Mr. Nice

Theodore found her outburst funny. "On my bed. Do you have any fantasies about sleeping with me?" His smile broadened.

At this point, Vanessa cheeks were now flushed. The ground opening to swallow her up seems like a perfect idea.

She cleared her throat. "Of course not. I was also talking about the same thing." She said it with confidence in her voice. "I am not interested, and neither do I want to sleep on your bed." She stated firmly.

"There's a reason it's called a punishment. It won't be one if you were meant to enjoy it, now, will it?"

Theodore didn't wait to get any response from her, and started walking to his chamber. He only climbed a few flights of stairs before turning back to look at Vanessa, who still stood in the same position.

"Are you going to keep standing there? Or do you expect me to carry you in princess style, so that you can reminisce on this punishment later?" Theodore said this before turning away to continue climbing the stairs while humming a tone.

Vanessa followed behind him, glaring at his back.

Once inside Theodore's chamber, Vanessa decided not to fall asleep, and instead she sat at one end of the bed, as she didn't know what the vampire really had in mind. "I just have to stay up for this one night." She tried to encourage herself.

But the tiredness that had been lurking soon slipped in, and so did her nightmare.

Despite the fact that Theodore had given her the punishment of sleeping in the same bed, he did not sleep in his bed. He stayed in his study, sorting out some papers.

He only asked for her to sleep with him on his bed so he could give her the option of doubt.

And it's not like he had any intention of sleeping with a witch. The only thing he cared to get from her was the stone, and he would have to keep a closer watch on her.

When he did come once to check on the human, he found her in tears as she slept.

Her tears streamed down her cheeks without ceasing. From time to time, a small, painful noise was heard.

"Such a crying baby, even in your sleep." Theodore commented as he walked to the side of the bed where she lay.

There was a dip in the bed as Theodore sat down on the bed. He looked at her teary eyes for a moment before gently pulling her awake.

Vanessa's eyes opened slowly, still in shock from her dream. Her heart raced a bit, and a light shiver ran down her spine as her eyes opened fully.

"Water?" Theodore asked, and she blinked the tears that still stood on the rim of her eyes away before nodding, unable to utter a word.

He poured her a glass of water and handed it to her.

After taking some gulps from the glass, Vanessa brought the glass away from her mouth. She raised her eyes to meet Theodore's prying gaze.

Now that her head was a little clearer, so many thoughts ran through her mind.

'Did he perhaps have a change of heart?'

When he continued to stare at her without saying anything, Vanessa's tongue unconsciously licked her bottom lip. His gaze on her had nailed her to one spot, unable to move.

"What is it that you want to ask, forest girl?" Theodore questioned, still watching her.

"W-why are you acting nice?" She bit her bottom lip slightly.

Theodore's lips curled up in a sinister smile, and he said, "Because I am nice. What do you think I am not?"

Vanessa didn't know what to say; she wasn't sure what would happen to her if she said no, and it wasn't like she had seen anything nice he had done.

"There are plenty of them." He said, "Like, I send people to their graves. The world would benefit from fewer worthless people." He grinned brightly, like it was the most normal thing ever.

Vanessa blinked twice at his response; it was the first time she'd heard anyone speak of killing as a good deed.

Theodore continued, "Next time, don't be shy about telling me that you need a little cuddle for you not to cry. My pets could really be of help."

Vanessa felt the need to glare at him, but he was too close, and she feared for her life. A snap of her neck was all it would take.

"No. I'm okay." She offered a tight smile.

"You sure? That's the most I can do. After all, I am a nice king." Theodore stood up, turning his back to face her. He added, "The sight of tears is quite irritating."

Why did she always have to give him the opportunity to annoy her? She thought with her teeth clenched. Maybe it would be wiser to try getting into the king's good graces rather than trying to escape again.

Vanessa nodded to herself in agreement with her thoughts. If everything went well, then Theodore would surely change his mind and give her freedom.

"Thank you." Vanessa said with her eyes staring at his back, and Theodore, who had started walking away from her, stopped to look back at her without fully turning to face her.

"Now I'm beginning to wonder what exactly you are thanking me for. Is it for the punishment or my super-nice offer?" An amused look appeared in his eyes.

"None." Came Vanessa's curt response.

"Too bad, that was the only thing I needed to be appreciated for." A fake disappointment took over his facial expression.

Vanessa opened her mouth to say something, but a knock on the door interrupted her, and Theodore stepped out of the room to meet Ralph.

"Milord," Ralph bowed and handed Theodore a small glass container without saying anything else. He bowed again before leaving from there.

Inside the container, there was a small wrapped paper. Theodore brought out the paper and read the note written on it.

"Just a step from the beam, but yet so far away."

Theodore's brow furrowed for a brief moment before it relaxed. He crumpled the paper until all that was left was ash. "It looks like someone is looking forward to my presence at the soiree."

At the same time, Vanessa opened his chamber's door and stepped out.

Vanessa politely bowed. She said, "Your highness, as I have served my punishment, I would like to request my leave." Her head still hung low as she continued, "I need to prepare for today's work."

"It seems like I forgot to make myself clear; the punishment will last for a week." Theodore revealed nonchalantly.

Vanessa's brow furrowed to meet his. Horror and dread marred her face.