CHAPTER 7

ASHINA’S POV

I had heard the whispers, the rumours that Farkas was borrowing money from just about everyone outside. It wasn’t hard to hear the gossip, especially when it came to someone as boastful as Farkas.

I could almost picture him, the way he carried himself with such rigid self-importance, trying to maintain his image while he scrambled to cover his debts. It was almost risible if it weren’t so frustrating.

Rosy, ever the curious one, leaned in and asked, "Why doesn't he just ask King Dragor for a reward based on his military achievements?"

Her question was simple, but it carried a hint of disbelief, as if she could not fathom why someone so prideful would turn to others when help from the King would surely be guaranteed.

I leaned back in my chair, thinking for a moment before responding.

"Farkas’s military achievements this time... they’re inferior to Esther’s," I said, my voice tinged with a bitterness that I could not fully hide.

"Of course, he's too embarrassed to ask King Dragor for a reward or even a raise. King Dragor is someone who rewards based on merits. Farkas is the kind of person who has little ability but is overly concerned about his face—his image.”

“Uhm… I see,” Rosy contemplated.

“He insists on marrying Esther, not because of love, but because he values her ability. He thinks that by being with her, he can improve his position in the army in the future."

I paused for a moment, letting the words settle between us.

"And coincidentally, Esther is his mate, so the situation works out in his favour." I sighed, leaning my elbows on the table, the weight of everything pressing down on me.

"Why did my mother like Farkas back then? Why did she think he would be a good match for me? Now look at what has happened."

Rosy frowned, clearly sensing my frustration, but she didn’t say anything at first. I could tell she was thinking about it, her mind working through the pieces of the puzzle I had laid out.

Farkas’ shallow ambitions, his lack of real military merit compared to Esther, his desperate attempts to climb the ranks—it all made sense now, and yet, it didn’t.

I sighed deeply.

"My mother has been so invested in this marriage. She thought I’d be taken care of with Farkas by my side, but now... It’s all just falling apart."

“Who knows if Farkas hadn’t shown your mother a side that was completely the opposite of him? You never know with these people if they were genuine or not.”

Just as I was beginning to lose myself in the frustration of it all, something snapped me back to reality. I was waiting for Farkas to come to me, to ask for a loan, knowing he had nowhere else to turn.

He was proud, but even he would have to swallow his pride eventually.

The next day, true to form, Farkas showed up at my door. His usual air of arrogance had dimmed a little, replaced by the desperation of someone running out of options. He stood there, avoiding my eyes, clearly uncomfortable.

"I- I need your help. I need to borrow some money, Ashina," he said, the words coming out quickly, like he wanted to get it over with.

I studied him for a moment. There was no anger in me, just a kind of resigned understanding of who he was. I still could not believe that he had the guts to come to me to beg for a loan to marry the one who broke my home!

Anyways, Farkas was always going to be like this—climbing, scheming, never stopping to appreciate what he had. It was almost sad, really.

I nodded, deciding to make this interaction a little more...I rather would say, interesting.

"I’ll agree to lend you the money," I said slowly, drawing out the words to make him wait. "But I have one condition."

Farkas’ brow furrowed, and I could see the scepticism and annoyance flash across his face.

"A condition?" he echoed, his tone dripping with suspicion. "What is it?"

I gave him a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

"After you and Esther get married, you need to move out of the current house. It was my parents' inheritance, and I’d rather not have it tied up in all your nonsense."

Farkas stared at me for a long moment, probably wondering if I was going to use this as leverage to threaten him not to divorce. He likely thought I was being cunning, playing some hidden game.

Nevertheless, that wasn’t it. My reason was far simpler. I didn’t want him in my parents' house, the place that held so many memories for me, tainted by his greed and empty ambitions.

He took a breath, clearly annoyed by the condition, but he nodded.

"Fine," he said begrudgingly. "I’ll do it. Just get me the money."

I didn’t react to his tone, merely nodding in agreement. "I’ll send it over shortly."

***

The following day was a storm. It wasn’t long before word got back to me that his mother had found out about the condition I had set. It spread like wildfire, as it always did, and when I next saw her, she was livid.

She stormed into the room, her face flushed with anger, eyes blazing with fury.

"What is this nonsense, Ashina?" she demanded, her voice sharp like a whip. "How dare you tell Farkas to leave the house? That’s not how things work! It’s his right to live there once he marries Esther!"

I could not help the slight tilt of my head, the cool composure I had learned to master over the years. "The house was left to me by my parents," I said calmly, "and I’m well within my rights to decide who stays there."

Her jaw clenched, and she stepped forward, her voice low and dangerous.

"This isn’t the way we do things in this family. You think you can control everything just because you have a little inheritance?"

I didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, I met her eyes squarely. "I’m not trying to control anything. I simply don’t want my parents' legacy tainted by your son's greed."

Her face twisted in outrage, but she didn’t say anything more. She didn’t have to. The message had been delivered. She knew exactly what I meant, and I could see the tension in her eyes.

I was well aware that Farkas would not be pleased with the condition I had set, and I was prepared for the fallout. Yet, I could not bring myself to care. He had made his choices, and now he would deal with the consequences.

Later, as I sat in my room, I reflected on everything that had led to this moment—the marriage that had seemed like a perfect match, the manipulation, the pride, and the deep-rooted resentment I had buried for so long.

There was a part of me that wanted to just walk away, to abandon the whole charade, but I knew that wasn’t possible. Not yet, at least.

For now, all I could do was wait and see how Farkas would react. Moreover, as always, I would continue to play the game on my terms.