Kaelith carried Yuto out of the Inn without ceremony, her body slack in his arms as the cold night air swallowed them whole. The guards outside stiffened at once and bowed as he approached the waiting carriage.
Inside, the carriage gleamed with quiet luxury, golden curtains, velvet cushions, polished wood reflecting dim lantern light. He laid her across the seat with calculated care, then took his place opposite her.
The carriage rolled forward.
For a long moment, he only watched her.
Her lashes fluttered.
Slowly, Yuto stirred. Her eyes opened partway, unfocused, glazed with drink and confusion. When her gaze finally landed on him, a lazy, foolish smile curved her lips.
"Wow…" she whispered. "Such a beautiful man..."She suddenly slapped her own mouth. "I am a man. I cannot admire another man's beauty."
Kaelith's lips twitched in quiet amusement. "Are you a man now?"
Yuto squinted at him as if struggling to remember something important. Then, instead of answering, she shifted and began crawling toward him, her movements clumsy and unsteady. Her hand slipped around his leg as she burst into soft, careless laughter.
"I am the prince of…" Her voice trailed off.
Her gaze drifted upward.
To his lips.
She leaned closer, reckless, unaware, driven by the haze in her mind.
Something dark passed through Kaelith's eyes.
In one swift motion, he seized her wrist and pulled her sharply into him. Yuto gasped, the breath knocked from her lungs. His arm locked around her shoulders, tight and unyielding. Her struggle was weak, brief—her already unsteady body failing her.
Her strength melted away.
Within seconds, she sagged against his chest, consciousness slipping as the world faded beneath the pressure of his hold.
Kaelith did not loosen his grip until she went entirely still.
He adjusted her in his arms then, slower now, supporting her weight as if she were nothing more than a sleeping doll.
"Little storm," he murmured near her ear, his voice low and dangerous. "You truly are foolish."
His fingers tightened once at her back, possessive, not protective.
Then he leaned back into the shadows of the carriage, holding her as the wheels carried them onward into the night.
Yuto shifted in bed and slowly opened her eyes. The bright sunlight made her look away quickly, wincing against the sudden glare. Then reality hit—she had accidentally drunk alcohol at the inn. She became suddenly aware of her surroundings.
The room was grand and elegant, fit for royalty. Tall windows let in soft sunlight, filtered through thick velvet curtains in deep red and gold. The walls were decorated with beautiful tapestries, each telling its own story.
A large canopy bed with silk sheets in shades of blue and gold dominated one side of the room. Plush pillows were stacked neatly, each marked with the royal crest. Across from the bed, a fireplace glowed warmly, its mantel adorned with a few candelabras and delicate ornaments.
The furniture was rich yet comfortable: velvet chairs, a polished writing desk, and a chaise lounge perfect for reading or resting. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, catching the light and scattering it like tiny stars.
Where the hell am I? Yuto thought. Panic fluttered in her chest, but a glance at her clothes brought relief—she was still wearing the same outfit from the day before. Ignoring the throbbing headache, she slid out from the silk sheets just as the door opened.
A maid stepped in, holding a set of fresh clothes.
"His Highness would like to meet you after you are dressed," she said systematically, avoiding Yuto's gaze.
"By Your Majesty, are you referring to King Kaelith?" Yuto whispered, doubts racing through her mind.
The maid nodded. Yuto's heart skipped—though curiosity burned inside her, a part of her felt overwhelmed by the sudden gravity of her situation.
"Do you have any idea how I got here?" she asked, hope tinged with worry.
The maid shook her head gently. "All I know is that you are His Majesty's special guest. Would you like me to help you bathe?"
Yuto shook her head, puzzled but composed. "No, thank you. I would appreciate it if you come back after a couple of minutes," she said softly.
The maid acknowledged with a curt "Yes, sir," and left the room.
Yuto sank back onto the bed, her mind racing with strategies on how she could possibly approach the great King of Valdoria. Then, a sudden thought struck her. She sat upright and rifled through her coat's pocket, her heart pounding. Relief flooded her when she saw the little box was still there.
This is my chance, she whispered to herself, heading to the bathing room.
The bathing room was exquisite and beautiful. The water flowed with a shimmering light, and a refreshing scent filled the air. She quickly bathed, washing away the remnants of the night, and changed into the fresh set of clothes the maid had brought.
Dressed and feeling slightly more composed, Yuto took a deep breath and smoothed the front of her clothes. Her heart pounded with a mix of curiosity and fear—how does one face a king without knowing why they've been brought here?
The maid appeared quietly, bowing slightly. "His Highness is ready to receive you," she said. Without waiting for a reply, she gestured toward the door.
Yuto followed, each step echoing softly in the long, polished hallway. The walls were lined with golden sconces that cast warm light on the intricate tapestries depicting battles and royal ceremonies. Her eyes darted nervously from one painting to the next, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind.
Yuto was walking along the cobblestone path when she nearly collided with a young woman who seemed to glide rather than walk. Her hair shimmered like strands of moonlight, and her eyes sparkled with an effortless confidence. She wore a flowing gown of soft pastels that caught the sunlight with each step. Yuto instinctively stepped back, struck by both the woman's beauty and the calm aura that surrounded her.
"My apologies," the young woman said, her voice soft and melodic, each word carrying a tone that seemed to linger in the air, enchanting anyone who heard it. Without waiting for a response, she continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Yuto blinked after her, still caught off guard. She turned slightly to the maid walking ahead of her and whispered, "Was that…"
The maid glanced back briefly, her expression unreadable. "That is Lady Selene, Your Majesty's favored companion. She often travels with His Highness," she replied quietly, keeping her voice low so as not to attract attention.
Yuto's heart skipped. Favored companion…? she thought, a mixture of curiosity and unease swirling in her chest. She had expected intrigue, perhaps danger, but this—this effortless beauty walking beside the king—felt like stepping into a world where she didn't yet belong.