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He waved her off lazily. “My mother called me that when I was younger, so technically that was not a lie.”

“A white lie is still a lie. I saved your life, the least you owed me would be your true identity.” He started to circle her, taking in the torn soles of her boots, her slender legs, and narrow waist.

“I am the king, I do not owe anyone anything,” he said.

She narrowed her eyes at him again. “So it was a ruse?” She was quick.

“You pretended to be a stumbling idiot who did not know how to fight so you could what? Make me participate in this stupid tournament?”

Nikolai stopped right in front of her, watching her chest heave a little too quickly. She was cautious. Good.

“I do not think I owe you any answers.” He picked lint out of her snow-coloured hair and she swatted at his hand. The audacity this girl had. Now that she knew he was the King of Oy Frossen, she did not treat him any differently than when she thought him to be a mere royal guard.

“Though,” he went on, “I consider myself a kind ruler so I will grant you with the truth.”

“Whatever that means to you,” she grumbled, crossing her arms in front of her body. It was impressive, the strength those arms held, the precision of a hunter that she carried inside her.

“I saw you in the forest, hunting. And I was, let’s say…intrigued by your skill. A normal villager would not know how to use a bow with such precision. The tournament was an idea I had muchearlier on, so I would not pride myself in thinking I created it just because of you.”

She straightened slightly at his words.

“Judging by your outer appearance I thought it would be a pleasant opportunity to gain a bit of gold—“

“Did you just insult my clothes?” Her eyes narrowed again and something jumped inside him. Amusement.

“I did not. And if we are trading any insults you should be the greater evil.”

She sputtered. “I did not lie to you about anything!”

Nikolai raised a brow again before lowering his head and whispered in her hair, “You may not be a liar but a thief.” Her body froze before a shower of goosebumps covered her skin. Satisfied by her reaction he drove back. “My ring, sweetheart.”

Her eyes flew from his lips to his eyes. “I do not know what you are talking about.”

He nodded. “That is quite all right. You can keep it, as long as you participate in the tournament.”

“Definitely not,” she said through clenched teeth.

He looked at her surprised. “Is that not what you wanted?”

He was of the impression that she liked the idea of the tournament, she knew of her skills, and no one was as confident as she was while hunting.

“I could not say goodbye to my—“ she hesitated, clenching her jaw before straightening her shoulders. “Someone remained in the village and I cannot leave her alone.”

“So?” He asked.

She grew angry again. “So I cannot partake in the tournament for your amusement, Your Majesty.” The title sounded more like an insult coming from her lips.

“Then she will stay with you, here in the palace.” She opened her mouth to protest, only processing his words a few seconds later.

“What?”

“You want her here, I will get her here for you. If that is the only thing holding you back from partaking in the tournament.”

Her eyes gave him a suspicious scan. He entertained her with it, waiting patiently, even though his insides were squeezing so tightly he did not know how he was still standing in front of her.

“She is underage, the orphanage will not let her go.”

Nikolai scoffed. “I am king, they will do as I say. Now that that is settled.” He turned to leave but she did not let him.