Unexpected Thing

Night enveloped the waterfall valley, only the sound of water falling against the rocks broke the silence. Darnisha sat huddled behind a large rock, her shoulders shaking softly. Her lavender dress was soaked from the splash of the waterfall, sticking coldly to her skin. Her blonde hair that usually fell beautifully was now limp and stuck to her cheeks, making her look younger and more fragile.

The image of Prince Cyrill continued to dance in her mind. Their meeting yesterday felt like a dream.

"Stupid," She whispered to herself, wiping away the tears that were streaming down her face. "What are you thinking, Darnisha? He is a prince, and you…"

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves broke the silence of the night. Darnisha's heart beat faster. There was no way someone would be wandering around the waterfall this late at night, unless…

Her heartbeat grew crazier as the silhouette of a large black horse appeared behind the trees. A dashing rider sat upright on its back, wrapped in a dark robe that fluttered in the wind. Darnisha was stunned, unable to believe what she saw.

The rider approached, and under the half moon, Darnisha saw a very familiar face. Prince Cyrill.

The black horse stopped a few meters in front of Darnisha. Cyrill jumped down with a light movement, took off his robe and walked over.

"Darnisha?" His voice was deep and soft, making the hair on Darnisha's neck stand on end.

Darnisha couldn't say anything. She just stared at Cyrill, her eyes wide with surprise. The prince, in the dead of night, had come to see her at this waterfall.

Cyrill knelt in front of her, his warm hand touching Darnisha's cold cheek. "I've been looking for you since yesterday. I can't get you out of my mind,"

Darnisha remained silent, her brain trying to process everything that had happened. Could this be real?

"I know this may be strange," Cyrill continued, his voice sincere. "I am a prince, and you... you are the girl I met in the forest just yesterday. But my heart chose you, Darnisha. I don't care about rules and traditions. I just want to be with you,"

Darnisha's tears flowed again, this time not because of sadness, but because of emotion. Fate, which had previously felt cruel, now felt so beautiful and magical. Her longing had been answered. Her dream had come true.

"I…" Darnisha was finally able to speak, though hesitantly. "I can't forget you either, Prince Cyrill."

Cyrill smiled broadly, his eyes sparkling. He took off his leather jacket and draped it over Darnisha's shoulders.

"Don't call me Prince," He whispered, bringing his face closer to Darnisha's. "Call me Cyrill,"

Under the roar of the waterfall and the moonlight, two lips met in a tender kiss. That night, on the edge of the cold waterfall, Darnisha and Cyrill found a love that knew no bounds of status or destiny.

The kiss was intoxicating. Prince Cyrill’s lips were soft and warm, and Darnisha found herself lost in the sensation for a moment.

But then, unease crept into her. As their lips parted, she broke the kiss, her breath catching in her throat. Cyrill, confused, tilted his head.

“Darnisha? What’s wrong?”

Darnisha couldn’t answer him directly. Instead, her gaze shifted over his shoulder, toward the dense trees at the edge of the moonlit clearing. There, hidden in the shadows, she saw her—a long, thin silhouette. Serena, the witch, had arrived. A wave of guilt washed over her.

Serena had tasked her with the near-impossible mission of making Prince Cyrill fall in love with her.

“Darnisha?” Cyrill repeated, his brow furrowed in worry.

Darnisha smiled weakly. “Nothing, Cyrill. I just… I’m so lost right now,” Panic threatened to overwhelm him. She had to salvage the situation, to reassert control over the events unfolding, all while being watched by the witch’s ever-present gaze.

An idea, desperate and daring, occurred to her. It was a risky gamble, but she was certain it was the only way to ensure the plan would go according to plan.

“Cyrill,” Darnisha said, her voice suddenly firm, filled with a confidence she hadn’t felt so well. “I want to know this is real. More real,"

His expression softened, relieved. “What do you mean?”

“Invite me to Atlas,” Darnisha said, her eyes on Atlas. “Introduce me to King Titan and Queen Alzena," The words hung in the air. Bringing her to the royal palace was a monumental step, a solemn declaration of intent.

Cyrill’s eyes widened slightly, but a glimmer of hope flickered within them. “Darnisha,” He began, his voice hesitant. “Are you sure? And it might be a little… difficult,"

Darnisha nodded firmly. “I want to see your world, Cyrill. I want to understand the responsibility you carry. I want to prove to your parents that I am worthy of your attention," She placed a small hand on his arm, her touch gently pressing against his skin. “And more than anything, I want them to see what I see in you.”

