We arrived at the palace, standing tall and casting its majestic shadows under the moonlight.
After a few moments of dispersing, each of us went our own way, and I headed to enter my designated room.
The room door had barely closed behind me when a strange sensation greeted me—something was out of place.
A faint scent, yet distinct and unsettling, floated in the air. I began to sniff the air with focus, knitting my eyebrows in confusion and tension.
It was the scent of a stranger, an intruder in this place.
My eyes moved quickly around the room until they fell on a carefully folded paper on my silk-sheeted bed.
I picked it up quickly and brought it to my nose. My suspicions were confirmed; the exact same scent emanated from it, a strange and masculine smell.
I opened the paper, and the elegant handwriting revealed its disturbing content:
"My dear Sera,
I wanted to meet you, but the atmosphere did not allow it. Do not worry, soon you will be mine. Give my regards to Knight Winter."
I froze in my place, blinking in shock. What is this nonsense? Is this all I need now, another pretender chasing me? And more importantly, how did he get in here? The palace is fortified and the security is tight everywhere.
My heart began to beat violently and powerfully in my chest. What does he mean by "Soon you will be mine"?
Damn it! I must tell Knight immediately. This threat is real and extremely personal.
I froze in my place, suddenly remembering the telepathy power I possess.
I focused my thoughts to conjure Knight Winter's image in my mind and began calling him:
"Knight, Knight!"
But there was no answer. I repeated the call, this time louder and sharper:
"Damn you, Knight! Come to my room, there is an urgent matter!"
But nothing, silence still loomed over the connection. I cut off the telepathy while exhaling sharply, anger and panic taking hold of me.
I began to pace the room nervously, hoping to find something else or an additional clue.
Suddenly, someone burst into the room with a brutality that startled me.
I turned quickly; it was Knight, panting from running, his eyes wide with concern.
I rushed toward him, wasting no time on explanations:
"Smell the air, come on!"
He was surprised by my strange request for a moment, but he did. As soon as he inhaled the scent of the room, he froze in his place, his face turning into a mask of ice and rage.
I said in a fast, tense tone:
"Do you know the owner of this scent? He was in my room and left me an explicit threat!"
He turned to me in complete surprise, his eyes burning with anger mixed with shock.
He grabbed my shoulders firmly and shook me slightly, saying eagerly:
"What? What did he say?"
I said, trying to calm him despite my tension:
"Calm down, Knight. He left this note on the
bed. I didn't see him; I only found it."
He took the paper from my hand eagerly and practically tore it open. His features contorted with raging anger, and he gritted his teeth, muttering profanities:
"Damn it, damn it! That bastard..."
I looked at him intently, realizing he truly knew him. I asked him directly:
"Who is it? Do you know him, Knight?"
He turned to me, his features frozen in a harsh determination. He said nothing, but grabbed my hand and pulled me firmly behind him.
"From now on, you will sleep in my room."
I tried to object:
"But...!"
He interrupted me with a sharp, silencing look—a look after which I didn't dare utter a single word.
I fell silent immediately and followed him to his room. The room, as usual, was dim, lit only by a faint glow.
I sat on the edge of the large bed while I stood staring at him scrutinizingly.
I finally broke the silence:
"Knight, what does he want from you? I know well... he wants to get to you through me."
He looked at me with a cold gaze and said in brief words:
"He wants the rule. After killing me."
I stood up straight, standing directly in front of him now, determined to understand the truth:
"Who is he, Knight? Why does he want to hurt you like this?"
He was staring at me without speaking, the conflict visible in his eyes. When I saw him about to leave, perhaps to evade answering or to control his anger, I held his hand firmly and said:
"You cannot escape this answer, Knight!"
He squeezed my hand slightly before answering in a low, controlled voice:
"Not now, Sera."
He was holding himself back with effort so as not to explode in my face with the anger boiling inside him.
I sighed in despair, let go of his hand, and stepped back a few paces.
He didn't stay long after that; he walked out of the room, slamming the door so hard behind him that the walls shook, leaving behind a heavy silence and a tension that did not dissipate.
I began to pace the room nervously, trying to absorb what had happened and the new threat surrounding us.
I finally decided to head toward the bathroom, hoping the water would calm my nerves and ease my anxiety.
I took some of his clothes that were hanging and went in to shower.
After a full hour of a refreshing shower and warm water that helped relax my tense muscles, I came out feeling some calm.
