Get out

Greenfort was a peaceful town, the villagers were simple and kind, people that grew up as a big family and close friends. The mornings were full of activity and the nights appeared quiet and secure. However, as being a small town some recent rumors from scared villagers sent the place on high alert. They said that at the peak of the night when everything is full of shadows and only the moon illuminates the paths, a gigantic dragon with golden scales could be seen lurking around the forest, hunting his preys and firing red flames towards the horizon, and when he is done he goes back to sleep in the deepest and darkest cave of the mountain waiting for another prey. Some others said that there is a monster in the form of a beautiful woman that lures the innocent to suck their blood and turn them into her slaves.

"Goodness! How dare they? A monster? Me?"

"Miss Lucia, you should be more careful."

"Humph, I was just having fun hunting with little Blaze, how dare they say I am a monster? A monster doesn't look like me at all?"

"sigh… Miss!"

"Alright… but, now what should we do about Madam Thorne?"

"I don't know Miss. You should have told them that you were uncomfortable with other people in the mansion."

"But, their eyes Irina, you can't say no to Madame Thorne."

"Miss, what should we do?"

"An outing." What a brilliant idea! I am so clever.

"What?"

"We have something urgent to do outside the town and the three of us hide for some days in the forest."

"Excellent, Miss! I should go prepare."

"Also, tell little Blaze. He should be with Madame Thorne and Lily"

I should have thought about this before. I was worrying for nothing, however, some minutes later…

"Miss Lucia!" Irina came running to the room with panic written all over her face.

"Shhh, Irina you should not call me that way."

"I am sorry Miss Lina, but… but we should go now."

"What happened? Where is Blaze?"

"It is too late for him. We should go now!"

"How can you say that Irina, we cannot leave him behind."

"But… Miss, the Duke… the Duke is downstairs. He already spotted Blaze, and his knights are raiding the whole Mansion. We should leave!"

He found me. I could feel how my heart stopped beating. "Yes… let's go, poor Blaze!"

I opened the window and was about to grab Irina with me to jump out when a sudden voice, a voice from long ago stopped me.

"Lucia!"

I didn't stop, I went to the window but didn't jump I just closed it.

I turned around elegantly and with my polished acting skills, I never knew I had. "I am sorry sir, but you've got the wrong person. And please get out of my house, you are not welcomed here."

"Lucia." He whispered exhausted. He was the same as I remember, but he looked tired. He had dark circles underneath his eyes and a bit traces of beard. His black hair was long and a bit unkempt. He wasn't wearing his armor but a travel cape with the crest of Docrem. The two knights behind him looked the same, Sir Elton and Sir Greyson. They smiled and nodded at me and Irina, but I didn't respond.

"Get out now!"

"Miss Kobach! What's going on?"

Madam Thorne came running to my door with Ian and James behind her, looking shocked. Then she took a glance at the Duke and the two knights and I could not describe her surprised face, she widened her eyes so much that I thought they would pop out.

"You… your Highness!" she bowed.

"Madam Thorne, please see these unwanted guests to the door, they are not welcomed here."

"Miss Kobach!"

"Please, Madam Thorne."

"Yes, of… of course, I shall obey. Please gentleman follow me."

"Lucia, stop!" His voice startled everyone except me.

"I am not that person, my name is Lina Kobach."

I didn't falter at his enraged eyes, and I bet that my indifference angered him even more. Great, I didn't care at all. I noticed him gripping his fist and some weird energy coming from him. It was suffocating, well, not for me, but the others. Irina had trouble breathing, she was sweating a lot. The others were the same.

"Stop it!"

He didn't, he was out of his mind.

"Stop, right now!"

I reached out for Irina and tried to pass some energy to her, but it was useless, Madam Thorne was already on the floor and Ian and James had trouble catching her. My eyes turned red and I threw a fist towards him. He captured it and the pressure subsided.

"I found you, my love."

He smiled and held me hard into his arms.

"Don't touch me!" I pushed him with all my strength and backed out from his embrace. "You murderer."

His eyes widened and he looked at me with so much sadness, why is that? I don't understand this man, he should be happy living his life with his beloved Rebecca, conquering the world. Why is he tormenting me again?

"Lucia, please let me explain."

"No, and get out!"

"Lucia… I didn't…"

"Stop calling that name, you are not worthy… that day when your sword pierced my body you lost the right to call that name."

I looked at him and I thought I would be indifferent but my eyes were moist. How could this happen? I already forgot him. I am stronger than before, I didn't love him, I didn't even like him, he was a pervert that locked me up and used me, and in the end, he chose her.

"Please… Lucia"

"Get out!"

My heart became so agitated, but my resolution never faltered. I was so proud of myself. Then I felt Irina squeezing my hand caringly and I could feel a bit confident again.

The Duke looked at me for one last time and left with his knights without saying anything else. I should feel relieved but instead, a bit of disappointment craved into my heart.

"Miss…"

"I am fine Irina, please check on Madam Thorne and the others… I… I need some fresh air."

I went to the window and not caring for Ian and James to see me, I jumped.