Throughout the journey, I watched Davis besides me, his head tilted slightly, eyes closed, breathing steady. He shouldn't have been asleep.... not now, not with everything at stake. But there he was, calm as the night outside, as if the weight of his choices didn't exist, too calm for a man who had just decided to upend the laws that bound him. My fingers clenched against my lap. I was scared, my emotions shaken but why was he calm? How could he rest like that unless he had a plan... one that he hadn't shared with me ofcourse. The laws he was about to break, the risk he was taking.... all for what?. My chest tightened. Did he even understand what this meant? or worse ... did I? I began questioning.
I still couldn't process everything, especially the fact that I was going over the walls of the Kingdom, for the first time in my life ; my kingdom, that had abandoned both my parents and I, that denied me of my rights to be born and live in the same walls . My Kingdom Ravenvall...!
*
*
Ravenvall is a realm defined by its towering black stone walls, shadowy forests and ancient traditions that weigh heavily on its people. At it's heart lies the grand citadel, a fortress as imposing as it is magnificent, crowned with jagged spires that pierce the overcast sky.
Despite it's beauty and grandeur, Ravenvall is a Kingdom of harsh realities, where loyalty, obedience and sacrifice are demanded from all.
Ranvell rigid laws reflect a Kingdom that prioritizes order over compassion. Women are forbidden from holding titles or owning property, restricting their influence to their familial roles. A curfew enforced at dusk ensures strict control over public activity while those suffering from illness are exiled beyond city walls, just like my parents .... a measure deemed necessary to curb pandemics but one that breeds despair among the vulnerable.
"I need some air…" I gasped, and that seemed to shake him awake. Davis wasn't asleep. Panic clawed at my chest, my breaths coming in sharp, desperate bursts. My hands clutched at my chest, then the seats, anything to steady myself, but it didn't help. The world felt too small, too suffocating.
Then his hands were on mine, grounding me.
"Look at me, Linda, hey, Take a deep breath," he said, his voice calm, steady, but commanding. He held my hands, keeping just enough distance to let me breathe, yet close enough that I couldn't pull away entirely.
"Look at me… my eyes. Breathe, Linda. Just breathe… you're going to be fine" he insisted. Calm, patient, unshakable, while my tears streamed freely down my face, mingling with ragged gasps.
"Stop the carriage Eldric" He called out loud, his voice concerned.
When the carriage finally stopped, he cupped my face between his hands, his thumbs brushing my cheeks.
"You're going to be okay, you will be fine, just keep on breathing…."
"I can't do this, I don't think I can do this!" I cried but he didn't react. It felt like everything was pissing him off.
"Listen Linda, you need to be strong… strong for me….. I need you to be strong for the sake of the reign I am about to create… Can you promise me that? huh…" He demanded my answer.
"Are you serious right now Davis!…. I can't even breath ….."
"You're gonna be fine. I'm right here see" he grew convicing.
"your highness, perhaps…."
"Don't interrupt this Eldric!" His voice grew hoarse as he replied him.
"Please… I beg you… let me go." My voice trembled, barely more than a whisper. I was pleading, though deep down, I already knew, he wouldn't let me go.
"You're my person now," he said, voice low and edged with frustration. "You belong nowhere else but by my side. Do you hear me?"
His tone was cold, unyielding. It didn't soothe me, it suffocated me. The panic that had just begun to fade started to claw its way back up my throat.
"Please…" I whispered again, tears slipping free.
"Linda," he said, softer now but still firm, trying to rub the tears falling from my eyes
"don't make me be hard on you, please... I want you on my side, okay?"
But what was he saying? My chest felt tight again, my thoughts spinning into chaos. My past, the pain, the stories, the scars, echoed like screams inside my head. I wasn't ready for this. I didn't want titles or crowns or kingdoms; I wanted freedom. I just wanted to breathe the air that I can afford but he wasn't getting it and it furstrated me even more.
"Let me go!" I pushed against him, striking at his hands, desperate to break free.
"Please, let me go!" I cried, voice cracking, panic flooding my veins.
And then, suddenly, he shoved me back, hard, and stepped out of the carriage. The door slammed behind him with a sound that sliced through the air like final judgment.
I sat there, frozen, my heartbeat loud in the silence. The weight of it hit me all at once.
I was trapped.
Alone.
And somehow, I knew—this was the beginning of everything I feared.
Without a word he pulled a cigarette from his pockets, lighting it with a slow flick of his lighter. The glow of ember illuminated his face briefly, sharp and unyielding. Smoke curled around him as he exhaled, his back greeted me, a silent barrier that spoke louder than his refusal. I was done for!
"Your Highness!" Eldric called, rushing to catch up.
