"Read it aloud," urged Sophia, her voice barely audible amidst the weight of anticipation hanging in the air. Giselle's eyes darted to the maid, considering her suggestion for a brief moment. With a nod, she cleared her throat. Giselle delicately held the envelope in her hands, her heart fluttering with anticipation. She gingerly broke the second seal and unfolded the parchment, scanning the elegant script sprawled across it. Her voice trembled slightly as she began to read, "To the esteemed Melina, acting queen of our kingdom, from his Majesty King Alexandros," Giselle paused, absorbing the weight of those words before continuing, "You are cordially invited to join his Majesty for a hunt in the woods, accompanied by some of his most trusted soldiers. His Majesty apologize for the impromptu invite, you can turn down the invite if you have something important to do. His Majesty reckons it would be an adventurous hunt for but of you as he seems to witness the depth of your
Melina strode with purpose towards the regal chambers, her usually composed demeanor slightly askew. Though battling with unsettling thoughts, she worked diligently to push them aside, steadfast in her focus on the impending event. The menacing glance from the princes had managed to rattle her, the weight of their covert intentions bearing down upon her. Uncertainty wriggled within her, begging the question of their confidence. What sinister plans had they devised? Melina's certainty wavered, doubts clouding her senses. This wasn't something that just occured to her anytime and any moment, if there was only one thing she would trust in the world, it would be her instinct. Yet, she chose to dismiss those thoughts, casting them aside like an unneeded burden. Her each step echoed with unyielding determination mixed with an undercurrent of nervous anticipation. As she finally arrived at the grand entrance, the guardians stationed beside the chamber doors appeared formidable, th
All eyes turned to behold the sudden appearance of Daphne. Her presence in the stable was uninvited, and her stern gaze held an aura of mystery. Dressed in an attire similar to Melina's, suitable for the hunt, she emanated an air of confidence and determination. Confusion wrinkled the brows of the soldiers, their gazes darting between the unexpected arrival of Daphne and their beloved Melina. The king stood tall, his eyes seeking Melina's, silently assuring her that he would handle the situation. Without hesitation, the king stepped forward, his voice commanding yet tinged with concern. "Daphne, what brings you here? You were not invited to join us on this hunt. And this attire on you, why is it similar to Melina's?" Daphne's gaze locked with the king's, her expression unyielding. Deep lines etched themselves onto his forehead, revealing a hidden annoyance that threatened to shatter the surface of his composed demeanor. But Daphne was undeterred, her unwavering determ
As the sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays cast a warm glow over the kingdom. They rode swiftly, the pounding of hooves resonating through the air, as they made their way towards the beckoning woods. The king urged his horse forward, his steely gaze focused on their destination. But as Melina began to whimper, a sign of her growing anxiety, the king's steadfast determination was momentarily tempered by concern. He turned his head, his eyes meeting hers, and asked gently, "Should I slow down, Melina? You should tell me if you are not comfortable, it's so obvious this is your first time." Melina's arms tightened around the king's waist, seeking solace in his reassuring presence. She nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and trust. The king, ever playful, teased her affectionately, "Afraid, my dear?" The soldiers behind them, their excitement driving them forward, continued to gallop ahead, leaving Melina and the king to traverse the path at a more leisure
"I assure you, nothing is going to happen. You can rest assured," the king comforted Melina as they strolled along. As they continued their walk, they chanced upon a small lake, the water sparkling beautifully in the sunlight. The king guided Melina towards a pair of benches nearby, and they both took a seat. "This is a truly exquisite spot, isn't it? Here, you can find peace and relaxation whenever you desire," he remarked, his gaze exploring the surroundings. Melina remained silent momentarily, captivated by the view. "Yes, you're right. This place is undeniably beautiful. I adore it. If only we had brought along a fishing hook, then I could have commanded you to fish for me," she responded, a gentle chuckle escaping her lips, her eyes fixated on the glistening water. "Would you like me to fish? I can do so even without a hook or fishing line," the king offered, his attention fully on Melina, who couldn't help but giggle as she tossed stones into the water, c
With bated breath, Melina watched as the king cautiously moved towards the source of the commotion. Time seemed to stretch as seconds crawled by, amplifying her anxiety. Finally, Alexandros returned, his countenance unyielding and a telltale bruise marring his strong right hand. "Your Majesty! Uh, apologies! Alexandros!" Melina rushed to his side, concern etched across her face, her eyes fixated on the injury. "What happened to you, Alexandros?" "It's nothing," he assured her, easing himself back onto the bench. Melina took a seat beside him, her hands trembling ever so slightly. Attempting to steady her nerves, Melina struggled to suppress her rising fear. What if this idyllic encounter was merely a facade? What if lurking dangers lay in wait, threatening their very lives? The unsettling words the princes had spoken earlier that morning settled heavily upon her, but she knew revealing their vile threats to the king would only compound the tension. Sensing her di
