William P.O.VA heavy sigh escaped me as I watched her sleep. She looked so peaceful, but the past few days had clearly worn her down. I'd been trying to earn her trust, like my father asked, but every time I got close, she shut me out. It was as if she was hiding something.The bed creaked as I sat down, stealing another glance. Even in sleep, she was beautiful—strong and brave. But her hands were clenched around the blanket, as if she was holding on for dear life.I wished I could take her far away, keep her safe by my side. But everyone here hated her because she belonged to the Witch clan—the same clan that killed my mother. The pain of that loss still lingered, and I couldn't fault the others for their hatred.But as I looked at her, all I felt was a deep ache. I had to protect her, even if it meant defying the King. Watching her sleep, I realized I was torn between love and fear, knowing I'd do anything to keep her safe.My blood boiled as the council meeting began after dinner. Tension hung thick in the air as we took our seats. The vampire who had attacked Kristen was brought before the court, standing there unharmed.My heart sank. It didn't make sense—my father was known for his brutal methods when dealing with traitors. How had she escaped unscathed? Doubts flooded my mind. Was my father hiding something from me?The knot in my stomach tightened as my father explained the vampire was newly turned, driven by bloodlust when she attacked. But I wasn't convinced. There was more to this than he was letting on, and I was determined to uncover the truth.The girl was executed before I even had a chance to question her, deepening my suspicions. Was this a ploy by the council to trigger Kristen's powers? Or was my father telling the truth? One thing was clear: Kristen had to awaken her powers soon if she wanted to stay alive.I knew I had to confront my father. When he finally spoke, I saw the pain on his face, a reminder of the past that still haunted him. He told me how much Kristen resembled my mother—not just in appearance, but in spirit. The thought stirred something inside me, a longing for the piece of my mother that I had lost.Then came the real reason for his interest—Kristen belonged to the same witch clan as my mother. He believed she would possess similar powers, perhaps even greater. Hearing this left me speechless. The powers that had made my mother legendary might live on in Kristen, yet she was still just a human, unaware of what she carried within her.The idea that Kristen was the last of her clan felt like fate, like she was brought to us for a reason.The idea of her having my mother's powers was thrilling, yet deeply unsettling. I couldn't forget the whispers about the dark magic she wielded. After all the things I heard there is only one explanation to all these. Kristen's powers must have been sealed within her. Her family must have sent her to live among humans, to protect her from us but my father had tracked her down with the help of a witch.Her fate now rested in his hands. If her powers mirrored my mother's, she'd be spared—useful to our cause. If not, execution would follow, swift and merciless. I couldn't let that happen. I needed to come up with a plan to save her, but first, I had to learn more about her family and the powers she posses.A few witches had escaped the war along with Kristen, hiding in the human world. John discovered that one was living in London. We had to find her before someone else did. Coincidentally, there was a council meeting in London tomorrow, one that required my father's presence. When he asked me to go, I felt both relief and dread.Kristen trusted me—only me—in the castle, and that trust was a double-edged sword. It gave me strength but also weighed heavily on my shoulders. She had no one else on her side, no allies, and everyone in the castle answered to my father. I had to protect her, even if it meant going against my father.The thought of leaving Kristen alone, even for a moment, filled me with dread. I couldn't do this alone, but finding someone I could trust with her safety was a difficult choice. There was only one person I could think of—John. He had proven his loyalty time and again, but it still felt like I was putting her life in someone else's hands. He didn't care for her as deeply as I did.As I left Kristen in John's care, worry gnawed at me. I needed to keep my promise to protect her at any cost. Leaning over, I placed a soft, silent kiss on her forehead."Everything will be fine," I whispered, more to convince myself than anyone else.Kristen P.O.VI felt a gentle warmth on my cheek, and for a moment, I thought I was dreaming. But as I blinked my eyes open, I gasped—it was William. His touch was so soft and tender that I couldn't help but smile, even in my sleep. The thought of him