"Since before you arrived."
His words echoed in the air like a death sentence.
Then, suddenly, Alina couldn't feel anything. The numbness started from her fingers, crept up to her arms, and sank deep into her chest. Her body couldn't process what she had just heard.
"Before I arrived," she repeated in her cracked voice.
"Alina…"
"You knew who I was…before you bought me?"
He took a step towards her, his hand reaching for her shoulder to steady her, but she staggered back as if his touch would burn her.
"Alina…" he said. "It's true that I bought you because I knew you belonged to Arcasedian royalty. Arcasedia is a rival kingdom. If someone else had claimed you first…you would have been used as a weapon against this kingdom."
"So you bought me first?" Her voice rose, trembling with disbelief and pain. "To win the competition?"
"To protect you."
"No," she shook her head. "You acquired me…like a rare artifact."
