ENCOUNTER WITH THE MYSTERIOUS SAVIOR

Azriel lounged in the carriage, his eyes fixed on the palace looming ahead. He loathed the palace, a gilded cage where his every move was scrutinized. His parents, the king and queen, were ruthless power-hungry monsters, their son's happiness mere collateral damage in their pursuit of dominance.

As the carriage rolled to a stop, Azriel's thoughts drifted to the mysterious girl he'd rescued in the forest. Why had he saved her? He could have left her to rot, but something about her had stirred a long-dormant spark within him.

"Your Majesty, we've arrived," Elliot announced, opening the carriage door.

Azriel stepped out, his piercing gaze sweeping the palace façade. The castle's ancient stones seemed to whisper secrets, its grandeur a testament to the ruthless ambition of his family.

As he entered the dining hall, his parents' voices grated on his nerves. He ignored them, his eyes scanning the room for a glimpse of the girl. His parents' presence was a mere annoyance, a reminder of the toxic legacy he'd inherited.

"Good morning, Mother. Good morning, Father," Azriel drawled, his sarcasm biting.

The queen's face pinched in displeasure. "This isn't how we raised you, Azriel."

Azriel's smile twisted. "Oh, but you did, Mother. You raised a son who sees right through your manipulation."

The king's face darkened. "Show your mother some respect."

Azriel's eyes flashed with defiance. "Respect is earned, Father. And neither of you deserves it."

The air was heavy with tension as Azriel's words hung like a challenge, daring his parents to retaliate.

As the door swung open, a procession of servants entered, bearing trays laden with steaming dishes. But Azriel's attention wasn't on the food or the servants – his eyes burned with a singular focus, scouring the room for the captivating face that had haunted his thoughts.

And then, he saw her. Sophia. Her delicate features seemed chiseled by the divine, her skin radiant as alabaster. Azriel's gaze locked onto hers, the world around him dissolving into nothingness. Time itself seemed to bend to his will, freezing the moment as his eyes devoured hers.

He didn't care if the entire court was watching; for Azriel, Sophia was the only reality that mattered. His parents, the servants, the opulent decorations – all faded into insignificance as he drank in the sight of her. The air vibrated with tension, charged with the unspoken promise of a connection that went far beyond mere mortal bounds.

C

Sophia's heart stuttered as she entered the dining hall, her eyes involuntarily locking onto the mysterious figure who had haunted her dreams. Azriel's gaze seized hers, the air thickening with an almost palpable tension.

For a fleeting moment, Sophia's eyes lingered on his chiseled features, drinking in the rugged beauty that seemed to radiate from him like a dark aura. His piercing stare sent shivers down her spine, as if he could see right through to her very soul.

She hastily dropped her gaze, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement. Yet, even as she focused on the floor, she could still feel Azriel's intense scrutiny, his gaze burning a trail across her skin like a branding iron.

"Gosh, he's breathtakingly handsome," Sophia thought, her mind racing with the implications of being so drawn to this enigmatic stranger. Little did she know, their encounter was only the beginning of a perilous dance, one that would test the boundaries of her heart and her very own sanity .

When she finished serving the food, She left with the other servants . Happy to leave the room to save herself from embarrassment.

Sitting in the kitchen at one corner with Margret .She couldn’t get her mysterious savior out of her mind , The little encounter in the dining still lingered in her mind.

“You are thinking about the Prince ain’t you?” Margret asked her bringing her out from her temporary trance .

“Wait , What ? Noo “ Margret answered quickly defending herself

“ I saw what happened in the dining Sophia and am sure am not the only one . The Prince couldn’t get his eyes off you “

“ That’s a lie “ Sophia retorted

“ Just be careful Sophia thats all i ask “

“ I will , I’m not a kid “

Back in the dining, the atmosphere was still heavy . Everyone ate in silence until the queen cleared the air

“ Lord James and his daughter charlotte will be here tomorrow “

she said facing her son

“ I don’t see that as any of my business mother “

“ Since you’ve refused to find someone that will seat with you on the throne , I will be arranging reputable girls for you and you have to make a choice “

“ And if I do otherwise?”Azriel asked daringly

“ Your mother has worked hard to setup all the candidates, don’t mess it up “.His Father Spoke , a hint of warning in his tone

“ Very well then , I will do as my lovely mother wishes “. Now if you excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to.

After saying that, he stood up and left.

He agreed so easily, unlike him “ the queen spoke as their son vacated the dining

The kings expression darkened, his voice laced with suspicion “ That boy must have something up on his sleeve “ the king replied

The queens gaze flashed with determination as she spoke “ Nothing goes under my notice within this palace walls, whatever he is up to , I will find out”

As their hushed conversation drew to a close, the king and queen rose from their seats.With a shared glance that spoke volumes of their sinister intentions, they departed the dining hall, disappearing into the corridors of the palace.

The king stalked off towards his private chambers, his footsteps echoing in the corridor.Meanwhile, the queen glided with calculated precaution ,walked towards her own domain.

As the king and queens presence faded, the servants cautiously emerged from the shadows. With hushed whispers, they converged on the dining table , their hands moving swiftly as they cleared the table.