Juliette settled into her seat, as she gazed out a tiny window at an ocean of clouds. The view below was shrinking out but for Juliette. Getting small, and smaller. Yet, in her mind, she was still there. Back at the chateau with field full of lush greens.

It had been a hectic morning filled with activities, mostly farewells. This morning, as she was about to leave, Juliette was locking the suitcase she brought. Her father was standing at the door, facing her. For once, he seemed to be losing his temper. He grasped his hands together, a gesture that often gave away how fidgety he felt inside even if his voice remained placid.

"Have you checked everything, Juliette?" This was the unusual question coming from Noël. He knew his daughter was the type to make sure of everything, yet he couldn't help it. "The plane ticket, phone battery—everything?"

Juliette stared at her father. She hid a small smile at the corner of her lips. She understood his words all too well. Her belongings which she'd brought wouldn't be his issues. It was her—his only daughter, and the only child he had, who was going to step out. The frown on his forehead told her as much.

She laughed, sighed, and shook her head, "Does Dad need me to remind that Dad is the planner behind this whole operation?" It was light and teasing, yet endearment was present in the way she said it, for she had effortlessly detected the worrying tendencies in him, which he tried to cover up.

There was a flicker in Noël’s gaze for an instant, but Juliette saw the briefest moment of uncertainty. One which he quickly suppressed behind a fixed look.

"No... not really. It’s just..." he wavered, taking a step closer to his daughter. "I want you to be careful, Juliette..."

Juliette finally stopped in teasing him. Her face decorated with a gentle smile, "I will be fine, Dad. You’ve seen to everything. I trust your judgement. Besides, what is the worst thing that can happen?"

Noël returned her smile with tenderness. But in fact, the fatherly concern he had still intact, as he blurted out the truth, "I just... I never liked the fact that you had to be that far away."

Juliette sighed. This old man. She stepped forward and took his hand, "I’m not going very far, you know it. And it won't be long, just a visit, right?"

As it seemed like Noël would took an eternity for a farewell, Inès, Juliette's mother, stepped forward.

"Juliette," Inès spoke as she took a step in closer. "You are going to miss your flight if you cling to your dad like this.

"I’m going, I’m going," Juliette said playfully, as she started making her way to her mother. She pulled her in a warm embrace that lingered more than usual.

"It’s okay, don’t worry," she could hear Inès said, trying to soothe her. Along with the warmth of breath near her ears, "it's all going to be okay.

For a moment, Juliette closed her eyes. She felt the love that her mother provided. "I know."

"Now, you need to go, before the plane leaves without you."

Juliette pulled away from the embrace. She turned to her father who looked at her. He made no move to do anything. Both of his hands held together before him, but it was plain to see that he was worried. Juliette approached him, her steps felt light.

"Dad, come here," she said in a coaxing tone.

There was a hesitation from Noël. It took a moment until his arms were wide open for her. He was as solid as she remembered. Yet, a grown up now, Juliette could understand a certain unwillingness from him. The same unwillingness which he had worn ever since the idea of this trip was floated, the worry that he never completely communicated but always held in his gaze.

"I will be alright, Dad," she said. "You have prepared me far too well for this."

"I know... but you need to be careful," he replied. The tone softened to almost a whisper but Juliette was able to detect the worry and warmth. She would deduct that it was fatherly instinct to protect his daughter.

Juliette smiled as she remembered how her father called her up once she arrived on the airport. In the beginning, Noël had insisted about accompanying her to Germany. He had offered over and over. His presence would be comforting, of course, but each time Juliette had refused.

It would be too formal for her and the man she was about to meet. The purpose of this trip was to see the man, not for engagement, or anything. She wanted to take this in casual theme. She wished to see if there existed a possibility of something genuine.

"This had to be my decision, no?" she had said to her father. He was torn but in the end he had given in.

Also, she could also imagine how awkward it would be with her father present and hearing every little interaction. It would be too formal. So this was how it was best, just her and the man that was meant to be met: Günther.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

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The sun was setting, as the plane landed on foreign land for Juliette. As she stepped out, she could smell the air was thick with moisture as if it were about to rain. As every usual days, airport would always be crowded, with people carrying bags and staring at their phones as they dashed across the busy hallways. She fixed her scarf tight around her neck as she followed the signs to the baggage claim.

After collecting her bag, she proceeded to the taxi she had prebooked. Her heels made a constant rhythm as it was clicking to the pavement. A taxi was waiting at the stand, its driver quickly dashed forward to pick up her bag and placed it in the cab’s trunk. Politely, she nodded, slid into the backseat as he driver took off.

City lights were just blurs in the distance. As she sat in such a calm manner, her thought would drive back to the real reason of this journey. To meet Günther, the man who father had set her on. She had no acquaintance with that man, yet she had the feeling that life was on the verge of change. As such she put her head on the window, turning her eyes around, appreciating the view of the city’s roads in another strange country.

