Katrin couldn't shake the intensity of her encounter with Sylara, taking every opportunity to avoid the Pixie princess. But she also couldn't ignore her curiosity about the power that had found. She needed to find out more about this mysterious ability that had seemingly surfaced within her.
As the days passed, Katrin continued to adapt to life within the elven estate. She kept a low profile, observing the interactions and politics of the elven court from the shadows. But the desire to understand her newfound powers gnawed at her, and she couldn't help but wonder if someone in the castle might help her might have answers.
One sunny morning, as Katrin watched Lila and a few other maids prepare for their daily errands, curiosity overcame her. She decided to take a chance to see out side the castle and approached Lila with a hesitant smile.
"Lila," Katrin began, "I was wondering if I could join you and the others on your errands today. I want to learn more about life outside the castle, and I thought this would be a good opportunity."
The maids' eyes widened in surprise at the request. It wasn't common for a guest like Katrin to accompany the maids on their tasks, but she could sense Katrin's genuine curiosity. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded.
"All right, but you must promise to stay close and not get in the way," Lila cautioned. "We have our duties to attend to."
Katrin's excitement bubbled beneath the surface as she nodded eagerly. "I promise, I won't be a hindrance. Thank you, Lila."
With that, Katrin joined Lila and the others as they set out on their errand. The market was vast, and Katrin marveled at the opportunity to explore its various corners.
They had walked around for a while, buying needed Items, before arriving at a fruit vendor. The maids had earlier complained that his prices were exorbitant, and his scales appeared to be rigged in his favor.
As they approached the vendor, Katrin examined the fruits carefully, comparing them to the weight on the scales. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed the discrepancy. When he'd called the finally price for them Katrin decided to speak up
"Sir," Katrin addressed the vendor calmly, "I believe there might be an issue with your scales. They seem to be tilted."
The vendor, caught off guard by Katrin's scrutiny, stammered, "Nonsense! My scales are perfectly accurate!"
But Katrin didn't back down. "But the weight doesn't seem to match the fruit we want to purchase, could you please check?" She pointed out the discrepancies with precision, drawing the attention of other customers who had been unaware of the cheating. The vendor's protests grew weaker as the evidence against him mounted.
"Yes this always happens when we buy fruits from you, I think you're trying to cheat us sir" The maids joined in, sharing their own experiences of being overcharged.
"Uh- uh. I'll check the scales, please just calm down young ladies." The vendor realizing that he could no longer deceive his customers and reluctantly adjusted the scales to their proper balance and gave the ladies their correct price.
As they left the market square, the maids couldn't hide their gratitude and admiration for Katrin's help.
"Thank you, Katrin," Lila said with a warm smile. "That man's been cheating them for month, I think it's because he knows he's the closes vendor from the castle."
"It was nothing I faced similar crooks back when I was Kornicus, Some weren't as easy to handle though." Katrin laughed and then processed to share stories of her past experiences.
The hours passed quickly, and Katrin couldn't hide her fascination with the elven way of life. The maids chatted with her and shared stories about their life in the estate. It was the first time Katrin had felt a sense of belonging since her arrival.
"And then there's the evil Princess Sylara, non of the servants likes her. If our Princess didn't value her as a friend then she wouldn't even be welcomed at the castle"
"Don't forget that when accident with the duke. That sly pixie almost got him in a tight spot"
"Pardon?" Katrin calmly interrupted, her eyes filled with curiosity, "What accident with the duke?"
"Oh" a maid whispered and beckoned her near, "Two years ago the entire realms of Elves and Pixies went into up roar when the duke and Princess Sylara were both found in the duke's room after a grand ball. The court demanded they got married but luckily the duke found a way to avoid it and the situation died down."
"How did he avoid the marriage, Isn't it Elven custom for a man and a woman to get married if they are caught together." Katrin was really interested, though she couldn't figure out why there was a needle piercing felling in her heart. May be she was just surprised. It was shocking to here that about a man she was now to see as her owner.
