As I stepped into the west wing, I was instantly enveloped by a scent so sweet it was almost magical. The enchanted garden was unlike anything I had ever seen. The air shimmered with a gentle glow, and the garden seemed to breathe with life.
Bright flowers of every conceivable color bloomed in perfect harmony, their petals glowing softly as if kissed by moonlight. Vines with delicate, iridescent leaves twisted around elegant trellises, and butterflies with wings like stained glass flitted lazily among the blossoms. The ground was covered in a soft, velvety moss that squished pleasantly beneath my feet.
"Wow," I breathed, taking it all in. "This place is... incredible."
Lisa's face lit up with delight. "I know, right? It's like stepping into a fairy tale."
I walked further into the garden, my eyes wide with wonder. "Who even thought of this?"
Lisa giggled. "I don't know, but I heard it was a royal project. Apparently, it's enchanted to bloom all year round."
I knelt beside a cluster of luminescent flowers, reaching out to touch them. "It's like everything here is alive and glowing."
Lisa nodded enthusiastically. "And it's supposed to be a place of peace and inspiration. I read somewhere that the magic here is supposed to soothe even the most troubled mind."
I glanced at her, still amazed. "Well, it's definitely working. I feel like all my worries are melting away just by being here."
She smiled warmly. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. Something a bit of magic is all we need to put things into perspective."
I stood up, dusting off my hands, and looked around. "You know, Lisa, this is exactly the kind of distraction I needed."
Lisa grinned. "See? I told you it would work. Now, let's enjoy the garden and forget about everything else for a while."
I took a deep breath, letting the serenity of the enchanted garden wash over me. For a moment, it felt like all my problems were as distant as the stars.
"You know," I said with a content sigh, "If the prince had shown up like this garden, maybe I wouldn't be so annoyed with him."
Lisa laughed. "Well, let's just enjoy the magic while we can. Maybe he'II take a hint and show up eventually."
We wandered through the garden, savoring the sweet scent of flowers and watching small animals like squirrels and rabbits darting playfully around. Lisa, ever the animal lover, was trying to befriend the rabbits, her gently coos and soft movements endearing her to the creatures.
Typical female lead behavior, I thought, smiling at how cute she looked. Unlike the often-contrived heroines in the books I read, Lisa's genuine kindness was refreshingly real.
Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the peaceful ambiance.
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!! Lady!!!!" Lisa's terrified cry echoed through the garden.
I spun around, panic rising as I realized she was no longer behind me. Sprinting towards the sound, I turned a sharp corner and skidded to a halt. There, in the middle of the garden, a man had grabbed Lisa by her gown, his face buried in the fabric as he sniffed it with an unsettling intensity.
Oh no, a pervert! They exist in this world too!
Lisa was struggling, her sobs breaking my heart as she tried to push him away. The man's actions were tearing the hem of her gown, adding to her distress.
Without a second thought, I changed forward. I lifted my gown slightly to give me more freedom of movement and swung my leg up, delivering a swift kick to the man's face. He was knocked backward, crashing onto the ground a few feet away from us.
Lisa stumbled toward me, her face pale and trembling. I hurried to her side, wrapping her in a comforting embrace. "Lisa, are you okay?"
She nodded, though tears were still streaming down her cheeks. "I-I'm fine. Thank you. I was so scared."
I gently held her, my own heart racing from the adrenaline and worry. "It's okay. You're safe now."
The man staggered to his feet, a wild look in his eyes. "What the hell? What did I do? The lady smelled so good. I was just trying to figure out her scent."
I shot him a furious glare, my blood boiling. "You sick bastard! You think you can just sniff people and get away with it?"
I helped Lisa to nearby bench and turned back to the man. "Lisa, call Fenric and Kael now!"
Lisa hurried toward the garden's exit, her footsteps echoing with urgency. I grabbed the man by his greasy hair, dragging him closer. "Who are you?"
"I... I'm just a passerby, I saw the garden and came inside. I'm sorry!" he stammered, his voice trembling.
He suddenly dropped to his knees, grabbing my legs and pleading desperately. "Please, let me go. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry!"
