The price!

He has proof! What proof? His words formed beads of sweat around my forehead even though I knew I was innocent. The atmosphere was so dense, I could feel him lying straight through his teeth and yet the possibility of him framing me made me clench my fist as I tried to keep my anxiety in.

"No, you don't!", I replied breathing heavily, wishing for him to just declare it was a lie.

"Oh Yes, I do!" His arms crossed with confidence and his lip pulled up from one corner. It wasn't a concern for me that he was lying, but the fact that this man looked so confident, he might pull something outrageous inside the court.

I thought for a moment, my mind was already in a tug whether to ignore him or answer. "The only truth that exists is in those autopsy reports, I might have attacked John but I did not kill him"

"That is just your claim. Would you still stand by it after the evidence against you is out in the court?", he was pushing me further near the cliff, his quirky eyes were enjoying my state of uncertainty. His assurance on the false proof was so strong that it drove me to a point where I was doubting my own reality.

Why would someone do something hideous like this? What pleasure do such people derive from watching someone else suffer due to being framed?

"I don't know what you are trying, this is nothing but an attempt to fabricate the evidence!", I protested.

"Why would I fabricate the truth?", came his immediate self-confident response.

He was definitely on to something, and that was going to ruin the uncertainty of my false crime. What can it be? My mind was rummaging through hundreds of memories of that night, but nothing out of the ordinary came to me.

Then my brain stumbled upon a valid answer, "Two reasons you are doing this" I lifted my index finger confidently, "One, either you were involved with John and planned an attack on Channing or," My second finger followed up in the air, "Two, you simply want to protect the real criminal, who knows you might even be the murderer!"

His eyes scanned me, there was amusement on his face. He leaned forward projecting a devilish smile intrigued by my answer, "And which one do you think it is?"

Bingo! Now I just had to guess the exact reason next. I examined him imitating his style, folding my hands and leaning back on the chair. Fang didn't look like a man to work with someone, he did not appear recreant as John and neither was he so timid as to plan a cowardly attack.

But then again he could have planned with John and then killed him to hide his own crimes. Now he is probably planning to push me under the cart.

He smirked as if responding to my thoughts satisfied and cleared his throat, his body leaned forward and he tried to say something when I cut in,

"Second! The answer is second. I would have said former, but remembering how you killed John, I saw deep-rooted hate which was filled with hurt. Did he take something precious to you?" My taunting question took him by surprise.

His eyes softened at my rather impulsive response, but it was only for a split second when the foxy chills returned to them, "you are pretty smart"

"Then testify," I desperately cried out, "not like you will be charged with it since the crime happened in No Man's Land." There was really nothing for him to lose but for me! I had my entire mission on the line. If I am called back to the castle because I couldn't handle myself in such a punny case of forged charges, then I would have failed myself not my father, but MYSELF as a princess!

"Why should I?", followed his cunning response setting my nerves on fire.

My eyebrows creased, "Because that is the truth! If you don't testify, it will all turn on me. And you very well know I am innocent in this!"

He was totally loving my desperation and was definitely having fun driving me to the edge. His long fingers coaxed his chin, I didn't know what was going through his head and I just hoped he didn't further deny the testimony.

"Okay, I will."

My eyes went wide, twinkling with short-lived happiness, he liked how I was reacting and so ruined everything with his next words, "but my words come with a price, I hope you are willing to pay."

Something evil danced in his eyes, what kind of satisfaction was he gaining from this? I don't understand his game but he certainly loved the push and pull I was going through.

"There is no price to pay for the truth, you will admit exactly how you did now!" my words came out sternly, tired of his game. It rather entertained him how hard I was trying to wriggle out of his little play as his eyebrows raised, ready to pull me back in,

"Little one, I have all the rights to stay silent", His tone was so commanding and warned me to not order him around again. I decided to drop this stupidity and turned towards the window.

Watching me retreat he reminded me of his offer again guilefully, "I won't admit it...unless! you are willing to pay the price."

There was nothing more irritating than his crafty simper and those sinister narrowed eyes. This was the first time I actually felt as if I should reveal my true identity to someone and make them kneel at my feet, that wasn't my true nature of course, but I wanted to see shame cover that pretty face as I stand tall like a god above him.

But the fact was, his aura dominated the situation, leaving barely any room for me to escape his clutches.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening and I turned to see Channing and Lindsey return. I had no time on my hands, making up my averse mind to finally ask Fang of his offer, "What is your price?"

"Smart choice" He smirked, finally winning his child's play. I cracked my knuckles, wanting him to hurry on it. I don't know why, but I felt that if Channing was here I would never get to hear Fang's offer and face the consequences later in court.

Fang took his sweet time savouring my impatience and then replied in a satisfied tone, "Marry me!"

My eyes went wide and my lips curled into a big "what!" With excessive efforts, I held back my need to shout. I was already betrothed to someone, how can I agree to this unpalatable request. It wasn't even a request but a demand costing my freedom and the price to be declared Not Guilty. I didn't understand why I had to pay such a high price for him to tell the truth in court. After all, he was the real Killer! Why should I suffer his sins?

"No!", I replied adamantly.

"Suit yourself, don't come to me later when you are sentenced to be hanged", He said nonchalantly raising his eyebrows. "But my offer still stands for next 10 seconds"

Channing came around in my sight and every second weighed heavily on my response, it looked as if the time was walking so slow in front of my swift thoughts. Fang ran his tongues over his sharp canines basking in my tug-of-mind. I had to be smart with my response, but Channing was already taking his seat beside me,

Reacting before Channing could bring his attention to us. I simply nodded a Yes without concluding with my thoughts, with only one response, "okay" Of course Fang understood what the mere sound meant.

A big smile spread across his face and he picked up his watch focusing on wearing it, "Then you don't have to worry about the case little one"