Dark Lord's Obsession

Chapter 7: The Night Intruder

Louisa’s Point of View

I didn’t know how long I was sitting on the divan, almost like a statue. Our world was in chaos, and those burning flames had finally touched our lands. If the dark emperor wanted, none would be spared. Now the king had taken a horrible decision. I could see our destruction was near.

I was left with no one. My parents were dead, my family wanted me dead, and my only friend whom I could have relied on was taken to be a slave. Now I could see two options unless I wanted to end in that harem in Midlands. Either being the second wife of Duke Albert or being the concubine to the king. I never intended to be any of them.

I stood up and walked outside to my courtyard. The huge vessel there was filled with water. I saw that as a way of releasing my anger only if my parents were alive! I took my stance while my hands were still trembling. Lifting my head, I glanced at the moon. My father used to say, our element, water, was the symbol of calmness, and the moon was the source of our energy. Closing my eyes, I tried to feel the moon, just as my father taught me. My mind became calm. Slowly, I opened my eyes. My hands moved, and the water from the vessel moved in the rhythm, dancing around me on my fingertips. Rotating it in a circular motion around my torso, I put them back in the tub. My mind and my heart found a little peace.

A sudden clapping grabbed my attention. I jumped off my position as my eyes fell on a dark frame, walking towards me under the moonlight, revealing himself from the darkness. A gasp left my mouth as my gaze fell on the man wearing a mask. Soon his enticing blue eyes came into my sight. It was him! How did he come into my courtyard? It was a private area. Only the noble from the castle had access to it. A fear wrapped my heart.

“Impressive,” he exclaimed with a clap.

“How did you get here?” A question left my mouth, earning a chuckle from him. His steps never stopped, eliminating the distance between us.

“Stay… stay away from me. I’ve elemental abilities.” I tried my best to sound confident, even though my voice shattered.

“I know you have.” That man in the mask moved forward.

I stepped back as I spoke again, “I… I’ve been training for long… I’m not weak.”

“I know you aren’t.” His voice was still calm. How could he be so relaxed? Couldn’t he see the enormous vessel filled with water? His intentions were still unclear.

“You should be scared of me… I’m warning you.” I struggled to hide my fear as I realised he was strong enough to take down all those assassins by himself. His legs stopped for a moment as I heard a sigh leaving his mouth.

“I am scared. But not because of your abilities.” His dark blue eyes were looking into mine. Then he took another step ahead, closing the remaining distance between us. Slowly he touched my cheek as he continued, “I am scared that you’ll be the end of me.”

He was too close, within my reach. Without wasting another moment, I moved my hand, pulling the water from the vessel. Then, with a swift move, I caged his hands, tying them with water near his chest. Hurriedly I moved back, and then I swung my hand again, trying to imprison him in a water prison. 

He never moved the entire time, making it easier for me. But the moment I thought I got him, he suddenly jumped, breaking the prison. His hands were free. With another move, he took out a thin, sharp sword. Suddenly his arm captured mine, pulling my back to his chest as his sword touched my neck. A slight movement from me, and I would die for sure. How did he do that? I knew he was skilled. But breaking the prison just in a blink was something I never expected.

“You lost, princess,” he muttered. His breath brushed my ears.

“I am not a princess!” I protested, trying to keep my position still.

With another chuckle, he freed me, “you have skills, but you lack in technique.”

With his words, he put the sword in the leather scabbard. Before I could move from my position, he held my hands from my behind.

“Free me,” I demanded instantly, wiggling hard. 

“Loosen your hands and focus.” A deep voice responded, laced with seriousness, making me follow his lead.

“Your eyes should be on the target, whereas your hands should focus on your core. Like this,” he instructed like a warrior and made me move the palm of my left hand in a circle while my right hand moved, forming a semicircle.

“Now inhale,” he spoke again. His arms were still clenching on mine. My back was pressed against his chest. I inhaled, trying to focus only on my core. Suddenly he freed me. I sensed him stepping back.

“Try with water.” He suggested. I turned my head to pick a glace. He nodded once with a faint smile. He didn’t have any other intentions. He was teaching me.

The fear disappeared from my heart. Taking the proper position, I followed what he just taught. I could feel the flow of energy in my core which left me less exhausted even though my hands played with a moderate wave. The last time I could remember someone teaching me with such care was my father. The overwhelming emotions filled my heart and my eyes. Dropping the water in the vessel, slowly, I fell to the cold, cemented floor of the courtyard. I was alone and defenceless. Surrounded by wolves, waiting to tear me apart. No one was around to protect me. My loved ones were gone. My fate was sealed to be in a harem, either in the name of a concubine, or a second wife or just a breeder. What would I do?

Suddenly a pair of warm hands wrapped around my waist and my legs, scooping me from the floor. The masked lord carried me to the chamber. Gently he placed me on the chesterfield. I was too weak to react. Bending on the floor, his rough hands cupped my face as his sapphire blue eyes looked into mine.

“Don’t cry. I am here for you.” His lips curved in a smile.

I am here for you!  Those words rang in my ears. I hadn’t heard it for so long since my parents left me alone in this cruel world to deal with everything.

“I don’t want this… I never wanted this….” I whispered while tears flooded my face.

“What happened?” he asked again, wiping my tears.

“They have taken her. My last hope… and now the king will negotiate with him.” My mind couldn’t describe the situation appropriately.

“Hush! Don’t cry,” he repeated. Then, caressing my head, he spoke again, “calm down and tell me clearly.”

His voice was assuring me, making me forget he was just a stranger. His arrival was like a faint light of hope in the darkness. Gathering my composure, I explained everything to him, from my uncle’s wishes to the king’s proposal. Then about Arak and Kayla. Gradually I told him about Duke Albert.

“Kayla. She is an ally?” He asked out of the blue.

“Yes, we are soul sisters... a true friend,” a tear made its way again, thinking about her situation.

“Why don’t you want to be a concubine? What is wrong with that? The king will keep you safe and shower you with gifts. If you can give him a boy, he will bestow you with honourable titles. Isn't that you all want?” He reasoned.

Maybe! That was what many noble borns wished for. A sad smile made its way, “I want to marry the man I will fall in love with. Is that too much to ask for?”

His eyes looked surprised for a moment. After a silence, he replied, “no, it isn’t.”

He stood up from his position and walked towards the courtyard door, “I should leave now. Take some rest. And don’t go against your will. Stay true to your words.”

That man! Did he really care about me? But who was he? The realisation hit me. I was whining in front of an unknown person, and he was in my room. 

I stood up from my position as I asked him, “who are you?”

He smirked, “you will know when the time is right.”

“Why are you helping me?” I couldn’t help but question.

“I have my reasons,” he responded.

He left me speechless. I wondered who he was. He always arrived at the right moment these days. Whenever I was chased or unhappy or troubled, he showed up as an angel. He waited for another few moments, probably for me to say something. 

After a long silence, I opened my mouth, “thank you.”

“If you really want to thank me, then wear the chain I gave you.” He smiled again before disappearing behind the door, leaving me to think about the facts harder.