The stolen soul

One No matter what the woman did,Kaliya didn't turn around. She was running as fast as she could. Did it matter? She'd go to her family very soon and the woman would never see her again. Right? What did it matter so much? Whether she stayed or not? No one really cared. She ran to the edge of the village and sat down. She wasn't crying. She'd never cried in her life. She didn't know what it felt like. She just wondered if people who cried where people who felt the same way as she did now or just something else. Either way, she never cried. She wasn't even allowed to. What would she do now? She just sat there and watched the sun go down. It was quite a beautiful scenery too. Quite peaceful as well, but not until the sound of horses made her turn around quickly. It was actually a taboo to be found at the edge of the kingdom as such was considered a crime punishable by death. For a long time it was considered that whoever went there was out to sell the kingdom to enemies. But Kaliya, this was her favorite place. The only place she went if she wasn't about the village like other people. Now she was in trouble. Who was coming there? Were they palace officials? She'd be doomed. There was no place to hide away. What would she do? She just stood stiff as they neared her. Of course they were palace officials. They must be running the errands for the final wedding preparations for the prince. They reached where she stood and stopped. "What are you doing here?" The man in front asked. He was probably Eistren, the wicked general everyone spoke about. His voice alone was chilly. Kaliya forgot to answer and the general had to ask again. She shivered, shrinking back unknowingly. "I... I was... I just..." "I sent her on an errand." The voice speaking from behind didn't fail to surprise everyone present. "Your highness?" Eistren bowed quickly. The others followed. But Kaliya was too shocked. She just stared at the man stopping the horse in front of her. "Your highness are you sure you sent her?" He only threw an eye on Eistren and turned back to Kaliya. "I sent her, do you have a problem with that?" "Of course not my prince. I apologize for causing her problems." "Leave!" "Yes your highness." The officials left. "You were not taught any manners?" Kaliya suddenly realized she wasn't dreaming, seeing the deadly frown on the prince's face. She quickly bowed. But to her surprise he swept her off the floor with one swift move and sat her on the horse. "Hhm?" She stared wide-eyed at him. Was this really... the prince? The deadly monster everyone dreaded? He didn't look like a villain or tyrant in her eyes. Instead he looked... well, she didn't know. Wait where was he taking her? The.. the pa.. lace? Oh no! Now her brain started to work properly. "Stop!" She yelled. He stopped immediately. "I.. want to get down here." The prince merely raised his brows and kicked the horse again. And this time he went faster. Kaliya had no choice but to hold unto him tightly. When they got to the palace he got down and reached to hold her but she moved back and fell in the process. "Ayoo! What did I do to the gods today?" The prince just stood watching bewildered. Kaliya got up, cleaning her body and muttering to herself. Then she looked up and froze. He could see she'd completely forgotten what was coming to her. He walked up to her. "Do you realize where you happen to be?" She looked around. "The palace?" "And who am I?" "The prince?" "My name?" She suddenly coughed. "Well..uhm..." "You don't know my name?" She looked up and gave a nervous smile. "I've only forgotten your highness." If he said he wasn't surprised,then he'd be lying. Like who didn't know know Damien Haas? Even day old babies knew him and the terror he brought. But this girl... didn't? Was he disappointed? He didn't know. "If you don't know my name how am I supposed to lie to my family?" He wasn't talking to her now. But she was curious. "Lie to your family?" He looked at her. "Did I not lie to my soldiers earlier? You'd either be dead by now or kneeling in front of the king. Do you think you'd be free just like that?" Well she'd not thought of that. But why was he scolding her? It wasn't her fault. She'd been running away from her heartless stepmother and ended up in more trouble. "I didn't ask you to save me did I?" Damien raised his brows? "Have I been so lenient with you?" She frowned. "If you were going to torture me you should have never saved me." She looked quite serious but Damien couldn't help laughing. It wasn't any kind of laughter. It was the one that said 'you asked for it '. "You need to get cultured young lady. The palace would help."