Rory sat on his Royal stool, his eyes firm a d dark as Movern was dragged in like a ragdoll, Her dress torn and her spirit broken. The cold stone beneath her knees sent shivers up her spine as she was thrown before the Emperor.
Rory crossed his legs, his dark eyes gleaming with a cruelty that made even the bravest tremble. "Here she is, Your Highness," one of the guards announced gruffly, dropping her roughly to the ground.
Morven gasped, her body aching as she tried to steady herself. Her tears fell uncontrollably, streaking down her dirt-streaked face. She was forced to come here hoping for refuge, for a chance at a new life as the Emperor's wife, but now it felt like a cruel joke.
"This can't be happening,"she thought, her chest tightening with dread.
"Look up," Rory commanded, his voice low and menacing. His words cut through the silence like a blade, leaving no room for disobedience.
Morven forced herself to raise her head, her watery eyes meeting his cold, unfeeling gaze. His stare was piercing, as if he could see straight through her.
"How was your journey through the forest?" he asked, his tone dripping with mockery. "You were never supposed to make it here."
Her heart sank. "He wanted me dead." The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, and she clenched her fists to keep from trembling.
"Your Highness..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper, but Rory raised a hand to silence her.
"No, no, no, my beautiful bride," he said with a sarcastic smile. "When I speak, you don't utter a word until I permit it. Understood?" He leaned forward, his presence overwhelming as he rose from his throne.
Morven nodded, her throat too tight to speak. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the fear that threatened to consume her. But Rory wasn't finished. In a flash, he was standing directly in front of her, his face inches from hers. "Open your eyes," he demanded.
She obeyed, startled by his sudden proximity. Her breath caught as she flinched backward, but he didn't move.
"How did he get here so quickly?" she wondered, her heart pounding.
"There's something... strange about you," Rory murmured, circling her like a predator sizing up its prey. His eyes narrowed as he tried again to read her thoughts, but nothing came. No whispers of her mind, no flashes of her intentions. It was as if she were a blank slate.
" I can't read her," he realized, his curiosity piqued.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Emperor," Morven whispered, her voice trembling.
Rory's lips curled into a sinister smile."I'll say it again, you were never supposed to make it here, What happened in the forest?" he asked abruptly, his tone sharp and demanding.
Morven froze, her face pale as panic surged through her. "N-nothing happened," she stammered, but Rory wasn't convinced.
With a flick of his hand, an invisible force wrapped around her throat, cutting off her breath. Morven gasped, clawing at her neck as she struggled for air. "Look around, young lady," Rory said calmly, his eyes glinting with malice.
Morven turned her head weakly, only to see the guards around them collapsing one by one, struck down by an unseen power. "This could be your fate if you don't start talking," Rory warned, releasing her just as suddenly.
Morven fell to her knees, coughing and gasping for air. "I'll talk," she croaked, her voice hoarse.
Rory smirked, pulling a chair toward him with a wave of his hand. He sat down gracefully, his gaze never leaving hers. "Go on," he said, his voice deceptively soft. "Did you come here alone?"
"Yes," Morven whispered, her voice quivering. "My family sent me here without any escort."
"And what happened in the forest?" Rory pressed, his patience thinning.
Morven hesitated, then nodded. "I was attacked by something... a spirit of the forest. It chased me, and I fell. I thought I was going to die, but someone saved me." A shadow of gratitude flickered in her eyes as she recalled the mysterious figure who had intervened.
Rory leaned closer, his face inches from hers. "Who was this..... Saviour?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Morven's breath hitched. "I don't know," she admitted. "He wore a mask. I couldn't see his face." The lie dropped out of her lips without warning
Rory straightened, his expression unreadable. But deep down, a seed of suspicion had been planted." Who is this woman? And why can't I read her?"
•
Cameron jolted awake in his bed, clutching his pounding head. His room was dimly lit, and the faint sound of footsteps outside made him tense.
"How did I get here?" he wondered, his memory foggy.
Then it all came rushing back—the forest, the girl, the unknown blow that had knocked him unconscious. "No," he muttered, panic rising in his chest. "What happened? No, no, no!"
He stumbled to his feet, but a voice stopped him in his tracks. "Where do you think you're going.... Again!?" Aidan stood in the doorway, arms crossed and brows furrowed.
Cameron turned, his breathing ragged. "Aidan, what happened?" He asked, his voice desperate.
Aidan is Cameron person assistant, though he was the least in the palace, the king has intrusted a person to serve him while he was still alive, and they shared a great bound together.
Aidan sighed, tossing aside the clothes he'd been folding. "You disappeared without telling me anything. I had to ask around and found out Rory sent you to the forest to retrieve someone." He paused, studying Cameron's pale face.
"I'm sorry," Cameron said earnestly. "I didn't want to burden you anymore. You've already done so much for me."
Aidan frowned, ignoring the apology."Then you should have known if you disappear without a trace, i would become a laughing stock,"Aidan reminded.
"I'm sorry...."Cameron sighed weakly.
"I found you lying unconscious in the snow," he said bluntly. "For a moment, I thought you were dead."
Cameron winced. "I never meant for you to worry," he said quietly.
Aidan shook his head in disbelief. "This is why everyone underestimate you," he snapped. "Why are you apologizing to me? I'm just your assistant."
Cameron stared at him, his expression softening. "Because you've endured so much for me," he said earnestly. "I can't just ignore that."
Aidan stepped closer, his tone suddenly serious. "But you can actually do something about it now," he said firmly.
Cameron laughed bitterly. "Me? You know I'm powerless, Aidan."
Aidan's eyes narrowed. "Then explain this," he said, grabbing Cameron's hands and holding them up. Cameron gasped—his hands were glowing faintly, a surge of energy coursing through his veins.
"What... what is this?" He whispered in shock.
Aidan's voice was steady, but there was a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "You unlocked your powers, Cameron."