The king cautiously lifted the tattered curtain and peered out of the grimy lattice window of the dilapidated cottage they both were still lurking in. His keen eyes scanned the desolate surroundings, searching for any signs of life or threats. The air was heavy with a sense of foreboding, and a silence hung like a heavy cloak over the neglected area. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he cast a quick glance at the nervous Melina, her eyes wide with anticipation. "It seems safe now," he whispered, his voice barely audible amidst the eerie stillness. "We can leave this forsaken place. I am not even able to breathe." Melina nodded, her hand trembling as she clung to her tattered shawl. The king, ever vigilant, took the lead, cautiously pushing open the creaking door just enough to confirm their escape route. The musty scent of decay wafted through the air as they stepped outside, their breaths intermingling with sighs of relief. The king's eyes darted from shadow to shadow,
The once tranquil woods now lay shattered and desolate, transformed into a haunting testament to the violence that had mercilessly unfolded. The king, Melina, and Beta Kristen stood side by side, their gazes fixed upon the lifeless bodies of their fallen comrades. Vibrant armor now dulled by the stains of spilled blood, each fallen soldier testified to the price paid in loyalty and duty. Melina's hands trembled as she turned to the king, fear etched upon her face like an indelible scar. Her voice quivered as she spoke, the weight of her distress evident in every word. "Your Majesty... who could have perpetrated such a vile deed? Our soldiers, our brave men... how did this tragedy befall us? Could it be the work of the rogue wolves?" The king's countenance remained firm, his eyes sweeping the devastating scene before him. His voice, deep and resolute, cut through the eerie silence that pervaded the desecrated woods. "I know not, Melina," he replied, his words carrying bot
Cleo's eyelids fluttered open, her eyes momentarily struggling to adjust to the golden sunlight that bathed the world around her. As realization slowly settled in, she glanced at the sand glass hung in the castle, her eyes shot wide open with a surge of panic. They had slept for nearly an hour, and Cleo knew they couldn't afford to waste any more time. Turning her gaze towards her Melina, who was still rubbing the sleep from her face, Cleo leaned over and tapped her urgently. "Melina, wake up! We slept away, Melina. That's dangerous. We need to leave immediately. I have a feeling that the king's soldiers are closing in on us." Melina groggily blinked up at Cleo, her expression one of confusion and concern. "Daphne... Daphne... I... reckon... she must have added something to the water she gave us. A sedative, perhaps," Melina said, her voice laced with worry. Cleo nodded grimly, her mind racing with thoughts of their predicament. "You are so right about that. But why
In the dim light of dawn, Cleo urged the horse to push harder, its hooves resounding against the forest floor. The carriage glided through the woods like a shadow, propelled forward by Cleo's determination. Melina, seated in the passenger's seat of the carriage, felt the weariness of the ceaseless journey take its toll on her body. Beads of perspiration adorned her brow, evidence of the harrowing trek. She didn't want to complain because this was all his decision. Concern etched across her face, Cleo stole a glance at her niece through the window outside. "Are you alright, Melina?" she inquired, her voice laced with genuine worry. Melina managed a weak smile, her voice betraying her fatigue. "I'm fine, Aunt Cleo," she reassured her. Though her words were brave, her exhaustion painted a different truth. Cleo's gaze lingered on Melina for a moment longer, but she refrained from probing further. Determined to see their journey to its end, Cleo continued urging the hors
As the king's words faded into the air, the pack members dispersed, their focus shifting to more pressing matters. The carefully crafted plan for Melina's birthday surprise had crumbled into disappointment, leaving everyone disheartened. Daphne, keenly observant, couldn't help but notice the somber expressions that adorned everyone's faces. This unexpected turn of events puzzled her. She had always assumed that most of the pack despised Melina, making their melancholic demeanors all the more irritating. In an attempt to avoid arousing suspicion, Daphne discreetly slipped away from the crowd, navigating the hallway cautiously. The weight of a troubling conversation still clung to her, causing her heart to throb anxiously. Her thoughts were consumed by the state of Melina's wellbeing and the unborn child she carried. The notion that she might not be the monster she believed herself to be tugged at her conscience. Lost in contemplation, Daphne was startled by the sound of
