/ Chris just save the princess but Vlad Cogred come out and find the princess has been collapsed on Chris's lap
Vlad Cogred: Boy!! You are about to lose those hands
Chris: but...but... I!!!.
/ Just before Chris finish his sentence
the princess's eyes shut and pass out, Vlad come by
Chris: princess....princess
Vlad Cogred: Katharina....no..no please wake up Katharina..... Katharina
Chris: she broke her left ankle. Is she gonna be alright?
/Vlad Cogred turns to you his lips curls, his eyes burn as he stares at you. You can feel his breath and it makes you shiver
Vlad Cogred: you...YOU DID THIS! And hell you gonna pay
/ He raised his hand at the knights
Vlad Cogred: take him to the store!!!
/Before you respond the knights already take you, just before you lose sight you sees tears streaming down on Vlad's cheeks
You got to the storage, the knights threw you inside then lock the door behind.
Couple minutes ahead the door swing open and Vlad Cogred make his way in, he looks at you then chuckles but you know that not a friendly chuckles
He stands there long enough to make you worry. Then you speak...
Chris: Is the princess ok?
Vlad Cogred: "ok" is a word but she still unconscious.
/Vlad Cogred look at you again but don't speak until you break the silence again.
Chris: you know I would never hurt the princess
Vlad Cogred: No. I don't, besides what I saw prove me wrong and I don't trust you
/ Then Vlad Cogred quiet again until you open your mouth
Chris: How long am I gonna stay in here?
Vlad Cogred: Depends, cooperate and you are free.
Chris: Well, I have nothing to hide
/Then Vlad Cogred keep quiet again
Chris: Are you not supposed to ask questions (or is this how it work in past)
/ You murmur to yourself the last words
Vlad Cogred: what was that?
Chris: Nothing
Vlad Cogred: Well, now that you ask, here are my three important questions
Where are you from?
Who do you work for?
And what are you doing here?
Chris: Thing is.... well...I'm...
Vlad Cogred: STOP Stammering and answer my question
Chris: well, from start I don't work for anybody, and for refreshing your mind I'm a servant here and from where I came from! That is a little difficult to explain. You would believe me if I told you
Vlad Cogred: then try me!
Chris: I'm from the f.....
/Before Chris can finish his sentence, Rose rush inside and
Rose: The princess is awake and wants to see you, sir.
/Vlad Cogred look at you intensely. He leans forward and smiles at you but his smile is sure not friendly
Vlad Cogred: very well Chris, see you soon in the meanwhile enjoy while you can
/Then he storms outside followed by Rose behind. You turn, forcing Rose to look at you, mouthing forlornly
Chris: Is she okay?
/She nod then close the door behind her.
A minute later the door swing open again and you find that it Vlad Cogred who is back but still stand there holding the door then sigh
Vlad Cogred: you can go now, boy
Chris: really?
Vlad Cogred: yes
/You stand up from the floor and head out but he catches your arm tightly and glances right in your eyes with fury burn in his eyes then speak quietly but intensely
Vlad Cogred: Don't think we are done here Chris, you may be free for now but I ain't quit my eyes on you.
/Then release you. Tap on your shoulder and clean the back of your head to remove a little dust that was stuck there then he smiles at you...
Vlad Cogred: now go, the princess wants to see you
/ with such surprising news, you head straight to the princess's room. Before you knock on the door, it swings open and reveals a maid behind it who welcomes you with a huge smile, you smile back when you take a moment to look around. The room is huge like you have never seen before. You see where the princess is lying on one arm in her huge bed then she sees you and raises her hand and everyone walks out except her maid of honor. The princess narrows her eyes...
Princess: You too Isabella.
Isabella: Are you sure? I can't leave you with him by yourself
Princess: Is it your place to argue with me?
Isabella: no your highness it's not.
Princess: and besides Chris save my life I have faith in him.
/Isabella bow before leaving. Leave you alone with the princess. She smiles and calls you out.
Princess: come by Chris, don't be shy.
/ you go where she is, then kneel and bow with your eyes on the ground.
Until she whispers to you with her sweet British accent...
Princess: My hero.
/You meet her eyes then respond.
Chris: I'm not a hero
Princess: of course you are, you save my life out there
Chris: indeed, I bombed your head which makes you lose consciousness, and I broke your ankle too. See I am not the hero here.
Princess: And I'm still alive. Don't forget that when you make a list
/ You both fall into an awkward silence avoid making eye contact until you sigh
Chris: I'm starving, I could use some snacks
/The princess's eyes go wide while she responds.
