Two days had passed since the tense breakfast, and Katrin had doing everything to avoid Ethan. But that was too impossible as they had to see each other at every meal.
Once again they were having breakfast, Katrin's gaze fixed on her plate. The clinking of utensils and the soft murmur of conversation formed a backdrop to her thoughts. She had no appetite, no matter how good the food looked.
With a heavy sigh, she pushed her plate away, silently excusing herself from the table. Feeling free she decided to explore the castle, having seen enough of the dining and her room.
As she walked, Katrin formed a mental map of her route. The halls seemed to stretch endlessly, each twist and turn revealing new marvels—exquisite tapestries, intricate sculptures, and breathtaking views of the elven gardens.
When Katrin finally decided to make her way back, a flash of familiar red hair caught her eye. It was Lila, moving with quiet grace as she went about her tasks. Katrin's heart warmed at the sight of her, and she hastened her steps to catch up.
"Lila!" Katrin called out softly, her voice carrying a mixture of relief and eagerness.
Lila turned, a smile forming on her lips as she recognized Katrin. "Oh, it's you! How are you?"
Katrin fell into step beside her, her eyes betraying her residual frustration. "I've been better, honestly. I wanted to apologize for what happened the other day. I didn't mean to put you in such a difficult position."
Lila's expression softened, her eyes conveying genuine understanding. "It's alright, really. I've worked in similar environments before. High-ranking families can be quite... demanding."
Katrin frowned, the corners of her mouth twitching into a rueful smile. "I suppose I'm still adjusting to all of this."
Lila chuckled softly. "Give it time. You'll find your rhythm, at least you get to live in your own royal room." She joked but Katrin could only smile guilty.
They walked in companionable silence for a while, the tension of the previous days melting away in Lila's presence. The gardens seemed to stretch endlessly, and Katrin somewhat felt free.
As they reached a quiet corner of the garden, Lila turned to Katrin, her eyes bright with warmth. "I'm glad we had a chance to talk. And don't worry about the others. Maids always whisper about new arrivals, especially those who catch their Master's eye."
Katrin's brow furrowed in confusion. "Catch their Master's eye? What do you mean?"
Lila's gaze shifted, her eyes locking onto something behind Katrin. "Speaking of which, I think someone is trying to catch your eye right now."
Katrin turned, her heart skipping a beat as she spotted Ethan standing in the distance, his eyes fixed on her. She felt a mix of surprise and a tinge of vulnerability, realizing he must have been observing them.
Lila's voice was laced with humor. "Seems like you're doing just fine."
Katrin's cheeks flushed slightly, a combination of embarrassment and a hint of annoyance washing over her. She turned back to Lila, her tone playfully admonishing. "You could have warned me."
Lila laughed softly. "Where's the fun in that?"
As Lila returned to her duties, Katrin took a deep breath, a mixture of emotions swirling within her and her heart felt lighter.
Yet, as she walked back toward the castle, a peculiar sensation washed over her. It started as a faint tingle in her fingertips, then spread through her palms. Katrin halted, she focused on the sensation, felling it grow.
To her astonishment, a soft, shimmering light began to emanate from her hands. It danced in the air like fireflies, casting a gentle glow around her. Katrin's eyes widened in wonder, her heart racing.
Ethan had been discreetly watching Katrin from a distance, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. He had noted the interaction between her and Lila and observed the subtle transformation in the air that didn't escape his perceptive gaze.
The sight of the ethereal light caught his attention, and he couldn't help but be intrigued. His mind raced with possibilities, contemplating the implications of Katrin's newfound ability.
As Katrin marveled at the radiant light dancing in her hands, she felt the light surging through her fingers and was intrigued by it. A soft gasp from behind reached her ears. She turned around to find Sylara standing a few paces away, her face a mix of astonishment and realization. Katrin quickly closed her hands, extinguishing the light.
Sylara approached her slowly, her eyes never leaving Katrin's hands. "You, what was that?"
Katrin's eyes flushed with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. She hesitated before responding, "I... It's nothing. I'll be heading back to my room now."
She turned around but didn't go far before a spray of smoke surrounded her. 'Pixie dust!' she thought, pausing in her steps.
