"Why have you followed me?" A deep voice spoke from behind. Anabel froze up, her eyes widening. The person from behind had his blade on her throat.
It didn't sound like Kaius, Anabel gulped. Stuttering, she answered "I..I was looking for someone"
The blade was retrieved and she exhaled. Anabel turned to see the person and her jaw dropped. 'It's him!' Anabel screamed inwardly, what is with these men and looking so hunky?.
She curtseyed "Your Highness, crowned Prince Damian"
The warlord, the most dangerous man in all the land, was standing right before Anabel in all his handsome glory. His crimson eyes and dark hair added to his deadly aura. The third prince to fawn over the princess; Prince Damian of Voldar Empire.
Damian chuckled. "So you do know who I am." he lifted his sword, the tip of the blade minutes away from Anabel's neck. "I'll ask again, why are you following me?"
At first, Anabel was slightly shaken, but then, a thought crossed her mind. 'What if this is my end? What if Anabel's story ends here? So it was Prince Damian that killed her?…perfect!'
"Well," Anabel took a step forward, but before her neck could reach the blade, Damian took a step back, confusion etched on his face.
Anabel tilted her head, what was he waiting for to finish her off? She took another step forward and Damian withdrew his sword.
"What do you think you're doing?" He asked, "Do you have a death wish?"
"Yes, I mean no" Anabel pursed her lips.
Damian scoffed and put his sword in its scabbard. "How bad are you treated that you want to die?" His gaze met her disappointed look.
'Wait, so I don't die here?' Anabel was disappointed. The look on her face was shocking for Damian. "Ah, so you do have a death wish"
Anabel pouted "If I say yes, will you kill me?" She asked
Damian folded his arms "No, I don't hurt women" he said and a sly smirk crept up his face "The only time I'll hurt a woman is in bed"
Anabel gave him a dry look. "Good for you" she muttered and turned around to leave. What a disappointing scenario.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Damian asked her.
Without turning, she dryly responded "I need to find someone"
Damian drew his sword, his voice cold as ice; he asked in a rather seductive tone, "You're not interested in dying again?"
Anabel stood on the spot, the side of his blade on her neck. She turned to him. "You won't do it." Her words hung in the air like a challenge.
Damian smirked, "You want to dare me?"
Anabel responded with silence. The plan was to provoke him, perhaps then he would finally slit her throat.
"Who are you looking for?" Damian asked
"I'm not telling," Anabel folded her arms across her chest.
Damian's eyes twitched "Have you forgotten who you're standing before?" His voice was commanding, and his gaze fixed. Regardless, Anabel was unfazed.
She nodded "I know, crowned Prince Damian of Voldar Empire, but that doesn't mean I'll tell you my personal stuff"
Damian frowned, 'Where is this stubborn woman from?' He thought to himself. "If you tell me, I'll gladly fulfill your wish and decapitate you right here and now"
Anabel's face lit up, she opened her mouth to speak but suddenly held her tongue. She squinted her eyes and narrowed her gaze at him. "You're lying, aren't you?"
"Why will I? Don't you want to die?" Damian asked
Anabel contemplated, Damian could be lying but then if he isn't, it's a win-win.
Anabel was just about to agree when some guards came in.
"Crowned Prince! We've been searching all over for you" the first one spoke while trying to catch his breath.
Damian kept his sword, his expression hardened. "What do you want?"
"His Highness has asked for you to come in and identify with your mother, the Queen," they said
Without even glancing at Anabel, Damian left with them. Disappointed, Anabel sat on the grass.
"You don't look so good" Anabel looked up. Her eyes narrowed on Kirh leaning against the fountain looking all charming under the moonlight.
"It's you," she said.
Smiling, Kirh asked, "How are you enjoying your new life, Anabel?"
Anabel sighed, "I don't get it, what exactly is Anabel's destiny?" His shoulders lifted in a shrug "Don't ask me, I don't know"
Anabel sneered, "You knew when I was going to die in my past life, aren't you supposed to know when I'll die now?"
Kirh placed his hand on his chin "That makes sense. I can't tell you when you'll die; you'll find that out yourself; besides, shouldn't you know?"
Anabel didn't respond, he was right, she should know. Kirh watched her silently, he could tell she must have been having a hard time. "Any questions before I leave?" He asked
Anabel looked up at him. "How is it that you always come at the most inconvenient time? It's like you're trying to taunt me. Not very kind of you, Ken." She stood up.
Kirh's eyes twitched, annoyance evident in his voice; he said, "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
Anabel shrugged with a smug smile "Can you blame me? What kind of name is Kirh?? I'll keep on trying till I find a name that suits you better, like...Kristen"
There was a short silence, Kirh stared at her with narrowed eyes. "You, Anabel, are by far the most annoying human I've ever encountered." He glared at Anabel's wide grin before disappearing, leaving dusty black fragments behind.
The smile on Anabel's face slowly faded. She had to keep searching for Kaius. Just when she was about to move, she saw him coming.
Kaius's brows creased "Anabel?"