It's only been a month since the party and things inside the castle have drastically changed. I'm officially being treated as a member of the royal family and given the respect I deserved from the start. The queen even assigned me a personal knight for my own protection.
She said that members of the royal family are constantly at risk of being killed so it only makes sense that I am protected at all hours of the day. From what I heard, his name is Lucian Bellwood. The Bellwood family has been serving the royal family since they claimed the throne hundreds of years ago, it's said that they are the empires dogs in the sense that they obey every order they receive. This could either be really good for me or really bad.
"What do I know about Lord Bellwood?" Duke Espen asked, "Why are you asking about him?"
"Well he has just been assigned as my knight, so I just wanted to know what type of person he was." I said.
"Hmm… well he is the youngest son of Grand Duke Bellwood, i believe he should be about your age. He recently graduated top of his class at the academy. So he is the best person to protect you my lady." Duke Espen said.
"I figured that. But what's his personality like? He's not stuck up or the silent type right?" I asked.
"I have never personally met him so I can't say. However if he is anything like his father…" he trailed off.
"His father? What's his father like?" I pushed.
"My lady, we only get a few hours a day, we should focus on finishing today's lesson." He said, avoiding the question.
"Okay fine." I sighed.
I was distracted all day with thoughts about my knight, how he looked, how he sounded, how strong he was, what type of person he was; I thought so much about him you would think I was in love with the man. The reason behind all of this was because I wanted to know if he could be someone I trust. The words of princess Persephone and that hooded man linger in my mind all of the time. Not to trust anyone or don't let the environment here consume me.
I decided that stressing over a man I didn't even know wasn't good for me, so I took a stroll around the garden. The weather was nice and warm, that mixed with the cool breeze created the perfect environment. It was somewhat uplifting.
I ended up walking in a daze, before I knew it I was in a forest that was connected in some way to the garden. Honestly it had a creepy vibe to it. It felt like it was never supposed to be here, like it wasn't originally apart of the area. The warm sunny air and pleasant breeze turned into a dark and chilling atmosphere. It was a place that even the bravest man wouldn't dare to tread alone. Yet here I was, alone, in the dark creepy forest I had never been to before. Air was so thick that the further I went in the less oxygen I took into my lungs. It was suffocating, and I was lost.
Panic flooded my entire body and as if I was being chased I ran. I tried to retrace my steps but everything looked the same. I couldn't tell up from down at this point. My feet hurt but I still ran, dead tree branches kept slapping me in the face and on my arms and legs. My legs ended up giving out and causing me to fall down a hill. It felt like I had rolled for hours, by the time I stopped my body had been covered in cuts and bruises; also I had twisted my ankle. I would have to say that this was one of the weakest points in my life, I was utterly helpless and scared. Just when I thought that it couldn't get any worse it did. A low growling sound echoed throughout the forest, it echoed but sounded close. Within the darkness and fog of the forest I could clearly see something that could only be described as a monster. It was something that I had never seen before, not even in a book. It closed in on me slowly. I tried to get up and run but my legs refused to help me, so I crashed back down to the ground. The monster still making its way towards me. Tears began to swell into my eyes, every drop burned as it fell.
"Stay back!" I tried.
"Get away from me." I thought talking to it might make it leave. Obviously that didn't work, it only made it mad. The monster charged at me, as a natural response I closed my eyes.
This is how I die? To some creature in the middle of a dark forest, alone.
A few seconds passed yet I was still alive. I slowly opened my eyes to see the monster dead at my feet and a tall beautiful man standing next to it covered in it's blood, wearing it like it was a Medal of Honor.
"My lady are you okay?" The man asked.
His voice was as beautiful as him.
He reached his hand out to assist me, but I sat there shocked, not at the fact that there was a dead animal next to me but that a man that good looking existed.
"I guess you're a bit shaken up." He chuckled to himself. He picked me up and carried me through the woods back to the castle, where I was treated and questioned by the royal doctor and my maids.
The man stood there staring at me.
Once I was treated everyone left my room. Aside from that man who had moved closer to me. He bowed down on one near and grabbed my hand.
"I would like to officially introduce myself to you Lady Salaeli." He said.
"Uh, okay." I stuttered.
"I am Lucian Ares Bellwood. Your personal knight. I live to serve you and protect you." He said gracefully kissing my hand.
"I am so glad they picked you." I said subconsciously out loud.