She was leaning against the window, but turned sharply to see who had entered.

And she didn’t seem pleased.

"Good morrow, Miss Stenly."

He settled down on the far end of the carriage and gave her a cursory glance when she didn’t respond.

"I hope you had a good night rest." He said to fill up the silence.

Only after he said it did he realize how stupid he must have sounded. A good night rest?

Even he didn’t have a good night rest, if at all he had even rested.

Her eyes remained fixed on the window of the carriage.

"At least look at me." There was a tiny pleading note in his voice, but he noticed it all the same.

Slowly, she peeled her eyes away from the window and placed them on him.

Still, she said nothing.

"I seem to have upset you."

Her mouth twitched as if she wanted to say something and her brow creased, but she still remained silent.

Why was he at a loss for words? He had never been tongue-tied before now.

She kept looking at him, her eyes glassy and detached, as though she were not really seeing him.

"What would you have me do?" He asked sheepishly.

Claire folded her arms across her chest.

"Nothing."

He blinked. "What do you mean by that?"

She remained silent.

Yeren could not take it anymore. He reached out to lay his hand on her knee but she shifted it away just in time.

All he could do was run his hands through his hair.

"If it makes you happy, I’ll find a way to return your father’s land back to you."

Silence.

He stared at her for a long time before sighing and tugging on the door of the carriage.

Just as he was about to slip out of the carriage, she finally spoke.

"Would you finally release me from your service?"

She wanted to be rid of him.

Even though he heard her properly, he pretended to mishear.

"Pardon?"

She met his gaze squarely.

"When do I stop being your Cupbearer?" She asked in clearer words.

Yeren couldn’t help the sting that accompanied her words.

But he was done looking weak in front of her. "As soon as the deed is signed and the court agrees."

She turned away and faced the window.

Yeren took that as his cue and slipped out of the carriage.

The chilly morning air swept over him, but he didn’t notice it.

He had never felt so helpless. The thought of not having her at his beck and call was enough to make him crave several barrels of wine.

Andon brought his horse around without being asked the moment he saw Yeren standing outside the carriage with a dazed expression on his face.

"Your back is no longer sore?" There was a teasing note in Andon’s voice.

Yeren spun to glare at him, before mounting his horse without any assistance.

He hoped to ride away most of his frustration and found himself speeding beyond his men.

Yet just as he imagined, the wind tangling with his hair was a spectacular feeling - the rush of adrenaline.

Anytime he glanced back, his eyes always landed at the sluggish carriage at the rear of the party.

By noon, they arrived at the castle just as he had planned.

Guests were already arriving for the trial and courtiers could be seen scattered everywhere around the courtyard.

All action seemed to come to an abrupt halt as his party rode through the gates. A wide path was cleared and Yeren veered his horse to a stop at the end of the stairs leading to the grand entrance.

There were gasps from several clusters of women as he dismounted from his horse.

He could barely believe that there was a time when those gasps made him swell with pride.

How long ago was that?

Tossing the reins to the other servants, he strode inside the building. At the entrance, he tossed a glance behind him.

The carriage was just rolling through the gates at that moment.

Then, he entered inside.

His guards and attendants crowded him as he entered the grand hallway, but he hardly heard a word any of them spoke. His mind was fixated on the near-hatred look in her eyes as she had stared at him in the carriage.

Was it really over?

Why did he keep ruining things between them every time they were getting good? And before that, he had barely spoken to her because of the work that had to be done.

She must have felt neglected, he realized.

Then out of the blue, he offered her land.

She must have thought that he was tired of her and wanted her gone.

Dear heavens.

How did he make it known to her that he would not get tired of her in the near future?

Yeren headed to his chambers and changed into his expensive court attire with the help of his attendants before heading to the court.

With two guards before and after him, he entered the room.

It was filled to the brim with people filing in and out. His council members were all present, all except Lord Redmare.

He climbed the steps that led up to the throne and took his glorified seat.

The last time he had hosted a court session, it was to give Claire justice just as he was doing again.

And she wasn’t grateful, he thought glumly.

She would always hate him for letting her family suffer, wouldn’t she?

The moment he sat down, silence reigned over the large room. It felt stuffy with the presence of so many people.

"Let us begin." The chief courier said with a curt nod in his direction.

Yeren searched the room with his eyes, but didn’t find who he was looking for. Then he raised his hand to signify that the man should not proceed.

Hushed whispers spread through the room until silence crowned the air.

With a reproached look, the man inched closer and ask, "What are you waiting for, Your Grace?"

Just then, she entered the room. Even when he could barely see her because of the crowd, there was no doubt in his mind that it was her.

And as she moved further along the aisle, their eyes met.

She ha still retained that glassy and detached stare, he noted, but her throat worked.

Without taking his eyes off her, he waved to the man. "You may begin now."