Breakfast with Luca had gone well. Hazel was satisfied, and even as she sat in a chair by the corner of a window in a library, holding a flipped open book in her hands, she was smiling to herself. Dinner time was almost near afterall, he would be home again soon and once again they would have dinner together. She had picked her food quietly and slowly all through breakfast, watching him from beneath her lashes.He on the other hand chewed through his food eagerly, his eyes only glancing over to her a few times as he did so.Hazel could not understand it but the very fact that they were having breakfast together was simply enough to make her entire morning.She no longer felt like she was being suffocated in this huge castle.She discovered the door to the garden today. It was very neatly kept with flowers trimmed an pruned beautifully, arranged so well it seemed faeries would absolutely enjoy flying through the flowers if there ever truly was such a thing as tiny humans with equall
His father? Luca's brows reminded in a furrow upon receiving that bit of information.He had received an invitation back to his hometown from his father. Insisting upon an early arrival. Frankly, he had expected this would happen eventually. They would hear of the wedding of course, of Hazel. They would want to meet her, but not this soon. It's been only two weeks hasn't it. He turned to the man, a frown on his face. "Tell him we wouldn't be able to make it right now."The man's eyes widened a bit. "But sir, he already made all the preparations. He insists upon your arrival, and he said something about coming himself with your mother if you wouldn't be able to make it."Luca scoffed, shaking his head lightly. He knew his father and mother could be very petty once they wanted something. He wouldn't be surprised if they did worse that turning up at his other to scrutinize every each and bit of his effort with narrowed eyes and touchy hands. He wouldn't want that at all.He nodded rel
Luke turned in his seat upon Luca's announcement of a sudden trip. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, staring at the floor. "Well... That is quite the news." He mumbled.Luca stretched, massaging the back of his neck with a palm.It hurt from his many restless night of staying awake drowning himself with work, and frankly, a massage would feel life changing at this point. He hissed, "this feels like a set up.""It might me." Luke mumbled, "I mean, the festival of the moon is drawing close. I am very sure he wants you to be there for it. And it only seems fair, since soon you should be taking your position as heir."Luca hissed. He hated to be reminded of that very responsibility of replacing his father someday. It was a burden he had been made to carry on his shoulders for a long time now. The reason his parents sort utter perfection in everything he did, in everything he spoke. The reason they couldn't bare to let him live like the rest of his siblings. His entire life was simply a t
The sky was still dark and asleep when they set out for the journey.Day was yet to break when a maid knocked at Hazel's door to remind her to get ready for the long trip ahead. Groggy, yawning and stretching she dragged herself off the bed. She had showered, dressed up, combed her hair and was now waiting with the group by the car for the guard to load up to the car with their bags. The group consisted of her, Luca, Lucinda and Luke. Lucinda was in her usual dark attire. She had offered Hazel a loop sided grin when she walked over. Luke was staring at his phone, and Luca stood indifferently with his hands tucked in the pockets of his dark pants, he had spared her an acknowledging nod and a casual good morning."We are done sir." The suited man turned to Luca, dusting his hands and bowing lightly.Luca nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Is everyone ready?"Lucinda leaned away from the car, stretching her hands. "As I would ever be." She grinned.Luke on the other hand wasn't as excite
Woods, there were woods everywhere.Talk trees, so tall the sky was barely visible now.They were like canopies shielding the sky, Hazel could barely see even the ground beneath her now. It was all way too dark. The leaves crunched beneath her feet as she walked through this unfamiliar place. How did she get here? What was she doing here?She stared ahead of her, she turned again and stared around her. She was simply surrounded by trees left and right. The leaves crunched behind her, she spun at once, her heart skipping a beat. Those were not her footsteps. She panicked, should she run? Wait it out?If she tried to run, the sound of the leaves crunching behind her might give her presence away.The sound of the crunching leaves continued to approach and with a heaving heart, she made her choice. Hazel sprinted through the woods. The leaves weren't dry, yet many had falled on the floor and surrounded her. They rustled noisily as she ran through them. Mysteriously, this unseen fo
Whatever it was, it was approaching faster. She knew, she could feel it, she felt too afraid to look back. She wanted to, really wanted to tilt her head for a moment and look back. But she felt too scared to do so. Ducking through branches and trees, she knew she could trip over if she dared turn around. Panting, she was beginning to lose her strength.She could not ran as fast anymore. Her heart, beating so quickly felt as though it might burst open beneath her chest any moment. She was weak now, but whatever it was.... It's strength persisted. Four legs, she could hear four legs coming closer and closer to her. Hazel grabbed a tree branch, trying to steady herself. She tilted her head to see her chaser, in that very last moment. Her name was called, right ahead of her. "Hazel!"A familiar voice flooded her ears and in no second her closed eyes flew open. "Hazel... Are you okay?" Luca was staring at her, his brows knitted in worry. She blinked her eyes, once twice. "Hazel
Luca gave her some water to drink.It helped calm her down, it seemed something was a little off with Luke and Lucinda's car. They were parked right ahead. Luke and Lucinda had climbed out, and the hood was open too. A bit of smoke seemed to be leaking out the front of the car. Luca climbed down, shutting the door as walked over to them. "What's wrong?" He asked, hands on his hip and his brows knitted.Luke exhaled, rubbing his chin. "I think it might have overheated just a little bit." He explained.Luca chuckled dryly. "Just a little bit? It's smoking. Who forgot to add some water in the car?" He frowned. The duo remained silent for a bit. Lucinda frowned, rubbing her arms and staring around them.The road was empty and dry, surrounded by trees left and right. "What are we gonna do now?" She asked worriedly.Luca sighed quietly. "We are only two hours away right now, and it's getting a bit dark already. Waiting is not an option." He explained."We can't leave the car here thoug
The sky was starting to darken as they went deeper into their journey. Luke and Lucinda had taken places in the backseat and they had been bantering for most of the journey.Hazel was in the passenger seat beside Luca, still seemingly a bit shaken up from her weird dream. Exhaustion weighed on her like a ton of bricks. They had been on the road for hours and the only time she got off the car was to ease herself about five hours ago. Her feet were cramped and her limbs weak, a chance to get off the car would be a welcome miracle. "What's that?" Luke frowned from the backseat spotting what seemed to be a road block forming in front of them."Why is there a road block at the boundary?" Lucinda frowned in response.Luca's hands tensed around in the wheel and Hazel peered at the roads in front of them, growing strangely uncomfortable.There was a road block indeed, and what seemed to be armed men surrounded it. They were pointing guns at their approaching vehicle."No need to be worr