"Keep an eye on her… I need a moment," the prince replied, his voice calm but heavy with resolve.
"Yes, Your Highness… but it's not too late to change your mind. Please… think about this," Eldric urged, his brow furrowed with concern. He knew the danger this choice could bring, not just to the prince but to them both.
The prince inhaled deeply, letting the smoke curl lazily from his lips before blowing it into the air.
"Eldric… you've known me since I was ten. I don't make decisions lightly. I know what I'm doing… and there's no turning back on this." His gaze stayed on the sky, distant and unreadable.
Eldric exhaled, tension easing slightly but worry still in his stance. "As you wish, my Prince."
The prince straightened, shoulders squared, and turned toward the carriage waiting at his side.
"Just focus on the journey ahead. It might take two days to reach the Kingdom. Keep the pace steady."
"I'll make it before midnight tomorrow," Eldric said, his tone firm but respectful, matching the urgency of the task.
"In that case, we need to stop by the royal tailor first. Measure her official regalia….. they'll sew it overnight. I want her perfectly neat by morning," the prince added, his eyes glinting with a mixture of determination and… something softer, almost anticipation.
"As you wish, Your Highness. I'll wait while you finish your break," Eldric said, bowing slightly.
Davis flicked the ash from his cigarette, then gave the tiniest smile, a flicker of something private, almost human. "Ah… I'm done here. Let's go."
He straightened fully, shoulders back, every movement commanding yet deliberate as he find his way inside the carriage, the weight of responsibility and purpose evident in the quiet strength of his stride.
Prince Davis pov
The gates of Ravenvall creaked open as midnight spilled it's shroud across the Kingdom. The air was colder than I remembered, the torches casting faint flickers of light against stone that felt both familiar and foreign. My boots scrapped against the cobblestones as I stepped through the gates, scanning the dimly lit surroundings, a dozen of pair of eyes on me.... guards, servants and shadows that didn't seem to belong.
But not Him.
I expected to see my father, the King, standing tall and resolute, the royal robe in hand ready to drape it over my shoulders . It was a tradition, a mark of my return to my rightful place, a symbol of my reclaimed position . But instead a different figure awaited me.
The Queen. Queen Rahel, my stepmother.
Her gown glittered in the faint light, but her eyes were sharp, cold, unforgiving. She was still the same, nothing about her had changed over the years. In her hands the royal robe seemed less a symbol of power and more a reminder of what I had lost.
"Prince Davis" she said, her voice clipped, her lips curling into the smile that held no wamth.
"welcome back home"
Home. the word felt hollow. I glaced past her, searching for any sign of him, he wasn't coming. I knew it the moment her smile tightened.
"The King had other matters to attend to. He specifically asked me to welcome you on his behalf" She said.
My jaw clenched. Of course, he would, the father who sent me away to protect his lineage. I mean... what other matter seemed important at the moment than my arrival!?. Was I still not welcomed even after 20 years?! That hurt my pride but I ignored her for a moment and called for Edric, whispering into his ear.
"Have them prepare her a bath at my chambers, provide her with cloths to keep her warm through the night.... oh and find a space to have an extra bed moved inside my changing room, move as fast as you can"
"your grace!.... yes your grace" Eldric bowed and left to his duties.
Although there was a hesitant moment from him, I made sure the conversation was carried out at discreet, The queen was too focused on me hardly noticing my crew, and I didn't want to draw attention at the middle of the night.
After a long moment of silence, I stepped forward, my gaze fixed on the robe in her hands.
"Give it to me!" I said, the words more a command than a request.
"Prince Davis...." she started, but I snatched it from her grasp.
The fabric felt heavier than I'd imagined, it's weight pressing against my hands like the burden I had carried all these years.
Without another word, I turned and strode past her, my steps echoing through the silent hallways.
When I reached my chambers, I pushed open the doors. Dust smell lingered in the air, the faint scent of old parchment and aged wood filling the room. It had been left untouched, as if no one expected me to return. The furniture was simple dark wood, a bed with a deep green canopy, and shelves lined with books I once cherished.
I tossed the robe onto the bed and stood there, staring at it. For years I'd thought about this moment ... returning, reclaiming my title, but it felt like a hollow victory.
The sound of footsteps drew my attention, then she was there, standing in the doorway.
" Do you have any idea what it cost him to bring you back here?" Queen Rahel asked, her voice dripping with disdain, looking dissapointed.
I turned to face her, my hands curling into fists at my sides.
"Cost!? Don't speak to me about cost, My mother's life was the price of your ambition remember " I started.
"you couldn't stand the thought of me breathing so you ensured my exile, now you hate me for being here, for being where your son can't no more"
Her face darkened, the calm facade cracking.
