A few days had passed, and the terrifying memories of that night were starting to fade. Seraphina tried to act normal. One day, to lift her spirits, she decided to take Lili and go from the palace to the main city market.
The Shopping Frenzy
Arriving at the market, Seraphina felt as if all her sadness had disappeared. Surrounded by the bustling crowd and colorful stalls, her mood brightened. She wandered from shop to shop with Lili.
Holding a beautiful, expensive silk dress, she laughed and said:
Seraphina: "Lili, look at this! This shade of blue—won't it suit me? I think Arias would be so happy to see me in it."
Seeing the price tag, Lili winced and whispered:
Lili: "Seraphina, this is far too expensive! If we spend this much from the royal treasury, what if Arias questions it later? Let's find another shop with slightly cheaper options."
Seraphina (giggling): "Oh, come on! Arias told me I could buy whatever I wanted. Why are you always so afraid? Today, we'll shop to our heart's content."
The Mysterious Stranger
As they laughed and shopped, Seraphina suddenly felt someone's eyes on her. She looked into the crowd and saw, hiding behind a pillar, a tall figure cloaked in black.
The stranger's gaze was exactly like that of Damian in the forest! Seraphina's smile vanished instantly, and the expensive silk fabric slipped from her hands.
Lili: "What's wrong, Seraphina? Why are you staring like that?"
Seraphina (hesitant): "N-no… it's nothing. Come on, Lili, let's finish shopping. We need to return to the palace quickly."
Lili was stunned. The cheerful girl from moments ago was now pale with fear. Could Damian have followed her to the city? After glimpsing the mysterious figure in the market, Seraphina didn't want to stay another second. She hurriedly dragged Lili and returned to the palace.
Back at the Palace
As soon as she entered her room, she shut the door with a soft thud. She was panting, as if an invisible shadow were chasing her. Her hands and feet trembled. Seeing Seraphina like this, Lili could no longer control herself.
She rushed forward and hugged Seraphina tightly.
Lili: "Calm down, Seraphina. Calm down. There's no one here. We're back in the palace. Arias' magic is protecting us. Damian cannot come here."
Seraphina buried her face into Lili's chest and sobbed. Her joy from shopping, her laughter—it all seemed to dissolve into dust.
Seraphina (shivering): "Lili… he won't leave me. Wherever I go, that man finds me. Those red eyes of his… they haunt me. I can't take it, Lili. I'm so scared."
Lili gently rubbed her back, understanding that Damian had left not just physical marks, but a deep imprint of fear in Seraphina's mind. She held Seraphina even tighter.
Lili: "Don't worry. I'm always by your side. We'll take care of things before Arias awakens. Just relax now."
Wrapped in Lili's warm embrace, Seraphina felt a sense of security—but her subconscious whispered that Damian would not give up easily. Today, in the market, he had merely made his presence known; the real game was yet to come.
A Few Days Later in the Snow Garden
Seraphina and Lili took a walk in the palace's snowy garden. The weather was calm. Everything was covered in white, like cotton.
As they strolled, they spotted a small, chubby little girl walking across the snow. She wore a fluffy coat, and her most striking feature was her deep blue eyes—like a clear, endless sky.
Seraphina's heart immediately lifted. She ran and scooped the little girl into her arms.
Seraphina (overjoyed): "Oh my! Lili, look at this beautiful doll-like girl! Have you seen her eyes? They're like real sapphires!"
Lili smiled, pride shining in her face.
Lili: "Yes, Seraphina. She's my little sister. Her name is Ice. Mother left her with me today. See those blue eyes? She's the spirit of this snowy kingdom."
Seraphina began walking with Ice through the snow. She played with her and pinched her cheeks. Ice tugged at Seraphina's necklace with her tiny hands and giggled.
Seraphina: "Ice, will you grow up to be like me, or more like your elder sister? Hmm?"
Ice didn't understand, but she mumbled something in her half-formed voice and laughed. Seraphina walked with her, telling one story after another. For the first time in days, Seraphina's face wore a genuine smile. Damian's dark memories seemed to vanish in the spell of the little girl's sapphire eyes.
The Shadow at the Edge of the Forest
But as they neared the forest's edge, Ice suddenly froze. She pointed with her tiny finger at a dark bush.
