Chapter 4: First Encounter

The first rays of dawn broke through the horizon, Delilah eyes were awake and wide open though it says otherwise for her brain. Something felt different, though she couldn't figure it out . She rubbed her eyes and sat up, gazing toward the open balcony door.

"Avery must've left it open again," she muttered to herself, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.

As Delilah walked toward the balcony, the crisp morning breeze greeted her, She paused in her place, her gaze drifting to the stone railing. Her fingers traced over it absentmindedly as her thoughts lingered on her dream—or what she thought was a dream.

A figure, dark and cloaked, had been there. She could still feel the faint cold sensation of their touch on her hair, It couldn't have been real... could it?

"I must be imagining things," she said under her breath, shaking her head.

But as her eyes fell to the floor, something caught her attention—a small, barely visible thread of dark fabric snagged on the edge of the balcony door.

She bent down, plucking it between her fingers. The material was worn out, and nothing like anything she owned. Her heart raced faster, and a sense of unease shivered down her spine.

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In the bustling marketplace of the village, 'Vin' moved unnoticed through the crowd. His sharp red eyes scanned the faces and stalls, his movements calm and deliberate. He slipped quietly into a narrow alley and entered the back of a small inn.

Inside, 'Vin' let down his hood and laid out his stolen findings on a worn, wobbly table—a collection of papers and letters he'd forcefully taken from a royal messenger the night before.

"Let's see who lives in that grand mansion," he muttered, sorting through the documents. One letter, sealed with an elegant crest, caught his attention. Breaking the seal, he read it quickly, a smirk forming on his lips.

"So, her name is Delilah Avalon," he said softly. "And she's rumoured to be marrying THAT Prince Arthur, huh...interesting…"

He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table as he thought. "I wonder if she has any particular interest in that dumb hero, Prince Arthur?"

'Vin' stood up, his mind buzzing with questions. He hadn't planned to get involved with Delilah again so soon, but now he was curious. Will she just become another toy used by Arthur in the future?

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Back at the mansion, Delilah sat by her window, absentmindedly twisting a thread of fabric in her hands. Her thoughts were a jumble, the unease from the morning still clinging to her like a shadow.

"Miss Delilah," Avery's voice interrupted her thoughts as she entered the room.

"About yesterday... you asked for the sword and training materials—"

"I've changed my mind," Delilah said softly, not meeting Avery's eyes.

Avery frowned, crossing the room to stand beside her. "You're overthinking again, aren't you?" she asked, her tone gently teasing.

Delilah managed a faint smile. "Maybe a little."

"Miss Delilah," Avery said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Just do what feels right. I'll always support you, as long as it doesn't put you in harm's way."

Delilah nodded, her smile growing. "Thank you, Avery. I think I'll pass on swordsmanship today."

Avery raised an eyebrow but seemed pleased. "Fine, but don't forget to practice. You've worked too hard to slack off now."

Delilah laughed lightly. "I'll remember, I promise."

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As the cold night settled in, Delilah found herself buried in her books once again, the thread of fabric now resting on her desk. She picked it up and studied it under the candlelight. "Perhaps I should've been a detective instead," she muttered with a small smirk.

She returned back to her books and drowned herself inside the books, trying to not overthink it.

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'Vin' moved swiftly through the quiet streets, his dark cloak blending him into the shadows. He had spent hours digging for information, and tonight, he had found what he needed. A merchant, half-drunk and full of gossip, had spilled the info of Delilah's background. Many people knew about the rumours that she was going to get engaged to Prince Arthur, what if it was right after all?

As 'Vin' perched on the roof of a nearby building, he gazed at the mansion. Its grandeur stood out even in the moonlight, with its tall pillars and elegant balconies. He smirked, the name repeating in his mind. "Delilah," he whispered to himself. "I thought I could give you a bunch of tulips but it would be weird on the first encounter.."

Vin hadn't expected to stumble upon her the other night. He had entered her room curious of what was inside, but instead, he had found her—peaceful and beautiful, like something out of a dream. A new curiosity burned inside him. Who was she? And why did her presence linger in his thoughts?

He adjusted his hood and leapt away from his place, landing silently on the mansion's outer wall with practiced ease now that he had been in there once, he made his way toward the balcony he had used before. The curtains fluttered again, just as they had that first night.

Without hesitation he entered the room, his movements careful and quiet. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a single candle. Delilah was seated at her desk, her head resting on her hand as she flipped through a book. She hadn't noticed him yet.

He hesitated. Approaching her directly felt too bold, but sneaking away felt like a missed opportunity. Instead, he leaned against the wall near the desk, his voice low but clear. "Reading this late? You might ruin those pretty eyes."

Delilah jumped at the sound, turning quickly to face him. Her eyes widened with a mix of surprise and fear. "Who are you? How did you get in here?"

Vin chuckled softly at her cuteness, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. I'm not here to hurt you." He pointed towards the open balcony, "Anyone could get in here you know." He tilted his head, studying her reaction.

"Plus I just wanted to see the future princess everyone's talking about." He drew a smirk on his face, his composure chill and relaxed.

Delilah mind was filled with questions, 'who was this man..? Why does it feel like I have meant him before…?'