chapter 1

VIVIAN

I couldn't sleep no matter how much I tried. Why, you ask because each time I close my eyes I see him. The man who always haunts my dreams and mind when I close my eyes I see his eyes his gorgeous gray eyes and his pitch black hair. I've never spoken to him before I've only seen him near the lake in Everfree forest. I want to talk to him, tell him about my dreams and aspires, and listen to his voice. Furthermore, I wonder if I'll get a chance to do that.

I walk through the garden with my handmaiden Claire she has been with me since I was a kid, and she is only a few years older than me. I see her more as an older sister than as a royal servant." Princess the day is quite hot why don't we go to the patio for some refreshments", she asked holding the umbrella closer to me. I bend down to feel the softness of the flowers beneath my hands." I'm quite alright Claire, the weather today is quite lovely, so I want to enjoy it to the fullest", I said standing up straight and then turning to face her." I love the outdoors Claire and the smell of flowers, and it's the only freedom I'm allowed apart from the palace", as the sadness suddenly began to set in me as I said those words.

I never really got to go outside the palace walls after my mother's death when I was 10 years old. 11 years ago tragedy struck the kingdom when the queen my mother died while the kingdom was under attack, it was also the last time I saw my father ever smile lovely at me. Since then my father has restricted my movements and nearly kept me from the outside world. As the sun began to set I was summoned by Father to have dinner with him, it was our daily routine.

The dining room was filled with silence except for the clutter of utensils, the silence set a certain unease in me every time. "How was your day, Vivian?", I heard my father's voice call out to me as I slowly placed my fork and knife back on the plate." my day went well... Father," I said slowly as he nodded, and continued with his meal. After dinner, I excused myself back to my room. I walked towards the balcony of my room and slowly began to wonder will he be in the forest tonight, and did he always go there. All these thoughts scrabbled in my mind as I finally decided to sneak out of the palace.

Sneaking out of the palace was never an easy job but as I made my way outside I prayed to the Goddess, so I don't get caught. I ran towards the secret passage that I found when I was 16, I found more passages over the years, but this one was the easiest, and quickest to get through. I slipped through the narrow halls of what seemed to be the remnants of an old structure, it was probably old remnants of the palace that was slowly forgotten by everyone. Slowly the forest came into view and I was presented with a gust of wind that blew against my hair. My hair was a shade of ginger was a rare color in the kingdom, so I covered it with my shawl to prevent being recognized by anyone.

I looked around for the familiar Silhouette that I always longed to see, but I never saw it, minutes passed by, and I began to lose hope of capturing a glimpse of him tonight. Suddenly I felt a presence behind me and my body froze in alert of the sudden presence, the person got so close to me that heard their breathing. The person leaned closer to my ear and whispered.

"looking for me?"

I let out a squeal at the deep and raspy voice, I immediately tried to run but ended up slipping. I closed my eyes waiting to feel the ground, but it never came instead strong arms caught me by the waist preventing the fall, I slowly opened my eyes to be met with a pair of gray ones staring right back at me. His eyes are even more beautiful in close-up, I was enchanted by his beauty and I couldn't look away from him."You are so beautiful...", my eyes went wide at the sudden voice, did I just say that out loud.

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