Ice: "Black man! Sister, there! A black man!"
Seraphina's smile disappeared. She looked in the direction of the bush and saw a long, black shadow standing amid the snow.
Following Ice's finger, a chill ran down Seraphina's spine. But this time, she gathered her courage. Holding Ice closer, she shouted:
Seraphina (sharp voice): "Who's there? Come forward! Why are you hiding and trying to scare us like cowards?"
Lili grabbed Seraphina's hand nervously.
Lili: "Seraphina, let's go! Ice is scared. Let's return home!"
But the dark figure didn't move. Slowly, it stepped out of the mist. Dressed entirely in black, only its sharp eyes were visible. Seraphina thought it was Damian, but upon closer look, she realized it wasn't—perhaps a mysterious guard of Arias, or someone else.
Mysterious Figure (calm, serious voice): "Princess, this edge of the forest is not safe for you. Especially with such an innocent life in your arms."
After speaking, the figure turned back toward the darkness of the forest. But before leaving, it looked at Seraphina as if giving a secret signal.
Seraphina froze. Ice, still in her arms, blinked at the figure with her deep blue eyes. Seraphina realized that nothing in this palace or forest was normal. Even the people guarding her seemed to hint at an unseen danger.
Seraphina (thinking): "Was he talking about Damian? Or is Arias planning some new scheme to keep me trapped?"
She set Ice down and held Lili's hand.
Seraphina: "Lili, take Ice home quickly. This place doesn't feel safe."
Seraphina felt she couldn't leave without uncovering the mystery. Fear and determination battled equally inside her. She gently nudged Lili:
Seraphina: "Lili, you take Ice home. I want a moment alone. I'll return to the palace soon."
Lili, worried, picked up Ice.
Lili: "Seraphina, don't stay alone. Please come back quickly."
Alone with the Night
The garden was now completely silent. The moon cast a mystical glow on the snow. Seraphina wore a black-and-red mixed night dress, resembling a long gown. The red was deep, like blood, and the black was dark, like shadows. The wind made her gown flutter, and her long hair spread messily across her back.
She stepped slowly toward the old fountain. Not a sound besides the crunch of snow under her feet. Suddenly, she felt someone standing right behind her.
Damian's Return
A pair of strong hands landed on Seraphina's exposed shoulders. Damian's voice was calmer now, yet laced with a strange tenderness.
Damian (whispering): "You did well to send Lili away. That little girl's blue eyes… they were far too pure. My darkness is far stronger than her light."
Shivering, Seraphina turned. Damian's eyes no longer held fury, but a deep thirst. He adjusted the collar of her black-and-red gown and lifted her face toward his.
Seraphina (trembling): "Why do you keep coming back? Why can't you leave me alone?"
Damian pressed a finger to her lips, smiling faintly.
Damian: "Because you are not alone, Seraphina. Your red-and-black dress shows the war inside your heart. Half of you wants Arias' white world, the other half wants to lose yourself in my darkness."
Seraphina said nothing. Her chest heaved with fear and humiliation. She wanted to escape his presence. She clutched her gown and began to move away.
But she couldn't take even three steps.
Damian leapt in front of her, grabbing her hand tightly. Startled, Seraphina was pulled close to him.
Seraphina (angrily): "Let go! How dare you stop me like this? I told you—I don't know you!"
Damian did not release her hand; instead, he gripped it tighter. His fingers left red marks on her pale wrist. He brought his face close to her ear; his hot breath brushed her neck.
Damian (deep, rough voice): "Every time you run, I'll catch you like this. Did you think bathing in that waterfall would erase my touch? Why are your hands trembling, Seraphina? From hate… or something else?"
Seraphina struggled, but against Damian's iron-like grip, she was helpless. Her long hair fell across his face and chest in the tussle.
Seraphina: "You're a vampire! All you know is to show power. I'll tell Arias how much you humiliate me!"
Suddenly, Damian pulled her even closer. Their bodies pressed together. His red eyes burned fiercely in the darkness.
Damian: "Tell Arias? Go ahead. But remember, before you do, your rebellious heart will submit to me. I will not release this hand until you admit… that you cannot forget me."
Seraphina looked into Damian's eyes. Humiliation and tears streamed down her face, yet his firm grip and cold gaze reminded her—freedom would not come easily tonight.