Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

It had not been easy to convince my uncle to allow me to attend the Lantern Festival in the North. He was joined by Alan who was displeased. It had just been a mere week after my debutante ball and I was already planning to attend another huge event – one that I wasn't invited to in fact. After many pleadings, my uncle finally relented and agreed and started writing a letter that would be delivered to the House of the Duke a day or two before I arrived in the North. With the help of Laura, I started preparing a travelling box that would contain a week's worth of clothes, shoes and jewellery. 

The next day, bright in the morning, I was already in the carriage that would take me to the North. The guards assigned to me by my uncle were already on their horses, donning the armours of our house. I bid my brother goodbye, who couldn't follow me because his schedule was already occupied. The carriage pulled out from the compound and we made our way to the North.

The first day on the road was spent with me being worried about what I'd say and do when I meet the Prince, my brain going through many scenarios and plans. On the second day, I was finally pulled into the breathtaking beauty of nature. I've never travelled before, everything I needed being in the capital. Uncle handed everything about the family and so as the Alpha of the family, he was the one who travelled in my steed until I turn eighteen years old in a year. Although, I remember that in my previous life I never actually donned on the mantle of Lady of the Pack. I was still the heir and uncle handled everything. I just focused on my upcoming wedding with Luther – which still didn't happen because the bastard kept delaying our marriage to duck around with other women. Honestly, thinking about the disrespect I had endured in my previous life was vexing.

On the second day, we still camped out in the woods. A tent was raised up for me and I settled in with Laura by my side. I was so exhausted that I slept off immediately my head touched the pillow. Some few hours or so I woke up, and when my eyes cleared I became restless. I put on a robe and made my way outside the tent. My steps were silent as I made my way over to where the bright light of campfire could be seen.

"Who'd have thought that this job would be simple and easy? Heck, the bitch doesn't even find it strange about the amount we are!" 

The sitting men laughed in hilarity and I frowned in confusion. Why were they laughing?

"You know, if it weren't for her haughty personality, she'd be a beautiful thing all together. " One of the knights chuckled.

"It's a shame we have to kill her."

My body went stiff in shock and fear. The world around me suddenly went silent and I only focused on the handful of men sitting before me. 

"Who'd have thought that a perfect opportunity to kill the bitch would land on our laps just like that?" Another one chortle, raising his metal cup

"I can't wait to have my way with her before we kill her. She'd look beautiful underneath."

Bile churned in my stomach and I fought the urge to hurl. This cannot be happening. Were these the men uncle discovered in my previous life that he said were caught conspiring with another house to kill me? How could I have forgotten that it wasn't only the Oxion Empire that were a threat to my life? There were families who were still displeased about the fact that I was engaged to Luther. 

I took two gently steps backwards, my eyes never leaving the men. A hand suddenly covered my mouth and I started struggling, my heart beating erratically in fear. 

"My Lady! It's me!"

Laura's voice whispered in my ear and I calmed down a little. 

"Laura! These people-" 

"I know. I heard, my Lady." The faint light from the fire allowed me to see the blank look on Laura's face – but her eyes spoke of a different story. "My Lady, please go wait in the tent for me. I'd be there very soon."

I nodded and didn't hesitate to do as told. I got into the empty tent and sat down. It wasn't long before I started hearing the screams, shouts and the obvious sound of blade meeting skin. Moments like this made me remember that Laura was a well trained assassin that was bought by my father in order to protect me – same with Peter. I covered my ears with my hands to block the sounds out, which was trying to make me descend into the tragic memories of the future-pass. 

When Laura was done, she came in clean but smelling of blood. She seemed to deduced that from my flinch and look and headed into her own box to spray on her usual perfume to cancel out the stench of death. She pulled me into a hug and I slept off. When next I woke up, it was morning and I didn't see the sign of any of the guards assigned to me. It was only the couch man, who looked beyond terrified. It was he and Laura who brought down the tent and arranged everything for us to continue travelling. 

By midday, we got to the gate of the Northern Dukedom and were granted passage into the tall walled city. The place was trying to challenge the beauty of the capital. This place was a whinger fairyland. 

Before long, we had arrived at the Manor of the 3rd Prince, who seemed to be waiting for us, donned in regal clothing. When I stepped down from the carriage and he walked over to me, I could help but be in awe at how more handsome he was compared to Luther. With hid black hair and sliver-gold eyes, he was truly a sight and look at him up close, he was the better Prince.

"Greetings, Lady Velcro." Prince Lucien inclined his head little, a small smile on his lips.

"Greetings, your Highness." I and Laura replied, the both of us giving a curtsy.

Lucien looked behind us, looking for something and when he didn't find it, he cocked a questioning brow. "No guards, Lady Velcro."

"Ahh... that..." My expression morphed into a serious one. "May we talk privately, Your Highness?"

"Why, of course."