For the first time, I set foot outside the real world since I'd been locked up inside that hut behind me by the silver-eyed man.
It felt strange. It gives the feeling of a prisoner who has been set free but at the same time held hostage. It is such a confusing feeling and I hate it.
The clothes I wore were just black. A black long-sleeve gown that hung above my knees. A pair of black sandals and a black scarf wrapped around my shoulder.
He made me wrap the scarf around me for, best reasons known to him. Only the heavens know where he got the clothes from. Maybe he had prepared them in advance.
The cold morning breeze blew in our direction and I closed my eyes to relish the feeling I'd missed. I sighed softly and looked to my side, he was still standing there.
" Run away Valerie," My consciousness screamed and I rolled my eyes to the side, taking a proper look at my environment.
We are in the woods. We are surrounded by tall trees and running away is like wishing for death. I don't have any superpowers. I haven't eaten well and I probably weigh just like a newborn.
NO!
I shook my head in disapproval. There is no way that I am going to run away.
I felt a chilling feeling on my left palm and I felt shivers run through me until I felt something wrapped around my palm.
I looked to my side and saw our hands intertwined and I felt irritated.
What does he think that he is doing?
I am a maiden. A royal maiden and men are not allowed to touch me.
I tried to pull my hand away and his grip tightened which meant that he wasn't planning to let go anytime soon.
" Be obedient," he said icily and that feeling washed over me. That shiver.
I pressed my lips together and looked ahead, mustering the courage that I could muster before opening my mouth to say in between gritted teeth.
" I am a maiden. You are not allowed to touch me,"
I waited for him to let go of my hand but I got a sneer in response. Is he deaf? What will it take him to let go of my hand?
I tried to pull away for the second time and he groaned. I must be getting under his skin and I like it. I like that groan even if it's scary.
No, I don't like anything about him, not even his groan. Everything about him disgusts me.
" Don't make me mad," he warned and I resisted the urge to nod my head. I am the crown princess and I give the orders, not the other way round.
I felt my legs moving and I realized that he was pulling me. I stumbled over and retraced my step and walked at the same pace as him.
The leaves that were wet from dews slapped my legs and I hate the feeling. I'm not used to this. Not even a bit.
" You're free to talk. I see you're the talking type," he said beside me and I couldn't even feel his eyes on me. He was looking ahead like I never existed.
" Why do I have to dress in black and wrap a shawl around my neck? " I asked the first question that came to my mind. My dress code looks weird. I'm not a wizard and I'm not a witch. Not even a demon. I'm a princess and black is the last thing I ever wore.
" Black has so many meanings but in your case," he paused and I wondered why he paused. I wonder about the meaning behind my own black.
" In your case, you are a big omen." He said and I stopped walking and asked in an accusing tone.
" What do you mean by that?"
He pulled me and continued walking and I had no choice but to catch up with him.
" You brought grief to the royal household, you're expected to wear black because you're grieving and for the shawl, " he paused.
" What about it? " I asked. Why do I have to wear a shawl?
" The shawl is to protect you." He answered simply and I frowned in confusion.
" Why do I need to be protected? You are the one who j should be protected from." I asked not taking my eyes off his side profile that was covered by his long hair and I almost stumbled.
" Not really protected. To hide your identity because I feel and believe that the royal armies are out there looking for you. They must have a portrait in their hands. " He said and I felt chills all over me.
I don't know how exactly to feel.
The king is dead and I am missing. Shouldn't they be looking for me to save me from the person who captured me?
Maybe he is just saying that to hide me from the royal armies that could possibly save me from him, the devil.
But then, I remembered what he told me a
In the hut earlier.
I am being accused of murder back at the palace and I'm the prime suspect. Elena is all over the place looking for me and taking me back means I have to prove my innocence, that is if Elena and my stepmother's haven't instructed them to execute me immediately I'm found, judging from the fact that they don't like me a bit.
Now, I don't know what to believe anymore. I don't know if I should believe the devil holding my hand or follow him to wherever he is taking me just to be safe from the wrath of Elena and stepmothers.
What if death awaits me where he is also taking me to?
This is so complicated. I don't know what to do.
I will just reveal myself when I see the royal army and see if he will try to save me. Then I will know his true intentions if he wants to keep me alive or dead.