Adela staggered back, gasping in shock as the shadowy figure came into focus. It was a man, tall and dark-haired, his face partly obscured by a hooded cloak.
"Watch where you're going," he snapped, his voice hard and cold. "Some people have places to be."
Adela stared at the man, her surprise giving way to anger at his rudeness. "Excuse me?" she shot back, her voice sharp and regal. "Do you not know who you are speaking to?"
The man scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. "You? A princess, no doubt," he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"And what, pray tell, makes you so certain I'm not a princess?" Adela snapped, her cheeks flushed with indignation.
"The fact that you're wandering alone in the dead of night through a cemetery, for one," the man retorted, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Not exactly royal behavior, is it?
"Oh, really?" Adela snapped, her voice laced with venom. "Well, allow me to educate you on a few things, Sir. Firstly, I am...nevermind. Just know in my kingdom, it is not wise to trifle with royalty."
Adela's heart raced as she watched the man's reaction to her revelation, but she saw no sign of fear or remorse in his eyes. Instead, he simply grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his gaze.
Adela is intrigued by this mysterious stranger who doesn't bow and scrape like everyone else.
"Is that so?" he asked, his voice a low purr. "Stop leaving in a dream land."
Adela's jaw tightened, her frustration mounting. "Who are you, sir, to be questioning my actions? And what business brings you to the cemetery at this hour?"
The man smirked, his demeanour nonchalant. "I go where I please, when I please," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "As for who I am, well, that is none of your concern."
"You have yet to answer my question, sir," Adela persisted, her eyes flashing with determination. "What business brings you to the cemetery at this hour?"
"A gentleman never reveals his secrets," the man replied with a smirk. "And besides, I thought we'd already established that my business is none of your concern."
Adela's heart fluttered as she gazed at the stranger, his smirk both infuriating and strangely alluring. My goodness, she thought, who is this man? He's unlike anyone I've ever met. So bold, so confident, so...
She caught herself, a blush rising to her cheeks. She had never experienced these sorts of feelings before, had never found herself so drawn to someone. Not even Maximillian.
The man's smirk widened, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Ah, princess," he said, his voice smooth as honey. "The infamous Ice Princess of the Winterlands fancy town, cold and untouchable as the snow-capped mountains. But now, here you are in the dark of night, alone and vulnerable. Not so untouchable now, are you?"
Adela smirked and simply nodded, both anger and admiration brewing in her mind.
The man's gaze softened slightly, a hint of concern creasing his brow. "You shouldn't wander these parts alone, princess. It's not safe. If you insist on coming here again, let me know. I can guard you and ensure your safety."
Adela's heart quickened at his words, a strange mix of fear and attraction coursing through her veins.
"Mr. Caring young man, your concern is unwarranted," Adela said, her voice cool and regal. "I do not need a guard, nor do I desire your company. Good night, sir."
She turned on her heel and began to walk away, her heart thumping wildly in her chest as she fought the urge to look back at the stranger.
"You can't hide from me, princess," the man called after her, his voice low and confident. "I'll find you, and when I do, you won't be able to resist my charms. I'll make you love me."
Adela paused for a moment, her pulse racing. *What is this man thinking?* she wondered, a mixture of anger and curiosity welling up within her.
"You don't even know my name," Adela said, turning back to face the stranger. "And yet, you presume to know so much about me. You presume to know what I desire and what I can and can not resist. Your arrogance is astonishing."
She turned away once again, her steps firm and resolute as she disappeared into the night.
"You will see, princess," the man called after her, his voice echoing in the darkness. "You may think you know your own heart, but I promise you, I will surprise you. I will ask people about a mysterious lady who calls herself a princess yet wanders the cemetery."
Adela froze, the words hanging in the air like a frozen mist. She took a deep breath to steady herself, but as she turned to leave, she realized something was missing.
"My ring!" Adela exclaimed, whirling around to face the stranger. "You must have taken it!"
"I assure you, princess, I would not stoop to such pettiness," the stranger replied coolly. "Perhaps you dropped it in your haste to escape me."
Adela clenched her fists, her heart racing. She wasn't sure if she was more furious at the stranger or at herself for losing such a precious heirloom.
Adela stepped towards the stranger, her voice low and dangerous. "I may not be able to prove that you stole my ring, but make no mistake, I will remember this encounter. I will not forget your face or your words."
The stranger smiled, unfazed by her threats. "Good, princess. Then you will be more prepared when we meet again. And we will meet again. And don't forget to remember what I told you."
With that, he turned on his heel and melted into the shadows, leaving Adela alone in the cemetery, a knot of frustration and anger twisting in her chest.
As Adela turned to leave, a glimmer of gold caught her eye. She froze, staring at the ground beneath her feet. There, peeking out from beneath a fallen leaf, was her family heirloom ring.
She snatched it up, relief and anger warring within her. "He didn't take it," she whispered to herself. "But he knew I had lost it. How?"
The night air was suddenly colder, the shadows deeper, as Adela tried to puzzle out the stranger's motivations.
"I hope you be a man of his words." She said into the serene atmosphere and started to trail back, her steps firm and resolute as she disappeared into the night.