Punishment

"Not so quick." A voice came from above her, on one of the trees, and her eyes snapped to look at the direction.

Sitting on one of the tree branches was none other than Theodore. He had his back resting on the tree, with his right leg stretched on the branch, and the other knee raised.

Upon seeing who it was, Vanessa was left in shock.

'How did he find me?'

Feeling her eyes on him, Theodore's eyes move away from the leaf he was earlier playing with to look at her.

He didn't offer his sweet, wicked smile and instead held a serious look.

When she heard another sound of scrunching leaves, Vanessa's eyes snapped back to look at the wolves, recalling the dire situation she was in.

Her eyes moved momentarily from the animals to Theodore, internally pleading for him to help her, but Theodore didn't do anything despite knowing what she wanted.

On the verge of giving up, when the animals had turned more feral and were ready to pounce on her, Theodore jumped down from the tree and started walking towards her.

"Stan, a nice treat for you when we return," Theodore said to one of the animals, and it purred, feeling happy, while the other made a little whimpering noise. "You too, Sane."

Vanessa shook her head as if that would help clear her mind from what she was seeing right now. When Theodore turned to look at her with his wicked smile on, She pointed accusing fingers at him.

"Y-you—"

"Yes, they are mine." Theodore confirmed her thoughts.

And Vanessa heard them purr again, as if they were the cutest thing ever and had not earlier wanted to tear her apart.

"I'm not going back with you." She declared.

"Then you don't mind being eaten up."

Her eyes moved anxiously to look at the two wolves, and wanting to act brave, she shrugged and said, "You wouldn't do that. You do want the stone after all," she said matter-of-factly.

Theodore laughed a humorless laugh and said, "Now that's one place you are wrong. Until now, I have been living without the Krispadal, and I can still do that. Just because I don't let go of things when I could have them doesn't mean I won't kill you."

"I don't—"

"If you keep ranting, we won't leave," he said, looking around the dark forest before returning to her. "Besides, we still need to hand you your punishment."

"Punishment?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"You didn't think I would take you back without a punishment in mind, did you?" Theodore answered. "Sane!" he called, and the wolf came in front of him, making Vanessa stagger back.

"I-I w-will come with you." She forced herself to say.

Theodore smiled. "Yes, I know you will. Now climb." He ordered.

Vanessa stared at him, wondering, 'Is he joking? Climb t-thi—'

"Come on; don't be shy. She won't hurt you." His words of encouragement to her, were something she could never trust.

His words were just like the devil's, which were meant to be believed, and then you fall into your doom.

"I can walk back fine," she decided.

Theodore took three long strides to stop in front of her, and Vanessa had to crane her neck to look at him because of their difference in height.

When he leaned in, she tried to act brave by not stepping back and instead, only leaned away, even though every nerve inside her was screaming for her to step back.

Their faces were just some distance apart, allowing Vanessa to see that Theodore's eyes were now bright red in color.

"Don't allow me to repeat myself; you wouldn't want to annoy me more than you already have." Theodore's voice was calm, but the warning was there, enough to make a shiver run down her spine.

He smiled satisfactorily upon seeing her reaction before stepping to the side and waiting for her to walk.

Vanessa breathed out and went to climb on Sane. All the while, making sure not to meet its eyes to avoid getting frightened.

The ride wasn't an easy one, and she couldn't help but wonder where Theodore and the other wolf were, considering how they never followed them.

Reaching outside the forest, with shock marring her face, she realized that they did not use the same path she had followed. And now she stood just some distance away from some houses.

"This must be the villagers' houses."

"Why so surprised?" Theodore's voice interrupted her. "Did you think the castle was the only house in Grey-forest?"

'When did he reach here?' she thought with her lips pursed.

"Let's get your wound covered, lest we invite sniffers to trail us." Theodore said, before walking towards the village. And Vanessa's eyes snapped to look at her calf, which was covered in dry blood.

She had totally forgotten about her wound.

After walking for some time, Theodore came to stand in front of one of the villagers' doors and place a knock on it.

'Why disturb someone's sleep because of a little scratch?' Vanessa made her way to him. Her plan was to tell him that she could take care of it herself.

Just as she reached him, ready to tell him, the door was opened by Lipton, who wore a surprised look.

Lipton bowed and allowed him in. Her eyes fell on the human behind him. The same human she had treated some days ago.

She offered Vanessa a friendly smile as she entered the house, and Vanessa returned it.

"Would you like to have anything, milord?" Lipton asked.

"The normal will do." Theodore answered while already making himself comfortable, even without being asked to.

She bowed, ready to go, but turned halfway to look at the human. "What about you? What will you like to have?"

Vanessa looked at Theodore, who didn't seem concerned. Before turning back to look at Lipton, she said, "W-water, please." Lipton nodded and left the room.

Not too long, she returned with two glasses on a tray, each containing different contents.

Lipton handed the glass with the red liquid in it to Theodore. It was blood, but there were other things mixed in it.

She gave the glass of water to Vanessa. It took her a moment to take it, as she was staring at what Theodore was drinking.

"Take care of her wounded calf." Theodore ordered.

He drank the whole contents of his glass and left the room to go back outside.

Lipton looked at her wound. When she was about to clean it with a liquid sealed in one of the many small bottles, she said with a warning tone,

"This might sting a bit."

Vanessa hissed. She bit her bottom lip to avoid making a sound.

"I am really sorry for disturbing your rest." Vanessa apologized when Lipton was done.

If only she hadn't gotten caught. She thought.

Lipton just smiled. "You didn't disturb my rest," she assured. "In fact, I am happy to help in any way."

Apart from Rosetta, Vanessa felt that Lipton was the second person she had met in this town who was normal and kind.

The butler was always wearing a stoic expression, and not once had he been kind with his words.

The lady had slapped her even though she had not poured the tea on her intentionally. Dermot had stared at her longer than normal, as if there was a puzzle on her face that he was trying to solve.

And not to forget the tyrant king. She had nothing to say for him, as everything concerning him was complicated.

"It's time to leave," Theodore announced.

Vanessa went to join him outside so they could head to the castle.

"Thank you." She said and Theodore hummed in response. Though she might not like it here, she had not forgotten her mother's teaching on valuing the little things.

As they walked, she took notice of how no one was seen outside, with everyone inside their houses.

Compared to Grey-forest, in Mistleville, during most of their nights, there was usually a bonfire celebration and night shopping. And the fun thing was that it never got boring.

She really missed everyone. *Sigh*

"Where are you going?" Theodore questioned Vanessa when she started making her way to the servants' quarters.

"My room," she stated.

"First comes your punishment."

Her eyes widen. 'He was not bluffing.' She gulped.

"Cleaning the castle sounds too easy." Theodore spoke thoughtfully.

"Easy? This castle is too big." She pointed out the obvious.

His lips tugged at one side. "That's why I have a better option."

Vanessa stared at him, not liking the way he looked now. It was like the devil himself, scheming something evil.

"Sleep with me, o—"

Vanessa cut him off abruptly, "What do you think of me? I would rather die than give myself to you." She spat with disgust.