I lay down on the luxurious bed with exhaustion and fatigue; the toll of the long and terrifying day had reached me.
I closed my eyes to sleep without realizing it, drowning in a deep slumber to escape the bitter reality.
I felt a piercing coldness wrapping around me from all sides, and the blood froze in my veins.
I opened my eyes with difficulty, but the surprise was shocking—I couldn't move my body, as if a hidden force had completely paralyzed my movement.
What is happening to me?
Thick black smoke began to fill the room slowly, obscuring the vision and creating a nightmare atmosphere.
Amidst this smoke, I saw the shadow of a pitch-black man, his features indistinguishable, standing tall before me.
I tried to move again, to scream or run, but to no avail. I was a prisoner in my own body.
The shadow began to laugh hysterically, an evil laugh that shook the room's walls.
The smoke began to thicken and choke me, filling my lungs. Damn it! I tried to break free and catch my breath, but all my attempts failed. I am suffocating!
"Damn it! Where are you, Knight, when I need you?"
I screamed inside me in despair. Even my ability to telepathically communicate with him had been paralyzed; this bastard was preventing me from reaching him.
As soon as Knight rushed into the room, everything vanished in a fleeting moment. The black smoke and the terrifying shadow disappeared as if they had never been.
I gasped loudly, placing my hand on my neck, trying to catch my stolen breath with great difficulty.
Knight rushed to me with deep concern, kneeling before me and cupping my face with his large hands.
I said in a broken voice, my breathing still loud and irregular:
"He was here... he... he tried to kill me!"
While I was breathing heavily, my eyes were full of terror.
His eyes widened in shock, not grasping what I was saying, perhaps thinking I was dreaming.
I swore to him with total seriousness:
"I swear to you! He was here! He was trying to suffocate me with his black smoke!"
As soon as I finished my speech and Knight realized the gravity of the situation and the reality of the threat, his features sharpened with a raging anger I had never seen before.
He stood up suddenly and let out a resounding cry of rage that made my soul tremble with fear and panic.
I couldn't hold back my tears, so a hot tear fell from my eye, followed by sob after sob as I tried to control my crying.
Knight noticed my condition immediately, and abandoned his anger to turn toward me. He stepped toward me quickly and pulled me into his chest with strength and tenderness.
I returned the hug, burying my head in his warm chest, while he began to whisper soothing and reassuring words in my ear, trying to alleviate my fear and terror.
I pulled away from him slightly as soon as I calmed down and my sobbing stopped.
I raised my gaze to look at him.
His features still bore traces of anger, but his concern for me outweighed them. He told me in a calm and reassuring tone:
"Come, sleep now. I am here and I will not leave, do not worry at all."
I responded to his words, stretched out on the bed while staring at him.
He was sitting beside me on the edge of the bed like a faithful guard.
I extended my hand and held his warm palm firmly, and closed my eyes.
An overwhelming feeling of safety began to envelop me from his proximity and his reassurance, and I went into a deep sleep, this time away from nightmares.
I woke up in the early morning to the sound of running water flowing from the bathroom attached to the room.
Knight must be showering. I got out of bed, feeling that I needed some clean clothes, so I stood up and left the room quietly to get what I needed.
I headed to my room, showered, and changed my clothes quickly. Before I could leave the room to return, Knight suddenly entered, looking refreshed after his shower.
I took the initiative to say with a slight smile:
"Good morning. Do you need something?"
He looked at me with a serious gaze, his eyes carrying a faint reproach:
"What did I tell you?"
He was referring to his warning not to stray from him.
I sighed, realizing his over-concern:
"I only came to change my clothes, I didn't leave the palace."
He nodded his head, seemingly convinced by my explanation. He said as he left the room heading toward the main hall:
"I will tell the maid to bring the clothes to you in the future. Do not go out alone."
I followed him, lost in thought about that mysterious man. I noticed that he possessed almost the same powers as Knight—the black smoke and control.
I sighed in despair, realizing that if I asked Knight about his identity now, he wouldn't answer, but would avoid the subject as usual.
Therefore, it was better for me to inquire from Julia later; perhaps she has information about Knight's past and his relationships.
We reached the luxurious breakfast hall, and I saw Lauren and Julia already sitting. I said to them with a forced smile to hide my tension and anxiety:
"Good morning, guys! You're finally back! Where on earth were you?"
They laughed at me lightly because of my tone, and Lauren said:
"I went to visit my father, and Julia insisted so I took her with me."
