Ambushed

They sat silently in the chariot, with none of them ready to break the eerie silent between them. His brows furrowed as the chariot came to a halt. He could hear groans and screams. Bruce came with Vanessa, "my prince, we are ambushed."

"Stay here, both of you." The two ladies, hugged each other. Stephanie could see his pupil dilating and his eyes turning completely black. None of them dared to even take a glimpse at what seemed to be a bloodbath. A man made his way towards their chariot, but his head was chopped off before he could make a move. Stephanie could not hold it anymore, she had never witnessed anything like this. She felt like puking, she shut her eyes close, and covered her ears. In what seemed to be like an hour or more, the fight had ended. "It's okay now." His voice was so calm. She flinched as she opened her eyes, that met with his. She could see a glimpse of sadness that quickly faded away, as he withdrew his hands from her. She felt pain in her heart, as though she was stabbed. "I… I'm sorry".

Silence, again, reigned in the chariot as they rode to Manchester, which was located at the East wing of Chester County. As they passed, she noticed that the place looked deserted, as though no one lived there for years. "Chester Ville." She read the name that was boldly written at the tower of the Ville. She was amazed, she thought it would be dark and isolated. To her surprise, it looked more like a Disney palace. Michael alighted from the chariot, followed by Stephanie. Bruce, Stephanie, Damian, Diego, and the twin— Bai and Max, followed suit. The population of Manchester was less than five hundred. The occupants of the place were a few survivors from the war. They were greeted by the dukes of Manchester.

Their gazes were fixed intently on the girl in hood. She could feel their intent gazes. The sorceress gave Michael a questioning look. He chuckled slightly, and held Steph's hand, which made everyone gasp. The way he held her hand showed that he cared. "This is Stephanie. Stephanie Michael Lennon. My wife." He stressed the last sentence, and Stephanie removed the hood. Murmurs could be heard as they talked about the mysterious girl with red hair and the surname, 'Lennon'. Lennon was the name of one of the dukes, who had lost his daughter during the war, and a girl with red hair is believed to be someone with immense power from the Royal Ice Ancestry. "Welcome dear. It's a coincidence that we bear the same name, Lennon, and even have the same hair color," Duke Lennon said. "It's a pleasure. I am in awe." She curtsied. "My prince, is she the one?" Duke Wayne asked. "I am yet to discover."

She met a group of uniformed men, she assumed them to be the Gallatin Army.

The twin— Mia and Tia, took Vanessa to the maidens room, while Bruce went to speak with the Gallatin Army, and as well, introduce the brothers to the group. Stephanie was accompanied to her room by the sorceress, as Michael addressed the dukes. "You're welcome, Milady," she greeted with a smile. She was an Ice sorceress, but was given the power of fire by the fire sorceress, her sister, when she was about to give up the ghost during the war. Her hair was platinum blonde, and her eyes were completely white. "Thank you, uh…"

"Sorceress." Stephanie gave her a questioning look, and she could only smile. "That's what they call me," she said, and Stephanie muttered an 'oh'. "Feel free, okay? If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. I'm always available in the ville's royal library."

The sorceress eyes twitched, Stephanie had called her back to help her undress. The rope of the dress was tight, and she required help. The sorceress went quiet, and stood there, frozen. She stared her back for what seemed to be like a minute or two. "Uh, is there any problem?"

"Oh, no. I… Your skin is flawless. I… I will take my leave now," she waved her goodbye. Stephanie went to the bathroom, she dipped herself in the lukewarm water and felt relaxed. As she was washing her body, she felt a sharp pain around her arm, she shrugged and continued washing herself. She stepped out, dried her hair and tied it in a bun, she wore a white night gown, and had her dinner, alone. She was told that Michael was in a meeting. She stayed up waiting for him, as her eyelids closed to sleep, the door creaked open. Her eyes met with his.

He laid beside her, and she flinched. " What is wrong with you? Do I look like a demon or ghost?" She knew she needed not to be scared of him, he had not touched, even a strand of her hair. "Sorry." He climbed off the bed and headed to the bathroom. He stayed in the shower to calm his nerves. No woman has ever made him feel this way. He knew who he was. A devil, the type that makes people scared of him, and he never cared. He liked it that way, but it seems like he doesn't want Stephanie to be scared of him.

Stephanie had fallen asleep when he came out of the bathroom. He stood beside her, staring at her innocent face, for quite a long time. His eyes were blazing in anger, his cold aura escalated like a harsh blizzard, as his eyes fell on her bruised arm. He knew it was dangerous, as the bruise had a faint green color, which means whatever was used to cause harm was coated with poison. He stomped out of the room, the army, together with Bruce, could feel his aura. If they were not used to seeing him this way, they'd have been running for their lives now. "Who is behind the attack?" He asked. "We don't know yet, but according to the information I received, hey had come to Manchester before."

"What happened?" Bruce asked. He knew something had happened, before Michael's anger blazed, so late at night. " She's hurt," he said.

Stephanie woke up as the rays of the sunlight shone on her face. "Wakey wakey, Milady," Vanessa greeted. The two had not seen each other since they arrived in the Ville. "Nessa, I missed you," Steph beamed. Nessa introduced the twin— Mia and Tia, to Stephanie. They helped her wash her body and dress up. She was dressed in a red gown that matched her hair. "Milady, your hair color is so rare. It is believed that one who had a red hair has the Ice power. The late queen and Duke Lennon are the few red haired people." Stephanie imagined how it will be to have such powers. "I'm lucky to have such a possession, but I'm just an ordinary girl, I don't have any power." She looked around, "where is the prince?" "In a meeting, milady," Tia said.

She sighed as she remembered their little fight last night. She missed him, or his presence, rather.

She toured around the palace and was awestruck to see its essence. "Chester Ville is beautiful," she complimented. " All thanks to prince Michael. This place was in great ruination," Mia said. She didn't listen, something caught her attention, and her eyes gleamed with interest. She strode towards the man and greeted politely, and he responded with a smile. "Pardon me, Milady. Did I hear you right?" Bruce asked to confirm. "You heard me. Staying all day in the room is boring. I want a bow and an arrow," she said. "Maybe you can read a book in the library or—"

Determination could be seen in her eyes, "no! I need a bow and an arrow. Now!"