Chapter 8: Agree To Be Legally Yours

But suddenly, in the midst of her negative thoughts, Alexander let go of her hands. She gasped in relief as he said, "Walk with me," and walked away before she could say anything.

Inara couldn't defy him, so she followed suit like an obedient lamb. They eventually arrived to a tranquil location, which Inara recognized as a garden only by looking at it.

Alexander was seated in a corner, and he had come here to complete her punishment. He does not punish leniently in that manner. Meanwhile, Inara was immersed in her own universe, and she had no idea when her legs began to move away from their former posture.

Gazing at the amazing development of the garden was something she had always wished to experience since she was younger; she was fascinated by the blossoming flowers, which were more beautiful than the previous ones she had seen. 

She walked over to the flowers, and gently touched their carpels, saying, "This is so beautiful. Don't stop growing, okay?" she muttered, as if the flowers could hear her.

She then asked, "Has Master been taking care of you all, huh?" the flowers appeared to hear her puzzled question and shook their bodies violently. She was going to leave the spot when she heard a faint murmur, not from birds, but from someone crying.

"Who's there?" Inara inquired, the murmur became clearer, and she was certain the sufferer was screaming for aid. Inara dashed deep into the flowers, where she discovered a young girl sat and crying loudly.

She dashed to her, hurriedly carried her to her bosom, and went away. She placed the girl on the floor and stood her up after walking some distance away.

"Please, help me," the girl whimpered, and Inara's brows met her pale face, "Where are your parents?"

"They're dead. Those people want to kill me," the girl remarked in a distressed tone. Inara wanted to ask more questions, but she couldn't because she knew the girl was in a state of terror.

"Did I bring you here to roam about, or practically for your punishment?" Alexander's voice reverberated coldly. 

Inara shifted her gaze to him, terrified, but seeing the girl hanging behind her as a savior made her want to try to save her.

"I am sorry, Young Master. I just felt sorry for the young child; I had no intention of disobeying you," Inara apologized, lowering her head slightly. However, the girl's firm grip has not left her dress hem.

"He looks so scary; please help me," she cried. Alexander heard her lament, but he doesn't acts as if he seem to hear her words.

"I'm hungry, Miss. So hungry!"

"Young Master, please aid this poor girl," Inara begged, kneeling down, "She needs your aid, and I promise you that if you help her, I will give you my blood in return. Please don't let her die," Inara said, her voice filled with tears.

The girl has no idea what is going on, but the tension in the air appears to indicate that it is not good.

Alexander went away without saying anything, and Inara turned to face her, "Seems he has agreed to help me, right?" the girl inquired anxiously, and Inara smiled in response.

Certainly, she couldn't tell if he had consented to what she planned to give in exchange for getting the girl out of danger.

"We have to follow him, just like you guessed; he has doubtfully agreed," Inara said joyfully, causing the girl to smile.

—------

In the dining room, the small girl is seen sitting happily on a chair. 

She took a spoon and licked her lips in desire, after two servants placed dishes full of delicious delicacies on the table.

After taking a bite, she was overwhelmed and perplexed by the enticing taste of the delicacy; this was the first time she had eaten such a sweet mouthful meal.

"Take it slow; don't rush. The meal is still very hot," Inara cajoled, smiling. The girl raised her eyebrows at her, "Why aren't you eating with me? The meals are too large for my small tummy. Come over and dig in," the girl said, pushing several meals forward to her.

Inara hesitantly took a seat; not because she wasn't hungry because she hadn't eaten dinner yet; however, she was scared of her Master's reaction when he discovered she ate from the meals.

"No one is here with us, and I won't tell him either," the girl said, presumably having noticed what had happened between the two of them earlier.

Inara nodded gently, picked up a spoon, and began eating as hungry as the girl did previously. The girl laughed and maintained her usual eating habits.

They don't appear to mind what happens next since they are engrossed in their own little universe.

The next day, Inara went to the room where the girl slept the night before and couldn't find her. She probably expected her to be in Alexander's room, so she went there.