"No one knows." The maid shrugged.
As the sun began its descent, Katrin realized she had lost herself to her thoughts, She looked up and spun around but the maids were no where to be seen. The Market paths and Ally ways had turned into a labyrinth, and her initial excitement gave way to a growing sense of unease.
"Um, Lila," Katrin called hesitantly, "Anyone?"
She glanced around with furrowed her brow. "What turn should I take now."
Before she could figure out a way back, a group of hooded figures surrounding tactfully surrounded her with a devised means that sent her shoved it an ally. Panic surged through her as she turned and found the maids being shoved into the same ally.
"Stay back!" Lila called out, trying to shield Katrin her grey eyes resembling those she'd see when they were attacked by goblins. But it was too late. The hooded figures moved with precision, their movements swift and coordinated.
In the chaos that followed, Katrin felt a cloth pressed against her mouth. She struggled to breathe, her vision blurring as darkness closed in. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was Lila and the rest struggling the same fate.
When Katrin woke, she found herself in an unfamiliar, dimly lit chamber. Her head throbbed, and her limbs felt heavy. Panic surged through her as the memories of the kidnapping flooded back. She tried to move, but her wrists and ankles were bound.
As her eyes adjusted to the low light, she realized she wasn't alone. Lila and the other maids were also there, their faces pale with fear, while some still unconscious.
"Lila!" Katrin whispered urgently, trying to get her friend's attention. "Are you okay?"
Lila nodded, her voice trembling. "I think so, but we need to find a way out of here."
:"Okay wake the rest up, while i think of something." The chamber had no visible exits, and the air felt heavy with foreboding. Katrin knew they needed to act fast before their captors returned. She focused her thoughts on her newfound powers, hoping that they might be the key to their escape.
With a deep breath, she concentrated, trying to summon the ethereal light she had witnessed before. To her surprise and relief, a soft, shimmering glow emanated from her hands, casting a gentle light in the dim chamber, not only that but the light formed blade like shapes and cut through her bounds."
Not wasting time she quickly cut the rest free as Lila and the other maids gasped in amazement, their fear momentarily forgotten. Katrin's heart raced as she realized that her powers might be their only hope.
"Quick," Katrin urged, "we need to look for a way out while they're not here. Follow the light."
As the ethereal glow illuminated the chamber, they began to search for any hidden passages or weaknesses in the walls. Time was running out, and Katrin knew that their captors could return at any moment.
Their desperate search led them to a small crack in the wall, barely wide enough for a person to squeeze through. With a collective effort, they managed to widen the opening just enough for a person to slip through.
"Follow after me." Katrin whispered urgently to Lila and the others. "I'll run ahead and try to find help ten I'll run back to you."
With a final, worried glance, Lila and the maids nodded and watched as Katrin slipped through the crack and disappeared into the darkness beyond. After a few seconds they followed after
Katrin's heart raced as she ventured into the forest, her ethereal light guiding her way. She knew that the journey ahead would be perilous, but she was determined to rescue her friends and uncover the truth behind her kidnapping.
As Katrin ventured further into the darkness, the narrow passages between trees seemed to close in around her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she continued to follow the ethereal glow of her powers. She had no idea where she was going, but she couldn't stop now. Her determination to rescue Lila and the other maids burned brighter than ever.
The kidnappers, who had spotted the racing figure of Katrin, were hot on her trail. Their malevolent voices echoed in the air as they closed in, their footsteps growing louder with each passing moment.
Katrin's breath quickened, and she knew she couldn't outrun them. With a determined resolve, she turned to face her pursuers. She summoned the shimmering light in her hands, letting it dance and flicker like a living thing before they took the form of blades. As the kidnappers rounded the corner, they were met with a blinding burst of light.
The sudden illumination disoriented them, buying Katrin precious seconds. She lashed out with her newfound powers, sending bolts of light toward her attackers while swinging her arms around. They cried out in pain as the radiant energy struck them, causing them to stumble back.
