Anna's POV:

  Early in the morning, inside my room. Upon waking up due to the bustling sound of the people outside, I wiped my eyes and yawn. It was quite weird because it wasn't this noisy from the past.

  I went outside my room and there I saw my Mama preparing breakfast. Although I can't seem to find where Papa is; we always eat together in the morning.

  "Oh, your up Anna. Fix your hair and let's eat together." Mama said kindly.

   "Ok, Mama. Where's Papa?" I tiredly asked while fixing my messy hair.

  Mama gave me an indifferent look and said, "He went to work early."

  After fixing my hair, Mama and I sat down and prepared to eat. I then awkwardly asked. "So you haven't made up yet?"

  She didn't reply.

  I immediately tried to change the topic and asked, "Why is it noisy outside?"

  Mama briefly pondered, "I don't know, I was busy cooking... How about you take a look outside after you're done eating?"

   "Hmm-kay!" I answered while there was food stuffed in my mouth.

   After eating breakfast, I took a bath and got dressed. I opened the door and said my goodbyes to my Mama. As I went outside, I could see a large crowd gathered on a particular spot. The murmur of the crowd resonated in the village, this made me curious. So I stroll towards the crowd and tried to take a peek. But to my disappointment, I couldn't squeeze through the huge crowd. So I tried to ask a random villager,

  I poke at someone to get his attention, "Umm... Excuse me!"

  "Huh? What is it?" He replied to me with a surprised look.

  "What's the commotion all about?" I asked.

  "It's about the Noble who unexpectedly came to this village. People are wondering why he's here. People assume that he came here to save us from starvation, some assume that he came here to recruit some people while others think he's here to look for a bride or a concubine. Well, we don't know why, but a lot of people are trying to get his favor."

  I briefly ponder if that Noble was the one that Papa and uncle Eric were talking about, "Well, thank you for telling me."

  "Your welcome." After saying those words, the man immediately joins the crowd.

  A few moments came by and a loud voice suddenly echoed throughout the village, "Silence!!! Can't you understand that Lord Edward came here to meet the Chieftain? So can you please don't block the way!"

  Upon hearing those words, it made the bustling murmurs of the crowd completely silent. And all of them peacefully scattered giving way to the Noble. Thus, this made me have a full view of the person.

  The Noble looked like he was in his 20s, he had black hair and eyes. On top of having a fair skin complexion, his body was of great proportion and his face looked very gentle and kind. He was wearing a black suit with a sheathed sword on his left hip.

  Seeing a person like this for the first time, was like witnessing a prince charming from the books I've read. The women who were looking at him intently became red, I included.

  Aside from that, the Noble had two guards beside him. They were like sturdy giant walls protecting the Noble from harm's way. Their faces looked like savage mad dogs with scars and eyes full of ruthlessness. They were quite opposite to the Noble's charming face.

  As their group continued to stroll to find Papa's Workplace, I kept on staring at the Noble's elegant stroll. And for some time, unexpectedly, our eyes met. The Noble halted and stared at me with a surprising look. He then tried to regain his composure and smiled elegantly. This made me extremely red and to make matters worst, he strolls in my direction with the two large men behind his back.

  'He's not coming here for me, is he?' I worriedly thought.

  The Noble stopped his stroll in front of me and I became so flustered that I can't seem to look at his face. He then made a mysterious move, he bent his right knee on the ground and tried to have a clear look on my face. The crowd was quite amazed at the Noble's action that they begin to bustle. While I myself was quite worried at the Noble's clothes.

  "Y-your slacks... T-they'll get dirty," With a flustered face, I stutter.

  "Don't worry, it will be easily cleaned later." He replied elegantly.

  He looked at me with fascination and continued, "By the way what might your name be little lady."

  "Anna... Anna Alyas. Um- how about yours Mr-"

  He immediately answered, "Edward Von Quagmire, you can call me Edward. I'm not really fond of formalities."

