That night I had a dream. I was running, terrified. I was running for my life, and something was chasing me. Something dark. Something with intent to kill. I couldn't see it but I could feel its presence. It wanted me. It was hungry and angry and it wouldn't stop hunting me until it caught me. I ran so fast that I stumbled on my own feet and fell. It was close now; it would catch me.

A dark figure slowly appeared from the shadows. It had red eyes and horns. Black horns, curling like the devils. It stretched its hands toward me. I could see its nails that looked more like claws. They were coming closer. I shrieked a high, panicked sound. It had caught me, and now it was shaking me.

"My Lady! My Lady!" a gentle voice urged. I shot my eyes open with a gasp and found Lucian looming over me.

"You're ok," He assured, brushing something away from my face. "It was just a dream." 

I was panting and sweat dripped down my face. I was scared and confused. Lucian pulled me to his chest. He held me in his arms and stroke my hair.

"It's alright." He whispered softly. "Relax and sleep."

Eventually, as I lay in his arms, my heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm and I fell asleep once again.

When I woke up a few maids were already in the room but there was no sign of Lucian. I remembered last night while the maids helped me get prepared. I was surprised at the fact that I was still untouched. He hadn't even tried. He must have been tired from the long journey, but tonight there was no escape. Maybe I should talk to him and tell him that I wasn't ready yet, I thought. The question was how.

I got out of the bed and the maids helped me bathe and get dressed.

"His Highness wants you to join him for breakfast, My Lady," One of the maids informed when she was done with my hair.

"Lead the way," I said.

The maid led me to the garden just outside the room. There Lucian was standing with his back toward me and his arms crossed behind his back.

"Your Highness?"

He turned around and I couldn't understand why my heart skipped a beat. "My Lady, did you have a good night's sleep?"

"I did, Your Highness. How about you?" He probably didn't, but it felt courteous to ask. I must have disturbed him with my dream.

"I have slept well. Do you mind having breakfast with me?" I didn't expect him to be so polite.

"I would love to," I answered with a smile.

The breakfast smelled and looked delicious. There were several dishes and their food wasn't much different from ours back home. But because of the knots in my stomach that still refused to go away, I couldn't eat much. Instead, I would glance at the garden now and then. It was beautiful. There was a gorgeous range of flowers; roses, daisies, daffodils. Carved hedged depicted strange shapes all around the space.

We had a beautiful garden back home too, but it was nothing compared to this.

Suddenly Lucian stood up from his seat and walked over to me, holding his hand out for me to grasp.

"Walk with me," he said and I blushed. He must have noticed me ogling the garden, but how could I not. Back home I rarely went outside because of my fathers' strict rules and now I was walking through the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.

"You never go out?" he asked, with a curious expression.

"No, my father would not allow it."

"So you have always been at home?"

was my short

anytime. It's our personal garden" He said with

My voice was colored with excitement and surprise.

decided now was the best time to

"Your Highness?"

"Yes?"

looked down quickly, afraid to meet his gaze. My heart pounded in my ears as I waited for an

looked up in surprise and breathed out

could just go to one of my mistresses to satisfy

clenched my fists. Why was I getting angry? He could go wherever he

go, then tell me." He

want you to go" I

own outburst, I put a hand over my mouth.

laughing. "Hazel," he said stepping

He knew my name.

always more informed about their

took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles,

have to go, make yourself at

***

and his family had their own quarters and their own household staff, including servants, cooks, and

hall led to the guest room and the dining room, and

to other rooms. The maid opened one of them and I went

room when

door at the other end of the room. I decided to take a look once the maid left

a little boy bumped into my leg and fell backward. He stood up quickly. "I am sorry,

Alright" I smiled. He had short blonde hair and his big brown eyes

My lady." I couldn't help but smile at his cuteness. "I am looking for uncle Lucian." He

here," I said with a gentle smile. "Do you want to leave a message for

wait for him here?" He asked with a hopeful

Come," I said and led him to

He nodded.

The maids served us lunch - including baked potatoes and grilled

here, My Lady." He pleaded. "Father doesn't

I

says Uncle Lucian is a bad

Why would his brother say something like that

listen to your father? Why don't you stay away?" I asked,

like being with uncle Lucian. He is nice to me even though he's not nice

"Why not?"

know, he just tells me I shouldn't be

about the rest of your

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