Jewelry Box

Ch. 20 Unexpected Visitor

Victoria

I knocked on Alexander’s door, patiently waiting for him so we could talk. I know he left feeling angry. Maybe I was being inconsiderate of his worry, but he had to understand I had to do this alone.

Alexander stood at the door, watching me attentively before he allowed me into his bedroom. It was the first time I stepped into his room and, to my surprise, it was nothing like I expected it to be.

The gloomy and barely illuminated room made me frown. It was quite dark, cold, like him.

“Can we talk?” I asked, hugging myself. Alexander spared me a glance before he sat down on the bed. I gulped down, feeling anxious suddenly. “Listen, I know what I said was unfair, especially for you. I know we should cooperate, work together.”

Alexander didn’t utter a single word, so I continued.

“I know we have a deal, but that doesn’t mean we are an actual couple and that you have to take care of me,” I mumbled, looking away. “I know it might worry you, but no harm shall befall any of your people if you think I will be a burden.”

“You think this is about my people?” Alexander hissed from the bed. His frustration was obvious on his face as one of his brows twitched. “We are talking about your life, you Victoria.”

I took a step back as Alexander ruffled his hair.

“We may not be an actual couple, but I care for you. I appreciate the little time we’ve been together,” Alexander muttered between his teeth.

I stood staring into his blue eyes. His hair was a tangled mess.

Sighing, I lowered my head. I didn’t know what to say to his words. It was like he was trying to tell me something he shouldn’t.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Then I remember the kiss from before.

My eyes snapped open. Was Alexander having feelings for me?

I was still confused about why I even kissed him, but the relief I felt seeing him made me do it. It was just that, there was no other meaning behind it.

“It’s my decision and I wish for you to accept it,” I mumbled, feeling too conscious. “It’s my revenge, not yours.”

“Victoria!” Alexander retorted between his teeth.

The room felt suffocating.

“I’m returning to the duchy for a few days. I hope you understand the reason,” I blurted, earning a glare from him.

“You’re giving in to your father’s wishes?” Alexander demanded. I blinked.

“Yes, but for two days. I will return soon.” With those words, I turned to leave, but Alexander grasped my arm, stopping me.

My body shivered at his touch.

“You don’t have to. I can help you,” Alexander whispered. “Trust me for once.”

I smiled at his words. I trusted him after he trusted me back there on the cliff. But I had another reason for returning to the duchy.

Slowly, I turned and smiled. Squeezing his hand, I assured him that my trust lay in him.

“But Victoria, you-“

“Please respect my decision, at least for this time, Alexander. After I come back, we can talk again,” I said and pulled away. I heard Alexander groan as I closed the door.

I couldn’t stop and not do what I wanted because everyone was afraid of my safety. I’m not the same girl that died a few weeks ago.

This time I could take everything by myself.

***

“Ready, my lady?” the coachman asked as I glanced towards Alexander’s office. I sighed and nodded while getting into the carriage.

It seemed Alexander was angry, since he didn’t join me for breakfast or my departure. I know I might have hurt his good intentions, but it was my problem. Also, there was another reason not to accept him for now.

Hearing the whine of the horses and the rattling of the carriage, we left the duchy. I sighed and closed my eyes. It would take a while before arriving at my home.

A bump in the road had me opening my eyes. I confusedly blinked before glancing out the window. My body jolted as I leaned over and stared at the surrounding forest.

Where was I?

I knocked twice on the small latch, but the coachman didn’t answer. My brows furrowed in confusion.

“Hello?” I called, but didn’t get a response. As I glanced outside again, I noticed it was an area I barely knew.

The place seemed on the outskirts of the duchy, like the forest when I fell down the cliff. It was the same forest.

Patting my skirt nervously, I felt the hard metal handle of the blades hidden under it. If this was a trap, this was my chance to escape.

I grabbed my bag and ripped the skirt off my dress. Thankfully, today I wore boots instead of heels. It would be harder for me to run away from anything else.

Securing everything, I glanced out and noticed no one else was accompanying us. It was just the carriage, which was strange. Alexander wouldn’t let me go alone without security, so what happened?

