In the evening, Verina wanted to be alone after a hard working day. The small lake near her house was her refuge, a place she visited every night. Sitting on a cold rock with her knees drawn to her chest, she watched the moonlight glisten on the gentle waves, sinking into deep thought. Shadows, blood, and the ever-present cold sensation of dreams filled her mind.
In her dreams, she found herself lost in a dense forest enveloped by a shroud of mist.
Suddenly, a dark figure emerged from the mist, extending a hand as if calling the girl closer. With each step she took, the ground trembled, splitting the earth beneath her. Verina fell into the void, swallowed by darkness.
She found herself at an unknown lake, its waters a haunting shade of deep green. The air around the lake was thick with a musty and damp smell, like wet earth and decaying leaves. As she peered into its depths, an unseen force surged, pulling her beneath the surface.
Darkness enveloped her as she sank, the icy grasp of the water claiming her breath.
As she sank, a figure appeared before her. The woman had striking golden curls that glowed in the dimness and her white dress flowed behind her like wings. She dove towards her, breaking through the murky abyss with grace and determination.
Their hands entwined, and in an instant, they were back in the shadowy forest. The woman presented a bloodied dagger. With a voice as chill as the night air, she whispered,
"You cannot escape your fate."
A sudden rustling of leaves tore Verina out of her dark memories.
Tension coiled in her muscles as she got up from the stone and reached for the small dagger hidden at her waist. It was for self-defence against animals… or humans.
Before she could even react, the silhouette of a young man emerged from the bushes.
"Ah, I am sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. " He said in a calm voice, raising his hands.
Verina eyed him suspiciously. His shoes were from fine leather shining in the moonlight, his coat sewn from expensive fabrics. Her heartbeat quickened, and her fingers tightened around the hilt of her dagger. What was he doing here, dressed like that? No one who wore such fine clothes came to places like this without reason. She tried to keep up a brave front, but deep down she was filled with anxiety. She couldn't let him know that she was ready to flee at any sign of danger. Was he dangerous? A spy? Or worse — a noble with twisted intentions?
"What are you doing here?" She kept her tone firm, unwilling to show weakness.
"The same as you, I suppose, hiding from my problems." The mysterious person said with a smile. His smile felt genuine.
"From the way you're dressed, it doesn't appear that you spend time in locations like this."
"I had a meeting after which I wanted to clear my head. "
A moment of silence followed.
"This is my spot." She said stubbornly.
He chuckled and remarked, "I did not know anyone had privatised it. "
He continued. "I will not disturb you. You know, I can be quite silent. You won't even feel I'm here."
He sat down on the rock by the lake but kept a respectful distance from her.
Verina lowered her guard a little as she sat down as well. She relaxed her grip on her dagger, sensing he was not an immediate threat, though he disrupted her peace.
"Who are you? "
"Victor," he simply said. "And you? "
"Verina."
"Nice to meet you, Verina. Do you come here often? "
Verina frowned. "Why would you need to know that? "
He smiled, a little wider this time, and said. "Just curious. Seems like a nice place to clear your head."
Verina turned her gaze back to the lake. "I prefer being here alone."
Victor shrugged, the fabric of his coat rustling softly.
"You know, you're not the only one with secrets."
Her eyes shot at him, suspicious again. "What's that supposed to mean? "
Victor leaned back as he gazed out at the water. "People don't always show their true colours. What lies beneath might surprise you."
Verina's frown deepened. She perceived his words as directed towards her, but she refused to let him get inside her head. "And what's underneath your fancy clothes and smug grin?" she shot back in a sarcastic voice.
Victor laughed, the sound warm against the cool night air. "Not much worth talking about. My father is the one with the impressive reputation. I'm just trying to figure things out."
"Figure what?" Verina asked, not because she was interested, but because she wanted to keep him talking so that she could distract herself from the burden of her thoughts.
Victor hesitated for a moment, his gaze wandering away from her to the horizon. "I'm not sure yet. But I know I don't fit into the world they've created for me."
Verina studied him, noting the shift in his expression—more thoughtful, sincere. It was the first crack in his carefree facade.
She turned her gaze back to the water. Verina doesn't fit in as well. She had never truly belonged anywhere — not in the bakery, not in the village, not even in her own skin. Since her mother's death, the world had felt more like a series of sharp edges, ready to cut her if she slipped.
They sat in silence for a while, the soft lapping of the water the only sound between them. For once, Verina didn't mind the company.
"You're not like the others," she mumbled, more to herself than to him.
Victor looked over at her. A soft grin appeared. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Don't," Verina murmured, though a hint of a smile played at the edges of her mouth.
"You don't know me."
"You're right. But I'd like to," Victor said in a light and sincere voice.
Verina shot him a glance, her suspicion remaining. "Why?"
"Because I think you're interesting."
She snorted softly. "You know nothing about me."
"True," Victor admitted, "but that's what makes it interesting."
Verina wasn't sure how to respond, she felt...annoyed? A long pause stretched between them.
"I don't trust you," she finally said, her voice softer now, but still firm.
Victor chuckled again. "I wouldn't trust me either."
Verina couldn't help it. She let out a short laugh. It felt strange, but also good because she hadn't allowed herself to laugh for a long time.
Victor grinned at her reaction. "See? I'm not that bad."
They sat by the lake for what felt like hours, talking about everything and nothing.
Victor talked about how he had grown up in the shadow of his father, the Duke of Arenthis, and how he had always felt out of place among the nobles.
Verina froze at the thought.
[Duke of Arenthis? Victor is his son?]
"Ah, forgive me, I should address you formally, Lord-"
"No," he stopped her, "don't Verina. Just Victor." he smiled.
She observed him for a moment and said. "Okay… Victor."
Time passed. Verina, although reserved, shared a few details about her life - working routine in the bakery, the strictness of Mrs. Vundenbaum and the few moments of peace in the busy village. However, she never mentioned her dreams. It was something she hid even from herself.
Verina's gaze towards Victor increased as the night progressed. With his striking black hair and dark eyes he seemed both confident and unsettling, his sharp features softened by a genuine smile.
He was different, yes. Annoying in some ways and far too self-conscious, but... not as unbearable as she had first thought.
"Why are you really here?" She asked again, this time in a softer voice, almost curious. She shifted her weight on the cold rock, wrapping her arms around her knees.
Victor met her gaze, and for a moment, the teasing smile disappeared. "To be honest? I don't know. I just... didn't want to be where I was."
Verina bit her lip, her thoughts swirling as she watched the ripples in the water.
[Could he be escaping something like me?]
For the first time in a long while, Verina felt... understood, even if just a little. His words didn't carry the usual arrogance of a noble — instead, they held a truth she hadn't expected to hear. Maybe that's why she didn't shut him out, why she kept answering him, even though she told him she didn't want to.