CHAPTER 2

The moon cast a silver glow over the sleeping mansion of Lord Thomas, a prominent courtier. The windows were dark, the occupants lost in slumber. But one figure moved unseen, gliding through the shadows like a ghost.

The thief, a shadowy form in a dark cloak, slipped through an open window and into the mansion. She moved with silent precision, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of detection.

Her gaze landed on a small, ornate box on Lord Thomas's dresser. She smiled to herself, knowing the box contained a prized possession of the courtier - a golden amulet passed down through generations of his family.

With quick fingers, she picked the lock and opened the box. The amulet glinted in the moonlight, and she carefully lifted it out. She slipped it into her pouch, feeling a thrill of excitement.

As she turned to leave, she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror. For a moment, her eyes locked onto her own reflection, and a hint of a smile played on her lips.

Then, she vanished into the night, leaving behind only the faintest whisper of her presence.

As King Ravinus entered the room, the courtiers' whispers abruptly ceased, and they bowed in unison. The king's ears had picked up the hushed tones, and his mind instantly jumped to the thief who had been evading capture. He sensed that something was amiss, and the courtiers' sudden silence only heightened his curiosity.

"Good morning, my lords,". Ravinus said, his voice firm but with a hint of inquiry "What news do you bring me today?"

The courtiers exchanged nervous glances, and Lord Thomas stepped forward, his face pale. "Your Majesty, I regret to inform you that I've been robbed. My family's golden amulet has been stolen from my mansion."

Ravinus's eyes narrowed, his suspicions confirmed. "I see. And when did this occur?"

Lord Thomas hesitated before answering, "Last night, sir. I discovered the theft this morning."

The king's gaze swept the room, his mind racing with possibilities. "Summon the guards and investigate this crime immediately. I want to know who's responsible and how they managed to breach Lord Thomas's mansion."

The courtiers nodded, and the room erupted into a flurry of activity as the guards were summoned and the investigation began. Ravinus watched, his eyes never leaving the scene, as he pondered the identity of the cunning thief.

King Ravinus sat on his throne, lost in thought, his mind consumed by the audacity of the thief. "Who has the guts to steal from Lord Thomas?" he pondered, his eyes fixed on some distant point.

The king's thoughts swirled with questions. Was it a member of the court seeking to undermine Lord Thomas's influence? Or was it a common thief emboldened by the kingdom's recent troubles?

Ravinus's gaze drifted toward the window, where the sun cast its golden light upon the kingdom's sprawling landscape. He knew that the thief's actions were not just a crime, but a challenge to his own authority.

The king's jaw clenched in determination. He would not let this thief defy him. He would uncover their identity and bring them to justice, no matter the cost. The kingdom's honor and his own reputation demanded it.

As he sat there, his resolve hardened, and a plan began to form in his mind. He would catch this thief and make an example of them, to show that no one was above the law in his kingdom.

King Ravinus's eyes gleamed with determination as he summoned his seneschal, Sir Edward. As Sir Edward entered, a hint of a smirk danced on his lips, which the king didn't miss.

"Ah, Sir Edward," the king said, his voice low and calculated. "I believe it's time we had a little exhibition. I want the family ring displayed publicly, in the central square. See to it personally."

Sir Edward's smirk grew, and he nodded, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

As Sir Edward departed, the king's gaze lingered on him, his thoughts racing with possibilities. "Now I got you, Mr. Mysterious," he whispered to himself, a confident smile spreading across his face.

The king's plan was set in motion, and he was eager to see how the thief would react to the bait. Would they take the ring, or would they reveal themselves in some other way? The king's patience was wearing thin, but he was determined to catch the thief and bring them to justice.

The news of the royal ring's exhibition spread like wildfire, and the central square buzzed with excitement. People from all walks of life gathered, whispering among themselves about the chance to catch a glimpse of the coveted ring.

Some pointed and gestured, speculating about the ring's history and value. Others spoke in hushed tones about the mysterious thief known as Dark Shadow, who had been evading the king's guards for months.

"I heard Dark Shadow has a reputation for stealing the impossible," one onlooker whispered.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they show up here," another replied, eyes scanning the crowd. "The king's ring would be the ultimate prize."

The air was electric with anticipation, and the crowd's whispers only added to the sense of intrigue. Amidst the chatter, one question lingered: would Dark Shadow dare to strike again, or would the king's plan succeed in catching the elusive thief?

...

.

.

TAKE CARE....

"A thought of catching her. Not knowing it was a start of new journey"

Laraib Zafar~

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***