"I thought Sire Loui instructed that no one come near this room for a few days," said the blonde knight, halting mid-step.
His partner raised a brow. "Why's that?" He aksed
"I heard Sire Asvran's been staying here for days now," the blonde knight replied.
My eyes widened. What? Did I just hear right? I froze, torn between 'I mustn't get caught' and 'I absolutely do not want to look behind me.'
Honestly, I didn't know whether to run, pray, or fake my own death on the spot. I'd only planned to follow the strange entity, maybe catch a glimpse of Asvran from afar, perhaps even find out why he kept calling to me. But now, standing in this room, I was really hoping the blonde knight was either misinformed—or terribly bad with directions.
"Perhaps he's left already," said the other knight. "We should check—"
Before he could finish, I stomped my foot hard, so hard the sound echoed. Apparently, my instinct had decided I'd rather share a room with a demon than be caught sneaking into one.
Through the thin crack of the wooden door, I saw both knights pause, exchange a wary look, bow briefly towards the room in silent respect, and then turn away. Their steel boots clanging as they walked off, and silence filled the room again.
I finally let go of my mouth, my palm now sticky with sweat and possibly the remains of whatever dignity I had left. Now it was just me… and whoever had been quiet this whole time behind me.
I think I knew who it was, but my heart refused to accept it. Berevreth's warnings rang in my ear__dangerous, unpredictable, not human.
Which left me with two options, One, its either pretend I knew absolutely nothing, turn around like a lady of grace and leave quietly with whatever dignity I could scrape together.
Or two, i bolt right back out the door the same way I came in, because when it comes to survival… well, dignity and I don't exactly keep in touch.
Unfortunately, my grand escape plan was already too late. Who ever... or whatever was behind me had started to move.
I heard the footsteps first. Slow, steady, unhurried. Then a faint hiss of flame as he lit the candles along the wall, one by one. Each flicker chased away a bit of the darkness, revealing the faint outline of his figure. He could've just opened the window, I thought nervously. It's broad daylight outside. Maybe he just… prefers the dark? Comforting i suppose.
As the room filled with golden light, his form came into view, and my heart nearly gave up on me.
My God… he's tall. Just like that night. So my brain hadn't been exaggerating after all. I couldn't believe it—him. The Sanctum Order. The one who'd haunted my thoughts for days. I was actually standing in the same room as him.
I can't believe I've finally met him. I'm in the presence of a Paladin knight… Not even Father had ever seen one up this close. Their existence was more myth than man.
Do I bow? I thought in sheer panic, staring at his back in stunned silence.
Then he spoke.
"Your heart is beating too fast. You don't have to be afraid."
His voice was calm, deep, soft, nothing like the cold tone from that night.
Of course my heart's beating too fast, Everyone's heart would sprint in this situation. You wound panic too, if there a lagendery demon knight talking behind you, i taught.
As he stepped closer, lighting the candle beside me, I took an immediate step back, I can't complete ignore all the warning's Berevreth had given me about him, it was very fresh in my mind, Her voice echoed like a scolding governess.
Then he spoke again. "What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here."
I Shouldn't be here? Oh, no. I didnt just, nearly broke my neck sneaking past half the Sanctum guards, almost got caught by two knight's made of metal, and not to talk about my dispicable journey in the woods, only just to hear that.
My jaw tightened as I stared at him, unamused. What was I supposed to do, send a letter ahead? I taught.
Finally, I let out a small, annoyed huff, as i began. "Weren't you the one who called me here... " I trailed mid-sentence as he turned, his gaze meeting mine with that unnerving calm that made my throat tighten.
Good Heavens, this man is… breath taking. What manner of artwork was this? He looked like he'd been sculpted by angels with too much time on their hands, Every structure of his face looked sculpted with purpose, thick dark brows, sharp cheekbones, eyes like a hunter's, lashes unfairly long. The candlelight caught the line of his jaw, sharp enough to slice bread with. He looked nothing short of divine, a being caught between saint and sin.
I didn't stop staring. My eyes trailed lower to his throat, to the curve of his Adam's apple since when was that supposed to be attractive? and then further down to his chest... no, no, absolutely not. I blinked hard and dragged my gaze back up. Why don't the men I meet ever look like this? His beauty was both masculine and graceful, enough to make even me jealous, no man should have a lashes as long and beautiful as his. His long black hair fell to his shoulders, with the red ribbon tied carelessly at the top of his messy hair, holding it up in a half-bun..
"Oh, bloody stars," I muttered under my breath. He looked like a fallen god.
Indeed, this was Asvran. And now, standing before him, every terrifying rumour I'd ever heard about him melted away like wax, all Berevreth's warnings faded into the background. The dangerous energy he gave off was still there, curling around the edges of my nerves... but my mind refused to listen.
What is wrong with me? I wondered, eyes still scanning him from head to toe.
Then he spoke again.
"You must leave now, Princess," He said, his voice low and firm. "This is not a place for you"
"Wait," I cut in sharply, taking a step forward. "Did you just call me Princess? You know who I am?" I asked taking another step forward __ how does he know, i already tied my hair back in the scarf.
He didn't answer, only stepped subtly back. I The more I stepped closer, the more he seemed to edge away. And then I saw it—his hands clenched tight, veins darkening like ink spreading under skin. My breath caught. Right. Perhaps provoking this man with my presence isnt the wisest idea
Still, I couldn't leave now, not after coming this far. I took a careful step back, Drawing a deep breath, I composed myself and began.
"It was you who saved me that night, wasn't it?" I asked softly.
He didn't answer right away. His gaze lingered on me, unreadable. Outwardly, he looked composed, almost in different, but the air around him seemed to have shifted. I could feel it. Something... restrained... Like an urge he was fighting to keep buried.
Then came his reply.
"Does the Church know you're here?" he asked.
Answering a question with a question, i almost smirked, I'd always dreamed of meeting an order of Twelve, but never imagined I'd live to see the day one would interrogate me like a thief. Perhaps he didn't truly know who I was. Perhaps he thought my name was simply 'Princess.'
Without replying, I pulled off the scarf covering my hair, letting the red strands fall. Lifting my chin, I said, "Yes. I was sent to confirm something."
He studied me for a Short moment, his eyes piercing, before exhaling a single word "Lies"
I blinked. What?
just as realization stuck, My gaze flicked around the dim chamber, landing on the rope-like band in his hair but before I could speak or even think further, he said,
"I don't need a relic to know when someone lies, Princess Elowen. That's not very noble and doing it here, of all places, is unwise." He said
I scoffed, unable to help myself. Incredible. I'd come all this way, just to be lectured on virtue and morality by a man who was half demon himself
Folding my arms, I glared at him. Apparently, my royal title meant nothing here, nor anywhere in this church, for that matter. So far, my 'princess privileges' had the power of a damp biscuit, only works within the walls of the castle.
I tilted "If you'd simply answered my question," I said tightly, "I doubt I would've needed to lie."
Our eyes met. His were dark, haunting and for a moment I couldn't look away. Then, intimidated, I turned my head slightly. "Sire," I added, my voice barely above whisper.
His presence was overwhelming, even for me, i taught my fathers presence was unmatched be but it seems i was wrong__no the rumours about him.
Still, I refused to look away. I was a princess, after all. A very terrified one, but still a princess.
And that's when I saw it...
The black, shifting shadow that moved beside him.