Danger’s Obsession

"What are these books for, Louise?" Lily inquired, her arms straining under the weight of the heavy tomes she carried. Her curiosity was evident, but I could sense a hint of apprehension in her voice.

"Just set them down over here," I instructed, gesturing toward the table at the center of the Greenhouse. "Thank you."

As Lily carefully arranged the stack of books, her gaze darkened, and she began expressing her concerns about their presence. She seemed to harbor a sense of unease, suggesting that the books had somehow come between us. Despite her somber tone, I couldn't help but chuckle at her remarks.

For a few moments, Lily continued to voice her reservations, but I brushed them off, confident in my own understanding of the situation. After all, her skepticism couldn't deter me from pursuing the knowledge contained within those pages.

As Lily disappeared from sight, leaving me alone in the tranquil surroundings of the greenhouse, I set about my tasks with a sense of peaceful solitude. Watering the plants became a soothing ritual, accompanied by the gentle rustle of leaves and the earthy scent of soil.

Taking advantage of the quiet moments, I allowed myself to delve into the stack of books we had brought here. Each volume was a treasure trove of knowledge about plants, offering insights and techniques that fueled my curiosity.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude. Simply being alive, still breathing and able to nourish myself with food, filled me with immense thankfulness. Amidst the chaos and upheaval of recent months, this simple fact was a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, and for that, I was truly grateful.

As I stood there, grappling with the overwhelming sense of despair that had engulfed me after being sold at auction, I felt as though all hope had been extinguished. My mind raced with the grim possibilities of what awaited me—certain death or, perhaps, something even worse. Yet, against all odds, fate intervened in the form of a miraculous rescue.

Transported into the hands of benevolent creatures, the Faes, I found myself enveloped in their protective embrace. 

However, amidst the newfound safety, I couldn't shake the unsettling sensation that washed over me—a chilling coldness, a prickling of my skin, heralding the immense presence and power of one being in particular: Ludwig.

Even before I laid eyes on him, I could feel his presence looming large, his aura commanding attention. And when I turned to face him, there he stood staring at me, at the threshold of the door, exuding an aura of grace and authority that left me breathless. 

Caught in the presence of Ludwig, uncertainty clouded my thoughts, unsure of the appropriate protocol to follow in his presence. As a royal, along with his cousins Liam and Alexa, Ludwig commanded a certain respect and authority. However, my status as someone not under their rule left me torn between obedience and independence.

The reminder that Ludwig had purchased me only added to my internal conflict, serving as a stark reminder of the hold he had over me. At times, I wished I could simply quiet the incessant workings of my mind, as the constant turmoil it caused was nothing short of exasperating.

As Ludwig approached, an unexpected wave of nausea washed over me, causing my stomach to churn uneasily. The mere proximity between us felt suffocating, as if his presence was triggering a visceral reaction within me.

Confused and alarmed by this sudden physical response, I sought solace in Alexa's explanation. According to her, the unsettling sensation was a byproduct of Ludwig's inherent powers—a reminder of his otherworldly nature. As a mere human, I was ill-equipped to withstand the overwhelming energy radiating from him, hence the discomfort I experienced whenever he drew near.

As Ludwig settled gracefully beside the table where the books lay, I felt a surge of electricity course through my body, leaving me feeling inexplicably weakened by the intensity of the sensation. It was as if every nerve in my body was tingling with an overwhelming mix of prickling electricity and soreness, rendering me momentarily immobile.

Despite the overwhelming discomfort, I forced myself to move, willing my trembling knees to support me as I obeyed Ludwig's silent command to continue with my tasks. 

As I continued with my tasks, watering the plants and tending to the soil, I struggled to regain my breath and composure in Ludwig's presence. It felt as though the air had been sucked out of the room, leaving me gasping for breath and overwhelmed by a sense of suffocation.

From the moment I first encountered Ludwig, I had sensed a difference in him—a palpable aura of power that set him apart. Yet, the intensity of that power seemed to grow with each passing moment, enveloping me in an oppressive atmosphere that made it difficult to think clearly.

Lost in the throes of this inexplicable sensation, I found myself unable to focus on my tasks, my movements becoming automatic as I tended to the plants. It wasn't until a sharp pain shot through my foot that I snapped out of my daze, realizing with a start that I had accidentally injured myself with the shovel. Though the wound was minor, it was nevertheless bleeding.

As Ludwig swiftly scooped me up in his elegant arms, a renewed surge of electricity surged through my body, intensifying the sensation of prickling ants crawling over my skin. I couldn't contain the scream that tore from my throat, the pain and discomfort overwhelming my senses as my heart pounded with ache.

Gently placing me in a nearby seat, Ludwig knelt before me, his darkened gaze fixed upon my injured feet. With a powerful energy emanating from his touch, he began tending to the wounds, his hands radiating warmth and reassurance despite the severity of the situation.

"Why are dangers so obsessed with you?" he mused aloud, his tone laced with a mixture of concern and curiosity as he focused on my injuries, his penetrating stare searching for answers in the depths of my eyes.