" You dare speak of my son, He was the rightful heir, Your mother had no place here and neither did you!" I held my gaze, my fist still clenched.
"yet here I am" I replied.
" You returned only to take my sons place, you think that doen't wound me!"
" I lost my mother too a long time ago. I guess we're even now"
" No we're not! you don't belong here, you never did, you never will, your mother was nothing more than a shadow, a stain on this court, and now you stand here thinking you can take my sons place?…." She smiled in a wicked way, she was never friendly am not surprised.
"you are nothing like him! You will never be approved by people let alone your own father, you will never be a true King, you will always be the illegitimate son, that's the only title you can covert " She did not just say that.
"I didn't come back here for the throne, but I would love to see the look on your face when I am crowned to be the King of this nation, the King people want.."
I didn't want her to break me, not this soon though. Her words were piercing right throught my heart like a knife intended to wound me.
"The people!? you don't have people. Neither of the people here bow loyalty to you, you don't have people you can call your own, they don't respond to you... you don't have anyone on your side here and never will you"
I could see her eyes burning with hatred, she turned and left, closing the door on her way out, her footsteps heard fading into the hallway.
I stood there for a moment, the silence in my chamber stretched thin after the queen left. her final words cutting deeper than any blade.
Her voice still echoed in my mind, laced with venom and finality. My fingers trembled, curled into fists at my side, the rage crawling at my chest, every breath I took felt like a fire, my heart pounding in a futile attempt to supress the storm within me.
I paced across the room, the dim light of the flickering candles casting fractured shadows on the walls, my eyes caught my reflection on a tall mirror near the window.... a figure torn between pain and anger. The queens words wouldn't leave me. They gawned at the corners of my mind, twisting into something darker with each passing moment. My vision blurred as rage consumed me, blinding and uncontrollable. Before I could think, my fist shot forward. The mirror shattered beneath the force, glass exploiding outward in a cascade of sharp fragments. Pain registered only after a sound... a dull, ache throbing from my nuckles, followed by the warmth of blood tickling down my hand.
The climson drops hit the floor, staining the stone beneath me. I starred at the fractured mirror, my reflection now a distorted mockery of who I was... broken, splintered, unrecognizable. I fell down on my knees.
Then I heard the movement.
Soft footsteps, hesitant but deliberate. I turned sharply, my pulse still roaring in my ears. She emerged from behind the heavy curtains, her face pale, eyes wide with concern.... Miss Berl.
"Davis!...." her voice was soft, trembling as she rushed towards me.
"you're hurt!" held my hand between hers.
I couldn't speak, I couldn't find the words. I only starred as she knelt beside me. Her touch was gentle, tentative, as if afraid to hurt me, further. But I wasn't afraid of the pain.
She tore a piece of cloth from her night sleeve above the thighs, that almost left her skin open, she pressed it against the gash on my knuckels.
"You shouldn't have done that!....."
"She's right you know..." I interrupted , my voice hoarse and bitter.
"I don't belong here.."
Her eyes met mine and for a moment, the world around us seemed to fall apart. I could hear the sync in our weakly beating hearts.
"Don't say that.." she whispered , her brow furrowing in frustration.
"you belong more than anyone else, don't let her words define you. You're gonna make a great King, You just have to focus on what you can do, you're gonna make a great King" She insisted, carefully chose her words.
The door busts open before I could reply, I couldn't turn, blood still dripping from my hand, as two servants and my chauffeur Eldric rushed in. Their faces registered in shock, eyes darting between the shattered mirror, the blood on the floor, and me.
I was on a moment of weakness, in a bad shape I can say, down on my knees, tears falling from my eyes, and she pulled the royal robe from the bed and covered me whole.
"leave us Edric!..." her voice steady and spoke command in a way I hadn't heard before.
"take the servants with you" she added
Eldric was hesitant but He remembered the title she had carried, she is my left hand woman, she had the right to attend to me at the moment. He had to trust that I am safe, judging by how quick she acted.
"I will be at the door your highness, if you need me!" He spoke and exit my chambers. The servants bowed and retreated, the door closing behind them, leaving only the faint echo of their footsteps in the hall.
She took the robe off me, her hand reaching for my face and rub the tears that were falling from my eyes, she looked at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of worry and something else.. something deeper, like a feeling reaching out. And I was lost in the moment, looking at her daring blue eyes.
She slowly embraced me, kept me between her arms, patting my back, like a mother soothing her child to sleep. I swallowed hard, the anger giving away to something else, I was feeling something different for the first time, I didn't know what it was, cause I'd never been held like that before, I missed out on a lot while growing up, trying to survive without both parents and there she was beside me, carresing me, her body meeting mine, her night gown rubbing on my chest.
