Trapped

Xadran stopped mid-motion, his greasy lips curling into a twisted smile.

Layla felt her legs give way beneath her.

She was trapped.

Blood froze in her veins as he began moving toward her.

Layla stood motionless, unable to react. Her breath came in short gasps, her legs trembling beneath her. He was getting closer.

Golden-Belly advanced slowly, savoring her fear. His gaze swept over her like a predator sizing up its prey.

Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. She wanted to back away, to run, but her body refused to obey.

I'm going to faint…

Then, like a thunderclap, a voice shattered the moment.

— Are you really planning to devour everything, or will you leave some for the others?

Layla's stomach twisted.

Him.

She turned her head and saw Oris, lounging casually against a column on the far side of the room. Arms crossed over his chest, he watched the scene with a smirk. His amused gaze clashed with the thick tension in the air.

Golden-Belly hesitated, caught between embarrassment and rage.

— You jealous of my royal appearance? he sneered, lifting his chin defiantly.

Oris's smirk widened, though his eyes remained sharp.

— Your "royal appearance"? He cast a slow glance around the room, raising an eyebrow. I doubt even all this food could fill your stomach.

Stifled laughter rippled through the courtiers.

Layla didn't think.

In the moment of distraction, she turned on her heel and darted out of the chamber.

She ran, her feet barely touching the ground, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't know where she was going she only knew she had to get away.

But as she plunged into a dark corridor, a hand shot out from the shadows, gripping her arm.

She stopped dead, choking on a breath, her blood turning to ice.

A low voice murmured near her ear:

— Were you planning to go somewhere?

She was caught.

The flickering torchlight cast restless shadows along the walls of the silent chamber.

Oris stood before her, rigid as a drawn blade.

His gaze was dark, burning with anger.

Layla had never seen such intensity in his eyes. A cold fury. A dangerous one.

He hadn't spoken yet, but the air between them was thick with unspoken tension.

— Were you really going to throw yourself into Golden-Belly's clutches?

His voice was low, controlled but every word cut like a knife.

Layla shrank beneath the weight of his glare. Her breath was shallow, her heart slamming against her ribs.

She opened her mouth, searching for an answer, but no sound came out.

Oris took a step forward. Just one step, but enough to make the air feel stifling around her.

— Do you have any idea what could have happened if I hadn't stepped in?

His jaw was clenched, his eyes burning with reproach.

Layla wanted to look away, to escape his gaze, but something deeper in that anger something raw kept her frozen.

She tried to speak, to explain, but instead, a wave of dizziness overtook her.

The world spun around her.

Her body gave out, collapsing forward as her strength drained away.

Before she hit the ground, strong arms caught her.

Oris.

She felt the warmth of his embrace just before the world went dark.

When she opened her eyes again, the dim light of the chamber made her squint. Her breathing was still uneven, and her body felt heavy… but she was no longer alone.

Across from her, Oris sat in silence.

He no longer wore his usual mask of amusement or arrogance.

His gaze was locked onto her, more serious than ever.

Layla inhaled softly, then lowered her eyes. A single tear slipped down her cheek.

— I didn't mean for this to happen… she murmured, her voice breaking. I just wanted to help…

Oris barely flinched, as if caught off guard.

Layla didn't look at him. She didn't want to.

But then, she felt something warm on her shoulder.

Slowly, Oris had reached out. A rare gesture. An almost unreal one.

When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, yet still firm:

— Your destiny is to save this kingdom.

Layla's head snapped up, eyes wide in shock.

A shiver ran down her spine.

What did he mean?