My only choice right now was to jump and dash into the forest. Especially in the denser areas, which would be better. I could lose anyone who tails me.

As I peeked towards the latch, I grasped the door handle and turned it slowly. The door was unlocked, which made it easier. Now all I had to do was to escape and not be noticed by them or whoever was with me in the carriage.

The icy breeze of the forest hit me straight in my face, making me squint my eyes. For a second, I felt confused. Did the weather change so much, or was I imagining things now?

I worriedly looked around and towards the front. Three strangers sat in silence. Black hoods covered their bodies, so it was harder to see who the men were riding with me.

Taking that as my cue, I quietly pushed the door and jumped. Trying not to groan in pain, I scattered myself up and looked their way.

None of them had noticed my escape. Now I had to run.

Taking the opposite direction, I ran for dear life. I made a turn ahead towards the darkest part of the forest where they wouldn’t even dare to go.

My eyes peered over my shoulder when a shout has me cursing under my breath. It seemed they had finally noticed my absence.

“Damn those guys!” I murmured.

Running fast, I headed straight to the highest part of the place. I needed to know where I was. If it was safe and if I could at least escape.

So far, no one was following nearby, and I had no one appearing, which was good.

Stopping in a nearby tree, I leaned over and took several deep breaths. My heart was thumping in my ears and my chest heaved.

“Where am I?” I mumbled, glancing around me. A few trees were scattered, giving me a view of the place.

There was no sign so far of an open field or cliff. It meant this forest could go on for miles, which wasn’t good.

It still confused me to know-how in the world I fell asleep for so long. The surrounding place showed it was past lunchtime, the sun would set down soon, which wasn’t good.

This forest could be dangerous for me. With only some daggers, I wouldn’t be able to defend myself if a monster or an animal appeared.

As I moved, someone wrapped their arms around my neck and covered my mouth. I tried to scream but heard his hushing words.

I glanced behind me, but I couldn’t see his face at all.

Who was it?

“Stay quiet lady Victoria,” the man ordered, making me blink. Did he know me?

Dragging me behind a tree, he pointed towards the side. My eyes widened as an enormous beast sniffed the air near us.

What was that?

“I will let go, but stay quiet, please,” the man whispered in my ear. I nodded, and he slowly lowered his hands from my body.

We both stayed hidden for a while, observing the monster that drooled and growled. His bared fangs looked like they could tear someone in half with one bite.

My eyes watched the beast in awe. What kind of monster was that?

His long canines, dirty white fur, and white eyes made him resemble a shadow monster. But they only existed in the Misty Forest, which was far away from the duchy.

Feeling a tug, I glanced to my side. The stranger signaled me to stay crouched. I frowned, confused, but he insisted, so I did as he asked.

We remained in that position for a few minutes before he finally breathed in relief.

“It’s all right,” he said.

I studied him and his hooded figure. There was nothing that pointed out that he was an assassin or a hunter, so who was he?

“Lady Victoria,” he said, and turned towards me. I frowned as he beamed at me with a smile. “Allow me to introduce myself.”

The man pulled his hood off, revealing his face. His chiseled face, messy chocolate hair, and green eyes like the forest made him one of the best men I’ve met apart from Alexander.

“Are you all right?” he asked, making me stutter. “You seemed worried.”

“What was that?” I asked, glancing towards the spot the monster was a while ago.

The man chuckled and stood, stretching his body as he sighed.

“Brandon,” he beamed. “Call me Brandon, Lady Victoria.”

“How do you know me?” I asked, standing. My eyes still lingered around the forest that had now turned darker.

The sun was disappearing, and soon we would be in total darkness with no food and weapons.

“I’m your fiancé’s friend,” Brandon said, snapping me out of my worries.

“Alexander sent you?” I asked in disbelief.

“Not really?” Brandon shrugged, scratching his head. “Let’s say I roam this place a lot so I know what usually happens here.”

I shook my head and turned to leave, but Brandon stopped me.

“I wouldn’t. The place is getting dark, so I recommend you come with me,” Brandon whispered.

“I don’t know you!” I screeched desperately.

“But I do,” Brandon beamed, then tugged on my arm. “Now come, let me take you to a safe place.”