Being followed

Her three friends seemed distracted as they packed their things, their usual banter absent. Even Caspian, who had just aced his presentation, seemed far away, his brows furrowed as if trying to solve an unsolvable puzzle.

"Caspian, you're scaring me. Are you okay?" Golderine asked.

He looked at her, startled, then forced a smile. "Yeah, just… tired, I guess. That presentation took more out of me than I thought."

She didn't buy it but decided not to press further. "Alright. See you tomorrow, then."

As they walked out of the classroom, Golderine noticed something unusual. The hallways were eerily quiet, the usual chatter and footsteps of students replaced by a heavy stillness. Her footsteps echoed loudly, each step amplifying the unease building inside her.

The moment she stepped outside, the sensation intensified. The air was dense, almost suffocating, and a strange, metallic scent lingered, like the aftermath of a thunderstorm.

"Do you guys feel that?" she asked, glancing at her friends.

"Feel what?" Alice replied, though her voice lacked its usual confidence.

Golderine hesitated. "Never mind."

The group parted ways at the school gates. Golderine began her walk home, but she couldn't ignore the prickling sensation at the back of her neck, the feeling that someone—or something—was watching her.

The black car from the morning was back. It crawled along the street, maintaining a steady distance behind her. Golderine's heart pounded in her chest. She clutched her backpack tighter, quickening her pace.

Turning a corner, she ducked into a small alleyways, pressing herself against the cold brick wall. Her breathing was ragged as she peered around the corner. The car had stopped, its engine idling.

She fumbled for her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Lucien's number.

"Lucien, someone's following me," she whispered urgently when he picked up.

"Where are you?" His voice was sharp, immediately alert.

"Near Baker's Alley. I—"

Her words caught in her throat as the car door opened. A tall figure stepped out, dressed in all black, their face obscured by the shadow of a wide-brimmed hat.

"Stay where you are. I'm coming," Lucien said.

But Golderine couldn't wait. Her instincts screamed at her to run. She bolted down the alley, her feet pounding against the pavement as she zigzagged through the labyrinth of narrow streets.

She could hear footsteps behind her—slow, deliberate, as if her pursuer was toying with her.

"Keep running, I'll soon find you " a voice called out, low and mocking. It sent chills down her spine.

Golderine didn't stop. She didn't look back. She only ran, her lungs burning as she pushed herself harder than she ever had before.

Finally, she burst into her house, slamming the door shut behind her and locking it. Her legs gave out, and she slid to the floor, gasping for air.

"Golderine!" Mary's voice called from the living room.

She couldn't form words. Instead, she raised a trembling hand, pointing toward the door. Mary rushed over, her face etched with concern.

"What happened? Are you hurt?"

"No… I… someone followed me," Golderine managed to choke out.

Mary's expression darkened. "Stay here." She took out a kitchen knife and stepped outside.

Lucien arrived moments later, his face tight with worry. "What happened?"

"She was followed," Mary said, reentering the house. "Whoever it was is gone now. But this is no coincidence."

Lucien helped Golderine to her feet. "You're sure you didn't recognize them?"

She shook her head. "They stayed in the shadows. But their voice… it felt like they knew me."

Mary and Lucien exchanged a look that made Golderine's stomach churn.

"What aren't you telling me?" she demanded.

Lucien hesitated. "Nothing."

Later that evening, after the house had been secured by Mary using protection potion from outside and inside of the house.Golderine sat with her aunt and Lucien in the living room.

"Did they say or tell you want they want " Mary began, with her voice high pitched.

"No , I only heard him say that he will find me " Golderine said.

"Okay relax I'll make something for you to eat ,go to your bedroom and wait for me . "Aunt Mariam said . Golderine left and went to her bedroom.

"Emm ,I think it is time that you tell her about who she is , besides she's will soon know her life is getting more weirder every day and she will get more curious. " Lucien said.

"I know but I'm not ready to shattered her life and her reality. Lucien you said that no one from that realm entered this realm right , because I can smell Aura that doesn't belong here even the person is trying hard to hide it ." Mariam asked .

"Yes ,they tried and we're slaughtered . Unless if they found a way to get here . "Lucien said.

"You know what I'll deal with it, can you make Golderine something to eat . I want to water flowers . And to night I won't be home ,I will be visiting some people . I'll also find those people who followed her. " Mariam said heading outside to the the garden.

Mariam started watering her flowers slowly .She finally reached that white ,grey and gold flower that she calls it the Moonflower she was shocked and happy at the same. It bloomed only one red petal . She then came to realize that if it bloomed then Golderine's powers are soon awakening and she connected two by two that those who followed Golderine came because her powers are awakening and if they find her they will consume her . She decided to finish watering her plants .

_______________________________________

Lucien view

I decided to make noodles for Golderine . I putted cheese and diced bacon inside while mixing it . I took cold water from the fridge , some biscuits with juice . I headed Golderine's bedroom and knocked. I heard a voice that says I must come in .

" Scarlet here is your food,I made it for you "Lucien said.

"Thank you Lucien, where is Mariam?" Golderine asked while taking a fork out to eat .

