"Who exactly is she?" Astraea's voice cut through the stillness of the wind, echoing her confusion. The question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. She paused, contemplating her next move. Trusting her maid more than anyone else, she resolved to journey east, feeling a sense of purpose surge within her.
With determination, Astraea strode over to Charlotte's horse. She mounted it with an effortless grace that startled David, who had hoped she lacked the skills to ride. His hopes shattered like glass as he watched her settle confidently into the saddle. Deflated yet resigned, he climbed onto his own horse, the weight of their situation pressing down on him.
They galloped away, the landscape blurring into a mix of greens and browns as they traversed the winding road. In the distance, Astrophel stood beside a mysterious man, his long silver hair tied back in a ponytail. The man's piercing crystal blue eyes seemed to bore into Astrophel's soul. "How do you plan to deal with her?" Astrophel asked, unease creeping into his voice.
"I'll send a couple of guards to find her and bring her back alive and well," the man replied, his tone dismissive, as if Astraea were a mere child lost in the woods. "Someone as frail and innocent as her wouldn't dare dream of the throne," he added, a smug smile playing on his lips, unaware of the fire that smoldered within Astrophel.
As they returned to the castle, Astrophel cast one last glance at his departing sister. "You shall be mine and only mine," he whispered to the wind, a dark promise that would haunt him, fueled by jealousy and desire. His resolve hardened as he resolved to eliminate the guard who dared to look at Astraea.
Days passed as Astraea and David followed the eastern road, their hearts heavy with doubt. Just when they began to question Charlotte's wisdom, they spotted a tiny village ahead. A smile broke across Astraea's face, illuminating her features despite the fatigue etched into her skin. All she could think about was finding a warm place to rest and filling her empty stomach.
They brought their horses to a halt at the village's edge. David's gaze flicked nervously around, sensing an eerie quietness that hung in the air like a thick fog. "This place seems too quiet. Is it even safe?" he murmured, half to himself. He couldn't shake the feeling that danger lurked behind every shadow, waiting to pounce.
Astraea, however, was too relieved to be cautious. With a determined stride, she approached a woman carrying a basket brimming with food. "Uhm... excuse me, ma'am?" she called out, her voice brightening the somber atmosphere. The woman turned, a dull smile etched on her face, her eyes betraying an unsettling knowledge.
"Do you know anyone here by the name of Nox?" Astraea asked, hope flickering in her chest.
The woman's expression shifted, becoming serious. She pointed toward a dimly lit alley. "It would be in your best interest not to mingle with Nox. You may ask someone else, but I won't be the one to lead you to your demise." With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps fading into the silence.
Astraea stood frozen, her heart racing as the woman's words echoed ominously in her mind. "What did she mean by that?" she whispered, glancing back at David, who appeared equally perplexed.
As they wandered deeper into the village, they encountered more people, but each offered the same warning, their faces clouded with fear. Frustration began to boil inside Astraea as their resolve to reclaim the kingdom seemed to slip through their fingers like sand.
Finally, they approached a man lounging in a doorway, his demeanor relaxed despite the tension in the air. "Excuse me, do you know someone by the name of Nox?" Astraea asked, her voice tinged with hope and desperation.
The man regarded her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "That's me. Can I assist you?" he replied, his voice smooth like silk.
Shock and relief washed over Astraea and David. "You're Nox?" Astraea's excitement was palpable, yet a lingering caution held her back.
Nox scrutinized her, as if peering into her very soul. A slight grin played on his lips, and Astraea felt an inexplicable connection, as if fate had woven their paths together. "Come on in," he said, gesturing to the door behind him. "We can talk about how you can reclaim your kingdom inside."
David opened his mouth to question how Nox knew her identity, but the man turned away, dismissing him with an air of authority. Astraea stepped inside without hesitation, her heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
Once inside, Nox settled into a chair and motioned for them to take a seat across from him. "What brings you here, Princess?" he inquired, his smile disarming yet enigmatic. Astraea's brow furrowed, her earlier excitement momentarily overshadowed by confusion.
"I—" she stammered, caught off guard. "Didn't you say something about helping me reclaim the k—"
But Nox interrupted, his tone shifting to one of gravity. "I understand you want to save the kingdom, but why are you here for me?"
Astraea paused, the weight of his question hanging in the air. "A good friend of mine informed me you'd be able to assist me."
Nox leaned back, his gaze penetrating. "Do you know how I may assist you?" When Astraea shook her head, he continued, "I can see inside individuals and discover the many paths they are destined to take, as well as their fate. However, everyone has multiple futures within them, determined by their choices. The one thing we cannot control is our fate."
His words hung heavy in the air, and Astraea listened intently, feeling a strange mix of fear and hope. "I am one of the few individuals who can change someone's fate without their decisions. But the fate I grant you cannot be altered, no matter the choices you make; it will remain with you until you fulfill your destiny."
"May I inquire as to my fate?" Astraea asked, her heart racing with anticipation.
Nox shook his head, a playful smile on his lips. "I'm not permitted to reveal anyone's future."
"Then what are my options?" Astraea pressed, her curiosity igniting.
"I'll offer you three options to choose from," Nox said, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. "One, marry the king of the most powerful nation and use his army to fight your brother; or two, discover the lone vampire-witch and become the most powerful vampire-sorceress in the world, then use that power to reclaim your kingdom."
David interjected, his voice filled with apprehension. "I think choice two is better than option one," he remarked, his protective instincts flaring up. He didn't want the princess to marry a stranger, despite knowing it wasn't his place to decide.
Nox's gaze silenced him, a look that spoke of ancient knowledge and caution.
"You mentioned three options, but you've only given two," Astraea noted, a frown creasing her brow.
"Sometimes, ignorance is the finest thing for us," Nox replied cryptically, his smile widening.
Astraea's heart raced. The thought of marrying someone she didn't know sent shivers down her spine, and the idea of becoming a feared vampire-sorceress terrified her. Then she remembered his earlier words—'there are times when ignorance is the finest thing for us.'
"I choose option three," she declared, her voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling within her.
David sighed with relief, glad she hadn't opted for marriage. But Nox merely nodded, his expression unreadable. "You said three, but you've only selected two," Astraea reiterated, confusion creeping back in.
Nox stood and placed his hand gently on her chest. "You've decided to marry the king while also becoming a vampire-witch; don't worry, the monarch is only three years older than you."
Astraea felt a rush of emotions—fear, excitement, and a flicker of hope. Having both choices to save her kingdom felt preferable to none at all. She resolved to strive toward her fate, convinced her true purpose was to reclaim her parents' land.
Stepping outside, Astraea was eager to explore. David, however, felt a chill of unease as Nox's hand clamped around his wrist. "You wouldn't stand a chance with her, regardless of whatever choice she selected," Nox murmured, his tone ominous. "But if she hadn't chosen, you'd be the one she married. Take my advice, young man: if you want to live, stay away from her. She will be your death."
David turned to face Astraea, torn between his feelings. Would he give his life for her? Would he have married her if she weren't a princess? The questions weighed heavily, but he pushed them aside. He didn't want her to resent him; he'd follow her lead, wherever it might lead.
Nox released David and shut his door, leaving him with his thoughts. He peered out the window, watching Astraea as she gazed around the village, a flicker of hope lighting her features. "Your destiny, princess, is greater than you realize," he whispered, knowing that the paths before her were fraught with danger and wonder.