Light billowed softly through thin curtains, illuminating the bedroom in which Leo awoke, her arms stretching content as she slowly opened her eyes.

The morning had a softness to it, a warmth. She blinked a little taking it in. Then it hit her. Her body froze still lying on the sheets as anxiety gripped her chest and she remembered yesterday. She was in a mansion in an unknown location, her memories lost and future uncertain.

In a sudden motion she sat up to orient herself again but started as she spotted a figure sitting in the corner of the room.

He sat leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees, his eyes fastened on her and their expression sent a cold shiver down Leo’s spine. His dark eyes, lightly obscured by brown, curly locks were so filled with hate it made her whole body stiffen, her heart hammering in her chest. Those were the eyes of someone who wanted to kill her.

She felt panic spread throughout her body, and she sprung to her feet, her instincts screaming for her to run for the door. But barely had she moved before he was in front of it, blocking her escape. She took a step back and the man’s eyes followed her, his body unmoving. Then the most eerie smile curled his lips.

“Good morning princess”

His voice was low and reverberating, hate dripping from it. She trembled, eyes flickering desperately in search of another exit, but they found none and instead landed on the sword hanging from his belt. He was going to kill her; she was sure of it.

Then a knock on the door. The sound started them both and she gasped breathlessly, while his eyes turned to narrow slits, an irritated growl leaving his throat. He turned to open, and Leo felt like her knees would buckle from the relief when she recognized Arwin’s visage appear in the doorway.

His expression turned into that of surprise as he saw the two of them standing in the room and Leo’s terrified expression.

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“Carsein!” his voice bellowed, “what are you doing?”

The brown-haired man sighed, his hand rubbing his neck and his face now completely expressionless. “I’m sorry, it seems I startled the lady.”

Startled? What on earth was going on? He wasn’t an intruder sent to kill her, and Arwin knew him? Arwin sighed, palming his forehead like he was disappointed.

“I told you to wait outside as not to scare her” he reprimanded, “Leo, I’m sorry. This is Carsein” he explained gesturing at the brown-haired man, “he is someone I hired to protect you, but it seems he frightened you-”

“You can’t be serious?!” she protested before he had a chance to finish, the fear still keeping a tight grip on her chest.

Leo’s emotions were a complete chaos. Protect her? If Arwin hadn’t arrived when he did Carsein would have killed her, she was certain of it. Arwin started a little at her sudden outburst, confusion flashing his expression, while Carsein’s face was stone, unreadable.

“I-is there a problem?” Arwin stuttered, his eyes flickering between the other two.

Carsein flashed a confused expression and both of their reactions filled her with uncertainty. Had she imagined it? Was she so out if it that she had hallucinated the whole thing?

“I’m really sorry if I scared you, that wasn’t my intention” this time it was Carsein who spoke and he bowed politely.

Leo stared at him scrutinizing. There was no emotion in his voice nor on his face, nothing to tell her if his words were sincere.

“Leo, darling…” Arwin spoke softly as he approached with careful strides, a worried expression on his face. “Are you alright?”

She couldn’t stop a shiver from traveling her shoulders. Could she not trust her own mind anymore? He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes, with a soothing gaze.

“It’s okay, Leo. You are probably still affected by what happened at the castle, even if you don’t remember. But no one is going to hurt you, not as long as you are here. You are safe.” His hand gently stroked her cheek as he spoke, and the gesture was warm and comforting.

She had to have imagined it, an effect of repressed memories getting mixed with reality. Arwin was too calm for it to actually have happened. She felt the tension leaving her shoulders at the realization. Yes, she must’ve imagined it.

“It’s okay… You’re going to be fine”

He turned to Carsein who was still waiting at the door, waving him forth. “Let us try again. This is Carsein. Since my duties forces me from my home quite often, I’ve hired him to be your bodyguard during your stay in my mansion. I hope you’ll try to get along” he spoke, gesturing at the tall man who bowed at the mention of his name. His greeting seemed polite although his face was expressionless, but something flashing at the corner of his mouth sent a shiver through Leo.

No, it’s fine, I only imagined it. It wasn’t real, don’t be afraid.