We soon arrive at his room and Luna gestures for me to enter, and once I do she closes the door behind me, leaving me alone.
Alone with the man standing by the windowsill, staring into the distance.
I still can’t get over how masculine he looks… Even with his back turned to me, he is such a fine specimen that it’s hard to not stare at his bulging muscles that threaten to rip his thin shirt apart.
‘Shit…! Lucille, calm yourself! You are a married woman, and this boy could be your son!’ I chastise myself before speaking up. “You called for me, Quinlan.”
He doesn’t reply for a few seconds and continues observing the free sky and the clouds floating merrily on its canvas. Just when I think that I’m being ignored as part of some humiliating joke he opens his mouth, letting out his trademark deep, mesmerizing voice.
“I did. I’ve been thinking about your problems, and I’ve made my mind up.” He states, then finally turns around and stares with great intensity into my eyes. I can’t help but gulp down the bit of saliva stuck in my throat, which I didn’t even know was there. His presence is so damn overwhelming I can barely maintain eye contact.
‘This is a real man…’ I can’t help but admit inwardly. I’ve been trying to deny it, but… everything about him, his looks, his speech pattern, his personality, his strength. He is the personification of my idealized version of the other gender, standing right in front of me in the flesh.
Ignorant to my inner thoughts he approaches me, arriving so close that our chests are only an inch apart, forcing me to crane my neck backwards to look up into his features.
“The problem isn’t your husband, but you, Lucille. You are a foolish coward who wants others to solve her own issues. You’re a useless damsel in distress.” Quinlan states coldly, forcing me to gasp and take a step back involuntarily.
I awkwardly begin smiling like a fool to bear with the sudden onslaught of feelings he awakened in my heart.
I just want to feel protected, is that such a stupid thing to ask for?!
He doesn’t care for my thoughts, though, as he continues. “Your husband is a spineless coward, yes, but are you much better? You will divorce him, and what? Get a silver ranked adventurer to be your next man? A town guard? And then what?
Will you follow them to their job as well like some sick puppy so that they can keep protecting you? Will you drag Mavena with you as well?”
“No, but maybe a retired combatant-”
He laughs mockingly, cutting my answer off. “So you want a washed up fighter to play house with you, watch your every move so that he can protect you? Should he also go with you to the morning market? Should he hold your hand while you relieve yourself? Should he sleep between you and Mavena so that he has the best chances of protecting you both?”
I bite into my lip. “I know all that! It’s the best course of action for me to take in this cruel world! Do you think I’m mentally handicapped or what?!”
Quinlan looks at me disappointedly. “Yes, in fact, I’m starting to get that feel from you.”
“W-what?”
“No one can guarantee your safety, Lucille. At the end of the day, you can only count on yourself. Through all these years of wishful dreaming of yours, has it never occurred to you that instead of opening your legs for some stinky washed up disgruntled bastard in exchange for his protection, you could just get stronger yourself?
To kill your would-be rapists- who you seem so afraid of- with your own two hands? To grasp your destiny in your own palm instead of handing it over to someone else to do with it as they please?”
He finishes his monologue, then adds dismissively; “honestly, the more I think about you, the more pathetic you appear to me.”
I feel like a bucket of cold water has been splashed onto me. “Have I not thought of that…? Of course I have! But things aren’t that black and white! Your worldview is way too idealistic, it feels like I’m talking to a literal child!”
“Then entertain me. What’s so wrong about what I said? You are a weak woman who doesn’t know where to start? You will get killed before you even get a single XP? No one will want to help a middle-aged innkeeper’s wife like you start out?”
“Exactly! And not everyone is cut out for bloody battles! I think I would freeze up on the spot should I have to fight for my life… I’m so damn miserable…” I begin tearing up. “Please, just stop making me feel even more depressed than I already am!” I yell at him.
*Smack!* And I get slapped. Right across the face. Huh?! Did he seriously backhand me just now?! It hurts so much! “Q-Quinlan?!” I begin taking steps back as I watch him for any signs of further aggression.
“Hahahaha!” He suddenly erupts into a boisterous laughter. “I knew there was more to you, foolish woman!”
“W-what? Have you gone completely mad?!”
“Looks like you aren’t completely hopeless. You are ready to fight for your life, after all!”
“What is wrong with you?! I will shout for help, so let me out of the room willingly!”
He gestures towards my hand, and I involuntarily follow his gaze. There’s a sword in my hand, pointed right towards him. Huh? “Why is there a sword in my hand?!” I shout with great shock.
“As soon as I posed a threat to your safety, your body instinctively grabbed onto my sword that I deliberately left lying right where you could reach it easily. You might be a little slow in the head, but your instincts are top notch!”
A smile creeps onto my features. A confident one I haven’t had in a long time. “Stop calling me stupid, young man! I’ve had it with you insulting me! Don’t forget who has the upper hand here!” I yell energetically. The adrenaline is running to my head.
Who knew I would have so much fun when my life is finally on the line for the first time? This is the moment I’ve been dreading so much… Yet I’m loving it?
Obviously, I spoke way too soon when I threatened him. The back of my brain knew it was stupid, but my pounding heart and adrenaline pumped veins forced me to say those arrogant words.
Yep, he disappeared.
Yep, he is right behind me.
Yep, he is holding my throat in one hand and my arm holding onto his sword with the other.
His fingers are so long that his thumb connects to the middle finger around my throat. ‘Lucille, fuck you! You just had to say some stupid shit. Bringing this proud super alpha stud’s superiority into question was just asking for him to put little old me back in my humble place…!’
“I… yield!” The words come out of my mouth with great effort, and just for good measure I drop the sword to the ground. He could snap my neck with a single motion. I better show complete surrender to him.