I should've sent her away, I shouldn't have brought her here or I should've just maintained the cold distance. But when her hand moved to rest on my back, continuing the gently patting in a gesture of comfort, I melted.
"you don't have to bear this alone.." she whispered, her voice tender and soothing.
"you have been hurt enough.."
Her words broke something in me. The years of exile, the loneliness, the constant battle just to prove I belonged.. it all crashed over me, and in that moment, I let her in.
Just for a moment.
Miss Berls warmth seeped into me, her closeness intoxicating. She let me go, our faces inches apart now, her breath warm against my skin. My heart pounded, each beat betrayal of the control I tried to maintain.
"I will be your person, i will be one of your people, I get it now…." Her breath was fading.
Her eyes met my soft, searching, vulnerable. She was leaning towards me and I let her close, I wanted her close, I wanted that warmth back, cause I didn't even know how a mother's warmth felt, at this moment, I gave in to her demands.
Slowly, as if drawn by unseen force, our lips met. We shared a kiss, soft, hesitant, a collision longing and restraint. For a fleeting moment, the World outside ceased to exist. My hand moved to the back of her neck, pulling her close, deepening the connection I knew shouldn't happen.
And thats when it hits me
I had never in my life allowed myself to let go, to surrender, to let someone else to carry the weight , if only for a moment.
She groaned slowly, her hands still resting on my shoulders as if grounding me in place. but I broke the kiss, pulling back abruptly, my breath uneven, my hand still lingering near her face as if unwilling to let go. I starred at her, her expression unreadable, a mixture of longing and regret. I stood up, pulling away from her warmth, every movement was deliberate now, calculated. My back to her, the mask of cold when I remembered, that she had been there all along, heard all the conversations and the comfort could be an act of pity. At the moment of my weakness, I let her close, I let her hold me, let her soothe me, what could she possibly know about my pain?, it felt like pity or rather mockery.
"You overstepped" I said, my tone sharp, colder than I intended.
"I thought I warned you not to come near me! I specifically gave you instructions "
Her breath hitched , and I hated the way it made my chest tightened. But I still kept my back on her, refusing to look into those eyes that made me question everything.
"Call the servants to attend to my wound..." I continued.
" Nothing happened here today... you were never here and heard nothing.." I spoke, she was puzzled, of a certain change of behavior, my voice unflattered.
"Davis, I was just trying..."
"I didn't ask you to do anything!, your duty is to serve when told, nothing more, don't mistake your place"
Silence hung heavy between us, the warmth of the moment now a distant memory, replaced by cold detachment.
"I am the future King and you're clearly not the type of woman I can covert, so never again think of doing anything to tempt me! Again keep your distance from me.. understood?"
Miss Berl stood slowly, her hands trembling as she smoothed her dress, part of her skin was showing, because of the piece she teared, to stop me from bleeding.
"Understood!" She said quietly, after a moment of collecting herself, her voice was steady despite the crack in her heart.
I heard her steps retreating to my changing room, each one echoing like a distant regret. I clenched my fist, the pain from my wound a welcome distraction from the ache that settled in my chest.
When the door closed behind me, I slowly exhaled , my gaze fixed on the floor where her shadow had lingered moments ago.
"Eldric" I called for him.
I stood near the window,the cool air slipping through the cracks and brushing against my skin. Eldric, stood at attention by the door, waiting for instructions.
"Is the bed prepared in the changing room?" I asked my voice calm but firm.
Eldric nodded " Yes your grace, it's ready for her."
"Good. She'll rest there tonight" I glanced at him, the flicker of concern barely visible in my eyes.
"You're to stay close. I want you to watch over her while I'm gone." His brow furrowed slightly.
"Gone! your grace, at this hour? You haven't even treated your wound"
I turned fixing him with a steady gaze.
"Yes, I'll be gone once am treated. But your task is here. Make sure she remains safe"
He hesitated , the worry evident in his expression.
"If it's a matter of danger...."
"I have my shadows, I will be fine" I cut him off. My tone cool and authoritative.
"they will move with me, I will be back before dawn" I commanded.
Eldric opened his mouth as if to protest, but thought better of it. He knew I would be safe, the moment I mentioned my shadows, my own army, that moves in secret, only by my command. He lowered his head in subtle bow.
"Understood, your grace"
I lingered for a moment, as my hand was being treated by my two servants, my thoughts drifting to Miss Berl, asleep in the room next to mine. Vulnerable. Unaware. I shouldn't care but for some reasons I do. That is why she must remain here, under protection. Once the servants were done, without another word, I slipped past Eldric and into the shadows of the night.