comforting me like this made my cheeks flush. It felt strange, being comforted by someone who was both my friend and, in a way, my enemy.As I sat up, I noticed his expression—hesitant, like he was searching for the right words. It was so unlike the William I knew, the one who usually spoke without a second thought. That change in him made me uneasy.Why was he here so early? What did he need to say? Despite the uncertainty, I wanted to hear him out. He was the only one who had shown me any real kindness in this castle."Is everything alright?" I asked softly."Did I wake you?" he replied, sounding as exhausted as he looked. It seemed like he hadn't slept in days."Sit down," I said, patting the side of my bed. "You look tired."He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah, it's been a lot. I'll be leaving for London for a week.""Okay," I said, unsure of what to think."Don't worry," he reassured me, placing his hand gently on my cheek. "John will stay behind to protect you. He's the only one I trust with your safety."He looked worried, and I smiled, trying to ease his mind. "It's okay. I'll be fine.""Are you sure?" he asked, his concern still clear."Yes," I said, squeezing his hand. "But... I'll miss you.""I'll miss you too," he whispered, pulling me into a warm hug. We stayed like that for a while, just holding each other in quiet understanding."I don't want to leave, but I have no choice," William said, his voice laced with a quiet pain."It's only a week. I'll try not to get killed while you're gone," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.He let out a soft laugh, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Take care, Kristen," he said, giving me one last squeeze before stepping away.There was a gentle knock at the door, and Lyn entered, carrying a food tray and smiling warmly. William's eyes lingered on her cautiously, and she bowed her head respectfully."Take care of her while I'm gone," he commanded, his tone firm. "Don't leave her side, no matter what. Am I clear?""Yes," Lyn replied, her voice steady. She wasn't like the other maids who feared him—probably because she was John's sister.William gave me a small, reassuring smile before walking out of the room. As soon as he left, Lyn cleared her throat, looking more at ease."Let's eat. I'm starving," she said, setting the tray on the table.I chuckled. "Give me a minute, I need to brush," I said before heading to the washroom.We ate in comfortable silence for a while. Then Lyn looked up, rolling her eyes dramatically, reminding me of Lucy. "So, what's the plan? You're not planning to stay locked in this room for a whole week, are you?"I hesitated. "Am I even allowed to step out?" I asked, unsure of the rules now that William was gone.Her grin widened. "Well, I didn't hear any orders about not going out.""Of course, as long as I'm with you—and a few guards trailing us everywhere," Lyn said, shooting an annoyed glance toward the guards waiting outside the room."Let's get ready," she added once we finished eating."Where?" I asked, popping the last piece of toast into my mouth."There are lots of places to explore—the garden, the library, the movie room, kitchen for sneaking snacks, and even the music room. So, what's first?" she asked, her excitement contagious."The library?" I said, giving her my best puppy-dog eyes. "I'd like to do some reading if that's okay.""Of course you'd pick the library," she laughed.I hurried to the bathroom, eager for a moment of peace. The warm water flowed over me, washing away the stress and tension. It was comforting, like a brief escape from everything going on.After drying off, I emerged from the bathroom, and Lyn was waiting with a beautiful white and pink floral dress. It was light, flowing just above my knees, and had a simple, elegant look.As I slipped into it, I couldn't help but smile. The dress hugged my curves perfectly, making me feel confident and, for a moment, free. The strapless design was flattering but still felt modest enough."Perfect," Lyn said, giving me a nod of approval as I twirled slightly in front of the mirror. "Ready for the library?"I brushed my damp hair down and patted it dry, stealing one last glance in the mirror. The pendant around my neck gleamed, casting a soft, warm glow that filled me with a strange sense of calm. For a brief moment, I saw a different version of myself in the reflection—someone strong, capable, and unafraid.The girl staring back at me was no longer the frightened soul who had arrived at the castle days ago. She was braver now, shaped by the challenges she had faced and the people who stood by her.Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of my room, feeling a quiet determination rise within me. I didn't know what awaited, but for the first time, I felt ready to face it head-on.