Alexander's mind was in disarray as he made his way to Elysia's room, his heart pulsating with an inexplicable mix of frustration and uncertainty. He had hoped for an opportunity to speak with her, to gauge her thoughts and feelings after their earlier conversation. Yet, Lady Evelyn's words of her slumber cast a veil of disappointment over him.Dismissing negative thoughts, he put on a façade of indifference when he met Gabriel and Liam in the tavern below. Their startled expressions were not lost on him, and he could sense their unspoken curiosity."Where's the princess, Your Highness?" Gabriel inquired, raising an eyebrow.Alexander gave a nonchalant shrug, feigning disinterest. "Asleep, apparently. The journey must have exhausted her."Liam's eyes narrowed, studying Alexander's demeanor with a hint of suspicion. "Asleep? Weren't you two meant to have dinner together?"He could feel the weight of their unspoken question, and part of him wanted to share the truth of his feelings for Elysia. But the uncertainty gnawed at him, and he hesitated. Instead, he masked his emotions behind a veil of vague responses."We had a busy day," he replied casually, sipping his ale. "Thought she could use some rest."Liam and Gabriel exchanged glances, clearly unconvinced by his evasive answers. The camaraderie in the tavern that night seemed to be tinged with unspoken tension, and Alexander found himself seeking refuge in the company of his men, distracting himself from the thoughts of the enigmatic princess.As the night wore on, laughter and raucous conversation filled the air, a stark contrast to the turmoil within Alexander's mind. The presence of his loyal friends brought him some comfort, yet the thought of Elysia lingered in the recesses of his thoughts like an elusive whisper that refused to fade away.As the evening wore on, Alexander found himself drawn to the tavern's window, gazing up at the moonlit sky. He wondered what Elysia was doing, whether she truly slept or if her thoughts mirrored his own.Unbeknownst to him, Elysia was about to have her own enchanted adventure behind his back.I was wide awake when the hour struck midnight. Lady Evelyn was sleeping soundly beside me. Unable to fall back to slumber, I sat on the bed and looked at the balcony, which was covered with thin drapes. I can see the soft lights coming from outside. My curiosity was piqued. How about a stroll in the town? What wonders could I find? Quickly I change my nightgown into a simple and comfortable gown that any commoner would wear. I do not want unwanted attention if I wear my usual flashy dresses. Knowing my habit of sneaking out, Lady Evelyn has packed these kinds of clothing to suit the purpose. I put the hood up, covering my head before going outside the inn.I met a few of Alexander's men in the lobby, but they paid no attention to me. Surely they did not expect I would sneak out like last night. Am I, not their master's captive? What kind of abduction is this? I held my laughter and trotted quietly along the street.Even though it was already midnight, the street was still lively but not as crowded as it had been a few hours earlier. The Moon Festival had just started that day, and the people of Evergrove were still enjoying themselves. The air was fresh, but there was a faint rotten smell that wafted through the air every now and then. I wrinkled my nose at the smell, but it didn't bother me too much. I was too busy enjoying the festive atmosphere. Little that I know that my adventure that night was getting attention from certain somebody.As the night wore on, Alexander found himself plagued by strange hunches about Elysia. The enigmatic princess occupied his thoughts relentlessly, a puzzle he was desperate to solve. Unable to shake the sense of curiosity gnawing at him, he quietly excused himself from the joviality of the tavern.Stepping out into the crisp night air, Alexander's senses sharpened, guiding him with an almost instinctive direction. He caught a fleeting glimpse of a woman in a hooded cloak, her graceful gait familiar in an indescribable way. With a sudden conviction, he knew this was the elusive princess he sought.He trailed her silently, careful not to alert her to his presence. Hidden in the shadows, he observed her from afar, his curiosity growing with each step she took. There was something about her, an air of mystery that drew him in like a moth to a flame.The night embraced them like a shroud, the moonlight casting ethereal rays upon the cloaked figure. The princess walked with purpose, and Alexander couldn't help but marvel at the grace and elegance in her every movement. He noticed the gentle sway of her cloak, the curve of her shoulders, and the glimmer of her eyes beneath the hood. A sense of vulnerability veiled her, and he couldn't help but wonder what secrets she hid beneath