CHAPTER 165: BRAVE HEART

Lois missed her steps but got her footing, grabbing a branch. She kept herself steady, then continued walking. She needed to get to Rhane before he got Jenna’s veil and tried to return. Though it didn’t scare Lois, both ways he wouldn’t be having Jenna. Even if he returned, Rhane would be met with the council giving him the sad news of his disqualification.

Which was why Lois decided to go and meet him first. This was love, Lois told herself repeatedly as she threaded through the slippery high mountains. Putting Rhane before her own safety— he was not going to see it now, but eventually. Rhane wasn’t like other men; he was smart and could understand things this simple.

During his worst times, she had been there for him, nursing him back to health. It was her, Lois, and not Jenna. Jenna didn’t think about him; all she did was worry about herself. Lois was going to show Rhane how selfish Jenna was and how she prided herself on knowing that three men risked their lives for her. And even now, after hearing that Rhane was unwell, she sat back and waited for him to return, dead or alive, she would still have a man.

It was still her, Lois, who had taken the risk to go through these dangerous hills just to find him. Rhane was going to see the pattern, and realize which woman loves him the most.

Lois held her care box closely as she walked. Feeling her shoulder ache, Lois stopped for a moment. While she rested, she arranged her dress, using her fingers to get rid of the dried leaves she had gathered while walking and also fixing her hair, which had been ruined by the wind.

She needed to still look beautiful for Rhane, make him know she was ready to be by his side and look appropriate unlike Jenna, who wasn’t. Lois pressed her lips, getting ready to make her next move when she heard a noise behind her. She snapped her head.

"What do we have here?" Hart asked with a grin, resting his body on a tree. "Didn’t think I’d see a woman fighting for Jenna’s heart."

Lois scowled when she recognized the young man. Somewhere deep, she blamed him for all her actions because if he had at least won something, then things would have been different.

Hart plucked a short stick and chewed it, his eyes gleaming as he stared at the young woman with interest. "Jenna is truly everyone’s heartthrob."

Lois growled, clenching her fists.

"Easy there," Hart chuckled. "I was teasing, no need to bite," he said, still smiling, now chewing his small stick with seriousness.

"I don’t think your presence here is for a good cause. Am I wrong? I am always right, if that helps."

Lois turned her face to the side; she wasn’t going to spend her day conversing with his failure. It was obvious he had some affection for Jenna, but he wasn’t as in love as she was with Rhane. Where Hart wasn’t able to do the extreme, Lois was willing to grab the devil’s throne if that would give her Rhane. She turned to continue on her way.

"It is very rude to ignore a friend," Hart spat out the stick he was chewing and grinned.

Lois scoffed, "What is with everyone today?" She turned to look at Hart. "Then help me... if you’re really a friend, do you know where I can find Rhane?"

Hart stared at the young woman, his expression plain. "Rhane... hm, who is that?"

Lois hissed; she turned her back. "I should have known you were of no use."

"But I know very well that Rhane didn’t use that path..." Hart drawled. When the woman turned again to face him, seeing the doubt in her eyes, he smirked. "If you don’t believe my words, then you can go ahead, and by the time you have climbed down the mountain, Rhane would have Jenna in his arms."

Lois raised her hand to throw the box at Hart, but on second thought dropped her hand. "Who are you even? You want Jenna, but you sit back and watch other men win her heart! Don’t you have any dreams of having her as your woman, or are you just a coward?"

Hart sucked his teeth. "I’ll take the latter," he replied dryly. Moving his hair behind him, "A coward is the better word," he muttered with a sad smile that didn’t last. When he looked up, he pointed at Lois.

"I am going to tell you where Rhane is since you’re the Braveheart, but..."

Lois narrowed her eyes. "But what?" she asked, annoyed. "What do you want in return?"

Hart nodded, slowly closing the distance between them. "I am a merchant, and I won’t trade information where I gain nothing... so tell me, Lady Lois, what are you willing to offer?"

Lois searched the young man’s face. Now that he was close, he had this look in his eyes. Lois might have misjudged this young man; he wasn’t just beauty and silk— there was a glint of mischief that made her cautious.

"What do you want?" she asked again.

Hart dropped his eyes to her chest level, and he licked his lips. "What do you think a woman can offer... me?"

Lois brought her hands and the box to her chest; her confidence had disappeared, and her eyes were now shaking. "I can’t..."

Hart furrowed his brows, his head shifting to the side. He didn’t understand, but he played along. "Why?"

Lois inhaled shakily; she no longer looked as confident as she was earlier. "I can’t give another man who is not Rhane my body." But if it was going to give her what she needed, then she was left with no choice, Lois completed in her mind.

"You’re not even sure about that." Hart rubbed the young woman’s face, and she exhaled, proving his point. Hart chuckled, shaking his head in disappointment.

"What is with women thinking that they can only offer their body when it comes to a bargain?"

Lois took a step back. "Y-you don’t want to...?"

"Mmmhm." Hart shook his head, then twitched his lips. "I’m not curious enough to," he replied with a shrug.

Though Lois felt the backhanded insult, she let it slide. "Then what is it you want?"

Hart pointed at the box she was holding. "What is that for...?"

Lois pinned the box closer to her chest. She wasn’t going to lose anything if she told the young man the truth. "It’s for Rhane... he is fatally injured and unwell."

Hart clapped his hands happily. "Now that is a bargain." His eyes danced with excitement.

"Now where is he?" Lois retorted impatiently.

Hart pointed at the other side. "He is there... I was with him a while ago but saw someone sneaking in the woods, and I came to check out of curiosity."

Lois began walking in the new direction but stopped. "If I should find out you lied, I will—"

"I have nothing to lose or gain if I lie to you," Hart replied with a small gesture. And that was his truth having the girl ruin things for Jenna or not favored him in no way. He wasn’t on anyone’s side.

As the young woman made her way to the path Rhane had taken, Hart smiled.

"Now things are getting interesting... Jenna, how loyal is this man of yours?" Hart asked himself. "Can he overcome the seduction of the Braveheart?"