But they were persistent, and they continued to advance even when some were sliced if they came near, their determination matched only by their malevolence. Katrin fought valiantly, using her light powers to keep them at bay, but she could feel her strength waning.
Just as the light began to fade, the sound of hoofbeats echoed through the corridor. A pair of horses galloped into view, their riders masked by the shadows of their cloaks.
With a swift and coordinated movement, the cloaked figures dismounted, revealing Duke Ethan and Prince Felix. Both of them were armed, and their eyes blazed with a fierce determination as they engaged the kidnappers in combat.
Ethan's gaze momentarily noting the light that emitted from Katrin's palms.
The forest moved into chaos as Ethan and Felix fought with a lethal grace. Their weapons flashed in the dim light, and the kidnappers were quickly overwhelmed by their skill and resolve. In a matter of moments, the threat was neutralized, and the kidnappers lay defeated on the ground.
Ethan and Felix turned to Katrin, their expressions a mix of concern and relief. Katrin's heart swelled with gratitude as she rushed toward them, The light dying from her hands.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
Ethan gave her a nod, his gaze softening. "We couldn't let harm befall you. Where are the maids?"
As they made their way back to the castle, Katrin couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. She had faced danger head-on and come out victorious, thanks to her newfound powers and the timely arrival of the Duke and Prince. Though she wasn't sure what would happen now that a lot of people knew of her power. What would they say when the human girl they welcomed in, might now possibly be a Special. The enemy to Creatures.
However, their return to the castle was not without consequences. Lila and the other maids were subjected to punishment, they we're deprived of their meals for a day for their role in Katrin's escape.
Katrin watched with a heavy heart as the maids were led away, knowing that their punishment was a consequence of her actions. She vowed to find a way to make it up to them.
But her own fate took a different turn as Ethan approached her, his expression unreadable. He gestured for her to follow him, and Katrin couldn't refuse. As they walked toward his private chambers, Katrin couldn't help but feel a mix of trepidation and curiosity about what awaited her.
Behind the closed doors of his room, Ethan turned to face Katrin. His eyes bore into hers, and there was a sternness in his demeanor that sent shivers down her spine.
"Katrin," he began, his voice low and commanding, "your actions today endangered not only yourself but also the maids. Such recklessness cannot go unpunished."
Katrin's heart sank as she realized the gravity of the situation. She had expected consequences, but she had hoped they would be different.
Ethan continued, his gaze unwavering. "You will receive a punishment for your actions. It is my duty to ensure your safety, and your actions today were a blatant disregard of that safety."
Katrin nodded, her shoulders slumping in resignation. She knew she had made a mistake, and now she had to face the consequences.
"Your punishment today, Is for you to sleep with me."
"Pardon?" Katrin asked, absolutely confused. Did she hear it well? But that didn't sound like a punishment.
"You heard right, You are to spend your night her, with me." Ethan concluded before taking actions to take his royal blouse off.
"Wait Katrin yelped, placing her hands over her eyes and turning away. "I don't think I can do what you are requesting sir."
A deep chuckle sounded behind her and Katrin's body shuddered when she felt a hand settle on her shoulder. She tried to move away but the hand was firm.
"What is going through your head little bunny-cat?" Ethan whispered in her ear, "All I said was that you'll spend the night here and your mind is already going south, I never thought you'd be like this."
Katrin cheeks turned red with embarrassment and she turned around to push the terrible man away, only for her hands to touch sturdy, curvy and smooth skin. With a loud shirk she pushed Ethan away and moved to a corner of the room to hide.
Ethan's deep chuckle echoed in the air while he picked up a body cloth that he threw over his shoulder. He brought out a blanket and picked up a pillow from the bed before placing them on a big chair in the room.
"You'll sleep here." He said before heading into the bathroom. Katrin moved over to chair and quickly settled i before he came out. Surprisingly the chair was comfortable and within a few seconds she had dosed off, leaving her worries for the next day.
***