The day slowly turns into night, and my royal maidens have started packing up my luggage as we prepare to leave tomorrow. I stand at the edge of the garden wall, waiting anxiously for the elephants I had sent out, but none appear. The sky deepens into a rich indigo, stars beginning to blink into existence, but there's no sign of them.
My thoughts race with worry. What if something happened to them? What if my plan failed? The silence of the night seems oppressive, each passing minute heightening my anxiety.
As I lean against the wall, lost in thought, I hear the faintest sound of footsteps approaching. Turning around, I see Vider walking towards me, his expression unreadable in the dim light.
"Princess," he says softly, coming to stand beside me. "You're still out here."
"I'm waiting for the elephants," I reply, trying to keep the worry out of my voice. "They should have been back by now."
"Maybe they got stuck somewhere," he says. "It's getting late. You rest; I will wait." His stoic look never seems to waver, unable to express emotions. I'm a bit skeptical.
"I shall keep my mouth shut," says Vider. I look back at the gate and then at Vider. I just hope they reached their destination without interference.
I turn and look at Vider. "Only one will come back," I say, "and whatever it carries, please bring it to me immediately."
He nods his head. I look back at the gate once more, then turn to walk away. As I start to walk away, I see that stupid canine that always follows Vider. I hadn't seen it in a while. I fall back, but Vider catches me, and I get a firm grip on his shirt.
"Tell the dog to go away," I say, still holding onto Vider's shirt. This feels like our first encounter—as long as it doesn't bark, there won't be any tears.
Vider nods and whistles softly. The canine, obedient as ever, slinks away into the shadows. "It's gone, Princess," he says, his voice steady and calming.
I release my grip on his shirt, feeling a bit embarrassed by my reaction. "Thank you," I murmur, brushing off my dress.
'' Its my pleasure," he replies, his eyes softening just a fraction.
I manage a small smile,"I'll head to my chambers now. Please, let me know the moment the elephant returns."
"I will," Vider assures me. "Rest well, Princess."
As I walk back to my chambers, the anxiety slowly begins to dissipate, replaced by a sliver of hope that everything will go according to plan.
I stay on the balcony, staring out at the still night. It hasn't been this quiet since Flora disappeared. I think they have given up. I glance back at my chambers, where the ladies are still bustling about, packing my things. The gardeners help them carry the large trunks to the carriage. I think they will be transported tonight to the train station.
Feeling restless, I decide to take a walk around the corridor. Considering most people are asleep, I don't think it would be a problem to walk around in my nightdress. I pace the corridor, doing a few laps of about ten minutes each. I keep myself busy, hoping Vider comes with some news about the elephant. A lot is crowding my head. I think about all the changes I will have to make to my life when I get married. I might even change my dress code, or even small things like what I eat might be influenced.
As I reach the farthest end of the corridor, I turn to make a U-turn instead of going around, as the other side is dark. Suddenly, a hand grabs me. My first instinct is to scream, but the person covers my mouth with their hand. They are unnaturally strong. I try using magic, but my hands are held behind me, making it difficult to channel any power. I don't know any defensive incantations by heart.
"Don't fight," the chilling voice of Prince Malo sends a shiver down my spine. I try to calm myself, controlling my breathing.
"I don't wish to hurt you, but I will if you don't cooperate," he says, tightening his grip on my hands. I look forward and see one of his senior guards approaching. The guard places a collar around my neck. I try to resist, but once the collar is on, I feel a cold sensation spread through my body, diminishing my power source. Prince Malo slowly releases his grip on my mouth and hands, looking at me. Before I can fight back, the guard lifts me off the ground. I struggle, but it's no use. He's built like a block. I want to scream, but my voice seems to be blocked by the collar. What level of alchemy is this?
The corridors are dimly lit, casting eerie shadows as I am carried away, helpless. The cold sensation from the collar seeps into my skin, making me feel weak and drained. Prince Malo walks ahead, his expression unreadable, while his guard keeps a firm grip on me.
I struggle to keep my composure, my mind racing with possible ways to escape. The palace is silent, the occasional distant sound of footsteps or the rustle of leaves in the garden the only interruptions to the stillness.
As we pass through the garden, I catch a glimpse of Vider in the distance. My heart leaps with hope, but I realize that even if he notices, it might be too late. I try to think of any spell that could help me, but the collar seems to suppress my abilities.
We reach a secluded part of the palace, an area I haven't been to before. Prince Malo stops in front of a heavy wooden door, turning to face me.
"Don't try anything foolish," he warns, his voice colder than usual. The guard sets me down but keeps a firm hold on my arm. Malo opens the door and gestures for me to enter.
Inside, the room is dimly lit by a single lantern hanging from the ceiling. The walls are lined with ancient tapestries, and a large table stands in the center, covered with books and documents. It looks like a war room.
"Sit," Malo commands, pointing to a chair near the table. The guard pushes me towards it, and I sit down, my heart pounding.