CHAPTER 152: JUST BECAUSE...

{Music Recommendation: Saturn ~ Sleeping At Last}

Rhane won! Again!

Jenna couldn’t hold back her excitement; she had to jump up and hug Lady Rahel even against the woman’s choice. She picked the woman up and twirled her around.

"Put me down, Jenna, and act like a lady this instant!" Lady Rahel cried, trying to keep a stern voice.

Jenna did but not in an instant, "I will be a lady soon, Rachel...I will!" she laughed with so much glee that a tear almost slipped though it brimmed in her eyes. When Rhane fell and people booed, Jenna’s heart had trembled.

She’d never seen Rhane like that, something was wrong. He was not steady on his feet, which was very unusual for a man like Rhane. And just when she thought it was going to be over, Gerald slept off making Rhane the winner. Again! In one day.

Jenna couldn’t contain her excitement even though she tried, her cheeks were already hurting from grinning. After all that was done to sabotage Rhane’s effort...justice had still prevailed.

And what a great coincidence, Gerald had fallen asleep where everyone could see.

"Did Gerald really fall asleep?" one of the council asked.

Jenna rolled her eyes, she wished people would know Gerald just how she did. The man was only but a weak fool. She hadn’t realized it before because she put so much respect and worshipped him as her husband, but after she left and eventually met Rhane, Jenna found out just how much of a coward Gerald was.

The sound of thunder shook the windows of the room, startling everyone for a moment.

The leader of the council stepped forward, "It is raining heavily, and the mountains are slippery...also the two men are..." the man glanced at Gerald who had a drool on his face and turned around to get more of his perfect sleep.

"They need to rest...and for that reason, we will continue tomorrow."

Jenna balled her fist in victory; she couldn’t wait to sneak out and see Rhane. Even if he tried to push her away, she would pepper his face with lots of kisses and let him rip the dress from her body as he had in mind.

He was making her really proud with his effort and also get his arm treated properly. Jenna had noticed the pain in Rhane’s eyes when he looked at her. He’d tried to hide it but she saw it. Maybe his arm was hurting; he was trying too hard not to show it.

Once everyone began leaving the hall, Jenna got ready to follow Rhane subtly but her father pulled her back. And when Jenna turned to face her father, Lois who had been watching everything closely, saw Jenna halt. She took the opportunity to follow Rhane out of the room.

"Father," Jenna groaned, trying to wriggle her arm free, "I need to return back and rest."

Brown didn’t let go of his daughter. Following her eyes, he knew where his daughter wanted to go and it wasn’t home. "Will you quit this child act and behave like a lady!"

Jenna scowled, this time forcefully taking her hand away. "Everyone keep trying to fix me. Like you ever allowed me to be a child! If this is going to be another argument to ruin my night, then I’d rather leave and rest for the day!"

"Rest or go snuggle in the arms of that..." Brown swallowed his words, he’d had a conversation with Rhane and had realized he was more than a rogue or low-born.

The young man spoke well and could deliver his words with wisdom and precision in equal parts.

Jenna didn’t move, she stared at her father blankly.

"You’ll stand here and listen to me or I’ll have that young man removed..."

Jenna’s breath hitched, and she swallowed. She didn’t want to be the reason Rhane’s hard work got lost again.

"I’ll listen, father," Jenna said with a calm voice, trying to hold her tongue from saying what she thought.

Brown inhaled deeply, he couldn’t believe the much power the young man had over his daughter. It even drew Brown’s curiosity to know more about Rhane.

"Let’s go to a quiet place," Brown demanded. With his hands dipped in his trouser pockets, he went ahead.

Jenna bit her lips, she looked back, scanning the room before running after her father. Maybe if the conversation went fast, she’d return to Rhane. Jenna had a feeling he was waiting for her.

Once in a secluded hallway, Brown cleared his throat. "Jenna, for the last time...go back to your husband’s house. Let us end all of this and quit embarrassing ourselves."

Jenna breathed in deeply, she had an idea what the conversation would sound like and she prepared what her response would be, but before she opened her mouth to reply, her father cut her off.

"But if you can tell me exactly what Gerald did...I know his debauchery but...look my child, it hurts me really to think about this...but," Brown paused.

Jenna dropped her hands to her side, "But what?"

"But...most men are like that during their early stage in marriage. With age comes wisdom...for what it’s worth he is providing everything you need. And Gerald is from a reputable bloodline, his mother and also Nikolai who is respected by all," Brown listed out.

"If you ask me you’re really getting a higher benefit being married and staying married to him."

Jenna chewed her inner cheeks, a dry humor escaping her lips. "For what it’s worth, father...I’m really disappointed." Her eyes fell to her legs.

"I always forgave you...I didn’t hate you while I lived in that hell because I thought to myself, ’Will a father ever knowingly hand his daughter over to her death?’ No." Jenna licked her lips.

"So because of that, I didn’t hate you...forgot all about Cortez. But my heart ripped to shreds when I saw Cortez happy, moving on with his new woman. He’d left that life...but I got trapped in it because I wanted to please my father! Just because I wanted to add more lands to his name!"

Brown looked away, trying to stand his ground. "Don’t be dramatic Jenna, if Cortez didn’t turn out to be a king’s son and also be related to a once queen of Morado, you would have been miserable living with him."

"Miserable? I do not even care about Cortez anymore...what about Rhane...is he miserable too? Father, you know that neutrality in the face of oppression isn’t compassion, it is siding with the oppressor!"

Brown flinched, shaking his head he moved closer to his daughter, "Anyone who makes an enemy of Nikolai is...look, Jenna it’s better this way. This is the only way I can protect you. Help me protect yo-"

"Then follow me to my husband’s house!" Jenna didn’t know when she raised her voice, her hands shaking. "Go with me father...come and see the man you fear so much— what his son does to me."

Jenna threw her hands up, her eyes had a crazy glint. "Jenna you can’t make a man hard— wham! Jenna you deserve to be a whore— wham!" She used her mouth to make hitting sounds.

Brown widened his eyes, "Have you lost your senses? You speak such words to your fa-"

"Jenna stand in front of my friends naked! Wham! Jenna...oh Jenna...your head is bleeding isn’t it? Of course it should...does the candle wax hurt? It shouldn’t...you’re not woman enough you deserve the pain...Jenna...pain...Jenna...pain...Jenna kneel...bow...break...die...please me...crumble...fall...break..." Jenna closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, a tear slipped down her face.

"Jenna...oh...Gerald it hurts...Gerald I can’t breathe...Gerald please I am kneeling," Jenna grabbed her chest, she couldn’t breathe properly.

"Father please help me...father please...please...."

Brown had perspiration on his forehead, with chills all over him. It was almost as if he was walking with Jenna in her mind with the way her words struck him deeply.

"I’ll help you...stop Jenna...just stop...I’ll help you."

Jenna opened her eyes, she pointed at the room. "Rhane...who am I to you? Master...you’re master...your name is my confession...and master surrender. My lady please...please sit for me...eat for me...I love you Jenna...I need you to live Jenna...you’re broken Jenna...I’ll pick the pieces walking behind you...I-"

Jenna’s throat hitched and she bent down, sitting on her heels. Her whole body was now shaking.

"Jenna are you-" Brown tried to reach for her but Jenna waved her hand.

"I’d dread to wear dresses before...I had to cover the scars I didn’t create..." when Jenna looked up, fresh tears poured.

"The scars are still there but...but...now I can step out in it, holding my head high because I did nothing to hide in shame for..."

"How do you think you can help me...father? How?"