I flopped onto the bed the second I got inside, staring at the ceiling and wondering if my life was a fever dream or just a very expensive prank.... I mean, seriously? The moody polar bear prince actually stood up for me?
Aria—or whatever her name was—had been creeping on him since they were kids. Apparently, his dad wanted them to be a "thing," but Dracarus wasn't having it. And honestly? I don't blame him. She treats the staff like gum on the bottom of her shoe and has the personality of a wet paper towel... except the paper towel is also a serial killer. He knew she was a "white lotus" type, faking those tears to get me tossed in a cell.
But why did he protect me?
I rolled onto my side, staring at the window. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I hadn't run out on Valentine's Day to surprise my cheating ex.... if I hadn't been hit by that truck, would I be sitting in my room right now eating cheap chocolate and watching dramas?
Would my life be any more sane than this? Probably not.... but at least there wouldn't be vampires with blade fetishes involved.
I tried to brush it off and close my eyes, but I didn't see the figure outside my door. Dracarus stood there, his hand raised as if to knock.... undecided. He looked like he wanted to say something—maybe seek comfort or just argue—but his other hand was tight around a sharp weapon. Finally, he just turned and walked away into the shadows.
The next morning, I headed downstairs for breakfast, ready for the usual round of Nasty insults.... but the table was surprisingly empty. No brooding prince. Just a note.
Eat well. I have urgent business. Don't wait up.... and don't you dare go out alone.
I blinked at the paper. Puzzled doesn't even cover it. This man usually sits there like a hawk to make sure I don't waste my food—since I have a habit of leaving half my plate—but today? Nothing. His behavior had been odd since the Aria incident, and would you believe he actually stood up for me??? I know I might seem a little dense, but the number of times he constantly insults me, teases me, one would probably think he has some kind of big issue with me!!! It didn't seem fair on my part, but oh well, there isn't much I can do or say about his weird behavior lately, but whatever... his problems aren't my problems.
After eating some food I casually made my way through the back door of the place to avoid any interactions with the guards here. I was already limited and grounded like a child sent to its room, and I couldn't afford getting caught; then he gets mad, and I get punished. I wandered out to the garden, needing some air, when Lukas popped up out of nowhere.
"Care for a walk in the forest, Miss Hina? You should get used to your surroundings," he said, offering a polite smile
.
I was still getting used Lukas spouting out of nowhere like that. Vampires really do have things easy.
"Yes, I'd like that."
I agreed immediately. I needed to get the stress off my mind, and Lukas was way better company than a silent palace. He took my hand in his, guiding me through the thick trees like he was afraid I'd wander off and get eaten... he was basically acting like a worried mom, which was kind of cute.
And as we walked, Lukas seemed unusually quiet for his extroverted persona.
The boss... has been very protective of this human hina; it really came as a surprise because one moment he was cursing for her to be killed, locked up, starved, and tortured till the spy confessed, but now? a shadow of his old stubborn self, and despite me working with Dracarus for a long time, I just never saw the boss so overprotective of a girl. I may sound repetitive now, but I'm just so stunned; after all, an aged-up iceberg doesn't just melt instantly. Usually, his boss was the one chasing females away...not the other way around!!!! I watched Hina out of the corner of my eye, trying to see if I was hiding some secret abilities that made the prince so crazy about her... but sadly, nothing. Maybe she's a magic fairy then?
I wonder why Lukas is looking at me like that and for so long, too. Ever since we entered the midsection forest, that's when he finally stopped dead in his tracks and said with a mix of curiosity and genuine confusion, "Was it something I did wrong again?"
"I have to ask, Hina... what is it about you that has him acting like this?" He tilted his head, his grip on my hand gentle but firm. "My boss doesn't care for humans. He doesn't protect them, and he certainly doesn't waste his time leaving notes for them. He's going crazy for you, and yet he'd rather bite his own tongue than admit he cares. So, tell me... what are you hiding?"
Even I didn't understand his odd actions. So how was I supposed to answer a question like that when I was just as confused as he was? We kept walking, sharing bits about our pasts and how both our lives had turned upside down. It was almost nice... until the air changed.
We stumbled right into a clearing and came face-to-face with a nightmare. It was a massive beast with the wings of a moth, the head of a butterfly, and a long, flickering snake tongue. Lukas didn't hesitate; he drew his sword, stepping in front of me to battle the monster.
But then... a voice drifted through the trees. A familiar, melodic tone that made Lukas freeze.
He slowly put his sword back as a figure literally dropped from the sky, landing perfectly on the grass in front of us. He stood up, brushing off his robes with a mysterious smile that made my skin prickle.
"No need for steel, little fang," the stranger said, his eyes locking onto mine. "I believe it's time I introduced myself."
The Elf Lord, Kyra, had arrived.