Chapter 313: Accepting (3)
"You’re not afraid I lied to the women and I am leading you to your death? Think you can take me?" Phillip asked, glancing to his right at Rafael. He was confused by how comfortable Rafael was with following him.
If Rafael asked him to walk somewhere alone, Philip would think the young commander was trying to kill him.
"Yes," Rafael honestly replied.
From the stories he heard from his father, Phillip was an excellent fighter, and with him continuing to keep the border guards off his land, Phillip was still dangerous. However, Rafael didn’t fear him. An injury caused when he wasn’t looking was not something to make him cower around Phillip.
Rafael trusted his skills that he would be able to kill Phillip if he wanted. If not for the fact Phillip would be his future father-in-law, Phillip would be dead hours ago. He was not his father to have a draw with Phillip.
Phillip chuckled, entertained by Rafael’s confidence. "We didn’t have a proper fight for me to see if you are like your father or just given that position because you’re his son. I will say it is good to see you’re not soft since you are walking around after what I did to you. I won’t let my daughter be with someone she has to protect."
Phillip led Rafael far away from where the others remained. He wasn’t ready to take Rafael to their homes yet since he didn’t want to run into anyone and be interrupted. He led Rafael into the thick trees to an area where he used to train on his own.
"I don’t like you for my daughter. It isn’t just that you are a knight or River’s son. It is the mere fact that you come from that side. There will be a lot of judgement Annalise will have to face. People picking her apart. My daughter will never be able to fit in to be like the women you are used to. I don’t want her to be forced to change to be by your side," said Phillip," getting off his horse since it could not go any further.
"I don’t want her to change. Why would I ask her to change when I love her the way she is now? I’ve accepted a lot of things about Annalise. Like her need to fight or snakes," Rafael replied, once again thankful he didn’t have a fear for them.