Brittany got off the horse and walked into the eerie forest absent-mindedly. Silver hair tied in a braided ponytail cascaded down her shoulders like a silken waterfall, her hazel eyes looked soulless and dispirited, her aura filled with melancholy.
Clad in a flowing black cloak, she ventured absent-mindedly into the Whispering Woods, her thoughts lost in a labyrinth.
As she delved deeper into the forest's embrace, the air begins to grow heavy with an eerie stillness. The trees seemed to whisper secrets to one another, their gnarled branches reaching out like grasping claws.
She felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized she had strayed into the forbidden part of the woods.
There was a soft rustle of the dry leaves on the ground followed by a faint whiff, she sensed movement in the shadows, something was here.
She moved in circles, slowly retreating, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
Too late, a pack of grotesque creatures emerged from the trees and surrounded her, their bodies a bizarre hybrid of animal and human.
Their eyes black like the night sky without the moon and stars, and their claws dripped with a viscous liquid that stained the forest floor.
… Back At The Castle Hall…
"Dora," Zeres' voice was deep and smooth like velvet," Calm yourself, you are in a dress."
His gaze was intense, holding hers captive. It was a gaze that could pierce through any heart. Dora felt her anger dissipate, replaced by a strange mixture of shame and relief.
" Prince Zeres, I… I was just…" she began, but the words stuck in her throat.
Zeres stepped closer, his presence both comforting and a bit intimidating. "Is anything the matter Princess Dora? Are you alright?," he asked, his deep voice and soft, caressed her ears.
After arriving at the castle with his father to discuss his marriage to Dora, he became disinterested in their political conversation and excused himself.
He was meandering through the castle halls, when a familiar scent and a gust of wind blew past him. He ran after her to stop her, but the aura she was exuding was so menacing, he felt worried.
" Ah… Yeah, I'm not… I-I mean, I'm fine –yes, yes, I'm fine…. Prince… Ze… Zeres" Dora pinched her brows, shook her head and sighed deeply.
Seeing this, Zeres wasn't convinced," Are you sure… you are alright?"
Dora's rigid aura became warm," I am fine now, many thanks to you" Dora gave a graceful smile.
Richard, who had been pursuing Dora, turned around and walked away, not interested in watching their lovey-dovey.
Zeres relaxed, a faint smile curved up his lips," Princesses don't run in dresses, especially vampires" he said.
Dora flushed and asked coquettishly," Wh-why are you in the castle, my Prince?" staring at him with her enchanting forest green eyes.
Zeres whispered, "Can I not visit my only mate and future queen?" as he gently tucked her hair behind her ear.
Her face burned, and her ears instantly turned redder. Zeres held her hand, satisfied with her response. " Take a walk around the garden with me, will you?" he asked, grinning.
Dora nodded and they left.