The dark figure crouched beside a defenseless kitten, his face was hidden under the black hoodie, making him appear even more sinister. The moonlight cannot wash away the darkness of one's heart.
He crouched beside the defenseless being, his face was concealed with the black hoodie, and mask, adding the air of malevolence that surrounded him.
He couldn't help but chuckle softly at himself at the irony of the situation.
'That haughty Crown Prince let his guard down to something like this. I wonder how his face will look when he get to know the truth'
His voice made the kitten stirr and turn around facing against him, so he quieten and watched her intently.
He could finish this off very easily, but..
He reached his hands to grab something shiny tied to his waist. His fingers tightly curled around the object. For a moment, the air seemed to hum with anticipation as the figure prepared to reveal the dangerous weapon.
A baby bottle with milk slashing in it, slips out of his cloak.
The figure's lips twitched into a wry smile as he beheld the innocent object, a stark contrast to the ominous atmosphere that had pervaded the room.
'This milk contains the roots of crystal Rose, that can remove any blockage in mana flow''
He cautiously pressed the bottle against her small mouth, the shameless animal that did a good job failing her animal instinct started to suck on the bottle like a baby.
The man in black patiently waited for the kitten to finish the content of bottle.
'What a glutton!' He looked down at her 'If I knew this, I would have taken a small amount of milk'
After, what felt like an eternity, the bottle was finished clean. The kitten let out a small burp.
He placed aside the bottle and deliberately removed his gloves, his sleek ivory hands had a peculiar runes adorned on his middle finger. He raised a few inches above the sleeping kitten.
'Any other animal could have woken up by now, but this' he gave her a dry smile.
He began to chant in a distinct language, the words sent the vibration around the feline.
The disturbing sound made the kitten stirr again, the man frowned trying to finish it as fast as he can.
As he continued to chant the mantra, a faint red light began to emanate from the carved signs on his outstretched hand leading to form a complex magic circle on the floor.
The air crackled with energy, and the room seemed to pulse with a newfound power.
The kitten, annoyed with the sound began to open her eyes,
But before it could awaken fully, the figure's chanting reached a crescendo, and with a final flourish of his hand, the magic circle erupted in a brilliant display of light.
The room was bathed in a crimson glow as the spell took hold, weaving its mystical threads around the tiny feline.
The tiny creature, that was finally, wide awake was taken aback by the outburst of sudden red light.
She cursed under her breath, The figure watched with a sense of satisfaction as the enchantment took effect.
As the light soaked by her body, she yawned and sits up, rubbing her eyes and blinked it slowly before opening it.
'What a weird drea-" She froze inside out as she was greeted by athe sight of cloaked figure hovering over.
The man and the kitten remained still, intently staring at each other. There was a moment of silent understanding between them, as if each was trying to decipher the other's intentions.
The realisation hit her like a solid brick.
'Oh my god! It's burglar! ' she pointed out at him with her jaw dropped.
She jumped on her four feet and hissed at the masked man, raising her fur at him.
'You want to take the Prince's gold ? take this' she hissed jumping left and right.
On the other hand, the man was confused about something else.
'The magic didn't worked! ' he face devoid of any emotions, fixated at fuming kitten. Trying to figure out where he made the mistake.
She jumped at the man's face throwing her limpy arms. The man winced in pain as her claw dug into his skin.
'Take this mo***F*****!! ' she growled as loud as she can.
He caught the kitten with both of his hands and removed her off his face, throwing her away.
Her body crashed against her bed 'how was that!? ' she growled.
He flinched at the unexpected sight unfolded before him. Though he can just to snap her neck and get rid of her, he needed something from her.
"Stay alive until I come back again" He hissed back at her before jumping off the windows and disappearing like the wind.
The kittan melted on the floor with a huge sigh escaped her lungs. 'So annoying' her heart was still alarmed.
The glass bottle that he forgot to take back stood there catching the kitten's attention.
She pondered as she inspected the suspicious looking bottle that wasn't there before, and the sweetness she felt on her lips. It didn't took her too long to connect the dots.
She grimaced as she spoke to herself "the thief was feeding me milk? "
Her brain was buffering for a few moment.