I smiled and headed to sit in my usual place at the long table. But before I reached it, Knight suddenly pulled me by my arm and sat me down directly beside him, then said in a calm and commanding tone:
"From now on, this is your place."
I looked at him in surprise at his public act, but I soon smiled shyly and sat quietly.
I started eating; there was a plate of delicious pancakes, but it was on the opposite side to me, right next to Knight.
I couldn't reach it easily, and I wouldn't ask him at this moment. I pouted a little and ignored it, sufficing with what was in front of me on the plate.
Suddenly, I saw his hand placing several generous pieces of pancakes onto my plate, then he poured a little melted chocolate and golden honey over them.
I looked at him in surprise at his kind and sudden gesture.
He must have been watching me and noticed my longing for the food, or perhaps I exposed myself with my childish pouting.
In any case, the important thing is that I will finally have the honor of eating it.
I smiled at him with gratitude and happiness, and he returned the smile with a rare, faint calmness.
I took the first bite; it was absolutely delicious, and I didn't realize that I was making sounds of enjoyment at the savory food.
Suddenly, I heard a faint laugh from Julia and Lauren, who were sitting opposite us.
I cleared my throat in deep embarrassment, my cheeks flushing with shyness from my childish behavior.
I quickly glanced at Knight; oh my God! He was staring at me absentmindedly, his eyes carrying a calm and slightly smiling look, as if he were enjoying watching me eat happily.
I said with a slight pout, defending myself:
"What? It's delicious!"
Then I finished my entire plate immediately.
I turned to Julia and whispered to her:
"I need you for something in private."
She nodded with understanding, and before we left the hall, Knight stopped us with his decisive words:
"Going out is forbidden."
I turned to him and nodded in agreement; the conversation could take place inside.
We were sitting in Julia's room, and I was trying to break the barrier of silence and tension. I said to her directly:
"Julia, tell me about Knight's past and his relationships. I need to understand."
She looked at me with clear confusion and tension:
"Sera, I'm truly sorry, I can't say anything concerning my brother. He forbade me from doing so."
I sighed in despair and changed the course of the conversation:
"Fine, tell me about your own family. Where are your mother and father? Knight hasn't told me anything regarding his family."
She looked at me for a moment with a sad and hesitant gaze, then began to speak in a low voice:
"My mother and father... they were killed... He was the cause."
My eyes widened in shock.
"Who is he?"
Julia continued with a trembling voice:
"He wanted the rule. As soon as he learned that my brother Knight would take it, he went insane. He caused massive riots in the kingdom, and fires broke out everywhere. Many died, including my father and mother. Even I almost died because of him."
I looked at her with even greater shock, unable to believe what I was hearing. I said quickly and eagerly:
"Who is this person you are talking about?"
Julia stared at me with eyes full of fear and pleading, saying:
"I can't... my brother forbade me from telling you anything. If he finds out that I told you the reason for our parents' death, he will kill me!"
She said it with clear pleading, trembling with fear of Knight.
I said to her with deep sadness and sincere sorrow:
"I am very sorry about your parents... what a terrible thing."
Julia looked at me with a faint and sad smile at the same time and said:
"It has been a long time since then; I've gotten used to the situation."
I smiled at her tenderly and hugged her tightly, soothing her with warm words:
"It's okay, little one, everything will be fine from now on."
Julia laughed at my words, perhaps because it was a reminder of her childhood, and said:
"My mother used to tell me this whenever I was sad."
I looked at her with a light laugh and said:
"Even my mother tells me this when I'm sad, so I thought I'd apply it to you to see if it works."
Julia stared at me for moments, absorbing the situation and the similar words between mothers, and began to laugh non-stop—a pure laugh that broke the intensity of the sadness that was looming over us.
Suddenly, we heard light and hesitant knocks on the door. Julia gave permission to enter, and Lauren stepped into the room.
She looked pale and confused, pacing the room with clear tension and anxiety, avoiding looking at us.
Julia and I exchanged puzzled and questioning looks.
I said as I stood up, heading toward her with concern:
"Lauren, are you okay? You look very tense."
She looked at me and held my hand with a severe tremble and confusion, stammering as she said in a low, shaky voice:
"Sera... Julia... I think I'm pregnant."
I was shocked by the news, and I wasn't alone; Julia jumped from her place, screaming in immense shock:
"What?!!"
