Daniella's pov
As I ventured deeper into the woods, I discovered a patch of beautiful flowers bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. Their delicate petals seemed to shimmer with an ethereal luminescence, casting a magical aura over the surroundings. Instinctively, I recognized them as a variety of flora that could serve as potent catalysts in various potions.
Carefully, I plucked one of the blossoms, its fragrance intoxicating as I secured it around the belt of my dress. Each flower seemed to pulsate with energy, a silent reminder of the untapped potential that lay within nature's bounty.
However, amidst the tranquillity of the forest, a nagging sense of unease crept over me. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, a faint whisper of movement echoing in the stillness of the night.
With a steadying breath, I closed my eyes and focused, my senses attuned to the subtlest of disturbances. Gently, I waved my hand close to the ground, attempting to discern the faintest traces of footsteps that might betray the presence of an unseen observer.
My eyes snapped open as I detected the subtle sound of footsteps, they were quite and stealthy. Turning towards the source, I saw him - Vider, his presence both intrigued and unsettled me, his piercing gaze holding a myriad of unspoken secrets.
"Why are you following me?" I demand, my voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Vider pauses, his gaze steady as he meets my questioning eyes. His expression was inscrutable, a mask of calm that belied the tension crackling in the air between us. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his presence than he was letting on.
"Apologies, Princess, just out for a walk," Vider speaks, his voice smooth and controlled. Despite his words, a sense of unease lingered in the depths of his eyes, a silent acknowledgement of the underlying tension.
I regarded him sceptically, a flicker of suspicion crossing my features. His sudden appearance in the depths of the forest felt too convenient to be a mere coincidence. Every instinct screams for caution, warning me of the potential danger.
"In the middle of the night, in the depths of the forest, and in the same direction as I?" I question, my voice tinged with scepticism. The forest seemed to hold its breath, a silent witness to our tense exchange.
Vider maintaining his composure, his poker face betraying nothing of his true intentions. "I mean you no harm, Princess," he reassured, his words echoing hollow in the stillness of the night.
But his words did little to quell the unease gnawing at the pit of my stomach. There was something about Vider's presence that set my nerves on edge, a primal instinct warning me to tread carefully in his company.
"Then why are you here?" I press, my tone edged with suspicion. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was withholding information, that there was more to his story than he was letting on.
Vider hesitated, his gaze flickering briefly before he offered a cryptic explanation. "I was assisting..." His voice trailes off, his attention momentarily diverted behind me.
Instinctively, I turn to look over my shoulder, but Vider's warning stopped me in my tracks. "Don't look behind," he cautions, his tone urgent.
Before I could question further, a soft rustling sound reached my ears, followed by the unmistakable pattern of footsteps. Dread pooled in the pit of my stomach as I realized the source of the sound.
"Is that the dog behind me?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, a cold chill coursing down my spine.
Vider nods, his gaze fixed on the unseen presence behind me. "Yes," he confirmed, his tone grave. "Rosy, back to camp," he commands, his voice firm.
As the footsteps receded into the darkness, I couldn't shake the feeling of that beast next to me, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. With a lingering sense of unease, I turn back to face Vider, uncertainty clouding my thoughts as I search for answers in his unreadable gaze.
As I regained my composure, Vider's steadying presence anchored me, his firm grip offering both physical support and a sense of security amidst the uncertainty of the night. His words brought a measure of reassurance, yet the lingering unease from the encounter with the dog lingered in the back of my mind.
"Is that beast staying at our camp?" I ask, my voice tinged with lingering apprehension as I gesture in the direction the dog has disappeared.
"Don't worry, it's staying in the carriage," Vider replied, his tone calm and reassuring. His words eased some of the tension coils within me, allowing my racing heartbeat to gradually slow its frenetic pace.
As the adrenaline rush began to subside, I findd myself lost in Vider's gaze, drawn to the depths of his dark eyes illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight. There was a quiet strength in his presence, a sense of calm that envelopes me like a protective cloak against the night's uncertainties.
Caught in the gentle sway of his aura, I realized with a start that I had been unconsciously clinging to his fabric for support, my fingers curled tightly around the fabric of his clothing. Heat rose to my cheeks as I quickly released my grip, embarrassed by my momentary lapse in composure.
"My apologies," I murmur, stepping back slightly to put a respectful distance between us. Yet, to my surprise, Vider's grip on my waist remains steadfast, his touch a reassuring anchor amidst the swirling currents of my thoughts and emotions.
He removes his hand from my waist, adopting a more formal stance with his hands clasped behind his back. "I think we should head back," he suggests, his tone neutral.
"Great idea," I respond, falling into step beside him as we make our way back to camp. Despite my curiosity, Vider remains elusive, his demeanour guarded and his expressions inscrutable. He walks with a respectful distance between us, a silent barrier that prevents me from probing further into his past.
As we traverse the forest path, I attempt to engage him in conversation, hoping to glean more insight into his origins. "Where do you come from?" I inquire cautiously, mindful of not overstepping any boundaries. There's a prolonged pause before Vider responds, his gaze downcast as he speaks.
"Solagrath," he answers simply, offering no further elaboration. His curt response leaves me wanting more, my curiosity piqued by the cryptic nature of his reply.
"Not like where you stay," I clarify, pressing for more details. "You don't look like Sinbad nor the other royal guards. You're pale, and your hair color is different—red."
"Norsewood," he replies tersely, his tone clipped as if reluctant to divulge any additional information.
"More details?" I persist, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"Princess, I prefer not to talk about some things," he states firmly, his reluctance palpable in his voice.
"Sorry," I murmur, feeling a pang of guilt for pushing too hard. I cast my gaze downward, focusing on the ground beneath my feet as we continue our journey back to camp. It seems I've only succeeded in irritating him further, ''thank you for earlier today and right now,'' I say. all I get back is a simple nod.
We walk in silence for a while, the rustle of leaves underfoot the only sound accompanying our footsteps. Despite my attempt to break the ice, Vider's reticence remains a barrier between us, his guarded demeanor shutting me out.
As we approach the outskirts of the camp, I steal a glance at Vider, his profile stoic and unmoving. It's clear that he's not one to easily open up, and I can't help but wonder about the secrets he harbors beneath his reserved exterior.
As we step into the illuminated perimeter of the camp, the hustle and bustle of activity surrounds us, a stark contrast to the quiet of the forest. I catch sight of Flora and Sinbad engaged in conversation near the central fire, their animated gestures punctuating their discussion.
"Thank you for accompanying me back," I say to Vider, breaking the silence between us. Despite the lack of progress in our conversation, I feel a sense of gratitude for his presence, however enigmatic it may be.
Vider nods in response, his expression unreadable as he watches the activity around us. Without another word, he begins to drift away, blending into the shadows cast by the flickering firelight.
As I watch him go, a sense of curiosity lingers in the back of my mind, urging me to unravel the mysteries that surround him. But for now, I push aside my questions, content to let Vider remain a enigmatic figure in the tapestry of our journey.