Outside Meeting (i)

The darkness enveloped everything around her, an omnipresent cloak of obscurity.

Stepping outside, the frigid air of the woods sent a shiver down her spine, causing goosebumps to form on her arms. Chills ran through her body, a mixture of trepidation and exhilaration.

Her gaze was captivated by the trees, swaying and twirling to their own rhythm, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. It felt as though she was venturing into the unknown, reaching out to grasp a fleeting moment of freedom. Looking up at the moon, a smile graced her lips, a glimmer of hope in the midst of darkness.

Walking amidst the towering trees was daunting, their imposing forms staring back at her with an eerie allure.

However, undeterred by the thrill and anxiety that hung in the air, she took a step forward, plunging into the depths of the darkness, leaving behind the palace of torment. It was more than just an escape from her fate or future; it was a daring defiance.

"In the stillness of the night, when shadows dance,

I find solace in the darkness, a mystical trance.

A world unseen by many, where secrets reside,

The beauty of the darkness, I can't deny."

Her voice resonated softly as she sang to herself, becoming her own guiding melody on this solitary journey.

*Thump*

A sudden sound disrupted the silence as she walked amidst the trees, causing her heart to skip a beat. She instinctively glanced downwards, lifting her foot ever so slightly.

"Ah, it's just a stick."

With a reassured sigh, she continued her stride, delving further into the enigmatic realm of the woods.

These woods were uncharted territory for her, igniting an even deeper sense of intrigue. She had always embraced enthralling adventures, as if they were woven into the very fabric of her being.

Passing by towering trees and thick foliage, she couldn't help but feel that this place held more than her previous experiences had ever revealed. The air seemed to pulse with life, and she sensed the ancient spirits residing within the majestic trees.

'These trees look as if they have their own eyes,' she pondered, an impression that lingered in her thoughts as her gaze roamed the ethereal surroundings.

Although her eyes roamed the surroundings, the feeble moonlight and the flickering candle in her hand offered little solace.

Undeterred, she pressed on, her mind fixated on one objective: to escape her horrifying future and seize every opportunity that presented itself. Even if it meant becoming a slave within the kingdom's palace, assuming she could locate it, which stood as her ultimate goal for the night.

The lady of the house had mentioned the kingdom palace lying beyond the woods, if her memory served her right.

With a mixture of doubt and fear gnawing at her heart, she ventured deeper into the foreboding forest, its darkness casting an unsettling aura.

[Stars twinkle above, like diamonds in the sky,

Guiding me through the night, as I wonder why,

The moon's gentle glow, casting a silvery hue,

Revealing the wonders that darkness can ensue.]

Sera's song echoed incessantly within her mind, a haunting melody that served as her guiding companion.

"That way appears even more ominous," her thoughts whispered, interrupted abruptly by the sound of a twig breaking.

She glanced down, assuming she had stepped on another twig, but to her surprise, her foot found nothing but a collection of leaves and stones. Not a single stem in sight.

She surveyed her surroundings, her eyes darting from one infinite corner to another, seeking an answer to the enigma that enveloped her.

"What brings you here?" a resonant masculine voice emerged from the darkness, startling her.

She turned to locate the source, but there was nothing to be seen.

"Who are you?" she questioned back.

The voice was unlike anything she had heard before. Yet, there was a hint of familiarity in it. The voice did not belong to any man she had encountered during her brief stay.

"Wish I could ask the same," the voice replied.

Sera felt a shiver crawl over her skin, down her neck, and settle along her spine.

She gasped.

It was her own body reacting.

"Who are you?" she inquired once more.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" the voice persisted.

With every word, even without the man's face, the voice triggered memories within Sera. She tightly closed her eyes, allowing her mind to take control of her thoughts.

The voice... Where had she heard it before?

"What are you doing?" the masculine voice questioned again.

Where had she heard it...? Where...?

She strained her mind, desperately trying to trace the source of the voice. "I've heard it somewhere... I'm sure..."

"Woman?"

"That's right! I remember where it came from," Sera thought to herself as she opened her eyes.