The lie tasted bitter on Darnisha’s tongue.

Cyrill’s face lit up, his uncertainty fading. “Of course, Darnisha! This… this is wonderful! My parents will be delighted to see you in the kingdom," He squeezed her hand, his happiness evident.

Darnisha smiled back, a hollow victory echoing in her heart. She was a pawn in a deadly game, caught between a powerful sorceress and a naive prince. But now, at least, she had control. For now, she was leading them both exactly where she wanted them – into the heart of the Atlas kingdom, and into the dangerous web she had woven. All the while a pair of dark eyes watched from the shadows, silently judging, waiting patiently. The game had only just begun.

Prince Cyrill, the dust of travel still on his robes, leapt from his majestic black horse. The twilight light colored his face with a happy glow.

Inside the magnificent palace, King Titan and Queen Alzena anxiously awaited the arrival of their son. Queen Alzena paced back and forth in front of the window, a frown of worry clearly etched on her forehead. “Who knows where my son went?” She muttered. She hated seeing Cyrill ride his black horse out of the palace. The horse was wild and unruly, reflecting Cyrill’s sometimes inscrutable soul.

When Cyrill entered the throne room, Queen Alzena immediately approached him. “Cyrill, my son! Where have you been? I was so worried,” She asked in a worried and slightly angry tone.

Cyrill smiled broadly, unaffected in the slightest by his mother’s tone. “You worried too much, mother. I just went for a walk to enjoy the fresh air,” He answered, hiding the truth that made his heart race.

Queen Alzena raised her eyebrows, clearly not believing her son’s answer. “For a walk? Until this late? Tell me the truth, Cyrill.”

Cyrill approached his mother, holding her hand gently. “Mother, I want to ask permission. I want you to meet Darnisha,"

Queen Alzena frowned. “Darnisha? That girl from Airla Forest? For what?”

“I want to invite her to the palace,” Cyrill answered, his eyes shining with hope.

Queen Alzena turned to King Titan who sat on his throne, his face expressionless. She knew that Cyrill’s request would cause problems. King Titan was very stubborn and had strong views on who should be a prince’s life partner.

King Titan cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Cyrill, forget about that idea. This place is not a suitable place for people from the Airla Forest,"

Cyrill was shocked. “But why, father? What did Darnisha do wrong?”

King Titan took a deep breath. He couldn’t tell the truth, couldn’t express his fear of the Witch, Serena’s curse. Years ago, the witch had cursed the Atlas royal family, stating that only true love could break the curse and that if true love was not found, one of the couple would turn into a monster.

“Cyrill, this isn’t about Darnisha personally. This is about tradition. A prince must marry someone of equal standing,” King Titan finally said, choosing his words carefully.

Cyrill clenched his fists. He knew that his father wasn’t telling the truth. He sensed that there was something he was hiding. “I love Darnisha, father. She is more than just a ‘person from Airla Forest.’ She is a noble, brave, and intelligent girl. I don't care about rank or tradition,"

Queen Alzena watched the argument between father and son with a heavy heart. She knew the real reason behind her husband’s rejection. She knew about the Witch, Serena’s curse, a secret that had long been kept secret by the royal family. She also knew how deeply Cyrill loved Darnisha. She was caught between her duty as queen and her love as a mother.

“Silence, Cyrill!” King Titan snapped, his voice echoing throughout the throne room. “I do not wish to hear any further debate on this matter. My decision is final,"

Cyrill looked at his father in disappointment, then turned to his mother, seeking support. Queen Alzena looked at him softly, her eyes filled with understanding and regret.

She realized that she had to do something. She had to find a way to protect her son and her kingdom, while still respecting his feelings. She knew it would not be easy, but she promised herself that she would try. She, a queen bound by tradition and secrets, must find a loophole in the rules for her son's happiness.

The magnificent kingdom of Atlas with its towering white pillars and fragrant rose gardens, shook with the anger of a prince. Cyrill, the dashing and handsome heir to the throne, had just emerged from the throne room, his face bright red.

"It's not fair! Not at all!" Cyrill grumbled, his footsteps echoing in the silent corridors. Inside, King Titan and Queen Alzena, the wise and respected rulers of the kingdom, were still frozen in tense silence. They had just refused their son's request to bring Darnisha to the castle.