  I nodded.

  He continued, "So Anna, might you know where the Chieftain's Workplace at?"

  "Y-yes! He's my Papa."

  "Oh, that's quite a surprise. Will you kindly lead us there?"

  "O-ok!"

  "You know, you don't have to be nervous. Just talk to me normally, okay?" He smiled elegantly.

  I nodded.

  Walking in front, I led them to Papa's Workplace. And as we continued to stroll, the skies were beginning to clear and the bright rays of the sun gazed upon us. Sweat came flowing out of Lord Edward and his guards' faces - It seems they're not used to this type of climate.

  While they were wiping off their sweat we passed through some houses made of sandstones and some of the villagers stared at Lord Edward intently like he was some greater existence. Lord Edward and his guards didn't really seem to care and just continued to walk calmly.

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  After some time, a hint of silence can be felt as we walked on the pavement of the village. This made me a bit nervous as the situation was a bit awkward but luckily the silence was broken due to a gush of wind. Then a calm humid breeze came flowing through us, leaving a relaxing sensation. Thus, this made me forget about my problems and my nervousness. I then looked at Lord Edward and his guards and they made a very satisfied sigh.

  Lord Edward childishly chuckled and said, "That felt really good."

  I burst out laughing while saying, "You look like a child, hahaha!".

  Surprisingly, they became silent and they stared at me with a dumbfounded expression. Before I noticed what I did, I realize that I was thinking out loud. I immediately covered my mouth and was about to apologize but,

  "Fuhahaha!!!" Lord Edward and the scary-looking guards laughed in unison that they looked like idiots.

  Now I was the one dumbfounded in this situation.

  "Why did you stop laughing Anna? I indeed look like a child when I chuckle, almost everyone knows about it where I live." Lord Edward explained while having teary eyes due to laughing so hard.

  The two scary-looking guards nodded in unison.

  "Eh?" I said in a confused expression. And for a slight moment, I just laughed hard for no reason and the three of them follow suit. At that time we looked like fools laughing for no particular reason.

  After those dumb moments, we continued to stroll and on the way, we also talked. And before I knew it, the four of us were getting along well. The two scary-looking guards are brothers called Axe and Cleave. Despite their appearance, they're actually good people - I think you really can't judge a person by how they look. I also learned more about Lord Edward, I thought he would be strict and serious but he's pretty informal when you get to know him better.

  Time passed and we arrived a few meters away from Papa's Workplace, someone came out of the door. He looked pretty frail that one could suspect him as a walking skeleton. Of course, I know of him, his name is Peter, he's been a carpenter of this village for as long as I can remember. He didn't look like this in the past but I think the shortage of food affected him greatly. He probably came here to ask for some food.

  I ran to him, leaving Lord Edward and his guards behind. I then greeted him kindly and he did so in return. We talked briefly and then he asked me about the people who were following me. I told him what I know, I then asked if he wanted to meet them. But he refused, saying he doesn't know how to confront such high-ranking people. He immediately said his goodbyes to me and slowly walked away.

  About a few moments, Lord Edward and his guards were able to catch up to me.

  "Who was that Anna?" Lord Edward asked curiously while staring attentively at the frail Peter, who was walking away.

  "That was Peter a carpenter in this village," I replied while also staring at Peter.

  "Is that so? Do you mind if I ask, have you ever thought of leaving this place?" Lord Edward asked respectfully.

  I turned around playfully while both of my hands are on my back, holding each other. And then, I made a bright smile and cheerfully answered, "Nope! This is my home and I love everyone in this village."

  As I said those words, Lord Edward and the two guards stared at me for a brief moment, daze in bewilderment. They look like they were children gazing upon the twinkling stars for the very first time.

  "Um... Is there something on my face?" I asked curiously.

  Lord Edward immediately regained his composure by placing his enclosed right hand on his mouth as if clearing his throat, "Ahem... Nothing. It's just that, for a brief moment, you looked like an angel. Am I right you two?" Lord Edward made a gesture to snap out Axe and Cleave in their daze.