At first, his apologies seemed genuine, but then, what the hell?-
He pulled my leg with a forceful jerk, sending me sprawling to the ground. Before I could react, he sprang up and bolted toward the exit.
As he ran, Kael and Fenric emerged from the opposite side of the garden, their faces etched with concern. Lisa stood behind them, her eyes wide with fear.
Seeing there was no escape, the man stopped abruptly. He straightened, closed his eyes, and began chanting in a language I didn't understand. The atmosphere grew hotter by the second, a sharp, acrid smell of burning filling the air.
What's happening? Where is that smell coming from?
Fenric's voice cut through the chaos. "Lady, run! He's using explosion magic! He's going to blow up! Get out of here!"
Panic surged through me, my feet frozen to the ground. I tried to move, but it was as if my legs were rooted in place. The man's body was now engulfed in flames, and he was far too close for comfort.
The fire grew more intense, licking the air with a terrifying hunger. I backed away, each step a struggle against the mounting heat. The roaring flames seemed to close in on me, their fierce glow illuminating the growing horror.
What do I do? He's so close to me! I can't run! We're all going to die!
I glanced around desperately, but the flames made it impossible to see clearly. Kael and Fenric were shouting at me, their voices barely audible over the roar of the fire. Lisa was on the ground, her face pale and stricken with fear.
The man's chanting grew louder, more frantic. The fire around him blazed brighter, threatening to consumer everything in its path. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing the chaos around me.
The man's voice cut through the chaos, his chant growing more fervent with each passing moment. Each word felt like a biting wind, sending shivers of fear down our spines.
The incantation resonated with a hunting familiarity-Kairan's voice, commanding and terrifying in its power. As the spell reached its zenith, I stumbled back, my footing faltering. My heart raced, the world spinning uncontrollably. Fenric's urgent voice cut through the tumult, growing frantic.
"Lady!! Run!! You can't die!! I can't shield you!! Lady!!"
I can't die. I can't die. No, I can't die! I can't!
Summoning every shred of strength, I forced myself to stand. My legs trembled violently, but I ran-despite the fear paralyzing me, despite the shaking. The fire roared around us, its intensity escalating with each moment. Flames licked at the trees and bushes, spreading heat that scorched the air. What had once been a serene garden was now an inferno, devouring everything in its path.
Amidst the chaos, a sickening crack pierced through the roar of flames. It grew louder, more horrifying, coming from the man himself. His body was consumed by blistering heat, his hands bursting. Blood sprayed in every direction, painting a grotesque picture of his final moments.
The fire surged with renewed fury, the heat becoming unbearable. My clothes were already singed, the scorching flames blistering my skin. The man's screams mingled with the inferno's roar, creating a terrifying symphony of destruction.
The world around me erupted into chaos. I felt a rush of heat so intense that it seemed to burn right through me. A blinding red flash turned everything white, and I was engulfed in a haze of scorching light. My senses were overwhelmed; the heat was unbearable, and I could barely make out the shadows of the people around me through the searing brightness.
Panic clawed at my insides as I felt she heat intensify. The blast had thrown me backward, and I fell to the ground, my limbs weak and trembling. I instinctively shielded my face with my arms, curling into a protective ball. My heart raced, pounding in my ears as I braced for the pain I was certain would follow.
The heat was searing, yet there was no pain. My skin felt as if it was burning, but I wasn't being scorched. I could feel the sweat pouring down my face, the only sign of the inferno surrounding me. I didn't dare open my eyes, afraid of what I might see-or what might happen if I did.
I could hear the frantic shouts of Fenric and Kael, their voices distorted by the intensity of the moment. The heat continued to press down on me, a relentless wave that seemed to suffocate everything in its path. I held my breath, waiting for the inevitable- waiting for the blast's fiery wrath to consume me.
But the, the intensity of the heat began to wane. The red flash slowly faded to a dull glow, and the blinding light receded. The roaring flames and the deafening noise gradually became a distant memory. The air around me, though still hot, was no longer oppressively so.