Your Majesty

Quietly slipping into the mayor's residence while they slept, I made my way to their library with ease. With a sense of purpose, I searched for the mayor's desk. The scene unfolding before me felt familiar, as if I had already witnessed it in my mind's eye. Without surprise, I watched myself gather a bundle of money, seizing whatever valuables I could find. Hastening my exit, I didn't hesitate to leave behind half of the rebel uniform I had discovered in the forest.

As dawn broke, the mayor's residence buzzed with the presence of soldiers. Upon discovering the absence of his money and jewelry, suspicion immediately fell upon me, amplified by the unmistakable rebel uniform I had strategically left near the window through which I had made my escape. It was clear, but only to me, who the culprit was.

With each successful theft, I found myself drawn deeper into the world of deception. Months passed, and my forays into thievery became more frequent, each one blurring into the next until the illicit became routine.

In a sudden shift, the scene transformed before me. I found myself in a grand ballroom, filled with opulent revelers dressed in lavish attire, joyously dancing. It was the mayor's child's birthday celebration, a masquerade affair where anonymity cloaked my presence among the guests.

Clad in a modest dress, I scanned the room, taking in the splendor of the occasion. Suddenly, a figure approached me, his face concealed behind a mask, yet his allure undeniable. Despite the mask, his refined features and expensive attire hinted at his wealth and status.

Seizing the opportunity, I engaged him in conversation, prolonging our interaction to glean as much information as I could. As he boasted of their riches, his arrogance proved to be a valuable asset, unwittingly divulging key details about himself.

Committing every detail to memory, I resolved to diversify my targets to avoid suspicion and increase my success rate. Relying solely on the mayor's residence posed too great a risk, especially given its heightened security measures.

In another twist of fate, I found myself dancing with a man who had fallen victim to my schemes in the past.

Yet, the scene shifted once more, plunging me into darkness surrounded by my former accomplices. Caught in the act of theft, I braced myself for retribution, only to be surprised as they opted not to turn me in but rather recruit me into their syndicate.

As the nights passed in the company of my syndicate, my auntie discovered my illicit activities and was deeply disheartened. She insisted that I break away from the group and put an end to my criminal pursuits.

With a heavy heart, I bid farewell to our leader, expressing my gratitude for his support as I departed from the syndicate.

The scene shifted once more, transporting me to a fateful day when I raced through the rain, burdened by the weight of borrowed and stolen money. It was on this ill-fated day that I last laid eyes on my uncle, auntie, and Elizabeth before being consumed by the unforgiving world of Quailsham.

"I'm okay, uncle," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "Let it be me instead. You both are needed by Elizabeth. She needs her parents."

My heart pounded in my chest as I heard myself speaking, every hair on my body standing on end. It was surreal, witnessing this scene unfold, yet I couldn't tear my gaze away.

"No," my uncle's voice quivered with emotion. "No, Lu-Louise. You can't. I won't let you…"

Before my uncle could even reach out to embrace me, a sudden intrusion shattered the moment. A man, ominous and foreboding with a gun in hand, violently grabbed me.

"Enough of this nonsense," he barked firmly, his grip on my wrist tightening painfully as he pressed the barrel of the gun against my nape.

A wave of heat washed over me, the surroundings blurring into blinding whiteness. I felt the icy fingers of fear intertwine with the scorching heat of adrenaline, creating a tumultuous storm within me before darkness enveloped my vision, swallowing me whole.

As I opened my eyes, I found myself back in the confines of Lancaster Castle, within the familiar walls of the castle's room. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of my surroundings, only to be greeted by the unexpected sight of Ludwig standing before me.

His handsome face loomed close to mine, his firm grip on my head preventing me from pulling away. I was taken aback by his sudden presence. What was he doing here?

The room was shrouded in darkness, but even in the dim light, I could see his eyes undergoing a mesmerizing transformation. They shifted from their usual blue hue to a striking gold, then back again in an inexplicable dance of colors.

Trapped by our proximity, I struggled to move until a sudden surge of pain jolted through my head, causing me to stagger as I attempted to rise from the bed. The abrupt movement intensified the throbbing ache, nearly causing me to lose my balance.

As the temporary ache in my head subsided, I found myself studying Ludwig's expression. Confusion and relief seemed to war within him, his features a canvas of conflicting emotions.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice betraying my anxiety.

Despite his normal appearance, I couldn't shake the awareness that Ludwig was no ordinary man—he was a Fae, a prince, with the power to harm me effortlessly without moving from his spot.

Ludwig remained silent, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that unsettled me. It was as if I were a riddle he couldn't solve.

"What brings you here in the middle of the night, Your Majesty?" I attempted to regain my composure, addressing him formally, but once again, he offered no response, only releasing a heavy sigh before turning away from me.

As he departed, a rush of relief flooded over me, allowing me to finally draw a deep breath. But as I contemplated his unexpected visit, a chilling realization washed over me. Was he...was he attempting to harm me while I slept?

The notion sent a shiver down my spine, leaving me to grapple with the unsettling possibility of betrayal from someone I had once trusted.