I woke up from my sleep as the morning as those blasted demonic crows started groaning. I still haven't gotten used to them despite my hard effort to, so I stretched my aching arms before moving on to my legs, which were covered in scars and bruises. It's funny, really; I was so obsessed in my past life with having the perfect skin. Now I embrace the scars. Right now, no one will understand my words behind this until the future at least...
I turned, looking out the window, where it only reminded me the dawn didn't bring peace... it only brought a different kind of noise. I woke up to the sound of heavy curtains being pulled back, the sunlight hitting my bruised skin like a physical weight. My conversation with Lukas from the night before felt like a fever dream—the way he looked at me, the way the air felt between us—but the steady thrum of my pulse reminded me it was real.
I sat up, the silk sheets sliding against the marks on my arms. I was tired, bruised, and broken, but as I caught my reflection in the tall mirror across the room, I saw a survivor who had finally found her voice. A light knock at the door suddenly caught me off guard and made me stiffen. It wasn't the frantic tapping of a maid or the heavy thud of a guard. It was rhythmic... calculated.
"Come in," I called out, my voice raspy from sleep.
The door creaked open, and there he was. Not Lukas, but the Prince. He looked at me with a gaze that was sharper than any blade I'd encountered—a look that said he had spent the whole night thinking about my performance at dinner.
"You've caused quite a stir, Hina," he said, stepping into the room without an invitation. "The court is talking about nothing but the girl who wears her scars like diamonds."
And not only that, you insulted one of the members to his face!!!
"A human..." he muttered.
I leaned back against the headboard, refusing to be intimidated by his presence yet again."
"They should be grateful I'm not at their pearly white gates because what I would've done with my new superpower is... burn them alive, knowing full well vampires can't die, and then starve them and sit right in front of them holding all their favorite food without giving them a taste."
"This human is a little bit more creepy than expected. Yikes."
He walked from the window, his back turning to face the outside. "They are calling you a threat. They say you are a Wildcat that can't be tamed. Some even say you're a liability to the crown. and should be locked up again, and yet here am, throwing all my lives away for a ungrateful cheeky brat."
"What's the issue then?" I asked, my fingers gripping the edge of the blanket.
The prince turned, a slow, dark smile spreading across his face. "I say it's quite funny they see such a soft, fleshy person as a big threat to their lives.
He says before pinching my cheek, leaving it slightly red from the blunt force.
You even left the council member at the table stunned so badly he had to go back home immediately to check if what you said about him was really true, Hina. I must thank you for that. I've been trying to get them off my back, and you ran him out of my palace so easily."
I let out a cold laugh that echoed in the quiet room. "Prince... no...
Dracarus
Do you see me as just a human you can call when you need to use for your own personal benefit?
The tension in the air in the room felt suffocating. I wanted to know how he sees me as a person or tool, and it shouldn't be any of my business, but can you blame me if he's treated me so kindly and even gave me lessons every day about self-defense? I can't help but feel like a tool when he only
He calls me when he wants something and never to just hang out. Am I being too dramatic?
Am I asking too much?
His shoulders stiffened at the question, and he went silent before leaving as quickly as he had arrived, leaving the scent of expensive cologne and unspoken threats behind. I stayed in bed for a long moment, the silence of the room pressing in on me like a physical weight. Because why won't he answer any personal questions...? And then the funny thing is he gets so angry when I don't address these weird tendencies of his. Sigh, what am I going to do with him??
I forced myself to stand, my legs still shaky from being unwell the day before. I walked over to the large, ornate wardrobe at the back of the room, looking for some clothes to wear for the day. The maids always change the clothes often requested by the icy prince. I will never understand him, and yet that was one of my other goals I developed.
Forget it.
I have a big day today anyway, or at least a big day for Dracarus, the usual. When will I get my time to shine?
I pulled out a gown that was the color of a bruised midnight sky—a dark, deep purple that almost looked black in the shadows. It was sharp, elegant, and utterly cold. It didn't hide anything. The cut of the back was low, designed to show every mark, every scar, and every bit of the "language" I had been determined to learn.
"If they want to look... let them stare. This is proof I'm not one to be messed with and gives me more courage to walk out alone if I want to. No one dares to touch me or, even worse, eat me alive...
I spent the next hour preparing. Every movement was a struggle, but as I brushed my hair and traced the lines of my face in the mirror, I felt my wildcat taking over again. This feeling has my high adrenaline rush senses taking over...
"I'm going to do something stupid; I can feel it."
I eventually stepped out into the hallway, needing to clear my head before the sun climbed any higher. I didn't get far before a shadow detached itself from the stone pillar near the garden entrance.
Lukas.
He didn't say anything at first. He just looked at me, his eyes taking in the pale exhaustion on my face and the fire that was still burning in my eyes. He had clearly seen the Prince leave my room earlier.
"He was here," Lukas said, his voice a low rumble.
"He thinks I'll get eaten," I replied, leaning against the cool stone wall.
Lukas stepped closer, his presence a steady heat that grounded me. "He's just... worried about you, okay? Hina Drac is trying his best and didn't have a choice in this. If he let you stay in the palace unguarded, then his father might do something to you. It's better to protect you better. And before you say anything with that sharp tongue, it's a no. You can't take on his dad alone; he's powerful, strong, and rules over the lands, and anyone who dares oppose him is never seen again. That's why I would advise you to behave tonight because I would rather not have anyone I care about die at his hands.
I looked up at him, the moonlight from the night before replaced by the harsh, honest light of the morning. His face changed from happy to deeply troubled at his last sentence, so I tried changing the topic. "Are you going to be there, Lukas? Or are you just going to be another shadow in the corner?"
He reached out, his fingers grazing the fabric of my sleeve, almost touching the skin beneath. "I'll be there. But remember what I told you... the higher you climb, the harder they pull. Tomorrow night, they won't just be pulling. They'll be clawing,, so please avoid any trouble with any high-ranking members because eventually they all lead back to Drac's father."
"Then I'll make sure my claws are sharper than theirs," I said, a small, dangerous smile tugging at my lips."
We stood there for a beat too long, the silence between us filled with things we couldn't say while the palace was awake. He was my guard, my shadow, and maybe the only person in this entire world who actually understood why I was doing this.
"Go back to your room and rest, Hina," he murmured, his eyes softening for just a fraction of a second. "You're going to need every bit of strength you have for tomorrow."
But I thought the gala was today, no?
Lukas gave me a pitiful look and said. I'm sorry he couldnt tell you it was postponed until tomorrow, another fight with his old man. So sorry you had to find out this way. You should get some rest, though; youll need it for tomorrow
I nodded, feeling the exhaustion finally starting to pull at me. I turned to walk back, but I stopped at my doorway and looked back at him. "Lukas... thank you for being my friend and for caring for me throughout the hard times."
He didn't answer with words. He just gave me that same silent nod from earlier—the one that said he was with me, no matter who tries to tear us apart.
I climbed back into bed, the sunlight now filling the room. I was tired, but as I closed my eyes, i finally felt the love of someone who loves me for the way am. I hope the bond between me and lukas never breaks, my beast friend
And as for tomorrow...The Wildcat will arrive and bring the chaos to the table. and blow the whole house down little me