Dark fantasy

You know it's love when all you want is that person to be happy,

Even if you're not part of their happiness.

—Julia Roberts

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Eva tumbled out of her daze when she saw him walk towards her just like he did back when she had woken up. She stepped back and unknowingly put extra pressure on her injured foot making her wince in pain.

Theo took large steps to approach her and bent down to scoop her up in his arms. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she didn't expect him to pick her up as if she was a weightless creature. He carried her to the bed, making her sit on the flat footboard. Bending down, he checked her bandaged leg which had gotten wet due to her dipping it in the water while bathing.

Without uttering a word, he grabbed the first aid box again from the nearby table and knelt down before her. Eva felt his hands gently grab her foot as he softly unwrapped the wet bandage, to change the dressing.

"Hold your dress up," he spoke but it was not the soft, deep voice she had been hearing all along. His tone was cold and hard, the one he used with strangers or unimportant people which summed up all the people in the world. Except for this girl who had unexpectedly entered into his monotonous life not knowing that she was staying with the very Devil.

Eva obeyed his words, feeling bad in her heart for making him go through such pains for her. It was her fault that she had got the dressing wet and put too much pressure on it.

Theo grabbed a soft cloth to clean the blood that had leaked out of her cut. He saw her fist clench even though she didn't flinch in pain. His eyes softened as he tried his best to dress up the wound as gently as possible.

"I'm fine Your Majesty, don't worry." the words slipped out of her mouth before she could control them.

Seeing the worried expression on his face, she didn't like it one bit. Why was this stranger so worried about her? She had gotten worse injuries back in her village and she had dealt with them by herself without telling anyone, in fear that they would worry.

It was the first time that somebody except her mother was taking care of her so gently and unconsciously, she let her guard down when she saw his face soften. It felt weird that a King was taking care of her when he didn't even know her properly!

Theo looked up as he heard her words. He had already finished putting on some medicine on her wound and after, he had bandaged it; neither too tight nor too loose.

"Should I bring some food to you here?" he asked as if he had not listened to her previous words.

"Are you going to eat with me?" spoke Eva, and he shook his head left and right.

"I know you need your own space and I don't want you feeling uncomfortable. I'll bring you dinner, wait." he got up to his feet and reached the door, turning the knob and closing the door behind him as he left.

Eva felt something pulling at her heartstrings as she looked down at the floor, feeling worse than she was before. She would've preferred it better if he had continued invading her space. At least, that wouldn't make her feel indebted to him.

She had no mean bone in her body and when instead of him, the maid arrived with a tray laden with food, she had no appetite left. After the maid had left, she still didn't touch her food and went to lay on the bed.

Things were changing around her and she felt a sudden urge to run away like a coward and never look back. Sometimes it felt too much to bear and she wished she could share it with somebody. Somebody who she could rely upon without feeling burdened. She was used to handling everything herself since she was young and hated worrying people, especially her family.

Sleep was not meant for her that night and she kept turning back and forth, trying to find a suitable position to sleep in. She needed a breath of fresh air, and stepping down from the bed, she opened the room's door to leave.

Whatever medicine he had put on her wound, it seemed to be working effectively fast. She felt no sort of pain when she put her foot on the ground and she was sure that it would heal in two to three days. By then, she would be able to depart back to her village.

Her bare feet padded softly on the ground, making absolutely no noise. The castle was massive, and Eva was quick to get lost in it. She wanted to find a way into the garden that she had seen from the balcony but there was no one around to tell her where it was.

As she was crossing a hallway, she spotted a man dressed in rich clothing who looked as if he was in a high position. He was busy talking to another man and she slowly approached them.

"Pardon me, but can you tell me where the garden is?" asked Eva, and Leon turned around to hear a girl's voice.

His eyes widened when he realized this was the girl that the King had told him to keep an eye on. What was she doing outside with her feet injured!? The King was surely going to murder him this time!

"Milady, you are supposed to resting!" he cried, shooing the minister away with his hand.

"Oh, I wanted to get some fresh air outside. My wound doesn't hurt at all and is nearly about to heal. May I ask who you are?" she asked in a polite tone with a genuine smile on her face.

Leon smiled in response and immediately liked her because of her respectful manners. "My name is Leon Fernsby, it is a pleasure to meet you Lady... ?" he looked at her inquiringly and Eva felt no harm in telling her name to him.

"Eva. Evangeline Blythe. But you can call me Eva." she spoke with a sweet smile.

"Yes, Lady Eva." Leon realized why the King was so taken by this woman, she felt fascinating and Leon quickly got an idea.

"Let me lead you to the gardens." he offered and Eva happily consented.

On their way, Eva couldn't help but ask, "What is this place called? And may I know what the King's name is?"

It would help her better to figure out where she was if she knew the man's name.

Leon was confused for a moment. "Don't you know the King's name?"

"His Majesty hasn't informed me yet." and as she thought about him, she again felt guilty for feeling scared around him. But she couldn't help it. Sometimes, he appeared domineering and later, the most caring and gentle man in the universe.

"Don't you know where you are?" and seeing the lady shake her head, he felt the sudden urge to laugh.

She didn't know about the man who had brought her here? No wonder, she looked so lost.

"I think it is best if you ask the King himself, Lady Eva. He might not be pleased if I told you myself." Leon twisted his way out of answering the question, he knew the King wouldn't like it if he told her anything without his permission.

Eva felt helpless. The man appeared courteous but he seemed to be close to the King since he was not revealing anything to her. How could she face the King after behaving so shamefully?

They reached the vast garden and Leon left her with a bow, leaving for a specific room.

Meanwhile, Eva started walking around the garden lost deep in her thoughts. She didn't even look up at the Moon and felt depressed with the things happening around her. She would talk to the King tomorrow, Eva decided resolutely. She would thank him for his kindness to her and then she would see how things were going on with her family.

Four to five days had passed from the month and she knew the day would be soon to arrive when the Lord would once again show up at her doorstep, demanding an answer.