent waterfalls like a magical event of nature. Leopolds horse, Agro, stood grazing upon the lush green grass while he practised with his sword. One swift stroke, his hair ruffled through the breeze, while he thrust it across, piercing the air with a whishing sound. The bow and quiver of arrows lay upon the ground, practice for later. He looked down the dirt path along which he had arrived and waited, hoping Susanna would come. Why was he hoping? Did he expect any person to be strong enough to accept such compulsive terms of friendship? One never could. Then why did he have hope? Why did he think she would come? It was imbecilic to be even thinking so. Better to forget her. The world was hopeless, people were selfish and she would be no different. Another stroke, and the force of his long sword cutting into a tree sliced it in two. She wont come. He assured himself, preparing for another strike.