♚ 14 ♚

Two chapters out two days in a row, just for you guys ;3 also because I've been on a month hiatus and I'm just really inconsistent. Enjoy!

"W-What?" I asked, confused out of my mind. My original thought was that I would be stunned, or emotionally traumatized, but I felt quite the opposite. I never really knew my parents, they were like distant memories of a forgotten past that I never really gave to many thoughts to, and I felt bad about it.

"I know it's a lot to take in..." he began.

"That's impossible, I barely even remember my parents, I don't even know their names. How would you know anything about them?" I angrily demanded answers, raising my voice.

"(Y/N)?" A quiet voice down the hall, outside of my door spoke with hesitation. I looked at the masked man with horror, as he exchanged an equally alarmed expression. I glanced at the door which the footsteps were growing closer to, when out of my peripheral vision I noticed a flash of black, which I then realized was the masked man fleeing into the closet.

"(Y/N)...? Are you still awake?" A familiar voice enraptured me. I couldn't move, and I didn't know if it was out of fear, or of mesmerization.

The door handle shifted, and I stiffened in my posture, afraid I was caught in the act.

Adrian peered inside the room, when our eyes locked together. I didn't dare move, I knew I was caught. Panic-stricken, I felt my breath quicken at the thought of how much trouble I had just put myself into.

"You're... still awake. At this hour? Is everything alright my love? I heard you speaking with someone..." He questions, suspicious of my actions.

I stayed silent, shutting my eyes, breathing deeply as an attempt to calm myself. When I reopened my eyes, Adrian was only a few feet away from me. The sudden movement caused me to jump. Startled, I stepped back, nearly losing my footing before regaining my balance.

"What happened?" Adrian asked worriedly.

"N-Nothing happened, I've just been, thinking out loud. To myself... Alone." I excused.

Adrian sauntered over to me, carefully holding onto my arm, and leading me to sit on my bed. He grabbed onto my shoulders and knelt down in front of me.

"(Y/N), you know you can tell me anything, right?" He spoke softly.

His sudden act of gentleness and kindness was spellbinding, and I sat speechless as before. All I could do was stare into his soft expression.

"I know everything is weird for you right now, and you're not sure what to believe of me, or this castle. You're also probably wondering what made me chose you to be my bride as well, and I'm not sure how I should put it into words. The truth is, seeing you at that ball made me realize there was so much I didn't know about you, and perhaps that is the reason I chose you. You're so unlike everyone else, and your beauty is enthralling, I can't quite name it," he rambled. As if I had not been stunned before, I was sure to be now.

"I didn't expect you to be so open with me in the first place, perhaps it was wishful thinking to believe you would love me right away. I will be patient with you, and no matter what I'm always, always here for you. If something is going on, you can tell me, and I will not me angry with you. I love you, (Y/N), and I know your heart just needs time. Just remember the people who love you won't betray you." Adrian concluded, pulling me into a gentle hug.

I was so shocked by the sudden affection, I didn't hug back right away, but returned one not wanting to be rude. I wasn't sure why he was telling me these things, especially at such unexpected timing. When I was first announced a bride to the Prince of the kingdom, I wanted nothing to do with the responsibility. Now that I have seen his kindness, I wasn't sure if I wanted to leave, no one had ever been this way to me before.

"A-Adrian, I... I'm not sure what to say... thank you," Was all I could manage to say. I couldn't see the prince's face at the moment, but something told me he was smiling.

He cautiously pulled away, not wanting to leave the moment. I could tell he was cherishing the time we were spending, for it might of been the first real moment we'd spent together...

And possibly the last.

"You should get some sleep (Y/N), I'll leave you to change into something more proper for sleeping," he implied as he made his way to the door just about ready to leave, before pausing.

"Oh and, (Y/N)?" He calls out, pulling me from my trance of what was previously happening.

"Yes Adrian?" I puzzle, curious of what more he had to add.

