Ludwig and Liam

My heart skipped a beat as Liam suddenly materialized before us. His presence was commanding attention without the need for a cloak. Dressed in formal attire, he gave off an air of elegance, his movements fluid and graceful.

Lily's reaction confirmed my suspicions—Liam was more than just a casual visitor. As she bowed in reverence, addressing him as "Prince Liam, Your Majesty," I struggled to maintain my composure, the weight of realization settling heavily upon me. Prince? 

"Do not address me as such…" Liam's nonchalant demeanor sent a shiver down Lily's spine.

"My apologies, Prince... I mean, High Lord, Liam. It won't happen again, Sire," she stammered, her voice trembling.

I couldn't help but internally groan at the situation. Wasn't "High Lord" just another form of addressing royalty?

Liam just heaved a sigh. "Just leave us alone," he said to Lily, his tone heavy with weariness.

Lily shot me a fleeting glance, a silent exchange passing between us, before she swiftly took the plates from my hands and vanished without a word.

Left alone with Liam, I felt a surge of uncertainty wash over me. He approached without uttering another word, his expression blank.

I hesitated, unsure of whether to follow. After all, he hadn't given me any orders, and I hardly knew him at all.

Conversing with him felt like an overwhelming challenge—I had no idea how to engage with him or how to navigate the unfamiliar dynamic between us.

As Liam passed by me and leaned against the door, his gaze locked onto mine, his eyebrow raised in a silent question.

I cautiously made my way into the room, putting some distance between us.

"Don't go out, whatever happens," he stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I couldn't help but push back against his command. "You can't just imprison me here," I protested. "And besides, Prince Ludwig allows me to come and go as I please."

Liam's serious expression remained unchanged as he fixed his gaze on me. "We're not imprisoning you," he clarified, his tone carrying a hint of warning. "But if we were to do so, you'd find yourself in the depths of the dungeons—surrounded by darkness and silence, thirsting and hungry, left to face your fears alone, dying..."

A smile played at the corners of his lips, a mixture of amusement and a subtle warning.

Liam's explanation continued. "You're being confined temporarily for your own safety. This room can offer you protection, but only if you remain inside it," he stated, then sighed.

"Whatever happens, don't leave unless you receive permission from Alexa, Ludwig, or myself," he emphasized, his gaze unwavering. "And under no circumstances should you open the door if someone knocks, understood?" 

His words hung in the air. I nodded in reluctant agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"Liam…"

Liam paused in his departure as I called out to him, his expression betraying a hint of annoyance. "What is it?" he asked, his tone clipped.

I met his bored gaze with a determined one of my own. "Where's Alexa?" I inquired, unable to suppress my curiosity any longer.

A flicker of doubt crossed Liam's features at my question. "Why do you need to find her?" he countered.

I shrugged, attempting to appear nonchalant. "I haven't seen her since she brought me here to the castle. Doesn't she live here?" I asked, still puzzled by her absence.

Liam hesitated for a moment before responding. "She's here," he confirmed vaguely. "But she's preoccupied with more important matters at the moment." 

His evasive response only heightened my curiosity, leaving me with a lot of unanswered questions. Though I wanted to inquire further, I found myself unable to voice my thoughts.

Like Ludwig, there was an air of mystery surrounding Liam, and his commanding presence left no room for further discussion.

Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted the tense atmosphere. "Come in," Liam commanded.

I was momentarily taken aback by the sudden display of power, momentarily forgetting that he was indeed a prince.

As Leaf entered the room and lowered her gaze respectfully towards Liam, he wasted no time in issuing instructions.

"Accompany Lady Louise for the day," he ordered, his gaze sweeping over the room. "Ensure she does not leave the premises. If she requires anything, you are to attend to her needs yourself. Under no circumstances are you to open the door."

Leaf nodded obediently. "Yes, Master," she replied.

With a final glance in my direction, Liam swiftly departed, leaving me alone with Leaf.

Leaf turned to me, her expression filled with concern. "Do you need anything, My La-Louise?" she asked, her voice gentle.

I scanned the room carefully, searching for any signs of danger that might explain Liam's cryptic warning about its protective qualities. However, everything appeared unchanged, leaving me puzzled and unsettled.

"Louise," Leaf prompted again, her eyes flickering around the room as if searching for the source of my unease. "Is there any problem?"

"No, nothing," I replied, forcing a reassuring smile. I reclined on the bed, my gaze drifting upward to the ornate ceiling.

Elaborate wooden beams intricately carved and gilded with gold leaf adorned the expanse above me.

The day was stretching out, and I couldn't shake the feeling of boredom creeping in.

As I thought about how to pass the time, a wave of uncertainty washed over me.

Leaf stood beside me, her exhaustion evident despite her angelic beauty. I turned my head to face her, gesturing for her to sit beside me on the bed. Though she initially hesitated, I gently insisted until she relented and took a seat.

"Are you really okay, Louise?"

I couldn't help but ponder the connection between Liam and Ludwig. "I heard Liam being referred to as a prince," I remarked, directing my inquiry towards Leaf. "Are they somehow related?"

Leaf's gaze drifted to the ceiling, her expression thoughtful.

"They're cousins," she replied simply.