To hell and back

Getting caught or not?

My body froze for a second as I stared at the glass of dark red liquid that I was sure was wine. And only one thought was racing through my mind...

I had f****d up so bad.

At the moment when I took this man's stuff, I did not really think much of it or really thought that it would come bite me back in the ass so fast... but it was clear that I was mistaken. The chances of that man being here and attending an even of this calls, were very low in my mind, but it is clear that I was wrong.

The single question of why the hell would someone from high class would be hanging around the great wall, was spinning in my mind, but I could not come up with a viable answer.

Shit

Shit

Shit

My mind was racing as I tried to figure out the best way to flee and what to do.

Most of my stuff was back at the family home as my dress did not provide much space to hide stuff. In my little bag I had a bit of my cash, but not all of it. It would have been stupid to carry around all my cash with me, especially in spaces like this where it would be so easy for someone to steal it all. So it felt smart to leave it back at the house... now it no longer feels that smart, but I was not really planning on leaving this place that early, but it looks like I no longer have the option to stay here any longer.

My heart was beating so fast that I felt it in my throat.

"It was quite a thank you gave me for saving you, little thief."

With no idea what to do now, I stayed silent and stared ahead of myself as I felt the low rumble of his laughter fill the air around us. I was sure that if I tried to run now he would follow me and that would just cause a scene, making this much more worse then it already was. If I managed to leave quietly now, I am sure there would be a scandal, but I might not get recognized fast or easily. And if I am lucky and change my appearance, I might be able to find a place to stay somewhere closer to here which would be a bit easier with the cash I have.

"And what should I do with you now?"

My mind was running so fast trying to figure a way out that I did not really register his question. Or the fact that he had not called the guards on me yet.

That thought crossed my mind and it was like a light bulb genius moment.

He did not call the guards on me or I would already be dragged away... so this means he wants something from me. This means that not everything has yet been lost and I might not need to run right now. What could be even better is that there is a chance he might be interested enough for me to use him in a different way to make my other plans work. If he has not yet turned me in, he is interested in me. This means he might be easier to play and I can get more from him if I play my cards right.

With the most seductive smile I had on my face I slowly turned to him.

One thing about me is that I was never good at playing stupid or weak damsel in distress. Those tactics of seduction never worked for me... they went against everything I was and am as I person. Instead, I go for a challenging unreachable woman, a woman they want to conquer.

So I lifted my eyes and met the most gorgeous shade of green that almost knocked air out of my lungs.

Well damn... I did not expect that.

In my time at the dark kingdom I had seen and encountered creatures more beautiful than one could comprehend. Sure, they were all creations of magic, that is why they always had that ethereal beauty about them that you knew could never be real, but this man could rival them. Unlike the altered beauties I was used to seeing, he had the real roughness and slight imperfections that made him seem real. And that was probably the reason why his looks affected me so much.

It took me a moment to remember what I was doing, so I took a deep breath and pulled on my shield of a smile with a small smirk and a challenge.

"And what would you like to do with me? Lock me up? Chop off a hand?"

My words surprised him for a moment as it had him blinking a bit lost for words. This is good, its a great moment for me to strike while he is till soft. So I leaned in closer and delivered the last parts closer to his ear, so he was the only one that heard it for sure.

"Or would you like me to repay you in some other way... a more personal way..."

Once again my words surprised him, but instead of a stumble I expected to see or blush, the man laughed again as he stepped back.

"Well, aren't you full of surprises."

The look on his face changed. His already bright eyes, shined even brighter with fascination and fascination. Sure this was not a reaction I was hoping for or expecting, but this reaction will still lead me to him wanting to keep me around for longer and not have me beheaded or rotting in a jail cell. So I can work with this.

Before either of us could say anything else, not so silent footsteps and distressed cry of the young Birdie filled the air.

“Cali, Cali, my protective bracelet broke… oh your highness…”

The younger girl fell into a deep courtesy as I stared at her confused. I was sure that their family was the highest ranked at this party. In the whole kingdom there was only one person that outranked them... and then it hit me… she was talking about the green eyes. She called him his highness… as he was the light king?

What the hell?

I am in a worse mess than I first thought, oh in so much worse mess than I first estimated.

“Ahh… Miss Bernadeth, its good to see you. I hope you are having a good evening, but I have to go, one of my councilmen is looking for me. Ladies.”

He gave a short nod and walked away, leaving me frozen and staring after him as my brain was going into overheat as I tried to wrap my head around what just happened.

I did not run from one king, to get messed up with another. That is the complete opposite to what I promised myself when I gave up my powers.

“Well, he left fast. As he always does. I am actually quite surprised that he even attended this thing. He usually avoids this sort of social things as every living breathing woman of age throws themselves at him. By the way, what you were talking to him about? He rarely interacts with anyone in settings like this?"

I had to physically shake my head to pull myself out of the shock.

“It doesn’t matter… I just bumped into him by accident and I was apologizing, worried that he would have me beheaded. Now you mentioned that your bracelet broke? It means that someone was using magic against you and it means you are now unprotected. We need to get you back to safety, so we are leaving now."