Erica's P.O.V.
I shuddered under the warm welcome of the morning sun. Light streamed through my curtains, illuminating the start of a brand new day. A smile crept to my lips.
Knock, knock! A sound from the door caught my attention. Before I could say anything, it was pushed open. Eve walked in, already dressed, a beautiful smile lighting up her face.
"Good morning," I said, my voice husky with sleep.
"Hurry up, sleepyhead. You know we're supposed to be on our way before he wakes up!" Eve said, pulling me out of bed.
"One more minute, please," I mumbled, yawning.
"No. Now hurry and take your bath. If he sees us, he might not let us go," she said, a little disappointed.
"Okay, okay! I'll go," I grumbled, walking into the bathroom.
I hurried through my bath and got dressed, then followed Eve out. It was still early, and most of the castle staff were asleep. We quietly sneaked through the castle on our way out when a familiar voice called.
"Master! Where are you two off to so early?" Miss Grump said with a warm smile.
"Just a little walk," Eve answered with a silly grin.
"Oh, well, did you inform the Ki—"
"No, no, no! Please don't inform him, he would spoil the fun!" Eve interrupted quickly.
"Alright, but he won't be happy if you don't wish him a happy birthday first."
"Don't worry; besides, he's going to have a meeting with the old men today," Eve said carefreely.
"Could you wish him for us?" I asked, bringing out an envelope. Miss Grump smiled warmly as she took it from my hands.
"Please make sure you're back before the party starts."
"Don't worry, we'll be back before you know it," Eve said, hugging her before pulling me away.
We arrived at the stables and took off with our horses. This would be my first time outside the castle walls. As the gates opened, I could feel my heart leap with excitement.
With a hit of our heels, the horses raced out of the castle gates.
---
Azreal's P.O.V.
I heard movement inside my room. I knew it was Miss Grump and the maids here to prepare my bath. I opened my eyes and saw them moving about. I lay back down but couldn't fall asleep again.
I got up and noticed a small envelope on the stool beside my bed.
I had a feeling Eve must have dropped it, but it carried Erica's scent.
"That's strange... Why would she write to me?" I thought as I picked it up.
Inside was a folded piece of paper. Out of curiosity, I opened it, and another small note fell out.
The first said "From Eve"—as expected of my sister.
The second said "From Erica".
Curious, I opened Erica's letter. Her handwriting was beautiful:
> "My King,
It is with great pleasure I wish you a blessed day on your special day.
We are happy that the heavens blessed us with a wise, strong, and powerful leader.
I wish you many great days ahead.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my king.
Courtesy,
—Erica."
"Not bad, not bad at all," I thought, placing it back in the envelope.
Just as I was about to read Eve's note, Miss Grump called, "Master, your bath is ready."
I put the envelope in the drawer and went to bathe. After I got dressed, I left for the meeting with the ministers.
Immediately upon entering the hall, I found them standing, heads bowed. I took my seat and permitted them to sit.
The reports began immediately.
"Master, there is a serious problem," Minister George began. "Our people have been attacked by unknown beings. Some were brutally killed, others missing. These attacks have happened randomly across the kingdom."
"Do you have any clue who or what might be behind this?" I asked, scanning their faces.
"We know they aren't human," Thomas said gravely.
"Of course, Thomas," I thought, relaxing back into my chair. "Tell me something I don't know."
The room went deadly silent.
There's no way something like this could happen without my knowledge unless someone powerful was manipulating things behind the scenes.
"Greg, your report," I said.
Greg's face turned serious. "My King, our enemies have gotten stronger. We have a traitor among us who weakened our defenses. Some of our soldiers have mysteriously died."
"This is serious! Thomas, investigate immediately. I want every single detail. Find the traitor."
"Yes, Master!" Thomas said, about to leave when another minister yelled:
"Wait! There's more..."
---
Rachel's P.O.V.
