CHAPTER 3

The thief's eyes gleamed with determination as she gazed at the king's ring, her mind racing with the possibilities. This was a rare opportunity, one that she couldn't afford to let slip through her fingers. After all she'd been through, after all the pain and suffering she'd endured at the hands of the kingdom, she was determined to take what was hers.

The ring, to her, was more than just a symbol of power - it was a symbol of revenge. It was a reminder that she had outsmarted the king and his guards, that she had taken something precious from them. And she knew that the king would stop at nothing to get it back.

With calculated precision, she reached out and took the ring, her movements swift and silent. She felt a rush as her fingers closed around the cool metal, the weight of it solid in her hand.

For a moment, she just stood there, savoring the feeling of triumph. She had done it. She had stolen from the king herself. And she knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

The ring glinted in the dim light, its gemstones flashing with a fire that seemed to match the burning desire for revenge in her heart. She turned it over in her hand, studying it with a mixture of fascination and contempt.

It was just a ring, but it was so much more than that. It was a symbol of power, of authority, of the kingdom's might. And she had taken it. She had shown the king that she was not to be underestimated, that she was a force to be reckoned with.

As she slipped the ring onto her finger, she felt a surge of confidence. She knew that she would never be caught, that she would always be one step ahead of the king and his guards. And she knew that she would use the ring to her advantage, to exact her revenge on the kingdom that had wronged her so deeply.

The thief smiled to herself, a cold, calculating smile. She had the upper hand now, and she would use it to her advantage. The king would be furious, but she didn't care. She had won, and that was all that mattered.

As she was pulled back, the thief's eyes widened in surprise, and she found herself face to face with a figure shrouded in darkness. The air was thick with tension as she realized the figure was dressed in the same attire as her - a black mask and dress. But what caught her attention was the unmistakable masculine build and presence of the figure.

For a moment, they locked eyes, and she could sense a spark of intrigue. The figure's gaze was piercing, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. Who was this mysterious figure, and what did they want?

The figure's movements were swift and calculated as they pulled her into the shadows, away from prying eyes. The thief's mind was racing with questions, but before she could utter a word, the figure spoke in a low, husky voice, "You're quite the thief, aren't you?"

The thief's instincts kicked in, and she tried to wriggle free, but the figure's grip was firm. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper.

The figure chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Someone who knows your work," they replied, their eyes glinting with amusement. "And I must say, I'm impressed. You've got skills."

The thief's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. Was this figure a potential ally or adversary? She wasn't sure, but one thing was certain - she wasn't going to back down without a fight.

As the mysterious figure leaned in, his face inches from hers, the thief's breath caught in her throat. She felt a jolt of electricity run through her body, her heart racing with anticipation. Before she could react, he reached out and gently removed her mask with a single, elegant motion.

The thief's eyes widened in shock as she felt her face exposed, her identity revealed. She tried to pull back, but the figure's grip on her mask was firm. Her eyes locked onto his, and she saw a flicker of recognition, a hint of surprise.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. The thief's mind was racing, trying to process what was happening. Who was this figure, and why had he revealed her identity?

The figure's gaze seemed to bore into her soul, as if he was searching for something. Then, a slow smile spread across his face, and he whispered, "I know you."

The thief's fist flew out, connecting with a satisfying crunch to the figure's jaw. He stumbled backward, his eyes widening in surprise, as he clutched at his face. A low growl rumbled in his throat, a mixture of pain and annoyance.

The thief stood tall, her chest heaving with adrenaline, her eyes flashing with defiance. "You think you can just expose me like that?" she spat, her voice low and venomous. "You think you can just take away my anonymity, my protection?"

The figure took a step back, his eyes locked on hers, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "You're feisty," he said, his voice strained from the punch. "I like that." He rubbed his jaw, wincing slightly, but his eyes never left hers. "But you're not going anywhere until we talk."

The thief and the mysterious figure faced off in the dimly lit alley, their swords clashing in a flurry of steel and sparks. The sound of clashing metal echoed off the walls as they danced around each other, their movements swift and deadly.

The thief was a whirlwind of motion, her sword slicing through the air with precision and skill. The figure was a formidable opponent, but she was determined to best him. She parried and riposted, her sword flashing in the faint light.

The figure was caught off guard by her ferocity, stumbling backward as she pressed her attack. He tried to defend himself, but she was relentless, her sword slicing through his defenses.

In the heat of the battle, the thief landed a particularly swift blow, and the figure stumbled backward, his mask slipping askew. With a swift motion, she reached out and ripped the mask

from his face

As the mask was ripped away, the thief's gaze fell upon his face, and she was struck by his chiseled features. His sharp jawline was accentuated by the dim lighting, and his hazel eyes seemed to gleam with a mix of surprise and admiration. His long eyelashes framed his eyes perfectly, adding to their allure.

His hair was a rich, dark brown, and it was tousled, as if he'd been running his hands through it. But what caught the thief's attention was the complete lack of any marks or imperfections on his face. It was as if he'd been carved from marble, his features flawless and precise.

For a moment, the thief forgot about the sword in her hand, and the fact that she'd just defeated him.

As the thief turned to leave, a chuckle escaped her lips, and his eyes flashed with annoyance. "Do you really think you can win against me?" she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "You need a lot of practice."

The words cut deep, and his face burned with humiliation. No one had ever dared to speak to him like that before. As the King of Caesalpino, he was accustomed to respect and deference. But the thief's words were laced with a mocking tone that made him seethe with anger.

The thief didn't seem to notice his growing rage as she turned to leave. "You're not going anywhere until we talk," she said over her shoulder, her voice casual, as if she was discussing the weather.

Ravinus eyes widened in outrage. No one spoke to him like that and got away with it. But before he could react, the thief had already leaped onto the rooftop and disappeared into the night.

Ravinus stood there, his chest heaving with anger and humiliation. He couldn't remember the last time someone had bested him like that. The King of Caesalpino, humiliated by a common thief. The thought was unbearable.

He clenched his fists, his mind racing with plans to catch the thief and teach her a lesson. He would not rest until he had her in his custody, and she knew the true meaning of power. The game was on, and he was determined to win.

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TAKE CARE

"Unknowingly she provoked a beast"

Laraib Zafar~

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