Exasperated, at her own incompetence she dismissed all the thoughts and decided to just sleep for now.
She yawned "what a weird world indeed"
She tried to close the windows but it didn't bulge to she discarded the plan and went back to sleep.
'I will think about it in the morning'
__________
The entire Ashenhurt residence lay shrouded in the silence, the gentle rhythm of slumber filled every corner.
Except for one.
The chamber of Duke Gilbert was remained illuminated by the soft flickering light of candles. Duke working for hours late in the night was nothing uncommon.
But tonight, Gilbert couldn't focus on the papers. The documents and sheets were scattered on the desk, the quill was placed aside, which was uncharacteristic of him.
Duke stood against the window frame, leaning onto it's frame, distantly staring at at the moon, as if conveying his message through telepathy.
His unfazed gaze heavily rested on the face of the moon, as an old friend rests his worries to other.
His mind was filled with the faint memories that he shared with his daughter, Leonore.
His life that revolved around politics and business, He hardly spent any meaningful time with her and yet he has all those memories appearing in his head and kept multiplying.
The Duke soliloquy was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Duke recognized him with the rhythm of his walk.
Denis bowed deeply at the Duke who didn't bothered to move.
"Your Grace, Sir Montage was visiting the church after he met the Duchess"
Gilbert eyes narrowed as he asked" have they already involved the Church in this matter? "
Denis gave him a complicated look "we don't know for sure since both Duchess and Sir Montage are religious person"
Gilbert raw voice grumbled as he thought to himself.
'It would be a big trouble if Priests find out about the dark mana in Leonore's body the whole west will crumble'.
His jaw clenched at the stupidity of his wife.
"He has been taken care of " Denis said with indifference on his face. "We won't be hearing from him for some time"
"Good Job!" Gilbert breathed out in satisfaction "ensure it stays that way until my next command"
Denis affirmed "of course, My grace"
Gilbert with an exasperated sigh, took a seat at his desk, he propped his elbow at the desk and intertwined his fingers together, looking directly at Denis, who intently waited for him to speak.
"I need you to initiate a thorough search operation to locate Leonore but don't let even a leaf know about it" He said "delve deeper into the events that might be related to the disappearance of that child"
Duke was aware that his daughter wasn't a normal human, but a shape shifter that was annihilated for years until non survived.
"Of course my Lord" He affirmed whole heartedly before disappearing the way he came.
His instinct was telling him that something was amiss. The dark mana in her body, might have protected her physically, but it cannot protect her mind.
She should have returned by now. Shape shifters are good at navigating their home due to their animal instinct. Unless..
The realisation dawned on him.
"Unless they loose their memory during process" He muttered to himself.
---------
Besides the Duke, there was another person plagued by insomnia.
Marilyn Ashenhurts , the mistress of The West Duchy named Emberfield.
Her chamber was in the state of silent chaos and deprived of any light, feared that it might reveal her deeds, she has kept hidden from the world.
She shuddered at the thought if that get revealed, she will be hung like perpetrators. She will bring shame to her Sophia.
'Oh my poor Sophia' she pitied her daughter, as tears fell down.
The air was dulled and overwhelmed with negative emotions, The Duchess laid like a patient with her heart sinking into the bed with each moment slipping by.
Marilyn's face was creased with worries. The ominous thoughts pierced her mind like venomous needles.
She kept tossing and turning beneath the silky blankets.
As if trying to console herself she reminded herself that she had prayed and donated enough to the God, she is as devoted as any nun out there, she believes that he will protect her no matter what.
No matter how low she stoops.
That's what the priests has preached always. 'God loves you, no matter what'
No matter what sins she does?
The doubtful thoughts plunged her like spears,she gave up the plan to lay around and sprang up from her bed.
Measuring each inch of her room with her legs, she paraded like lunatic.
"Agghh.. I will go crazy worrying" She cried falling on her knees " Oh my Lord, please help me out just this once"
She kept babbling the words of pleas, rubbing her head on the ground "please have mercy, I will never do it again, please"
Unaware of the presence of her daughter, Sophia, quietly standing at the door frame,
With her eyes shaking as she witnessed this state of her mother.
______&@&&___