The Cursed King

Four

Even though the creature could hear every thought in my mind, it remained unresponsive to my internal monologue. This was a relief for me, as I have a tendency to overanalyze situations, and provoking him could lead to serious trouble.

I never imagined that my habit of overthinking could put my life in jeopardy.

The remainder of our journey to the castle was marked by silence. I refrained from asking any questions, wary of potentially hurting his feelings or reopening old wounds best left untouched.

Upon entering the dilapidated castle, I was taken aback. It was stunning, despite its state of disrepair. The walls bore gaping holes, as if someone had violently struck them.

I couldn't help but wonder who might have the strength to do such a thing.

We stepped through what could hardly be called a gate, entering a circular hall filled with numerous corridors and staircases branching out from the entrance.

In the center of the hall stood a massive statue of a woman, towering three times my height. Whoever she was, she exuded an otherworldly beauty.

A radiant aura surrounded her, illuminating the space around us. I wasn't exaggerating; the light was so intense that it brightened our surroundings.

Her hair cascaded down to the floor like strands of yarn. Although half of her face was obscured by the cloak she wore, it couldn't conceal her stunning beauty.

Remarkably, she was the only figure in pristine condition, indicating her significant place in his heart.

"That's my mother, Selene," the beast said, noticing my gaze fixed on the statue and satisfying my curiosity.

"She’s truly beautiful," I replied, acknowledging her resemblance to the moon itself.

"The light has faded," he whispered, his eyes lingering on his mother’s statue alongside mine.

What light? I wondered. The beast began to ascend the stairs, and I hurried after him, anxious about getting lost in this maze of hallways.

After climbing for a while, we reached a balcony that overlooked what appeared to be an abandoned city.

Flowers adorned the walls of every house I could see outside, their vibrant colors illuminating the entire area.

While these blossoms enhanced the city's charm, the crumbling walls and the shadows that clung to them created an unsettling atmosphere.

"There’s nowhere else for you to stay but here," he broke the tranquil silence, his voice cutting through the stillness.

"This will do for now. Until I figure out how to escape, I’ll just pretend this is my home," I replied, attempting to lighten the mood, though it felt like a futile effort. Alright then.

"Could I at least get something to clean up with, some clothes to change into, and maybe a temporary bed?" I inquired. Was I asking for too much?

"I don’t have any of that," he replied.

Naturally, I nodded in understanding.

"However, we can search the houses for something useful," he proposed. I welcomed the idea; I certainly couldn’t remain in these filthy clothes, nor could I sleep on a floor thick with dust.

"Come here," the beast gestured with open arms, inviting me closer. Assuming he wanted a hug, I stepped forward and embraced him.

Perhaps he should have clarified that he intended to carry me like a princess. That would have spared me the embarrassment.

"I meant to say I’ll carry you to our destination. The cities are quite a distance away, and at your pace, we won’t reach them until evening," the beast explained.

"Right. I was just trying to figure out how to let you carry me," I admitted, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Oh my God, what had I done to put myself in this awkward position?

I could have simply asked him what he meant before jumping the gun and hugging him.

"Here, let me help you," the beast lifted me effortlessly into his arms. In comparison to his massive frame, I felt as small as a six-year-old child being cradled.

I must admit, his embrace is surprisingly cozy. I could easily drift off to sleep nestled against him.

There’s something peculiar about the way he affects me. Each time our skin makes contact, a wave of calm washes over me. My mind unwinds, and my body follows suit.

It’s strange.

The tingling sensation that sparks between us is delightful, making me yearn for more of his touch.

I need to shift my focus away from those sensations and him. He’s perceptive, and I don’t want him to misinterpret my feelings.

As I attempted to redirect my thoughts, they sank into darker territory. I had so many questions swirling in my mind, yet no one to provide the answers.

What happened to that maniac? Was he apprehended, or has a rescue operation begun for me?

All these inquiries led to a more troubling thought—have I already been forgotten?

It’s hard to imagine anyone surviving after falling into such a deep pit. The police might not even initiate a search for me, given that I have no family to claim my body. I lack connections with my colleagues and have no friends to miss me.

If a search were to commence, it would require a significant number of rescuers to scour such a deep valley for a body. No one in their right mind would expend resources on a detective presumed dead.

The thought that no one would care if I were alive or dead fills me with sadness.

I managed a bitter smile. Now, facing a reality where I leave no one grieving behind, I feel a pang of regret.

I chose to live a solitary life so that when I depart, no one would mourn my absence. I understand all too well the devastation that follows losing a loved one, and I never want to inflict that kind of pain on anyone.

It’s a twist of fate that I’m the one feeling this sadness.

"We've arrived," the beast announced, interrupting my thoughts. He gently set me down on the ground.

As I surveyed our surroundings, a chill ran down my spine. The atmosphere was thick with darkness and foreboding.

My legs buckled, and I nearly fell. I’ve witnessed countless horrific crime scenes, seen bodies mutilated, and encountered more blood than I can count in my line of work, yet nothing terrified me as much as this place.

The City felt like a ghost town.

"Don't be afraid," the beast said, catching me just before I collapsed. "They can't hurt you."

His reassurance sent a wave of terror through me. The location itself was unsettling, but his words struck deeper fear within me.

You should know this about me: nothing in this world frightens me more than ghosts. The mere mention of "horror" keeps me awake at night; that’s how deeply they unsettle me.

My fear of ghosts stems from an incident in my teenage years. I always sensed something was off, but I could dismiss it as my imagination—until one night when I was sound asleep and felt a presence behind me.

I jolted awake, and without turning, I knew I was being watched. Moments later, I saw a shadowy figure moving out of my room.

Then, the figure turned, and I nearly lost control. I could make out his clothing, his height, even his hair and ears, but his face was obscured, as if it had been smudged out.

I had never encountered anything like that before. After that night, I couldn’t bear to sleep in the dark. It took my experiences as a detective to gradually acclimate to the shadows, but that ghost remains vivid in my mind.

"Who are 'they' that you mentioned?" I inquired.

"My pack. These flowers represent the essence of my pack," he answered.

"That makes sense," I whispered to myself. The flowers were stunning, but I realized I couldn’t probe further because of this very reason.

Regardless of their beauty, they are something I would rather remain unaware of.

"Why don't you go inside and retrieve the items?" I proposed to him. He consented after noticing my ashen complexion, but as he stepped inside, I heard a whooshing noise that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Hold on!" I yelled, sprinting after him. It's safer to be with him than to face the unknown alone.

~•~