The Transformation
1098 Words
Chapter Four:
Princess Matilda remained standing where she was, watching Kylian with concern after her final words had been met with nothing but rejection.
Only a few moments passed before she noticed that his breathing had become unnaturally labored.
One of his hands was pressed against his neck, while his chest rose and fell rapidly, as though he were suffocating or struggling against something she could not see.
Kylian staggered several steps backward before suddenly collapsing to his knees, gasping for breath. Matilda's eyes widened, and she immediately ran toward him without a second thought.
"Prince Kylian... are you alright?"
But Kylian did not answer.
His body began to tremble violently. Thick black fur started appearing along his arms and neck, while his fingernails gradually lengthened into sharp claws. Little by little, his features began to change, and the calmness in his black eyes disappeared, replaced by a fierce gleam filled with something savage.
Matilda froze where she stood, fear stealing her voice, yet she could not bring herself to leave him alone.
She cautiously stepped closer, whispering,
"Your Highness... please, look at me... Can you hear me?"
Kylian slowly lifted his head.
The moment his eyes met hers, every trace of reason vanished from his face.
He lunged at her with incredible speed, knocking her violently to the ground before she could even comprehend what was happening. She landed on her back, her body slamming against the cold marble floor, while Kylian was directly above her, letting out a low growl as his transformation into a werewolf neared completion.
Matilda froze in place, unable even to scream.
But in the very next moment, the magical collar fastened around Kylian's neck—and the enchanted shackles binding his wrists—began to glow with a brilliant blue light. A powerful surge of magical energy burst from them, causing Kylian to cry out in agony. His body convulsed violently, and the transformation came to an abrupt halt before he collapsed on top of Matilda, unconscious.
For several moments, Matilda was unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Her breathing came in uneven gasps, and her heart pounded so violently that it felt as though it might burst from her chest.
With great effort, she pushed Kylian off her, then sat beside him, trembling. She looked at his pale face, then at the magical collar, which had fallen completely still, as though nothing had happened.
She had no idea what she should do.
Should she go and bring someone?
Or should she stay by his side?
In the end...
She chose to stay.
The minutes passed painfully slowly. Nearly half an hour went by as Matilda sat beside him, watching his breathing every so often, afraid that it might stop.
At last, his fingers twitched slightly.
Kylian slowly opened his eyes, then pushed himself into a sitting position, cautiously looking around as though trying to remember what had happened.
But the moment his eyes fell on Matilda, they widened in shock.
He shouted angrily,
"What... what did you do to me?!"
Matilda quickly shook her head in panic.
"Actually... you... I didn't..."
But her words came out broken and fragmented because of how nervous she was.
Kylian sprang to his feet, his face filled with anger and frustration.
"Just... just stay away from me."
Silence lingered for a moment before he added, turning his face away from her,
"And don't come near me again."
He turned and hurried out of the classroom, leaving Matilda alone in the quiet room.
She looked around in silence, then let out a sorrowful sigh and whispered to herself,
"I... didn't do anything."
She lowered her head, a faint smile touched with pain appearing on her lips.
"And yet... it seems he hates me more than anyone else."
---
One year earlier...
The Imperial Palace of Cristallo was alive with an unprecedented atmosphere of celebration.
The grand halls were decorated with banners and flowers, the crystal chandeliers blazed with light, and the nobles and high-ranking commanders stood in orderly lines, awaiting the arrival of the one everyone believed to be the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Gallus.
When Prince Kylian entered the hall for the first time, every eye turned toward him.
He was tall for his age, carried himself with perfect posture, and possessed a calm, composed demeanor. He was not a man of many words; instead, he politely greeted those present before quietly observing his surroundings.
The imperial family was impressed by his composure and regarded him as a prince worthy of Gallus's prestige.
According to royal tradition, the celebration began with a formal dance between him and Princess Tenarin.
Kylian moved with precise, graceful steps, as though he had been trained in dancing since childhood. Every movement was elegant and perfectly coordinated, leaving the guests unable to hide their admiration, while even Tenarin herself was surprised by his skill.
As soon as the dance ended, he was showered with praise.
Yet Kylian seemed completely indifferent to it all.
Whenever someone attempted to engage him in a lengthy conversation, he excused himself politely before quietly withdrawing to a peaceful corner, away from the noise of the celebration.
As he stood there...
His eyes fell upon a girl standing alone beside one of the balconies.
She was not surrounded by maids, nor was anyone attempting to speak with her.
She wore a simple dress without any ornaments, yet it could not conceal her quiet beauty. Her long blonde hair flowed over her shoulders, while the light of the crystal chandeliers reflected in her blue eyes as she silently gazed out at the garden.
That girl was...
Princess Matilda.
Kylian found himself unable to look away.
He did not know why, but whenever his eyes rested on her, he felt a strange sense of peace, as though she were different from everyone else in the hall.
Then, in a single moment, Matilda turned toward him.
Their eyes met.
For only a few brief seconds...
But they were enough for Kylian to feel his heartbeat quicken for no reason he could understand.
He immediately grew flustered, a faint blush spreading across his face. He quickly turned his head in the opposite direction, pretending he had been looking at something else so that no one would notice his sudden embarrassment.
As for Matilda, she continued looking at him in silence for a few moments before shyly lowering her head as well, neither of them realizing that this fleeting exchange of glances would become the beginning of a story destined to change both of their lives forever.
- Writer
