EVANIA'S POV
"Need a little help?"
The voice was low-right against my ear.
I flinched.
How did he get behind me so fast?
I backed away gently, making sure not to fall.
"No, thank you. I'll get Lili."
"Lili! Lili!" I called.
No answer. Where could she be?
I sighed in frustration.
I turned to him. He smirked.
"Ready, Princess?"
He held my waist and picked me up, placing me on Evernight effortlessly.
"Thank you."
He winked and took Evernight by the reins.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
When he said he wanted to go for a ride, I thought we were heading to an open field outside the palace.
But instead, we were walking toward the garden wall.
"You'll see," he said.
We stopped in front of a wall covered in vines and flowers. I was confused.
The King pushed the wall with his hand, and it moved-opening like a door.
I was stunned.
As we stepped inside, it felt like I had walked into a storybook. Everything felt surreal.
A wide-open field stretched before us, filled with the greenest grass I had ever seen. Dragonflies, birds, and butterflies of different colors filled the air, dancing around and perching on flowers.
Every flower they touched sparkled, as if sprinkled with fairy dust.
In the distance, I spotted a waterfall-its golden water flowing into a stream that wound around us.
The scenery was breathtaking.
"Hiya!"
Evernight and I took off to explore our surroundings.
As we rode, I breathed in the fresh air. It smelled like a summer breeze on a hot day.
Some birds followed us, flying above as we sprinted below.
A warm feeling spread through my chest, and I couldn't help but laugh happily.
Finally, we stopped to rest, lying on the grass.
"Do you like it, Princess?" the King asked, crouching down to my level.
He had been watching us, an unreadable smile dancing on his lips.
"Yes, I do! It's magical," I replied, still admiring the scenery.
"Then it's yours, Princess."
"What?"
"The garden-it's yours. A wedding gift."
I didn't know what to say. This man was strange.
Weren't the rumors that he was ruthless and devoid of emotion?
He had been acting like the complete opposite since I arrived.
I sat up straight, brushing the grass from my skirt and straightening my hair.
"I... I have questions," I said.
"Go on."
His hand moved to the ends of my hair again.
What was his deal with my hair?
"Um... why are you warm? I mean, vampires are supposed to be cold to the touch and ridiculously pale... but you're not like that," I asked, looking away from him.
His gaze was piercing.
"It's because I'm different. I was born different. Even though I'm a pureblood, I'm not like the others-I'm stronger."
He looked toward the golden stream, a small smile on his face.
"Is that why you don't wear a daylight ring too?"
The sun was shining brightly, yet he wore no ring-and he wasn't burning.
"Yes, Princess. Your husband is quite extraordinary, isn't he?" He tilted his head to the side, smirking.
"You seem to know a lot about vampires... and you notice things about me."
He inched closer, his crimson eyes scanning my face as if searching for something.
"Do you like me, Princess?"
What?
"What are you talking about?! Of course not," I said, clearly surprised by his question.
"Shame..." His voice dropped, softer this time.
He leaned closer-too close.
His fingers tilted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes had darkened.
"Because I like you."
My breath caught.
"You... you like me?"
"Yes, I do." His voice was hoarse.
He was close-too close. His hand was still on my chin. If I was to move, our lips would definitely touch.
Even so, I didn't back away. I was scared of this man. I hated this marriage.
But there was something in the way he said it-something in his eyes-that made me not move away.
Suddenly, he let go, standing abruptly.
"We should go. It's going to rain soon."
He reached out his hand and helped me up.
"You can come here anytime you want," he continued.
"Thank you," I said.
"Only the best for my wife." A smile danced on his lips while the wind played with his hair.
God... why was he so beautiful?
~~~~~~~~
Back in the castle, it did rain-loud, heavy pours.
As Lili bathed me, I couldn't stop thinking about what the king said.
He likes me? Does a vampire get to like a human? Their prey?
"Lili?"
"Yes, my lady?"
"The king said something very strange to me today. He said he likes me."
Her face immediately lit up.
"I knew it! I had a feeling the king wasn't like the others. He's considerate about your feelings, my lady," Lili said, pouring more scented bathing oil into the water.
"What makes you say that? He might be pretending. Remember what father said-all vampires are liars."
"I don't think so, my lady. If he wanted to kill you, he would have done it during the wedding-no one would have questioned him.
Or even on your wedding night."
She gently washed my hair, scrubbing my scalp softly. It was soothing.
"He didn't even consummate the marriage," she continued. "He brought Evernight from Sweetenburg to make you happy and gifted you a magical garden, my lady. If you ask me, that is the attitude of a man who is smitten."
I thought about it too, but I just couldn't accept it.
It felt impossible-too good to be true.
"I think... you should give him a chance, my lady."
"Lili! How could you say that?"
"Think about it. You're going to be in Ravenscar for a long time, and you are going to be seeing the king every day. It's best you try to get along."
We had already stepped out of the bathroom, and Lili was drying my hair.
"It's not that simple, Lili," I said, caressing my white hair clip-my favorite.
"I know, my lady. You can take your time... until you trust the king by yourself."
~~~~~
After my bath and slipping into a simple gown, I stood at the balcony, my thoughts drifting to a memory I never liked to remember.
A moment that traumatized me and sealed my fear of vampires.