To bury you alive

Sullivan lounged in the chair, his legs crossed casually, patiently awaiting Dahlia's emergence from the changing room. This marked her seventh attempt at finding the perfect dress, having dismissed the previous six for various imperfections.

Finally, Dahlia emerged, the fabric of her new gown swaying elegantly with her movements. Unlike the former one, this dress was lighter, more streamlined, and lacked the bulk of the others. "How do I look?" she asked, a hopeful smile gracing her lips as she awaited Sullivan's verdict.

"Your Highness, this gown is perfectly suited for you. It seems it was made for you," the seamstress remarked with admiration.

"I couldn't agree more. I feel much lighter in this gown. What's your name, Madam?" Dahlia inquired warmly. "I'll be calling to you for dresses from now on," she declared, impressed with the seamstress's craftsmanship.

"It is Ebonie Nordin, Your Highness." She expressed her gratitude for choosing her as Dahlia's seamstress.

"I will send a few designs to you, Mrs. Nordin. I have a certain choice of dresses in my mind, which I believe you can stitch well," Dahlia remarked and again glanced at Sullivan, who had left his seat.

"How much does it cost?" Sullivan asked. He wasn't given any money from the King and he earned it after selling few of the clothes, which he found excessive in his wardrobe last month.

The seamstress made a bill while Sullivan paid the money for the dress that Dahlia had currently worn. As they made their way out of the cloth house.

"Dahlia, let's return to the palace on horseback," Sullivan suggested out of the blue.

"Huh? Why? Did something happen to the carriage?" Dahlia inquired.

"No, nothing like that. I thought we could have a friendly competition in horseback riding," Sullivan explained with a grin. Dahlia suddenly remembered that the original owner of her body was skilled at riding horses, which was why Daedric's heart took an interest in her after she defeated him in a race.

However, Dahlia from the modern world did not know how to ride a horse. Let alone riding, she even never had gone near a horse.

"I am famished, Sullivan," Dahlia brought her hand to her belly as she caressed it. "I don't feel my body has any energy left," she muttered and rested her head on his shoulder before lifting her gaze to glance at him. Surprisingly, he had his eyes on her.

"Alright," Sullivan agreed to go with the carriage and moved away. Dahlia almost faltered, but she balanced herself before walking behind him.

The one hour journey came to an end. While Sullivan went to freshen up after coming from outside, Dahlia sat around the dining table to have her lunch meals. Without Sullivan's presence, she began eating while Nylie asked her since when she started liking wine.

"I like it for a long time. Fill the glass generously," Dahlia said with a joyful smile.

"It seems he's taking longer than expected," Nylie remarked, pouring more wine into the silver glass as Dahlia requested. "I'll retire for a nap after I've eaten. But I wonder why Sullivan hasn't returned yet," she added, glancing towards the door with a hint of concern.

~~~~~

"What do you want, Prince Ainsley?" asked Sullivan.

"An apology," Ainsley replied. "Dahlia is of a noble family. That's why even Father let go of her. But what are you? Worse than a worm. That's why you need to apologize to me for what Dahlia did. Also, you enjoyed the show quite well along with grabbing an opportunity to get a 'respectable' rank," Ainsley again humiliated Sullivan.

"I don't want to apologize. Does Prince Ainsley wish to beat me? He can go ahead," Sullivan refused to bend down and apologize to him. Ainsley glared at him with an infuriated gaze. "Perhaps, the marks I'll get on my body after getting beaten up will be used an evidence to get you a much harsher punishment," he proclaimed with a smirk hidden behind that tiny smile.

"How dare you respect Prince Ainsley?" his personal attendant raised his voice at Sullivan.

"There is no question of disrespect toward him. He lost my respect long ago," Sullivan proclaimed and turned to leave.

"Sullivan, I'll make sure to bury you alive in the ground with this ego and pride of yours," Ainsley stated.

"Try as hard as you can. Because this time, I won't let it happen. Tomorrow, you'll see me getting a rank as equal as yours. I'll make you feel disgusted every single day," Sullivan pronounced and dashed out of the chamber.

Ainsley hurled the wine glass to the floor, its contents staining the carpet. Dark rage twisted his features as he tightly clenched his fists. "I'll make him suffer until his last breath," Ainsley muttered, "along with that wretched woman!"