The driver then drove for some time, and finally, he stopped the car at the front of a famous hotel. The sky was dark by the time she left the car. The cold had increased, but it was still not raining yet. She wrapped her coat tighter around her body and stepped into the hotel where the warmth inside was immediately welcoming.

The check in to her hotel was easy. She was merely stating her name, and they could find her room. After being given her card, she went about her way. As she locked the door, the wish to rest was overwhelming. She stepped into the bathroom, where a spacious bath was inviting her in. Into the warm water, she easily sank in with a pleased exhalation. The day had been a blur of activity, but at last, in the quietness of water, she found relief.

Leaning back into the hot water of the tub, Juliette’s thoughts wandered off to the itinerary of the next day. She had been told about the Von Hausen family’s residence. She didn't know where or what kind of place it would be, but the appointment was made. There she was to meet the family – and him, of course. The one that her father had meticulously chosen – Günther Von Hausen.

But as she thought about it, it wasn't as heavy as Giselle might have thought. For her father’s reminder had been staying in her mind. Repeatedly, she had been told: "You’re not going to marry him. You’re only going to see him."

Very easy plan for Juliette: she would be meeting Günther with her eyes wide open, she would, at the very least, find out whether he was a man fit to be trusted. However, she knew better than to delude herself into believing it was just a courtesy meeting. Juliette understood well that: The initial meeting would open, or close the door.

Suddenly, her train of thought was interrupted by ring of her phone, which was now connected to the Wi-Fi of the hotel. It was drawing her attention. She thought it would be a family to ask of her arrival, but it was an unknown number. For a moment, she simply stared at the screen and wondered who in the world could be calling her. Finally, she took a deep breath and picked the call.

"Hello?" she responded.

"Miss Dufresne," came the soft voice from the other side – almost as if it was eavesdropping and made in the hush of secrets. "You don’t know me but I call in the behalf of mutual acquaintance."

Juliette felt her heart skip. She’d only been looking forward to getting a call from her father or someone from the Von Hausen estate. But now this is interesting, "And who would that be?" she inquired, her voice somewhat cautious.

The voice resumed, "I believe you have an appointment with the Von Hausen family tomorrow at their residence. To meet Günther, as I understand you have been planning."

"Yes, and?"

"Just that the person you are meeting with is not the person you think he is. Not the one your father thinks," said the woman on the other line, her voice unwavering yet firm. "There is another way if you wish to see the truth."

Juliette could feel her heart jumped. It was really intriguing. Her face showed a smile. Yet she tried not to make it show on tone of her voice, "tell me the way."

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Once again, Juliette found herself sitting inside a taxi. Resting her back while the taxi drove through the downpour. While gazing at the blinking lights of the city out of the wet window which also stained her thoughts, she remembered the last words of the informant over the telephone. "If you wish to see the true face of the man, head towards the western docks, later tonight."

She had also never imagined this episode in the journey. Full of uncanny elements. No, she didn't imagine her meeting with Günther would be like this; that rather than entering a warm family mansion, she found herself traversing the centre of the stormy and strange city, compelled only by a warning from an unknown individual.

One might say that she was being very ridiculous. What would become of her should all of these was a trap to begin with. A trap for her. Surely, she had thought and made a preparation for that, she wasn't born yesterday.

"The real Günther is not sitting in the parlor waiting to be served some tea," the informant said. "He’s out there, on the streets, in the dark. That’s where you’ll see the truth."

"I'm sorry, but this is as far as I can go," the driver spoke, his tone tight. He turned his gaze towards her and studied her face strangely, as if he was both worried and intrigued by her. What would a woman do in dark and raining day, all alone.

"Thank you," Juliette settled the payment for the cab, her hands calm despite the rapidly increasing rate of her pulse. This was it.

Juliette proceeded to quit the vehicle. The heels of her shoes made a sound each steps she took. Her eyes focused ahead. She could make out shapes moving in the distance, especially when a flash of lightning brightened the surroundings. They were men, few in number, scattered, and rather quiet. They looked as though they were standing still, frozen in time after something cruel and savage had taken place.

Then she saw him.

Günther appeared as a man of certain authority. He was standing tall there, her back facing her, his blond hair wet with rainwater, and his body drenched from the inside out over his manly form. His stance was comfortable, as if this place full of blood and storms was his habitat.

A sword hanging loosely at his side. Rain and other stains darkening the blade. He gripped that with ease, it looked as though his last encounter had been a walk in the park.

Self-assured. Uninterrupted. Composed.

She could not see his face from there. But she could guess the type of person he might be. Before she knew it, her lips were curved. She was smiling as she spoke his name: "Günther..."