Princess: Do you... eat snakes?
Chris: No...noo... of course not .... it... nevermind
/The princess chuckles
Princess: there is something about you...something quiet mystery but also special. I hope one day I will be able to win your trust to know it
/ The princess stands to sit on the bench of the bed, you rush after her and help her. She groans with pain then chuckles
Chris: you should rest princess
Princess: princess? Not Kathy anymore
/ You both laugh for a moment
Chris: you didn't tell me why you were crying yesterday when I found you
Princess: it nothing. I just missed my father
Chris: Oh, sorry I didn't know
/The room fell silent again and the princess looks at your hands clinging to her knees. You moved it away
Princess: it alright Chris. You don't have to be afraid of touching me
Chris: it, not that.... it just all of it..... it.
Princess: don't worry Vlad Cogred won't bother you again. Promise.
Chris: he cares about you. I saw him crying when you were unconscious
Princess: I know.
/ You look away, she touches your cheek force you to look at her. You look at her. Look at her brown eyes, then there is this kind of power force you to lean close... and close....close until you feel her breath on your lips. She whispers your name like a snake
Princess: Chris...
/ Before you get closer, the door swings open, you two push apart awkwardly and reveal Rose behind the door.
Rose: oh sorry, your highness. I didn't mean to interrupt.
Princess: it okay, Rose. What is it?
Rose: Prince Cedrick come to visit and see how you do? Should I let him in?
Princess: yes. And Rose?
Rose: yes, your highness.
Princess: Find something for Chris, so he can eat, please.
Rose: yes, your highness.
Chris: that very kind of you, princess
/She smiles at you and you follow Rose outside while prince Cedrick makes his way in. Rose turns to you
Rose: I was head up to underground storage
Chris: I thought it was forbidden.
Rose: well, it also is forbidden to catch a servant and the princess alone in the room
Chris: what??.... nothing happened
/ she rolls her eyes while she makes her way to the storage. She opens the door and she switches the lamp on then she beams. She turns to you, studies you for long enough...
Chris: What?
Rose: We keep this between us and I keep your little secret with the princess. Deal.
Chris: Rose. There. Is. Nothing. Happen.
Rose: I ask Deal?
/ you roll your eyes at her then...
Chris: Deal.
/ You're enjoying it. Eating, drinking, and chatting. You sure don't know how many minutes have passed.
Rose: Seriously, Chris. Were you two kissing?
Chris: for the fifteenth time, Rose. No, we weren't kissing besides I would rather kiss you. You are gorgeous.
/ She rolls her eyes
Rose: If you try to flirt with me, that was the worst line you use there.
/ You both laugh and then she put her hand on your mouth to shushes you but you are probably drinking, don't realize that...
Chris: uuhhh... Rosie got a little handsy there
Rose: sssshhhu... don't you hear something
/ She whispers to you and you shake your head left and right to refuse...
Chris: mmmmhhh
Rose: Someone is coming, fast in the cast
/ you both enter in a small closet nearby. That when someone opens the door. Rose starts to panic, you put your hand on her mouth and whisper to her...
Chris: You sure don't want to lose your job, so I recommend you to keep quiet
/ you open the door a little bit just to see who is in the room but what you find is terrible and you quickly close it
Chris: what the hell!!!
Rose: who is there?
Chris: not who? Try what?
Rose: Okay, you confused me there
Chris: it damn smoke moving around
Rose: what? How many of those wines did you take?
/ Before you answer her question you hear loud groans fill in the room. Rose looks at you with a scared glance. You hold her hand and squeeze. She leans her head on your neck. You can feel her worried breath then you put your arm around her waist, holding her tight until she breathes harder and opens her mouth around your neck then she bites you which makes you shudder and lower hand down her waist, holding like that for long, until....silence, nothing but just silence.
You open slowly the door.....
Chris: It went.... hey Rose, it gone
Rose: really?
Chris: yes. You can come out now
/ she slowly came out and sigh. She looks at you and she throws her arm around your neck, holds you there, you hesitate for a moment but hug her.
Rose: I never been scare like that before you know.
Chris: trust me, me either...
/ you pull back and look at her, right in the eyes
Chris: What was that Rose?
Rose: if what you see was real Chris. There is only one explanation for that. We are dealing with a witch. At Skiburg.
Chris: What?? Oh, boy...
What is a witch doing at Skiburg? and what that have to do with Chris?
Find out in the next chapter
Chapter 4: The hunter in the palace