On getting there, she observed Forest trying to keep her from going to his doorstep, "You can't go inside," he murmured with a stren voice, but Inara furrowed her eyebrows in perplexity.

"I want to see Young Master, why can't I come in?" She inquired, "Young Master doesn't want any disturbance, so come back later in the day," Forest explained gently; he was keeping her from entering because it was unsafe inside.

"I'm Young Master's Pet, no matter what I wouldn't be a disturbance," Inara yelled, despite her suffering, she had to plainly announce herself as his Pet, but it seems that was the only option.

Hearing this, Forest moved out of the way; the door was not locked, and when she touched it, it swung open. She took two steps in and found the girl lying on the floor, bleeding heavily.

"Hey," she called, sprinting towards her. She cupped her face in her arms, tears welling in her eyes, refusing to trust what her consciousness told her.

"Awake up, girl. You're scaring me; I promised to take you back to your parents last night! I would still do what I promised; could you please open your eyes?" 

"You can die now; I'm going to take you back there," she shouted, lingering over the girl's dead body closer to herself, and scanning the room with her eyes and seeing something even more horrible.

"Young Master, do you by any chance murdrer this innocent girl?" Inara inquired, her tone tinged with regret, anguish, rage, and fear.

"You claim her to be innocent, but you were clearly duped by her trick. Though she was younger, her main reason for coming here was because of me," Alexander dropped the bombshell, and Inara looked at him in shock.

"You may have saved her life; she longs to see her lost parents. And perhaps she was compelled to make an unplanned decision,"

"Are you venting your rage on me? The last time I checked, you were someone I bought," Alexander said coldly, his voice darkening.

Inara rose to her feet and took a few steps closer to him, "I may not need freedom, but I still have feelings for those who have shown me care. 

However, Young Master is not supposed to be called a human, but rather a cold-blooded monster! You act without any human sympathy, and I can obviously see this. I loathe you, Young Master. You have lost your standing in my heart!" Inara yelled, tears flowing down her cheeks as she spoke the final words.

Alexander was taken aback by her remarks, and as her tears fell, he grew increasingly immersed in his motives for hating to see her cry.

Inara hurriedly went out of his room in tears, confusing Alexander even more.

Later that day, Inara walked into Alexander's room; he was preoccupied with something else and did not look up as she entered. Nevertheless, he felt her presence.

"Young Master, may I have a moment?"

"Speak up, "It isn't like I still don't like it here, but I feel my stay here had been bringing you too many tragedies. So, I think I should refund your money,"

"Meaning?"

"I urge Young Master to let me refund the money that was spent to acquire me. I sincerely appreciate Young Master's friendly gestures toward me since I arrived here. 

Please allow your servant to back out of the service she was supposed to provide for you," Inara begged, her gaze fixed on the floor.

Alexander never responded, and Inara's eyes closed in fear of the chastisement that may await her. 

Inara saw him in front of her as her eyes opened out of curiosity, "And, what if I disagree with your request even if you want to offer twice as much in return, Pet?" Alexander spoke in a sloppy tone that shook Inara's spirit to its core.

"Why would Young Master disagree?" Inara sputtered, "You really want to know why I won't approve your request, Pet?" 

"Yes," Inara realized her words were a mistake the minute she spoke them; he closed the distance between them and drew her chin up to meet his crimson face.

"You don't know what you're really after, Pet. Precisely, I don't want you to leave either," he said, and Inara's eyes widened in horror.

"Does Young Master hates me that much?" She stammered.

"I don't want you to return to your old ways or stop being the lady you are. So technically, I'm preventing you from returning to your parents. Instead of you going back there, let us get married," 

Inara was completely taken aback by his statements, and they remained silent for several minutes.

"Young Master, I can't marry you. I'm not worthy to be your wife, you're…," Alexander's finger on her lips silenced her remarks.

"It doesn't matter, Pet; I'll make it happen," he said. Inara looked for doubts in his eyes, but found none.

It was something she had always dreamed for: she wanted to marry someone who wasn't attempting to take advantage of her, but who would stick with her for better or worse.

"I agree to be your wife, Young Master. I want to be legally yours,"