The silence was deafening..the kind of deafening that fills your head with a kind of pressure that's similar to being forced underwater.

You were drowning.

Not really, but it felt like you were.

Your body felt like lead and yet weak, all at the same time. The blade at your neck sent paralytic fear through you each time you felt it scrape against your skin.

The prince's bitter voice only made the fear more palpable.

"I knew you were too good to be true, hm? You said you'd make my life a living hell, that you'd give me war. But it seems the roles have switched. Your life is in my hands..and I can't help but laugh at the thought that you're completely and utterly helpless."

For the first time, after all the interactions you'd had with the prince...you were afraid.

Completely, and utterly, afraid. And you knew the prince could sense it.

"So, traitor, give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now. Why I shouldn't enjoy the sight of your body going limp and lifeless in my arms as blood flows around the blade of the knife that killed you."

He leaned in close, his voice suddenly lower, and more fearsome.

"Because I truly want to witness you finally giving up against me. I want to see the submission on your face, as you admit that you lost."