Moonlit Encounters
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She gasped as a hand settled on her shoulder, the touch sending shivers down her spine. Turning to face the source, she was immediately captivated by his stunning appearance. Moonlight bathed his face, accentuating his perfect features and deep, penetrating eyes that locked with hers.
"L-Lord Damian, what are you doing here?" she managed to ask, her mouth dry.
Damian withdrew his hand, the warmth dissipating, yet his presence remained overpowering as he stood before her. "Well, for one, I could ask you the same. It's not often I encounter ladies wandering through the forest. Do you not understand the ways of this place, princess?" He took a step back, the moonlight casting an enigmatic aura around them.
He walked to the edge of the lake and settled down, his actions foreshadowed by the moonlight. Seraphina, confused yet filled with curiosity, mirrored his movements and took a seat beside him. Questions raced through her mind, demanding answers.
"I thought you were on your way back to your house," Damian said, his gaze fixated on the water's surface.
"I was here first. Why are you here, Lord Damian?" Seraphina inquired, her breath still caught in her throat. The proximity between them intensified her unease, yet she found solace in the tranquility of the night.
Damian remained silent, his eyes lost in the void. Seraphina, too, embraced the silence, allowing her thoughts to wander in the calmness of the moment.
After what felt like an eternity, Damian cleared his throat. "Were you serious about the proposal?" he asked, breaking the stillness.
Seraphina's gaze snapped to him, realizing this might be her chance to escape the impending fate that awaited her. Perhaps she could put an end to the cycle of arranged marriages that plagued their village. However, she knew better than to let her hopes soar. In the kingdom of Lumina, she was far from being a queen; she was nothing more than a mere mortal.
Nevertheless, she yearned to explore her options. "Yes, I was," she whispered without hesitation.
"What were you thinking when you invited me the other day, princess?" Damian pressed further, curiosity evident in his voice.
It was the same question that could be asked of the person who had departed this world, leaving Seraphina with the burden she now bore. Gathering her determination, she responded, "I will tell you, but on one condition."
A chuckle escaped Damian's lips, a sound that took her breath away. Even his laughter held a captivating quality, resonating deep within her. With just one chuckle, butterflies fluttered in her stomach, reminding her of the power he held over her.
"I don't make deals with anyone. Now, stand up," Damian ordered, his tone firm.
He rose to his feet and extended his hand, a gesture that puzzled her. Why was he treating her with such kindness? It was the only thought occupying her mind.
She reached down, her hands clutching her knees for support as she stood up, slowly shedding the nightgown she wore. Dust particles floated away as she shrugged it off.
"Your marriage is arranged, is it not?" Damian questioned, his gaze fixed on her.
Sera looked up at him, her expression filled with questioning. "Yes, it is, Lord-"
"Call me Damian. Show me your hand," he requested, his words carrying an air of demand that escaped her notice.
She displayed the ring on her finger, revealing it to him.
"The man must be wealthy enough to provide for you, I presume," he whispered.
Sera let out a chuckle. "Yes, he is. But he is also... a bit older than I had expected," she replied, hastily covering the emerald ring with her other hand.
Damian cleared his throat, drawing her attention. "You should never come to the forest at this hour. Never..." His eyes locked with hers, but she averted her gaze, not wanting to expose the vulnerability she felt whenever they conversed.
Unsure of her own feelings towards him, she struggled to put a name to it. Thus, her mind became clouded whenever he was around.
"While I appreciate your concern, L-Lord Damian... I can take care of myself, whether in the wilderness or not," she said, forcing a smile onto her face.
"Are you upset that I didn't accept your proposal?" he asked abruptly.
Sera shook her head. "I had no expectations to begin with. But now, I should return and try to get some sleep," she whispered, the last part almost inaudible.
A smirk appeared on Damian's face as he realized her anger. She was undeniably beautiful, and even her angry expression made him smile.
"You're not angry?"
"I had no expectations, Lord Damian," she replied firmly.
He acquiesced, recognizing her insistence. "Have a plea-"
"Promise me that you won't be in the forest at this hour, or any hour," Damian's voice grew harsher this time.
"Why?" Sera questioned, her little walks from the house to the forest providing her with a sense of freedom. The thrill and tranquility of those moments, carried on the gentle breeze, reminded her that she hadn't entirely lost control over her own life.
She could still behold the stars on her own, but for how much longer?
"Why do you think?" Damian retorted, his voice carrying a challenging tone that struck Sera.
"I'm no one to question a Lord, am I?" Sera mocked him, fully aware that this could get under his skin.
Yet, she was perplexed. He had initially insisted on being addressed as Lord, but then he had gone out of his way to approach a commoner like her. Why? And now he wanted her to call him by his name, even though she had momentarily forgotten that he was actually a prince in the kingdom.
"If that's the case, I might as well stake my claim," he replied.
"Huh?"
"You are strictly forbidden from setting foot in the forest."
"As if! It's not like you're going to be here every night-"
His words infuriated her. Not only was he dictating her actions, but he also had the audacity to order her around. Perhaps it was the entitlement of a spoiled prince, or maybe it was just his personality. Or maybe it was because he would call her a princess and then continue to speak to her as if she were any other commoner.
However, her thoughts came to a halt when he seized her upper arms and pulled her dangerously closer to him.
Their eyes locked in an instant. There was fire everywhere, from the firm yet gentle grip of his hands to the intensity in his gaze. It all burned.
He felt what she felt, closing his eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep breath as if inhaling her essence.
"There are..." he began to speak, his voice tinged with seriousness. "There are very dangerous people inside the woods, Seraphina."
"Like you?" she retorted.
"You wish people were like me. Go inside, princess," he commanded, releasing her arm.
Once again, the loss of contact left a deep impact on both of them.
"What is happening?" Sera questioned herself.
"I hope I never see you again," she declared, taking a step back.
Her words slipped out before she could consider them further. The man she had encountered, the one who called her a princess and issued orders in the short time they had spent together, she did not want to meet him again. She simply did not want to.
"Pray for it, princess," he whispered, turning around to walk away.
She watched his retreating figure, his words leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. His dark eyes seemed to convey something else. It felt as if he had left behind a promise.
In the book she was reading, Damian was quite the character. But was he the same in reality? He was known as a ladies' man, someone who had women vying for his attention. Yet, for all the years that had passed, he had been solely focused on seeking revenge.
The author of the book she was reading had a knack for fulfilling women's fantasies. From his abs to every intricate movement he described, the author captured it all. Reading it as Jane had only deepened Sera's sense of loneliness. But now, with him standing right in front of her, everything felt different.
Everything felt real.
Lost in her thoughts, she retraced her steps along the same path. Trees and bushes passed by, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
She dismissed the creepy feeling and hurried her way back into the village once more.