"I advise you not to move," Sylara's voice said, taking steady steps towards the frozen human, "One wrong move and with a snap of my finger, you'll be blasted into oblivion."
Katrin's breath turned hazy, and her eyes followed the princess, who had come to stand in front of her. "What do you want from me? If the Duke sees you treating me like this, he wouldn't be happy."
Sylara chuckled. "Is that so? The same Ethan who didn't let you stand up against me? Do you actually think he cares for a slave like you?"
Katrin's eyes fell, it wasn't like she wasn't aware of it. Sylara was right; the duke didn't really care for her. She could tell he only wanted something from her, but what could it be? What if he knew?
Just as Sylara's threat hung in the air, a commanding voice cut through, "That's enough, Sylara."
Both Katrin and Sylara turned to see Ethan stepping out from behind a pillar, his expression firm yet composed. He had a steadying effect on the tense scene.
Sylara's gaze narrowed, but she seemed to heed Ethan's command and refrained from snapping her fingers. Ethan approached with purpose, positioning himself between Sylara and Katrin. He held up a hand to signal for Sylara to stop.
"Ethan," Sylara said with a mixture of defiance and frustration, "you don't understand what she—"
"I understand enough," Ethan interrupted, his tone carrying authority. "This is not the way to handle matters, especially in the gardens."
Sylara's gaze shifted, and her defiance wavered slightly under Ethan's unwavering gaze. "She's dangerous. She has powers."
Ethan's expression remained steady, and he turned his attention to Katrin. "Is that true?"
Katrin met Ethan's eyes, her own filled with a mix of uncertainty and trepidation. "I... I don't know what she's talking about."
Ethan's gaze held a hint of skepticism, but he didn't seem ready to jump to conclusions. He turned back to Sylara. "Even if there was a case as such, it's not your place to decide her fate."
Sylara's shoulders tensed, but she didn't argue further. Ethan's authority overrode her desire for confrontation.
"Go back to your duties," Ethan instructed Sylara. "I'll handle this."
Sylara shot one last glare at Katrin before turning and walking away, disappearing among the garden's greenery.
Ethan's attention returned to Katrin. He let out a sigh, his expression softening somewhat. "I apologize for her behavior. She can be impulsive at times."
Katrin nodded, still feeling a bit shaken by the encounter. "Thank you for stepping in."
Ethan's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he looked away, his demeanor returning to its usual composed state. "Let's get you back to your room."
He led the way, and Katrin followed in silence. As they reached her room, Ethan turned to face her, his gaze firm. "I won't always be around to save you from trouble if you get into them. Be cautious, Katrin."
She nodded, acknowledging his warning. "I will."
However, just as he turned to leave, Ethan's demeanor shifted. He took a step closer to Katrin, his expression inscrutable. Suddenly, his hand reached out to gently but firmly push her against the door frame, his body subtly blocking her path back into the room.
Katrin's heart raced, a mixture of surprise and uncertainty flooding through her. Their proximity was unsettling, and the intensity in Ethan's eyes held her captive.
"Sir?" she whispered, her voice tinged with a combination of confusion and a hint of anxiety.
His gaze bore into hers, and for a moment, the air between them seemed charged with unspoken tension. He leaned in, his breath brushing against her ear as he spoke in a low, authoritative tone. "Listen carefully, Katrin. The people you're now surrounded by are precarious. Sylara might be impulsive, but her concerns aren't entirely unfounded, are they?" He asked and Katrin's pupils momentarily dilated. "If you get into trouble again, I might not be able to protect you. And next time, the consequences could be severe."
Katrin's heart pounded in her chest as his words sank in. She felt trapped between the wall and Ethan's imposing presence, his warning echoing in her ears. A mixture of annoyance and understanding welled up within her, Could he possible know.
"I... I understand," she managed to say, her voice a little shaky.
Ethan held her gaze for a moment longer before he straightened up, breaking the intense atmosphere. "Good. Keep in mind of what I've just told you."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Katrin slightly breathless and filled with conflicting emotions. She sighed in annoyance and leaned back against the door frame, the weight of the encounter settling upon her.
After a moment, she pushed herself off the frame and entered her room. Her fingers found the worn leather cover of Azrael's journal, and she sank onto her bed, flipping it open to continue her exploration of its pages.