In the depths of the west dungeon, midnight had long since descended, casting a dark and foreboding shadow over the cells. Emily lay awake, her eyes wide with discomfort, as the new injury she had sustained just a few days ago continued to plague her. The memory of slipping while bathing and injuring her waist, the pain had been exhilarating that she had gotten back to her cell with the help of the prison women who had been for washed the guard's toilet some weeks ago. The other prisoners didn't bother with her, it seemed they had forgotten she existed, their indifference a stark contrast to the agony she endured.
Emily's waist was aching, a dull throbbing pain that seemed to pulse with every beat of her heart. She shifted uncomfortably, trying to find a position that would alleviate the discomfort, but it seemed impossible.
During the day, the pain had been manageable, and she had been able to walk around her cell. However, as night fell, the pain intensified, as if her waist was rebelling against the stress she had put it through during the day.
The dungeon was usually quiet at night, the only sounds being the soft snores of the other prisoners and the distant howling of wolves, which seemed to be kept in the palace grounds. The silence was a welcome respite from the screams of agony that filled the air during the day, when prisoners were subjected to torture.
Just as Emily was starting to drift off to sleep, the sound of her cell gate being opened jolted her awake. Two guards entered her cell, their faces expressionless, and Emily's heart began to pound in her chest. She wondered what she had done to warrant a visit from the guards at such an ungodly hour.
The guards unchained the chain that bound her to the wall, leaving only the chains on her legs and arms. Emily's mind was racing with questions, but before she could ask any, one of the guards forcefully opened her mouth and poured a tasteless liquid into it. Emily tried to spit it out, thinking it might be poison, but the guards held her head and nose, forcing her to swallow.
As she struggled, Emily's waist protested with a sharp ache, but she barely noticed, her panic and fear overwhelming her senses. She began to scream, but the guards quickly covered her mouth, their grip like a vice. She struggled and kicked, but they were too strong, and soon she felt her eyelids growing heavy.
Despite her best efforts to stay awake, she couldn't fight the sleep that had eluded her for so long. The last thing she remembered was the feeling of being lifted and carried, her body limp and helpless.
The next thing Emily knew, she was being jostled around in an enclosed space, and she could hear hushed voices. She tried to sit up, but her body felt heavy, and she realized she was chained and lying in the trunk of a carriage. The memories of the guards' visit and the liquid they had forced her to drink began to flood back, and Emily's panic returned.
As she shifted uncomfortably, her waist ached again, a dull throb that seemed to echo through her entire body. She tried to struggle free, but the chains held fast, and the trunk was locked. Realizing the futility of her efforts, Emily decided to listen to the voices coming from the front of the carriage.
However, instead of sinister plans, she heard men discussing mundane topics and sharing jokes, their conversation a stark contrast to the fear that gripped her heart. As the carriage continued on its journey, Emily's mind was filled with questions. Where was she being taken? What did these people want from her? The uncertainty was suffocating, and she could only hope that somehow, someway, she would find a chance to escape or discover the truth about her fate.
After what felt like an eternity, the carriage finally came to a halt. Emily's curiosity got the better of her as she wondered why they had stopped now. Was it time for them to carry out their sinister plans? The sound of the trunk being unlocked and opened was followed by a flood of light that spilled onto her face. Emily squeezed her eyes shut, pretending to be asleep, as she felt one of the guards lift her out of the trunk.
As she was carried, Emily's instincts kicked in, and she began to struggle. However, she didn't need to be told twice or hit, as the movement triggered a sharp, searing pain in her waist. The pain seemed to have intensified exponentially in just a few hours, making every movement agonizing.
The guards placed her on the ground, and Emily heard one of them suggest, "We should just leave her here and go back." The blonde-haired guard responded, "We've traveled for hours, and we're already far from the palace. Let's head back." The other guard agreed, and the blonde guard bent down to unchain Emily's bound legs and arms.
Emily was perplexed, unsure of what was happening. According to their conversation, they were going to leave her here. The guards stood next to her, and one of them said, "You're free now." Emily's eyes snapped open in surprise. She couldn't believe she was being set free, especially since her two-year sentence hadn't elapsed.
The guards turned to leave, and Emily watched as they got into the carriage. In a desperate bid to get their attention, she shouted, "Hey, come back here!" However, the guards didn't glance back, and the carriage drove away, leaving Emily alone and bewildered.
Emily's confusion deepened as she looked around her surroundings. She saw that the guards had left her in the middle of a dense wood. The trees towered above her, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. She wondered how far this place was from her home and how she would get back to Westfield to see her family.
As she tried to stand up, Emily's waist protested with a wave of pain. She couldn't help but wonder how she would survive in this desolate place. Any wild animal or unknown creature could attack her at any moment. She had heard stories of night creatures that roamed the woods, preying on the vulnerable.
