**Chapter One**
The young master, Mateo, was captivated by Daphne—her beauty, her grace, and her unyielding spirit. He found himself drawn to her as if by some invisible force, determined that one day she would be his wife.
Daphne, on the other hand, was headstrong and independent. She had a habit of sneaking out in the middle of the night to visit a secluded pavilion not far from the palace grounds. There, she would sit quietly under the vast expanse of stars, finding solace in the beauty of the night. Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes watched her every move, hidden in the shadows.
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One such evening, as Daphne stared at the twinkling constellations, Mateo found himself fleeing from bandits. Earlier that night, he had ventured into the bustling town, dressed simply to avoid attention. He had stumbled upon a group of merchants being attacked by bandits, and despite his noble upbringing, he couldn't ignore their plight. Mateo engaged the bandits in combat, managing to fend them off long enough for the merchants to escape. But the fight was far from over, and now the bandits were hot on his heels, determined to capture him.
Breathless and desperate, Mateo's instincts led him to the pavilion. Spotting Daphne, who appeared lost in thought, he whispered urgently, "Please, hide me. I promise, I'll explain later."
Startled, Daphne turned to see the disheveled young man but gave no outward sign of fear. Her sharp eyes took in his fine but dirtied clothes. Before she could protest, the bandits appeared.
"Have you seen a man running this way?" one of them demanded, his voice gruff.
Daphne's face was a mask of irritation. "No, I haven't. And even if I did, it's none of my concern. You've interrupted my peace," she snapped, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
The bandits paused, eyeing her expensive attire and refined demeanor. Their leader sneered. "Forget the man. This one looks like she's worth a fortune. Maybe we take her instead."
"And she's pretty," another added with a lecherous grin. "We'll have some fun before we ransom her off."
Daphne's eyes narrowed. "You're testing my patience," she said, her voice cold but calm. "Leave now, or else."
"Or else what?" one of them taunted, stepping closer.
From his hiding spot behind a large vase, Mateo watched the scene unfold. His cape had caught on the vase, and he struggled to free it. He couldn't believe the audacity of the bandits but was even more astonished by Daphne's composure. Despite the danger, she showed no fear.
The bandits attacked, their weapons slashing through the air. Daphne didn't flinch. She moved with an almost otherworldly grace, evading every blow as if she were dancing. Blades swung and fists flew, but none came close to touching her. In mere minutes, the bandits were panting, exhausted from their futile attempts.
"Is that all you've got?" Daphne asked, a smirk playing on her lips. "How boring."
Realizing they were outmatched, the bandits turned to flee. But Daphne wasn't done. She moved swiftly, capturing them one by one with ropes she pulled from a hidden stash in the pavilion. Remarkably, she subdued them without causing any harm.
From his vantage point, Mateo was spellbound. Her skill, her confidence—everything about her was mesmerizing. He finally managed to free his cape and stepped forward just as Daphne addressed the captured bandits.
"Why do you do this?" she asked, her voice calm but firm. "Stealing from people, spreading chaos… What drives you?"
One of the bandits, his face weary, spoke up. "You wouldn't understand. People like you, born into wealth, can't fathom what it's like to starve. We're forced into this life by circumstances. There's a man who controls us—an underground boss. If we don't bring him valuables, he'll kill us and our families. We're paying off debts we never even borrowed."
Daphne frowned, her sharp mind processing his words. "Why not go to the king or a noble for help?" she asked.
Before the bandit could answer, a arrow flew through the air. It struck Daphne in the chest, and she staggered back, her eyes wide with shock. Mateo's heart stopped as he rushed to her side.
"No! he cried, catching her as she fell.
The shadows moved, and a new figure emerged—a man cloaked in black, his presence radiating menace.
"You should have minded your own business, young lady ," the man said, his voice cold.
Mateo glared at him, his determination burning brighter than ever.
Mateo chase the assassin but its to fast and to dark he couldn't see the moon light disappear \
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This wasn't the end. It was only the beginning. Mateo scream \
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THE END OF CHAPTER ONE