that cloak.With his heart pounding, Alexander continued to follow her through the moonlit streets of Evergrove. His pursuit was not driven by a desire to impose himself upon her but to understand the enigma that was Princess Elysia.The night unfolded like a delicate dance between shadows and moonbeams, and as Alexander's eyes remained locked on her figure, he knew that this journey into the unknown would only deepen his fascination with the woman he couldn't help but feel drawn to.As the hooded figure disappeared into the labyrinth of the town, Alexander made a silent promise to himself. He would unravel the secrets that hid beneath that cloak, and in doing so, he hoped to uncover the truth that lay hidden within his own heart.As I walked alone along the pedestrian bridge, the moon's gentle glow embraced me like a comforting shroud. The night air felt crisp against my skin, a stark contrast to the turmoil within my heart. My encounter with Alexander had left me restless, his 'annoying' presence occupying my thoughts like an enchanting puzzle I couldn't solve.Suddenly, my solitude was shattered by a group of rowdy, drunken men who approached me with boisterous laughter. Their intention was far from innocent, mistaking me for one of the women from the nearby brothel. My instincts flared, ready to put up a fight, but before I could react, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.I was glad to receive this gentleman's help as I am aware that I alone could not fight the drunken men even if my ego told me otherwise.To my surprise, it was Alexander who came to my rescue. My gratitude started to melt within me, mingled with a sense of frustration at his timely appearance. But as his stern gaze met mine, his expression changed, morphing into one of reprimand."You were careless and foolish, Elysia," he chided, his voice stern and protective. "This town may seem safe, but it's far from it. You should have been more cautious."His words sparked a fire within me, igniting a surge of indignation. I refused to be treated like a fragile princess in need of constant protection. "I can handle myself, Alexander," I retorted, my voice firm. "I may be new to this land, but I've faced danger before."Yet, he remained unyielding, adamant in his concern for my safety. "This is not like any land you've known," he insisted, his gaze unwavering. "You have a gift, but it doesn't make you invincible."The tension between us crackled like a charged storm, our conflicting ideals clashing beneath the moonlit sky. I appreciated his concern, but I couldn't accept being sheltered from the realities of this realm."I didn't come here to be coddled and controlled," I shot back, my frustration spilling into my words. "I'm not a damsel in distress, Alexander. I can take care of myself."His gaze softened, as if trying to see the woman behind the princess. "I know you didn't, and I admire your courage," he acknowledged, his voice tinged with sincerity. "But this land is full of dangers you can't comprehend yet. If others know who you are, there will be a price that they would willing to pay just to take advantage of your ability." Alexander's large hand clasped both of my shoulders.I smiled bitterly at him. "Just like what you did. Kidnapping me for your own benefit. Aren't you the same as the men you've despised?"He looked at me with a mixture of anger and sadness in his eyes. "I'm not the same as them," he said. "I'm doing this to protect you.""Protect me?" I scoffed. "From what? From yourself?""From the people who want to hurt you," claimed Alexander. His voice was pure of concern. "The people who are after your gift."I shook my head. "I don't believe you," I said. "You're just trying to control me.""I'm not trying to control you. I'm trying to help you." His efforts to persuade me only serve to make things worse."You're not helping me, you're making me confused. You purposely abducted me so that you could use me hunt down the King of Monsters, who has not threatened any kingdom. As far as I know, Aetherion is a myth passed down from generation to generation. No human has ever seen the beast. How would that help me?" I was befuddled about Alexander's true intention."I'm sorry you feel that way. But I'm doing what I think is best." His voice softened at my sudden outrage.I tried to break free from his grasp but to no avail. I didn't know what to believe. Was he trying to help me, or was he just trying to control me? I didn't know who to trust.The conversation grew impassioned; their emotions laid bare under the moon's watchful gaze. They stood on that bridge, two souls grappling with their beliefs and desires. Beneath the heated exchange, there was a glimmer of connection, an unspoken understanding that drew them together even as they clashed.Damn, that narrator! I wish I could wringed his neck!