Chapter 14: Behind The Black Curtain
Naria stumbled backwards as she felt a sudden surge of fear wash over her. Her heart pounding, she frantically scanned her surroundings, her eyes darting around the room in search of something sharp, something that could protect her from the handsome man who stood before her.
Her gaze settled on a pair of scissors lying on a nearby table, and without another thought, she lunged for them, her fingers closing tightly around the cool metal handles. Gripping the scissors tightly, she held them up in front of her, her eyes fixed on the man's face as she tried to gauge his intentions.
Her heart still racing, Naria took a step back, her eyes never leaving the man's face. She knew that she had to be careful, to protect herself at all costs. With the sharp scissors in her hand, she felt a small measure of confidence returning, and she braced herself for whatever might come next.
"Wait! Wait!" The man spoke in a low tone, waving his hands, "I came here in peace!" He raised his voice as his eyes widened.
Naria didn't trust the man's words, despite his charming demeanor and good looks. She had learned long ago that appearances could be deceiving and that she needed to be cautious in situations like this. She held the scissors tightly, ready to defend herself if necessary, as the man continued to speak.
But just then, the door to the room burst open, and a woman entered, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Naria holding the scissors. "What's going on in here?" she demanded, looking back and forth between Naria and the man.
Naria's heart rate slowed slightly as she realized that she was no longer alone with the man. She lowered the scissors, but she didn't put them down, not yet. "This man followed me in here," she said, nodding towards the man. "I don't trust him."
The woman's expression hardened as she turned to the man. "Is that true?" she asked, her voice cold.
The man held up his hands in a gesture of innocence. "I was just trying to talk to her," he said. "I didn't mean any harm."
The woman didn't seem convinced, but she didn't press the issue further. "You need to leave now," she said to the man. "And if I catch you following her again, there will be consequences."
The man nodded, looking chastened, and quickly left the room. Naria let out a sigh of relief, feeling the tension in her body start to dissipate. She looked at the woman, grateful for the interruption. "Thank you," she said. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come in."
"Nothing, my lady."
"…"
Naria stood there in silence, her eyes fixed on the lady holding the hairpin in her hands. She felt a mixture of confusion and fear, unsure of what was happening around her. After a moment, she spoke softly. "May I know who you are and where I am?"
The lady nodded, her expression calm and collected. "The dragon prince has brought you home last night," she said simply.
Naria's eyes widened in shock and disbelief, and her heart felt heavy with unease. Her chest barely rose and fell with each breath, and the sounds around her seemed to fade away into a distant hum. Her head spun with the weight of the news, and she struggled to make sense of it all.
"The dragon prince," she repeated to herself, her mind racing with questions and doubts. When did he do that, and why had he brought her here? What did he want with her, and what was going to happen to her now?
Her inner thoughts were a jumbled mess of confusion and fear, and she felt as though she were drowning in them.
Naria sat on the edge of the bed, her mind still reeling from the news that she was in the palace of the dragon prince. She looked around the room, taking in the opulence and grandeur of her surroundings. Everything was so different from what she was used to, and she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed and out of place.
As she sat there lost in her thoughts, a maid entered the room. "Your Highness, he will enter soon," the maid said, breaking through Naria's reverie.
Naria's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the dragon prince. She felt a shiver run down her spine, and her palms grew clammy with nerves. She had no idea what to expect, and the uncertainty made her feel even more anxious.
She stood up uncertainly, smoothing down her outfit and trying to compose herself. She knew that the dragon prince was powerful and influential, and she didn't want to give him any reason to doubt her or her intentions.
As she waited for his arrival, she tried to calm her racing thoughts and steady her breathing. She had no idea what was about to happen, but she knew that she had to face it with courage and determination. She took another deep breath and waited, her eyes fixed on the door, her heart racing with anticipation.
As Naria sat there, waiting anxiously for the arrival of the dragon prince, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching the door. Her heart began to race even faster as the door opened, revealing a handsome man in his twenties.
He had black hair tied back in a ponytail and he was also wearing a tunic that accentuated his broad shoulders and trim waist. His piercing red eyes met hers, and he flashed her a friendly smile that melted away some of her nervousness.
"It's you," Naria breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
The dragon prince nodded, his smile widening. "Yes, it is I," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "I am glad to see that you are well."
Naria took a step forward, her eyes fixed on his. She couldn't help but feel drawn to him, despite her fear and uncertainty. There was something about him that was both intriguing and mysterious, and she couldn't wait to learn more about him.
As he approached her, she felt her heart skip a beat, and she had to remind herself to stay calm and composed. She didn't want to give him any reason to doubt her or her intentions, but she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, he would turn out to be an ally instead of an enemy.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone