The Noble Predator
1099 Words
STELLA
I woke up to the sound of the lock turning again.
Another maid entered, this time accompanied by a guard. I noticed how she kept her gaze low, never meeting my eyes. She placed a new tray of food before stepping back quickly.
“Eat,” the guard commanded.
I said nothing, simply nodding.
After they left, I resumed my silent observation of the room. I couldn’t keep waiting. I had to make a move.
I studied the windows again. The bars were sturdy, but maybe... if I applied pressure over time? I grabbed one and pressed with all my strength.
Nothing.
Next, the wardrobe. It was large, deep enough for me to hide in. But hiding wasn’t escaping.
I needed an opportunity. A moment of distraction. Something.
As if the universe had been listening, that moment arrived sooner than expected.
During the afternoon, there was an unexpected commotion outside. The sounds of shouting, footsteps—someone had entered the estate in a rush. I pressed my ear against the door, trying to make out the words.
“...dragon...”
My breath hitched. Kieran? Had he found me?
I acted quickly, dragging a heavy chair to the door and positioning myself behind it. If someone entered, I could use the element of surprise.
Moments later, the lock clicked.
I held my breath.
The door swung open, and before the guard could fully register me, I shoved the chair forward with all my strength, knocking him back. I darted past him, my bare feet barely making a sound against the polished floor.
I made it three steps into the hallway before another guard caught me, his grip bruising as he slammed me against the wall.
“Where do you think you’re going, little bird?” he sneered.
I struggled, but it was useless. I was dragged back to my room, the door slamming shut behind me.
This time, the lock wasn’t the only thing keeping me in. A bolt slid into place.
I curled up beside the bed, pressing my fingers against my temples. My failed attempt only reinforced the reality—I wasn’t getting out of here on my own.
I could only hope Kieran would come for me before it was too late.
**********
I was still sitting on the mat beside the bed when the door creaked open again. My body stiffened instinctively, my gaze snapping toward the entrance as a servant entered, carrying a tray of food. Behind her, the nobleman stepped in—his presence instantly making the air feel heavier. My fingers dug into the fabric of my dress as I pushed myself up, unwilling to appear weak in front of him, though my heart pounded in my chest.
He was a tall man with sharp features, his cold eyes raking over me with an intensity that made my stomach churn. A slow smirk spread across his lips as he stepped forward, dismissing the servant with a flick of his wrist. She scurried away, leaving me alone with him.
“You’re much more delicate than I imagined,” he mused, his voice smooth, but laced with something sinister. “Tell me, what is your name?”
I pressed my lips together, refusing to answer.
His smirk twitched, amusement flickering in his gaze. “Silent, are we? That won’t do.”
His fingers reached out, brushing a lock of my hair behind my ear. I recoiled, stepping back sharply, but there was nowhere to go. The room suddenly felt too small, too suffocating. He chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
“I asked you a question,” he said, his tone darker this time. When I still didn’t respond, his hand clenched into a fist, and in a swift motion, he grabbed a delicate vase from a nearby table and hurled it to the floor.
The sound of shattering porcelain sent a jolt through my entire body. My breath hitched, and I flinched, my eyes widening. I could feel the tremble in my fingers as I curled them into fists, pressing them against my sides.
“Oh?” He tilted his head, watching me like a predator who had just found something interesting. “Are you afraid of sudden noises?”
I bit the inside of my cheek, willing myself not to react, but my body betrayed me. My legs felt weak, my chest tight. He must have seen it—the way my eyes burned with unshed tears, the way I fought to keep myself composed.
A delighted grin stretched across his face. “Bring me more vases,” he ordered, turning toward the door. Within moments, soldiers entered, their arms filled with expensive ceramic pieces. One by one, they tossed them to the floor, the sharp crashes ringing through the room, each one worse than the last. The cacophony of breaking pottery sent my nerves spiraling into chaos, my shoulders tensing with every shatter.
Tears welled in my eyes, my chest rising and falling unevenly as I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. I didn’t make a sound—I refused to—but I couldn’t stop the silent tears that slipped down my cheeks.
He stepped closer, lifting a finger to catch a tear before it could fall to the ground. “Now that is a beautiful sight,” he murmured. “I’ll come back tonight.”
I shuddered at his words, the implication making my stomach turn. My breath was shallow as I forced myself to stay still, to not provoke him. He let his fingers linger near my cheek before stepping away, leaving a trail of unease in his wake.
“Clean this up,” he ordered, turning to the servants standing outside. “And tie her hands. We wouldn’t want our little bird running away during the process.”
I barely resisted as a servant approached, wrapping rough cloth around my wrists and knotting it tightly. It wasn’t painful, but the restraint made me feel even more powerless.
The servants cleaned swiftly, sweeping up the remains of the shattered vases while I stood motionless, my gaze fixed on the ground. I didn’t move when they untied me. I didn’t even look up when they left and locked the door behind them.
I sank to the floor, my arms wrapping around my knees as I stared at the untouched food.
The untouched meal sat on the table, but I couldn’t even think about eating.
My mind consumed the weight of his words.
He would return tonight.
I didn’t dare think about what that meant.
- Writer