Although she had never believed in their existence, Emily couldn't shake off the feeling of fear that gripped her heart. She spotted a nearby tree and, with great effort, crawled towards it. As she leaned against the trunk, Emily sighed in relief.
With no other option, she decided to wait for any carriage that might pass by, hoping to get their help. As the darkness closed in around her, Emily's thoughts turned to her family and the life she had left behind. She longed to be reunited with them, but for now, she was alone, vulnerable, and at the mercy of the woods.
In the West palace, far removed from the woods where Emily was struggling to survive, Roman sat in his father's study, engrossed in his writing. His quill pen danced across the parchment, leaving behind a trail of elegant script that was both unique and fine. The soft scratching sound of the pen on paper filled the room, a testament to Roman's focus and attention to detail.
Just as Roman was about to finish his letter, a knock at the door broke the silence. Without looking up, he knew who it was, and sure enough, the door opened to admit Thomas, his loyal attendant. Thomas bowed his head in respect, his eyes fixed on the floor.
"Lunch is ready, my Prince," Thomas announced, his voice measured and respectful. "Would you like to eat in your room or join the family?" Roman didn't respond immediately, his focus still on his writing.
After a minute of silence, Roman finally dropped his quill pen and folded the parchment, sealing it in an envelope. He looked up at Thomas, and a wide grin spread across his face. Thomas's eyes widened slightly, unsure of what to make of Roman's sudden change in demeanor.
Roman stood up, his movements fluid and purposeful. He walked towards Thomas, the wide grin still plastered on his face, and enveloped him in a warm hug. Thomas stood frozen, his arms at his sides, as he tried to process the sudden display of affection.
Roman held onto Thomas's shoulders, his grip firm but gentle. "This is an invitation letter for Timothy," he said, handing Thomas the envelope. "Please deliver it in good shape, and no cunning moves." Thomas nodded, taking the envelope from Roman's hands.
As Thomas turned to leave, Roman's words caught him off guard. "I'll be very busy with some things, so I'll be unable to attend Mrs. Thompson's soiree. Please go in my stead." Thomas's curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask, "Where would you be going to?"
Roman's grin softened slightly as he responded, "To the woods." Thomas nodded, his expression neutral, but his mind racing with possibilities. He knew Roman's reasons for going to the woods, and he knew that it wouldn't be a simple or straightforward task.
With a final nod, Thomas left the room, leaving Roman to his thoughts. Roman watched him go, his expression thoughtful, his mind already focused on the tasks ahead. The woods, with all their secrets and dangers, beckoned, and Roman was ready to answer.
Hours had passed since Emily arrived in the woods, and the sun was now high overhead, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. She was starting to feel the pangs of hunger, and her stomach was growling with emptiness. Despite the passing time, she hadn't seen a single person, let alone a carriage, that could help her get back to Westfield.
The thought of walking back to Westfield was daunting, especially given her current state. Her waist was still aching, and she was worn out from the earlier ordeal. With no other option, Emily decided to close her eyes and rest for a little while, hoping that someone would come by soon.
As she drifted off into a fitful sleep, Emily was startled by the rustling of leaves. She snapped her eyes open, surprised to find that it was already dark. She wondered how long she had been sleeping, and her mind was foggy from the sudden wake-up.
The sound of a breaking branch nearby made her sit up straight, her heart racing with anticipation. She looked around, trying to see what was making the noise, and her eyes scanned the darkness. As she stood up, Emily was surprised to find that the pain in her waist had subsided, and she didn't have time to think about it further.
The woods were eerily quiet, except for the sound of another stick snapping. Emily's eyes widened as she looked behind her, and she saw a pair of red eyes staring back. The animal growled, and Emily's fear spiked.
The creature before her was a wolf but at the same time not a wolf. It eyes were bloody red and it had ears like that of a human heing.She didn't know what it was, but she knew it wasn't friendly.
Without hesitation, Emily began to move backward, but the animal instinctively moved forward. She turned and ran, her heart pounding in her chest. The animal gave chase, and Emily's life depended on her speed. She ran through the woods, dodging trees and leaping over roots, but the animal was relentless.
Just as she thought she'd outrun it, Emily tripped over a stone and fell. The creature pounced, and Emily screamed out loud, anticipating the worst. But instead of feeling pain, she opened her eyes to find it was just a dream.
Her relief was short-lived, however, as she saw the same creature standing before her in reality. She screamed again, and the black wolf jumped on her. But instead of attacking her, it seemed to be waiting for something.
A hoarse male voice spoke, "Are you going to remain there?" Emily looked up to see a man before her. He was like an angel, with beautiful but dangerous blue eyes staring down at her.
The man's smile was warm, yet Emily couldn't shake off the feeling that something unsettling lurked beneath its surface.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The man smiled wider, and his eyes crinkled at the corners and said, "I'm Kai."