Lauren quickly placed her finger on her mouth in panic and said pleadingly:
"Shhh! I'm not sure yet; I'm very scared."
I started laughing lightly, trying to ease her tension, and said to her:
"You should be happy! This is great news, not something to panic about like this!"
Lauren replied, on the verge of tears, her eyes glistening:
"I am happy... but Arin said he doesn't want children now. And I don't know how this happened; I used birth control pills regularly!"
She was speaking in a tone dominated by despair and confusion.
I looked at her reassuringly and placed my hand on her shoulder tenderly:
"Don't worry about that. Arin is a wonderful person and will surely be happy with the news when he knows the truth; he just needs time to absorb the idea."
Julia supported my words enthusiastically and said:
"Exactly! Let's go now and confirm first with the doctor before we jump to conclusions and worry!"
Here I am now in the back training yard of the palace.
After returning from the doctor and confirming that Lauren is pregnant and that the fetus is fine, I felt a great relief.
I decided to take advantage of the time to train on my new power, which I am now controlling better.
I can control fire and manifest small flames between my fingers, though I am still at the beginning.
The place was quiet, and the sun was tilting slightly toward sunset.
I saw a fountain a little distance away, the water flowing from it calmly. I approached it and sat near it, to rest and think about all that had happened recently.
I heard his heavy and measured footsteps approaching me. I stayed where I was, not looking at him, just continuing to contemplate the beauty of the shimmering water before me.
He sat beside me without uttering a single word, and silence loomed over us for moments. I felt him staring at me with focused looks, so I said to him with some embarrassment:
"Don't look at me like that."
I truly don't like anyone staring at me; it makes me feel flustered.
But he didn't speak or stop staring.
I looked at him, knitting my eyebrows in curiosity, and to my extreme surprise, it was Black!
I said in astonishment and with a smile:
"Black!"
Black gave me a charming smile, held my hand tenderly, and kissed it with complete elegance and politeness.
I giggled lightly and told him:
"You are a very sophisticated man."
Black said to me in a calm tone:
"Why are you sad?"
I sighed and answered honestly:
"I'm not sad, but I'm anxious and afraid for Knight."
I immediately realized what I had uttered. Damn it! He must hear me now.
"Don't you think before speaking, you idiot?"
I scolded myself internally.
Black frowned and said with clear resentment:
"That monster!"
I giggled at his childish jealousy and said:
"Don't be stupid, you are in the same body!"
And I continued with a serious question:
"Why are you jealous of each other? You are never on good terms."
Black looked at me with focus and said clearly:
"Yes, I am jealous. I want you for myself only."
Suddenly, he pulled me toward him gently and placed his head on my thigh comfortably, closing his eyes.
I began to run my fingers through his silky hair strands, feeling his body relax and let go of the tension. I think he is exhausted from work and the recent events.
Time passed and night began to fall, and we were still in the same position.
I didn't want to wake him, but the atmosphere had become very cold.
I shook him gently and called:
"Black... Black."
He opened his grey eyes drowsily, and it was immediately clear to me that they were Knight's eyes. I told him quickly:
"Come on, it's very cold; we'll get sick like this."
He looked at me with a strange gaze; he must have remembered my conversation with Black. He stood up while slowly massaging his head, so I said to him with concern:
"Are you tired? Do you have a headache?"
He nodded yes, and continued to massage his head as if the pain were severe.
We entered the room.
I went to the drawer and took out a pill bottle, took a pill and a glass of water, and presented them to him.
"It's a painkiller."
He looked at my hand absentmindedly, with no anger.
Does this fool still doubt me? I approached, placed the pill in his mouth, and handed him the glass.
"Come on, drink."
He looked at me in surprise at my action.
I said:
"Stop hesitating; don't you trust me or what?"
I crossed my arms, staring at him sharply. He swallowed the pill while just staring at me, lost in thought.
"Don't make a big deal out of it."
I nodded to him sharply.
"Is this why you haven't told me anything about your past or your family?"
His features suddenly sharpened.
"I don't wish to talk about this."
I laughed sarcastically:
"You know everything about me, while I know nothing but your name. You don't want to tell me simply because you don't trust me, Knight."
His face suggested intense anger as he gritted his teeth:
"This has nothing to do with trust."
I looked at him with the same anger:
"Then what do you call it, Mr. Knight?"
I saw him clenching his hand tightly, so I continued while hiding the pain that swept through me:
"You know what? I don't want to know anything about you anymore."
I took two steps back and prepared to leave.
