The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

"Pant… Pant…"

The sound of heavy breathing echoed throughout the dark forest. Branches rustled all around, accompanied by the screeches, shouts, and whistling wind, forming a cacophony of eerie chaos.

My chest ached, lungs feeling like they would burst. I could barely keep myself upright anymore, but stopping now would mean certain death!

My body felt heavier by the second, my legs numb and almost frozen. The biting cold of the midnight forest cut through my skin like a blade. Blood seeped through the open wounds, soaking the hem of my clothes, dripping onto the ground. My foggy mind clung to a single, desperate thought.

I must survive!

"That bitch turned left! Hurry!"

A shrill scream pierced the night behind me, and the strength of the pursuing pack seemed limitless.

I was gasping for breath, my lungs burning, my body nearly giving in to the toxins of the dark forest. All I could do was stagger deeper into the night.

"Thud!"

Blood splattered onto the ground, and pain shot through me, causing my entire body to tremble.

A stone rolled aside as my shadow loomed over the frozen ground. My left leg gushed blood, and whatever strength I had left quickly drained away.

The pursuers were upon me.

"Damn it! This she-wolf's life force is tougher than a cockroach's!"

I struggled to lift my hands, crawling desperately forward. Pain exploded from my scalp as a brutal force yanked me backward by my hair.

A scream tore from my throat as I writhed in agony. Bright flames, ravenous eyes—these men were more terrifying than will-o'-the-wisps haunting a graveyard.

"Don't waste my time! Kill her already!"

Their savage laughter reverberated through the poisonous woods. The leader released his grip on my hair. The blade's gleaming edge caught the light, reflecting the misery etched across my filthy face.

A flash of steel, a piercing pain in my chest—I couldn't bear it. I was going to die. The promises I made would remain unfulfilled.

I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…

In the foggy blur of memories, the chaotic light faded to darkness. A gunshot rang out, followed by a chorus of enraged screams.

I couldn't remember what happened next, only that, somewhere in the hellish abyss, I saw him.

He had come for me.

…

The dark forest lay shrouded in an ominous mist, the chill gnawing at the bones. The stench of blood hung thick in the air, suffocating.

Marcus kicked away the corpse still clutching at his leg, waving a hand in disgust. The men behind him had already cleaned up the remaining enemies.

He turned to look at his master. Vincent stood there, dazed, cradling a blood-stained girl in his arms. Marcus didn't recognize her and knew it wasn't his place to ask. Even as time passed, Vincent remained unmoving.

Approaching cautiously, Marcus called out softly, "Lord Vincent? She's losing a lot of blood. Should we take her back?"

Vincent didn't respond, lost in thought.

Tonight, he and his guards had been training in the forest when they stumbled upon this bloody ambush. Wanting to maintain order in his territory, Vincent had ordered his men to intervene.

But the attackers turned out to be outsiders who brazenly assaulted his soldiers. Vincent, initially planning to capture a few for questioning, changed his mind the moment he laid eyes on their prey.

It was Majori… the woman he had once loved so madly…

Rage surged through Vincent. The trespassers refused to surrender, so he commanded his men to slaughter them all, leaving no one alive.

By the time regret dawned on them, it was too late. The ground was soaked in blood, flesh scattered everywhere—too gruesome to bear.

Only when Marcus spoke again did Vincent realize the girl in his arms was deathly pale, her life force fading. His heart seized as he tightened his hold, veins bulging on his hands.

What on earth happened…? He needed to find out!

"Return to base—immediately!" Vincent's voice rang out, laced with urgency.

…

Pain.

Agonizing pain coursed through my entire body, as if I'd fallen from a hundred stories high. Not a single part of me was unscathed, my bones creaking like shattered fragments threatening to collapse.

I groggily opened my eyes, staring blankly at a blindingly white room. Thoughts slipped away as the pain overwhelmed me, leaving me gasping for air.

I realized I couldn't move. I tried to look around but saw only a cocoon of bandages wrapped tightly around me. Not a single spot was left unscathed. I bit my lip to endure, the agony slowly clearing my muddled mind.

Why… am I here?

All I could remember was being hunted, chased down by those monstrous men, their laughter filled with glee as they closed in on me, eager to tear me apart and feed me to the crows.

But somehow… I didn't die.

Someone saved me… That moment… Who was it?

I struggled to recall, but the pain continued to cloud my thoughts. I looked around, biting down hard. I was clearly still alive; there was no way those beasts had a sudden change of heart.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to think.

Wait… why does this place feel so familiar…?

The patterns, the decor… A bold realization struck me like lightning, sending chills down my spine. This room was eerily similar to where I used to live—in Vincent's private estate… in the Fugari Kingdom!

Vincent… That name, so familiar, triggered a sharp pang in my heart. He was the man I had loved so deeply years ago, but now… all of that was in the past.

But one thing was certain: I could not stay here!

Sensing the danger, panic surged through me. I kicked off the covers, enduring the stabbing pain as I forced myself to move.

I yanked out the IV, tossing it aside. I tried to push myself upright, face pale and contorted with determination. My legs were wrapped in thick bandages, making it nearly impossible to touch the ground.

And when I tried to put weight on them, a searing pain flooded my senses. After last night's chase and that disastrous fall… my legs were likely broken.

Sweat dripped down my cheeks. Stubbornness welled up inside me like a rebellious teenager defying all reason. No matter how anyone tried to convince me otherwise, I wouldn't listen.

The first step I took sent me crashing to the floor.

A sharp, agonizing pain shot through me. I could barely move.

"You're still as stubborn as ever."

The voice came from above, freezing me in place.

The man crouched down, his silhouette slowly coming into focus. He cupped my face gently, forcing me to look up at him.

The one person I'd spent a lifetime trying to avoid.

None other than Vincent.

The last time we met, I was unconscious, covered in blood, being hunted like prey.

This time, I was on my knees, pale and disheveled.

I bit my lip, shame and humiliation surging within me.

Vincent caught the flicker of fear in my eyes, and his irritation grew. Without hesitation, he lifted me into his arms, ignoring my struggles. Enveloped in his intoxicating scent, memories of the past flooded back, as vivid as if they happened only yesterday.

I shook my head.

We were never meant to be… not now, not ever.