In the darkness, she couldn't see anything, but her mind reached further than her eyes could.

She now recalled the exact words spoken by the mysterious man. "She talks too much. Bring the girl as soon as possible. Father wants..."

"Yes, it was him. The man who killed Sera's mother." The realization flooded her mind, and sudden panic engulfed her. Knowing that this man had the power to end her life with a single glance or wave of his hand... It terrified her.

But perhaps, it wouldn't be as dreadful as she anticipated.

If she died then and there, she would be spared from marrying that monster. She wouldn't have to endure any form of intimacy with him or bear his children in her womb.

Heavens! How horrifying was her future to make her believe that death was preferable to life?!

"What did you ask?" Sera inquired after taking a few moments to process her thoughts.

"For starters, why don't you tell me what you're doing here?" he responded.

"I came for a walk. The moonlight was too beautiful to miss, even in the darkness. And how could I have known that you would be here, lurking in the shadows?" she retorted.

Her voice carried an attitude that mirrored her personality.

"Isn't it common for you humans to learn that living within walls is better than wandering in the woods?" she remarked, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Sera resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "So why are you here? Do you want to kill me now that I've been caught?" Her thoughts slipped through, unfiltered.

"No one is killing anyone," another male voice interjected. It sent a pleasant shiver down her spine.

It was Damian.

Had he always been wandering in the woods?

"Lord Damian?" Sera questioned, her train of thought interrupted as she saw Damian emerge from the forest and approach her.

Her mouth hung open as she beheld him wearing a black cape and long trousers. He looked breathtaking, illuminated by the moon's light.

He surveyed the surroundings.

"I will head back to the palace. You can return home," Damian announced to the trees.

Sera frowned.

"W-who was that?"

Gasp!

As her question escaped her lips, she gasped at the sudden gust of cold wind that swept past her. Damian's cape billowed in the eerie wind.

"What was that?"

"He's gone," Damian responded curtly, followed by a weary sigh. "God forgive me, Sera! What on Earth are you doing here?! I told you! I specifically told you not to venture into the wilderness at this hour!" His voice didn't rise, barely audible over the faint sounds of nocturnal creatures.

But his anger was evident. Sera saw it in his eyes. His exquisite, fiery eyes blazed with fury.

"B-but..."

"You promised me!" he reiterated.

His posture remained rigid as he stared intently into her face. He took a step forward.

Their proximity became uncomfortably close, their breaths mingling. His anger flushed her cheeks crimson.

If it weren't for the darkness, he would have seen how she blushed deeply.

"You promised..." he repeated, his voice now deeper.

"I never promised anything, L-Lord Damian. I don't know--"

He firmly grasped her elbow and pulled her closer. Their eyes locked once more.

Sera wanted to look away, but she couldn't. She held his gaze and glared back. It was the best she could do.

"Do you want to know what I am capable of?" Damian questioned.

"I would like to know."

"You wanted to marry me, didn't you?" he inquired.

What was he getting at?

She furrowed her brow at the question, her heart pounding irregularly.

He held her close, his eyes piercing into hers.

"Answer me, princess. It's either this or letting a Darkling tear you apart. Your own blood will cry out. Your bones--"

"Yes. Yes, I asked. But that was a while ago. You showed no interest. What are you getting at?" she bravely interjected.

If it were any other commoner, they would have silenced themselves or trembled in fear at how humans were treated.

But Seraphina, she was courageous.

Perhaps that was what drew Damian to her even more.

"If you truly wish to marry me and keep your family safe, you must trust me. Can you do that?"

Damian's question echoed in her mind.

They still remained in that awkward position.

She cleared her throat, becoming aware of their proximity. The unease she felt was strangely exhilarating.

"Tell me more," she said, taking a step back and studying him.

Damian nodded and also took a step back.

"Let's go to the palace. It's not safe here," he whispered, causing Sera's eyes to widen.

"What?" she immediately questioned.

"Yes, you have a fondness for adventure, don't you, princess? Come with me," he said, taking her hand in his, creating sparks that seemed to dance around them.