  Axe and Cleave jolted back to their senses and awkwardly exclaimed in unison, "Ah... YEAH!"

  "Well, enough of that. You two stay here outside." Lord Edward commanded to the two guards, "Let's get inside shall we, Anna?" Lord Edward requested while he looked at me with an elegant smile.

  I nodded and opened the door. As I went inside, I saw Papa sitting in the middle of the room. In front of him is a table stacked with paperwork. His face looked pretty absorbed as his hands were working tirelessly on the papers. I called to him,

  "Papa!"

  Papa put down the paper he was holding and replied kindly, "What brings you here Anna? It isn't lunch yet."

  "Someone is looking for you." When I said those words, Lord Edward walked past me and revealed himself to Papa.

  Papa looked shocked when he saw Lord Edward's unexpected visit. He stood up immediately and spoke nervously, "L-lord Edward, I'm sorry I wasn't able-"

  Lord Edward interrupted, "At ease!" he made a gesture to keep Papa calm, "It's partly my fault for not telling you when I would visit."

  Upon saying those words, Papa became comfortable and he kindy offered Lord Edward a sit, "Please take a seat, Lord Edward."

  Lord Edward accepted the offer, Papa then continued, "Anna, will you please go outside?"

  "Let her stay. After all, this conversation will be about her." Lord Edward answered frankly.

  Sweat can be observed on Papa's face as he heard those words. He then tried to regain his composure and said, "As you wish, Lord Edward. Then Anna, take a seat."

  I sat down on the chair that was facing Lord Edward while Papa still sat at the back of the table. The room was in a state of brief silence while the mood was covered in a surge of nervousness. Both Papa and I were anxious about what Lord Edward would say despite the fact that we have a hunch of what it is. After a few seconds, the silence was broken.

  "I won't beat around the bush so I will tell you what I came for. I will take Anna as my concubine." Lord Edward spoke in a serious manner.

  When Papa heard those words, I can see him faintly trembling as a fine amount of sweat pours down from his face. It was like he was weighing something heavy on his shoulders. He replied to Lord Edward nervously, "With all due respect Lord Edward, Anna is still a child. I don't think it's right for her age to become a concubine."

  "I know your concern as a father but you see, I am planning on divorcing my wife 5 years from now. It's because she can't bear me a child and it seems we're not doing well as a married couple. And I would like Anna to stay in my mansion to know her better and teach her the etiquette of a Noble."

  "Wait... You're saying you want to marry my daughter and turn her into a Noble?!" Papa loudly asked with a surprised look on his face.

  "Certainly." Lord Edward replied with an elegant smile.

  "But why would you marry someone that isn't of Noble bloodline?" Papa asked curiously.

  "Well, marrying a Noblewoman is quite stressful. You will be tied with their family problems and affairs. It might gain me an ally but it will also create enemies. It's better to keep it safe and become neutral. Plus, having a young bride gives me a higher chance of getting a heir."

  Papa made a stressful sigh and said, "Ok then but I don't get to decide this. Anna will have to make the final decision. And if she says no, then I will have to decline. Are you alright with that Lord Edward?"

  Lord Edward nodded. Then stared at me with his elegant face, waiting for my response.

  "I would like to ask something," I said.

  "Go on." Lord Edward replied.

  "If I accept your proposal, will you help the village?"

  Lord Edward made an elegant smile as if he anticipated my question, "As I thought you're like an angel Anna. And my answer is yes, I will help this village as long as it is within my power. So will you accept my proposal?"

  "Yes!" I answered without a trace of hesitation.

  "I'm quite glad to hear that." Lord Edward said with a smile on his face. This smile was quite different from before as this smile had full of satisfaction and genuineness. Looking at his radiant face, it turned my cheeks red and I dazed for a moment.

  Then a commotion was to be heard outside.