Vaughn Rosiello

I was about to run past an alley when someone suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me. I wanted to scream but he immediately covered my mouth with his hand. His scent was so calming and comforting, that I did not try to resist at all.

I know who this man is. "Shh, keep quiet," he whispered in my ear. I felt shivers down my spine as I felt his warm breath on my nape.

It felt ticklish. I felt my face burning up as if I had stayed in a hot spring for too long. My heart was racing so fast, not just because I was running earlier, but also because of the man behind me.

"They're gone," he whispered and let out a sigh of relief. "Who were you running from?" I asked as I turned to face him. He stared at me for a few seconds before answering. "H-Huh? Oh... they're just... you know..." he shrugged and laughed nervously. "Some people I... know," he continued.

"Oh..." Could it be that he's being chased because he ran away from their palace? That is the most probable reason I could think of. After all, the rumor I heard back then was about Vaughn, running away because he wants to escape from his duties.

"My lady, may I ask what your name is?" He asked and smiled charmingly. My heart started beating so fast.

There it goes again...

"Forgive me, but I don't want to introduce myself without knowing what your name is, Sir," I answered politely.

I have to act like this or else he'll think that I'm an easy woman.

"Oh, I'm sorry. That was rude of me," he said and chuckled. He knelt on one knee and held my hand. "I'm Vaughn Rosiello. You can call me Vaughn, my lady," he said as he placed a soft kiss on my hand.

Good heavens, please stop making my heart flutter! There is a limit as to what I can take from you. I feel like my heart would jump out of my throat right now. But still… I have to calm down. I should not make him see my vulnerable side.

"I'm Krishiella... Just Krishiella," I said, having no intentions of him knowing my surname. "Okay, Just Krishiella, would you like to go with me somewhere?" He beamed. This version of Vaughn is really... a handful.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes and giggle as he stared down at me. I think I like the previous Vaughn better, but this Vaughn isn't so bad as well. He's actually pretty cute.

"Alright," I replied briefly. He held out his arm, asking me to wrap my arm around it. "It's only natural that a gentleman would offer his arm for a lady," He said and smiled. I just shook my head, wrapped my arm around his, and followed him.

The alley was getting darker and darker as we walked further. The noise from the town slowly vanished as we went farther. My legs were starting to hurt and I already feel so tired.

"Where are we going?" I asked. "You'll see. Just a few more steps and we will arrive at our destination," he replied.

And just like what he said, we finally stopped walking and arrived at the place he wanted to go to. "Here? This is where you wanted to take me?" I asked, looking at the dark forest in front of us. "Yeah, here," he said as his lips curved into a placid smile.

"But it's too dark," I said and tightened my grip around his arm. "It's okay. I'm here with you," he said and looked at me with a reassuring look in his eyes.

Those simple words were enough to calm me down. He has always treated me with care back then, but he wasn't this gentle with me. He doesn't even know me that well right now.

"O-Okay..." I stuttered as I avoided his gaze.

I'm really thankful that it's dark in here. If it wasn't, I'm afraid that he'll know that I'm blushing because of him. "Let's go?" He said before we started walking.

As soon as we set foot in the forest, fireflies surrounded us and made the dark, scary forest look brighter. I was astonished because of what I have witnessed. The nightlife in the town is not comparable to this at all. Although it's not as bright as the town, the lights given off by the fireflies were prettier.

I never expected that a night in this forest would look like this—something so magical and romantic. Being here with him already makes me happy, too happy that I'm starting to forget everything that I have experienced during my past life…

Too happy that I'm starting to forget all the suffering that I went through before… Too happy that I'm starting to forget what he put me through… Too happy that I'm starting to forget that this man beside me was the one who took my life.

I shouldn't be too negative. He's here with me right now—the innocent Vaughn Rosiello. We continued walking and admiring the fireflies around us. "I never knew that such a place existed," I whispered as I looked around in awe. "Right? I just found out about this place recently, too," he said and looked at me with a radiant smile.

The bustling town and the lights that were given off by the fireflies cannot even compare to his smile. To me, his smile is the brightest and prettiest.

I can't believe I got to see this version of Vaughn Rosiello—the most indifferent man I have ever known. If I knew that he was like this back then, I would have done anything and everything to protect that precious smile of his.

"Hey, Krishiella," he called as he stopped walking. My heart skipped a beat when I heard him say my name. "Yes?" I said as I faced him, wanting to know what he wants to say to me.

He took a step closer to me and looked me in the eye. He chuckled and said...

"I knew you looked familiar."