Behind a marble pillar, Enver, Cyrill's younger and quieter brother, watched everything unfold. He was surprised to hear his brother's harsh tone, something that was very rare. Usually, Cyrill was the epitome of calm and patience. His curiosity was piqued. Who was this Darnisha that could make Cyrill so angry with their parents?

Enver approached the door of the throne room, trying to eavesdrop. However, only Queen Alzena's voice was heard softly, "Cyrill, we only want the best for you and for Atlas. Darnisha... she is not from our circle,"

"Our circle?" Cyrill replied sarcastically. "Does love recognize class boundaries?"

The dialogue stopped there. Enver knew he couldn’t stay there for long without being noticed. He hurried away, his mind spinning with questions. Who was Darnisha? Why were his parents so against her coming to the castle?

Determined to understand the situation better, Enver decided to visit Cyrill. He found his brother practicing his sword in the palace courtyard. Cyrill slashed the air with rage, his sword whistling deadly.

“My brother, Cyrill.” Enver called cautiously.

Cyrill stopped and turned, his breath coming in short gasps. “Enver? What are you doing here?”

“I overheard your conversation with mother and father,” Enver replied. “I want to know… who is this Darnisha?”

Cyrill took a deep breath, then wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Darnisha… she is..." He stopped. "... something. She is brave, wise, and has a pure heart. Yes, she is a girl who lives in the Airla forest, but that doesn’t change who she is.”

“Why don’t our parents approve of her?” Enver asked.

"They are just afraid," Cyrill replied. "They are afraid of the social gap in the Atlas kingdom,"

Enver fell silent. He could feel how strong Cyrill's love for Darnisha was. He could also understand his parents' worries. As a prince, he knew that decisions could not be taken lightly, and Darnisha was not an option.

"What will you do?" Enver asked.

Cyrill looked at his brother with determination burning in his eyes. "I will prove that Darnisha is a woman as precious as a diamond. I will prove that my love for her will not question her status in the Atlas kingdom. I will bring her to the castle and I will make everyone see her heart,"

Enver knew that this would be an uphill battle. But seeing his brother's determination, his heart was filled with hope. He knew, deep down, that Cyrill would not give up.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened and Princess Katy entered, accompanied by two ladies. Her beauty radiated, with her bright orange hair flowing beautifully and her elegant blue silk dress. Cyrill and Enver immediately stopped their conversation, and turned their heads towards the door.

"Your Highness, Princess Katy." They greeted in unison.

Katy nodded lightly, her eyes fixed on Cyrill. "Prince Cyrill, your sword training seems to be getting better."

Cyrill smiled politely. "Thank you, Your Highness. We must always be prepared for any eventuality,"

Since the first time she saw Cyrill, Katy had been captivated. He was the heir to the throne, handsome, brave, and admired by everyone. Katy had always thought of him as her destiny, the perfect marriage to unite two powerful kingdoms. However, the presence of Darnisha, with her innocent beauty and kind heart, had ruined everything.

Envy and resentment burned in Katy's heart. Darnisha, an ordinary girl with no lineage or wealth, had managed to make Prince Cyrill fall in love with her. It was unacceptable. Katy felt belittled, as if all her advantages meant nothing in Cyrill's eyes.

"And... Darnisha?" Katy asked, her voice barely audible. "Who is this woman?"

Cyrill turned his head, slightly surprised by Katy's tone. "Yes, Your Highness. Darnisha is a girl from the Airla forest. She is the brave one, and... beautiful."

The answer hit Katy harder than a sword blow. Darnisha, beautiful? So, Cyrill really did love the girl. Katy's heart was filled with burning anger. She had to do something. She would not let Darnisha take Cyrill away from her.

"Oh, I understand." Katy said, trying to hide her emotions behind a fake smile. "Sorry to interrupt your time. I'm going to leave now. Go on, continue your training, Prince Cyrill. I only stopped by to see how you are progressing,"

Katy turned and walked out of the room with wide strides, her ladies hurrying after her. Behind her fake smile, her mind was filled with evil plans. She would make sure that Darnisha paid dearly for daring to steal Prince Cyrill's attention.

Inside the training room, Cyrill watched Katy leave with a frown on his brow. He felt that there was something strange about the interaction just now. Meanwhile, the fire of revenge had been ignited in Princess Katy's heart, and it would soon burn everything that stood in its way.