"There is something I need to warn you of. It has come to my attention that an uninvited guest has made their way into the castle. I only tell you this for your safety, just be careful when you're alone, and for this reason I am increasing the guards around the halls, so you will stay safe." He warned.

I thought for a second, confused and quite frankly fearful that someone had broken into the castle. I began wondering who could've gotten into the castle, then I remembered a particular unwanted guest who has been lurking for quite a while.

He's talking about the masked man...

"O-oh my, that's terrible, I do hope you catch whoever it is that's gotten into the castle!" I replied with a concerned expression, only it was my concern of being caught that I knew that stranger.

"You and me both, I sure hope this clears up soon." Adrian smiles weakly.

"Oh, right. I forgot to mention something. Forgive me for asking if I am out of line, but I was wondering if, maybe, just maybe I would be allowed access to the balcony..." I trailed off, hoping I wasn't asking too much.

He stared into my eyes, and I looked down, afraid of his gaze, afraid if I looked too long he would read my very thoughts.

"...(Y/N), I understand you want to, but even now with such heavy threats, I don't know if I can allow that..." he spoke uncertainly, I could tell by his response he didn't want to let me down.

"I know Adrian, and I respect your decision, but do you think I may go outside if I at least have a guard with me...?" I proposed.

"...I'll think about it. I'm not saying no, I just need to figure out the possibility of bad outcomes. I want to make sure this is the safest environment for... you," he answered, carefully choosing his words, but his hesitation caught my attention.

"Erm, thank you. I appreciate your acknowledgment." I replied.

"Anything for my love, but for now I shall leave you to rest. You need as much sleep before class again tomorrow. I'll see you in the morning (Y/N). Goodnight." He said before smiling kindly and slowly shutting the door.

I waited for a few seconds to pass, when I finally sighed of relief. Finally... I thought.

I remembered the masked man fled into the closet before Adrian's arrival, but debated with myself whether or not to let him out, or let him come out himself.

A few seconds passed, before I made up my mind. I stalked my way to the closet door, clutching the handle in my palm, then swiftly pulled it open.

"Hello...?" I whispered. There was no response.

"Hello? Mask guy? It's safe to come out now, he's gone," I repeated quietly.

"(Y/N)?" I heard his quiet voice.

I sighed relieved. "Sheesh you frightened me! Come out."

I heard thinks begin shifting in the darkness in front of me, when he bumped into me.

"Oof! Heh, sorry! My bad. I can't see very well, it's really dark." He excused in a whispered tone.

"I-Its fine, but you should go now, I don't want you getting caught," I hurried, remembering what Adrian warned about the stranger in the castle.

"You're right, I'll take my leave," he said starting towards the door. "Oh yeah, (Y/N), what exactly did he say to you? The doors are pretty thick, I couldn't hear anything." He asked before taking his leave.

"He... just came to say goodnight," I replied taken aback by my own sudden nervousness. I quickly cleared my throat. "And well, you know, we uh, hugged..."

"Okay..." he says, slightly weirded out by my awkward behavior.

"Well, uh, thank you for warning me... Y-You may leave now. Goodnight." I stammered.

"Heh, alright. Goodnight (Y/N)," he whispered, awkwardly smiling. He slowly shuts to door behind him, and the sound of his tapping feet aren't even heard, as if he wasn't even walking away in the first place.

I practically collapse against the wall, exhausted from everything that was going on. I pulled myself up, and made my way to the wardrobe behind me. I got changed into something more comfortable and stumbled to my bed.

What is happening? Why did I lie to him? Maybe I just didn't want him knowing he's being looked for, but then he'd assume I'm not on the same page with him, am I? The Prince made it very clear I'm not leaving, and how do I know I can trust this masked person who's been sneaking in the shadows? Though he says he's just trying to save me, what are his intentions? And why did he say that about my parents?!

As much thoughts that swarmed in my head, I tossed and turned a bit longer, until sleep finally overcame my eyes, and I drifted off into a less peaceful sleep.

♞