IN THE DARKNESS OF THE FOREST

The wind howled through the branches, whipping the leaves into a whirlwind that danced around her. Her lungs burned from exhaustion as she ran through the forest, her feet tripping over roots and stones. She was barefoot, her dress torn from thorns and branches that relentlessly struck her with every step. Her heart was pounding wildly, but she couldn't stop. She knew she couldn't stop.

Darian had hurt her. His words cut deeper than any sword. He had pushed her aside as if she meant nothing to him, and she, the fool, had truly believed that she could change something. That she could help. Now, she didn't care whether she survived the night, she just wanted to be far away from him. Far from his coldness, far from the secret that haunted her.

But then she heard a sound.

A deep growl that froze the blood in her veins. It wasn't Darian. This was something else.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw two gleaming lights in the darkness—eyes that shone like embers, fixed on her. Her step faltered, she almost fell, but she grabbed onto a nearby tree. Her voice caught in her throat.

"Oh, no, no, no, not now..."

The beast moved, and she managed to run further. Her heart beat in panic. The trees seemed like walls of a maze, the blurred shadow of fear surrounding her. She didn't know how much further she could go before her strength completely failed.

And then, she felt no ground beneath her feet.

For a moment, there was nothing but a sudden fall, the impact, and pain that pierced her body.

Darian felt it.

He felt the moment her presence was lost.

He didn't have time to think, didn't have time to be proud or stubborn. Not even time to feel relief that she had escaped. The only thing he could do was find her.

And find her now.

When he saw her, it was too late.

She lay curled up on the ground, barely visible in the dim light of the forest. Her body was covered in scratches, her breathing shallow, almost inaudible.

He kneeled beside her and gently touched her shoulder.

"Sophia?"

She didn't answer.

"Sophia, open your eyes."

Nothing.

Something broke inside his chest.

He didn't think. He just picked her up in his arms, pressed her against him, and felt how light, how fragile she was. As if he could feel every beat of her heart.

He didn't wait another second.

The door to his chambers slammed behind him as he carried her inside. A servant who tried to enter was immediately stopped by his glare.

"No one comes in." His voice was cold, authoritative, with no room for negotiation.

He placed her on the bed and faced the full weight of what had happened for the first time. Her face was pale, her hands covered in streaks of dirt and dry blood. Her dress was in a state that made him clench his fists.

What the hell had she been thinking?

He felt anger, but not at her. At himself.

If he hadn't pushed her away, if he hadn't said what he did… she wouldn't be lying here now, barely breathing, like a fragile doll that might break if touched wrong.

He sat next to her, resting his elbows on his knees, running his hands through his hair.

He wasn't supposed to feel this.

But he did. And that was the problem.

Sophia felt warmth.

Something heavy, yet comforting, was placed on her hands. Her consciousness was foggy, but clear enough for her to feel her eyelids flutter.

When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Darian.

He was sitting next to the bed, his hands resting on his forehead, his brows knitted in some inner struggle.

He looked exhausted.

She didn't remember the last time she had seen him like this.

He lifted his head, and when his eyes met hers, something in his gaze lit up. Relief? Joy?

But before he could say anything, she hit her fist against his chest.

"Why?!"

He blinked, shocked.

But she didn't stop.

"Why did you save me?!"

She breathed shakily, feeling the tears burning behind her eyelids. Her hand struck him again, and then once more.

"Leave me alone! I should have died in that forest!"

He was silent, just watching her.

But she couldn't stop.

"And now what?! Now I'm supposed to die here, right?! Because there's no other outcome! Either there or here, there's no saving me!"

Tears were now streaming down her face.

"And you know what's the worst part?" Her voice broke. "The worst part is that I wanted to help you."

Darian moved, grabbed her hand, but she pulled away.

"Just leave me! Let me die if it's my fate!"

But he just watched her.

Deeply, calmly.

And then, something she didn't expect—his hand reached for her cheek, warm and reassuring, as his thumb wiped away her tears.

"You won't die."

His voice was soft but certain.

"No, not as long as I live."

Sophia was still crying, but his words were like a stone in her chest.

And for the first time, she didn't know if she wanted to hate him or trust him.