Your steps stopped when you realized something: you were lost. Most of the surrounding trees had thin trunks and fragile branches that were easily breakable. That environment alone was embarrassing, and the fact that you was alone in the place made it scary. Snow covered the green of the leaves, the sun was still radiant in the sky, despite the cold that ravaged local life. In the midst of so much silence, a voice disturbed his thoughts.

"You're a very complicated lady, you know?" It was as chilling as the wind; It had a low timbre, a monotonous intonation, a hoarse tone, rough and smooth, simultaneously... What were you waiting for? It was obvious that he would come after you, not on his own, which really was a surprise. You wouldn't escape Benedict's hands so easily, not when he had so much to gain from you. He got off his horse and, with calculated steps, approached you.

You are part of a very rich family, in fact, the second richest in the kingdom. Your father, a man of great importance, aimed for the top spot on the podium, and you always thought he would solve it the traditional way, at least until he suggested a deal with the De La Croix. The agreement was a marriage of the most successful children in order to continue a lineage, uniting the two richest families in the kingdom.

Your family's chosen one was you, and the other's was Benedict de la Croix, the Duke of the kingdom of Alcaria. He was... older than you, almost ten years older! And no one seemed to care about that, which was a nuisance, especially on the honeymoon... Benedict extended his right hand towards him, leaving his left hand holding the horse's rein. His expression showed no feeling; it was difficult to know what he was thinking. It gave the impression of being intentional.

"A cart, I'm afraid, won't pass between the trees; I hope you won't mind coming home with me, on the same horse." There was a touch of control in his tone. Benedict wouldn't try losing you again.