Chapter 2 - 2 The Beginning of the Melodies

Adonis walked with measured steps, matching the hesitant pace of Daphne's unsure stride. It was clear that despite his imposing presence and seriousness, he was trying to accommodate her fragility and confusion. With every step, her eyes scanned the ground as though searching for something to steady her.

Adonis, who noticed every detail about her, raised an eyebrow in confusion as he observed her strange attire, which bore no resemblance to the fashion of his time.

He spoke in his deep voice, though his tone was filled with curiosity: "Your clothes... I've never seen anything like them before. Are you from somewhere else? Or do you belong to a world we don't know?"

Daphne suddenly stopped, lifting her hesitant eyes to meet his, but not a word escaped her lips. Her words were trapped inside her, the desire to speak crashing against a wall of helplessness. Adonis noticed her unusual silence, his blue eyes narrowing as if trying to decipher what she was concealing.

He stepped closer, lowering his head to be on her eye level, and asked in a quieter tone: "Why aren't you responding? Can't you speak?"

He saw a flicker of pain and embarrassment in her eyes. Slowly, Daphne placed a hand on her throat and then gently shook her head, as if silently confessing her forced silence. Adonis understood the truth then, and suddenly, his eyes gleamed with something resembling comprehension and sympathy. He spoke softly: "You've lost your voice… haven't you?"

Daphne gazed at him, unable to express herself, but she nodded again. It felt as though he had pierced through her barriers, as if her silence, which had weighed on her for so long, had become a little lighter in the presence of someone who understood her without words.

He took a step closer and gently extended his hand, motioning toward the path ahead. His voice was firm yet reassuring: "Well, there's no need for words now. Let's find a way to get you out of this place first…"

For the first time, Daphne felt that someone saw her helplessness not as weakness, but as something to be overcome. She continued walking beside him, her mind clouded, yet filled with a new feeling—an unspoken trust in this stranger who seemed to share the burden of her journey.

After some time, the sounds around them grew louder until they reached a small square bustling with people. Soft lights illuminated the faces of strangers, and goods filled the place in strange colors and shapes. The atmosphere was alive, but chaotic, amplifying Daphne's sense of being lost.

Adonis paused at the edge of the square, surveying the surroundings carefully before returning his gaze to Daphne. He thought that her presence among the crowd might mean she knew the way back, or perhaps someone who could help her. With his usual serious expression, he said in a calm but firm tone: "You'll find your way here. This place is safer, and you can stay among the people."

He noticed the hesitation in her eyes, but he didn't wish to show any connection. He continued, as though trying to end any resistance: "Be cautious. Don't trust anyone easily. The world here isn't what it seems."

He was planning to leave, but his eyes lingered on her face for a moment. For an instant, he felt a strange urge to say something more personal, but he dismissed the thought quickly. Slowly, he turned his back and began walking away, his steps heavy yet resolute.

Daphne, who remained where she was, felt something being pulled from her as she watched him walk away. She knew he was no longer a part of her world, but he was the only one who had given her a sense of safety in this strange place. She watched his shadow fade slowly, as if the darkness was swallowing him bit by bit, and with each step he took, her heartbeat quickened with unease.

"I can't... I can't let him go!" she thought to herself. She felt that staying here alone was like sinking, and he was the only one who could guide her to safety.

She took a step forward, then another, before beginning to run, her footsteps quickening behind him. He was the only shadow she saw in the midst of the crowd, and she realized she didn't want to lose him. She silently called out, trying to catch up with him, her eyes filled with determination and fear.

When Adonis suddenly turned around after sensing footsteps behind him, he found her standing before him, breathless and her eyes filled with hope. For a moment, he thought he understood her desire, but he wanted to hear an explanation from her.

He approached her and asked softly: "Why? Why are you following me?"

Daphne, who lacked a voice to answer, simply gazed at him with wide eyes, trying to convey all the emotions she couldn't express. Moments of silence passed between them before she slightly lowered her head, as if saying, "I don't want to be alone."

Adonis understood, however, that she wouldn't leave him easily, and something inside him, perhaps a hidden warmth or a sense of responsibility, made him sigh before saying: "Alright. But this path won't be easy. If you want to stay with me, you'll have to endure what's coming."

Daphne smiled, a shy yet grateful smile, and then followed him with steady steps, ready to begin the journey that would change her life forever.

Daphne arrived with Adonis at his home after a long journey, a home that resembled its owner: luxurious yet simple, warm despite its calm. The house reflected his position as the commander of the empire, with meticulously crafted furniture and walls adorned with ancient story-telling murals.

When Adonis opened the door, a large, black dog with thick fur, resembling a wolf, jumped toward him joyfully. Adonis bent slightly, patting his head, then gestured to Daphne to introduce her, saying: "This is Yarrow, my only friend."

Yarrow looked at Daphne with curious eyes and approached her slowly as if inspecting her. Daphne, initially tense, soon felt reassured as he wagged his tail gently. She knelt before him and smiled for the first time in a long while. She extended her hand to pat him, and Yarrow, in turn, licked her hand as if approving her presence. Adonis, noticing the swift understanding between them, spoke in a calm tone: "It seems Yarrow likes you. Well, that's good... he'll be your companion in my absence."

He led her inside, giving her a brief tour of the house. He pointed out the large rooms, the lit hearth that added warmth to the place, and the kitchen where the scent of fresh bread filled the air. He stopped in front of a cozy room with a soft bed and said: "This is your room. Consider this place your home while you're here."

Daphne felt gratitude, but she could only express it through her gaze. She looked up at him cautiously, then bowed her head slightly, as if silently thanking him. Adonis, understanding what she was trying to convey, added: "There's food ready in the kitchen. Eat what you need, and don't hesitate to use anything."

But Daphne noticed something strange in his voice. It carried a mix of seriousness and distance, as though drawing clear boundaries between them. He finished his words with: "I'm going to the palace. I won't be back tonight. Take care of yourself... and Yarrow will stay with you."

He then turned and left with steady steps, leaving Daphne standing at the threshold of her room, watching his shadow disappear through the door. She felt a faint loneliness despite Yarrow's presence beside her, but she also felt something else: the beginning of a new life in a world whose secrets still hid much.

She sat on the bed, Yarrow beside her, and began to think... why did Adonis treat her with this apparent indifference? What was the secret of this man, who seemed strong and commanding, yet carried something of sadness in his eyes?

Night fell, as if the sky itself sought to reflect her troubled feelings on the earth. The sky darkened with thick black clouds, hiding the moonlight and casting mysterious shadows across the house. The lightning split the sky like sharp swords, followed by the thunder that shook the ground, as though an ancient anger had suddenly erupted. Then the rain intensified, pouring down heavily, making the windows resemble small waterfalls, roaring without pause.

Daphne, sitting on the bed in her room, felt the cold seeping through the small cracks, despite the warmth of the hearth. She looked out the window where the lightning reflected off the glass, revealing the shadow of her wide eyes filled with anxiety. It was her first night in this strange world, in this vast house, but she couldn't resist the feeling of loneliness that enveloped her like a heavy cloak.

Yarrow, the dog who had accompanied her since entering the house, approached her with his instinctive sense, placing his large head on her feet as if reassuring her that she wasn't alone. Daphne gently touched his head, feeling a little comfort in his warmth.

But despite the quiet of the house, it wasn't enough to calm her mind. Her thoughts swirled with questions and memories. Who was Adonis really? Why did he bring her here? What had he been doing in that dark alley? For a moment, she thought of leaving him, of the coldness he showed which seemed to hide something deep within