I sat alone at the dining table, hoping to see Azreal today. I had dreamed of a special walk together, but was told he was having a meeting.
Perfect, since that foolish princess and her so-called friend were nowhere to be found.
I lifted a spoon of soup to my lips when a maid entered.
"What?" I snapped, without looking.
"My Lady, Lord Raphael requests to see you."
I waved her away impatiently.
Soon, I heard the familiar heavy footsteps of my father.
"Oh! Darling, it's been long," he said with false warmth.
"Good morning, Father," I said, giving a shallow bow. His eyes traveled to my stomach, a deep disappointment in his gaze.
"Why the visit, Father?" I asked quickly, trying to erase the awkward silence.
"It's been long since I heard any progress from you after the last incident."
"I'm still working on it, Father!"
"How long do you plan to waste my time?" His voice grew harsher. "After everything I did to get you into the palace, you still found a way to mess it up."
"Father, I'm sorry."
"I don't want apologies. I'm giving you one last chance. Don't fail me."
"Yes, Father! I won't."
---
Erica's P.O.V.
We arrived at the bustling town. People hustled about, too busy to notice us.
I loved it — to be treated like a normal human being.
We roamed around for a while before I noticed we were leaving town.
"Eve, where are we going?"
"To pick my present for Azreal."
"Why outside the town?"
"Because the person helping me lives deep in the forest."
"Oh. Okay," I said, curious about Eve's mysterious gift.
We rode deeper into the forest. The trees grew so thick the sun could barely shine through, casting a gloomy darkness.
I felt uneasy. Like we were being watched.
"Are you okay?" Eve asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"This place gives me a bad feeling," I admitted.
We reached a small wooden cabin.
Eve tied her horse to a tree and signaled me to do the same.
Inside, it looked abandoned.
"Hello? Anyone home?" Eve called.
Suddenly, torches lit up and an old man with long gray hair appeared.
"Princess, I'm glad you are here. I've finished what you asked for," he said, vanishing and reappearing with a covered frame.
Eve handed him a heavy bag of gold coins in exchange.
His eyes then fell on me—and darkened.
"You shouldn't be here. It's dangerous. They are looking for you," he warned ominously.
Before I could react, Eve pulled me outside in a hurry.
A strange white mist started to appear around the cabin.
"Eve, we need to leave!" I shouted.
Suddenly, arrows flew at us from different directions. I used my powers to shield us.
Then, a deep voice thundered, shaking the air:
"Don't let her go. She is the one we are looking for!"
Out of the mist came heavily armed men wearing eerie masks.
They stabbed my horse, and I was thrown off. I quickly healed her wound, but danger closed in fast.
"Grab her!" the voice ordered.
Eve stood protectively in front of me, shadow blades forming from her powers.
I summoned vines to crush our enemies.
The smell of blood filled the air.
The more we fought, the more came.
"Let go of me!" I heard Eve scream.
Turning, I saw her overwhelmed and injured.
I hesitated—and in that instant, chains wrapped around me.
I struggled but couldn't break free. The chains suppressed my powers.
My vision blurred as dizziness overtook me.
A tall, muscular man approached, lifting my chin.
"We finally have you," he sneered. His eyes had no pupils—just blank, terrifying white.
He was about to say more when an arrow flew into his neck, another into his eye, and another into his forehead. He dropped dead instantly.
More enemies fell by unseen arrows. Eve quickly freed me.
"Eve, what's happening?"
"We're safe for now!" she said.
Then, a hooded figure appeared before us, holding a bow and a quiver of arrows on his back.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
"You may call me... Revenge," he whispered, bending close.
"Don't ever come back," he warned before vanishing into the mist.
"Eve, who was that?" I asked, breathless.
"I'm not sure... but we need to go!" she urged.
We raced back toward the castle.
---
Up in a tree, a man with silver pupils watched us, a wicked smile curling his lips.
"Things are about to get interesting," he muttered before disappearing without a trace.
---