"You know Mariam obsessed with flowers , she went to garden"Lucien said.

"Okay Lucien , I Know I haven't asked what are the secrets that my Aunt is hiding about our family?" Golderine asked while putting noddles inside her mouth.

"Umm ... you don't have to worry about secrets. You should worry about the whether the grandes will accept you as you are a have a royal blood running inside you " Lucien said with a calm voice and what he said just sparked interest in Golderine.

"Royal Blood ? Is my family Royals ? " Golderine asked with more interest that she even stopped eating her food and sat close to Lucien on her bed and looked Lucien with spark in her eyes.

"No , the Grandes are Nobles . Only you carry the purest blood of Royals because of what you mother did ,what other could not do . And no queen or king bestowed royalness on your mother." Lucien said.

"What did she do ,and besides how can one be royal without king or queen bestowing the title on them .It seems you are telling me stories Luc. " Golderine said and returned back to her chair and took back her bowl and started eating again.

"I'm not telling stories, well you will soon find out why your life is messed up . "Lucien said

"My life messed up? Thinking about that can I tell you what happened to me yesterday at night." Golderine said.

"You can tell me. I hope it is interesting,"Lucien said with a playful smile.

"Yesterday I went to bed, but I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about what happened..." Golderine began, her voice trailing off as Lucien's grin widened.

"Oh, what was so unforgettable that it kept you awake?" Lucien teased, his tone light and mischievous, already knowing the answer—after all, he was the reason for it.

"Nothing,"Golderine said quickly, her cheeks tinged with pink.

"Really? Because I distinctly remember someone saying I was making them laugh," Lucien said, his smirk growing.

"You can't blame me! Your hands are ticklish, and you kept breathing so close—it made me laugh," Golderine replied, her voice soft and slightly higher than usual, her blush deepening.

"Ah, so you liked it. I knew it," Lucien teased, leaning closer. "Are you trying to charm me, Scarlet?" he added in a mock serious tone.

Flustered, Golderine quickly moved closer and placed her hands over his mouth. "Shh! Who's charming who here? You're the one who started this," she said, sitting down beside him to keep him quiet, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucien gently moved her hands away. "But look at you now," he said with a chuckle. "One might think you're trying to fluster me instead."

Realizing how close they were, Golderine glanced down, noticing her short school skirt. Embarrassed, she stood up abruptly but lost her balance.

Lucien caught her in his arms, holding her steady. Their faces were close, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other.

Before either could say another word, the sound of footsteps echoed from inside the house, breaking the spell

"You were saved by the bell Scarlet" Lucien said while smicking.

"What bell?" Golderine asked, then added, "Anyway, about what I wanted to tell you. I stepped outside and went to the garden. I touched that flower."

"Which flower, Scarlet? Did you pluck Mariam's roses? You know she's going to murder you if she finds out, right?" Lucien teased.

"No, I didn't. It wasn't a rose. It was that gray, white, and silver flower that never blooms. I touched it, and it bloomed..." Golderine's words were cut off by Lucien.

"Wait, it did what? Did you tell Mariam?"Lucien asked, his voice tinged with panic.

"Lucien, will you let me finish?" Golderine pleaded, continuing, "I said it bloomed, but only one red petal appeared. And the strangest part—my eyes turned white, and a symbol appeared on my forehead. At first, I thought it was a dream. But then my friends mentioned seeing flowers blooming at night and someone's face on the moon."

"Your friends? Who are they, and what exactly did they see?" Lucien asked with growing interest.

"Caspian said he saw flowers blooming at night as if they had come alive. Alice and Tristan said they saw a face on the moon. It seemed like Tristan recognized the person, but he was interrupted by the school bell before he could say anything." Golderine said.

"It was just a dream, Golderine," Lucien said dismissively.

"I don't believe you. My life is getting stranger every day. Weird things are happening to me. First, I'm followed by a black car. Then, my new friends seem… off. I think all of this is connected somehow," Golderine said firmly.

"What makes your friends weird?" Lucien asked.

"Well, they're so weird that they made a poem using my name. Or was Alice reading my destiny with my name? I'm not sure." Golderine paused and added, "But it's nothing, really."

"If you say so," Lucien said, standing up. "I'll leave you to study."

As he moved to leave, Golderine stopped him.

"One thing, Lucien. Say, 'You are my cousin,' to me. I want to hear you say it," she demanded, her eyes fixed on him, searching for any hint of dishonesty.

"You are my cousin, Golderine," Lucien said, though the words felt forced. His feelings for her made it difficult to lie convincingly.

With one look, Golderine knew he wasn't being truthful. She didn't press the issue but decided she'd ask Aunt Mariam about Lucien when the time was right.

"You may go. Don't worry about the dishes ... I'll take them to the kitchen myself when I'm done. You should cook more often, Lucien," Golderine said with a smile.

"I just made noodles. They're basic. Are you worried I'll burn everything if I cook more often?" Lucien joked.

Golderine chuckled. "No, I think you're pretty good in the kitchen."

Lucien left her to study and went to find Mariam in the kitchen.