He stood there like a statue from my words; my patience had truly run out.
I headed to Julia's room and told her what happened so she could comfort me, and then I slept after a tiring night.
I woke up in the early morning with extreme lethargy. The first thing my eyes fell on was Julia, sleeping in a very messy and random way, which drew a faint laugh from me.
"She makes me feel cheerful even while she's sleeping,"
I whispered to myself.
I washed my face quickly and brushed my hair, then headed to my private room to change my clothes.
But I stopped suddenly, remembering the annoying truth—he had moved all my belongings to his room!
"Damn it!" I muttered in frustration, "I don't want to see his face now."
I decided to just ignore him. I entered the room quietly to find him lying on the bed, placing his hand over his eyes.
I paid no attention to his presence, took my clothes quickly, and stepped into the bathroom to finish my preparations.
He was still asleep, or so I thought, so I headed toward the mirror directly opposite the bed.
I held the towel and began drying my hair and brushing it at the same time.
I was completely immersed in this task, struggling with the stubborn strands of hair, and I didn't notice his gaze following my every move through my reflection in the mirror.
I huffed with boredom and said audibly:
"Damn this hair! Why don't I just cut it?"
Finally, I finished styling it. I turned as I was leaving the room, ignoring him completely as I had planned.
I went out and saw Julia standing a few meters away.
I hurried to catch up with her, and we walked together toward the breakfast hall.
All along the way, we were exchanging conversation and laughing, trying to break the morning silence.
We entered the hall, which was buzzing with whispers and the movement of utensils.
Everyone was already present and sitting at the long table, exchanging morning greetings. Everyone except him, of course.
I gave a quick and general greeting to those present and sat in my usual place.
Not much time passed, perhaps only a few minutes, before he stepped into the hall.
His movement was quiet as usual. He headed directly toward his seat and sat down without uttering a single word.
I started eating my food, but I was taking every bite very slowly and intentionally, for I felt the weight of his gaze fixed on me.
I was resisting the urge to turn and look at him, ignoring his presence with all my might. The tension filled the air around me, at least for me.
As soon as I finished my meal—which took longer than necessary—I stood up immediately. I didn't waste any more time inside, but headed directly to the back yard.
I was in dire need of some training, venting all the pent-up anger I felt because of his annoying gaze into every combat movement and drill.
I stood in the back yard, my focus entirely on the task I had trained on for long days—creating a fire shield.
I began summoning the latent energy within me, forming a protective layer of flames.
My ultimate goal was to envelop the entire palace with this shield.
I made the first attempt; I almost succeeded, but the shield collapsed at the last moment, leaving me panting slightly.
I took a deep breath and refocused completely. I began the process again, determined to succeed this time.
I raised the fire shield I had painstakingly created upward, and began distributing its energy to extend and cover the palace perimeter.
It required immense effort; I felt most of my energy being consumed as I pushed the flames to expand and maintain their cohesive shape.
After great struggle and effort, I finally succeeded in making it!
I looked around with satisfaction and admiration to see the entire palace completely enveloped in a shimmering, transparent veil of fire.
I gave a big smile of victory for my great achievement.
After ensuring the success of the shield, I slowly deactivated it, returning my remaining energy to my body.
"This is good,"
I said to myself with relief, "I will use it in the inauguration ceremony."
Suddenly, I felt something was wrong—a strange sense of intuition.
I turned toward a nearby water source and raised my hand before it. I focused my attention, and small, transparent spheres of water began to form and float in the air before me.
I discovered recently that I am also good at controlling water, which is a new ability I haven't told Knight about yet.
It wasn't limited to shaping only; I could also freeze it and turn it into a sharp weapon or water bullets for self-defense.
I smiled with pride at this new discovery, but exhaustion finally took hold of me after all this effort. I sat on the ground, catching my breath, feeling fatigue dominate my body.
I was feeling extreme confusion and anxiety regarding tomorrow. I truly hoped everything would go well.
My body was aching from over-training and energy depletion, so I lay on the ground, contemplating the clear sky before me.
I tried to communicate with my wolf, Seran, internally:
"Seran... Seran...".
But no answer came. Since my last fight with Knight, she has been withdrawn, refusing to speak or communicate with me.
Her silence weighed heavily on me.
I sighed deeply, closing my exhausted eyes, and enjoying the cool breeze that was gently brushing my face, in a desperate attempt to find some inner peace amidst all this anxiety.