The guard took a deep breath, steeling himself to explain further. "Your Majesty, they have departed our lands, making their escape in secret. They must have had assistance from someone within the kingdom, someone who helped them evade detection. Only few people know about the secret door and, I would say, only you possess the key. It is imperative that we act swiftly to bring them back, otherwise, they would be gone forever." Beta Kristen's shock morphed into deep concern, her mind racing through the potential consequences of such a sudden departure. Thoughts of Melina's well-being flooded her mind, overshadowing the grand announcement that had previously commanded her attention. Without uttering another word, the king sprang into action, his strides quickening as he headed straight for Melina's chamber. The guards, grudgingly acknowledging their monarch's urgency, followed closely behind, endeavoring to keep pace with their determined ruler. The labyrinthine corridors
The king strode purposefully out of his chamber, his regal presence imbued with an air of authority as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon. He woke up happy and he just couldn't stop smiling. The morning dew clung to the blades of grass, giving the palace grounds a glistening sheen. It was a new day, ripe with possibilities, but the king's mind was preoccupied with a pressing matter. At least, that was exactly his major source of joy. The king's urgency was unmistakable as he beckoned a guard stationed at his entrance. His voice carried a weight that resonated through the corridors of the palace. "Summon Beta Kristen immediately," he commanded, his words laced with an undeniable sense of determination. The guard nodded, acknowledging his orders, and swiftly departed to convey the urgent message. Within a matter of moments, Beta Kristen arrived, bowing respectfully before the king. The regal figure gestured for him to enter, and together they walked into t
Daphne took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with trepidation. She walked further into the room, her eyes darting between the princes. Her voice quivered as she questioned their intrusion. "Why would you come to my room without my permission? When you saw that I wasn't present, you could have left. You almost scared me to death," Daphne said, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and annoyance. Prince Roderick arched an eyebrow, his voice laced with concern. "We apologize for startling you, Daphne. But you must understand that there is something of utmost importance that we must discuss. By the way, where were you coming from? It's just dawning for goodness sake? Tell me, where were you coming from?" Daphne's eyes narrowed, her mind racing as she tried to conjure a believable lie. She hesitated before finally speaking, her voice trembling and unsure. "Why are you even asking me such question? It's none of your business. I... I was in the garden, seeki
Eirene stood defiantly before the towering guard stationed at the forbidden back entrance of the castle. The weight of his distrustful gaze bore down on her, challenging her audacity to breach the boundaries of this restricted domain. Her decision to confront him head-on was met with an equal intensity, revealing a resolute resilience in the face of authority. Perplexed by the guard's recent appearance, Eirene's brows furrowed with annoyance. What could she possibly tell him that would convince him of her innocent intentions? If she were to exploit her privileged status, the guard would surely suspect her of participating in some nefarious scheme which she believed she genuinely wasn't. "I am asking you for the last time, what brings you to this forbidden place at such an hour, Lady Eirene? You know well that you should be in your chambers, and not even His Highness is allowed to venture here. So, you either tell me the truth, or I tell his Majesty that I saw you doing
As Melina, Cleo, and Daphne hurriedly made their way towards the back of the castle, their breaths came in ragged gasps. The weight of their escape bore heavily upon them, their hearts pounding in their chests. Their eyes darted anxiously, searching every nook and cranny for the lurking presence of guards or prying eyes. Melina, her voice trembling with urgency, turned to Daphne. "How much farther, Daphne? We have been running for what felt like decades now, I have never been to this side of the castle before," she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "And where is this hidden door you spoke of?" Daphne, her eyes scanning the surroundings, answered in a hushed voice, "We're almost there, Melina. Just a little farther. But we must hurry. Dawn is upon us, and the castle will soon awaken with guards and maids bustling about. You won't be able to leave once they start coming out." As they hurried on, their panic-stricken gazes caught sight of a solitary lamp in the distance. It cas
As Daphne gently opened the door, the hinges creaking softly in the stillness of the corridor, anticipation thrummed through her veins. She peered cautiously into the dimly lit hallway, her eyes scanning for any sign of guards or wandering maids. Satisfied that the coast was clear, she beckoned Cleo and Melina herself to join her, their pale figures emerging from the chamber like ghosts in the night. "Are you sure no body is going to see us? I have the feelings we are going to regret this Melina." Cleo said, her eyes scanning around while her heart thumped faster in her chest. "Can you just calm down and let's follow Daphne's lead? We are still in a very secured place... I reckon you need to save your fears for when we get outside of this corridor," Melina whispered, giving Cleo an unwanted reassuring gaze. The trio moved with utmost care, their footsteps barely audible on the cold stone floor. They stole glances over their shoulders, their eyes darting nervously, wa