Ding!

[New Skill: Allure!]

What..?

My thoughts are drowsy, muddled. I can’t seem to immediately focus on my surroundings, much less open my eyes.

What was that noise anyway? Am I seeing things?

Soft light enters my vision. I realize I’m lying on the floor, my back sticking to the ground with dried sweat. My eyes adjust to the dim room, noticing the closed door as my head is tipped up. I hear crickets chirp as well as the hoot of owls. I also feel something touching my foot.

With my eyes still blurry, I lift my head to firstly notice the uncovered window. Outside it is dark and I can see stars faintly twinkle behind the glass. I then turn my attention to my feet to find a skeletal image of my father turned towards me.

I jump, my last memories finally catching up to me. My father’s dead eyes stare back and I quickly face the head the other way with my foot.

It wasn’t my fault! Whatever happened was because he didn’t listen.

I barely knew this man. By behavior, he deeply cared about me but refused to listen for any reason. He was truly a grief stricken man. He didn’t deserve this though. No one does.

I slowly begin to stand, noticing the increased strength in my legs. I keep my stance without any issue as I test the weight of legs by squatting up and down.

He was still my father…

I look to the door pondering what to tell the guard outside. He was the king, a very important figurehead and leader of Trinity, and he died from the pure consequences of a tragedy. I was warned that I don’t look human. I will be blamed as soon as I step out of this door and be executed like Armen told me. I definitely cannot leave the normal way.

I look to the window avoiding the unsightly image of the corpse. Luckily it smells like heavy dust. Not even dead flesh in any type of way. The smell is still unappealing all the same.

I walk to the window, peering outside. Before me, my eyes adjust quickly. I’m truly a nocturnal predator of some sort. The window faces out into a large garden that stretches for some miles. Beyond that is a dense forest as well as a dirt road that leads into it. The garden looks like a grassy maze, but at this height, which looks to be the third floor, I can easily tell where the path is. Near the front of the garden closest to me is a statue in the image of my father. Tall and imposing with a long, stone broadsword sitting on his right shoulder.

An upsetting reminder…

I dare not to glance down.

The only way out is through this window where I most likely won’t be seen. The issue was the three story drop. I don’t think I’m able to land safely on the bushes below without easily breaking a leg. I look around the edges for some type of footing but find none.

This is the only way out of here. People will look for him and this will probably be the first guess. Not to mention I’m considered and look like a monster.

I growl under my breath and move my fingers over the seal on the window. With ease, I lift it up, feeling the wind and fresh cut grass waft into my nose. It’s almost relaxing considering the rather gruesome situation at my feet. I fully open the window and pull myself out to the ledge. Dipping my feet out, I look down once more to check the bushes beneath me.

This shouldn’t be too bad, right? I am a monster after all. Shouldn’t I have some form of resistance?

I take in a deep breath.

There’s only one way to find out.

Steadying my breathing, I take a leap of faith. Fear rises like a heavy rush of water into my chest as I take the plunge. Wind rushes into my ears, the speed of my fall increasing. In moments, I feel my feet, then my bottom, land into the prickly sticks and leaves. I wince in discomfort and surprise when only the small strings of cuts make themselves known on my legs.

I didn’t break anything…

Quickly looking both ways, I find no signs of people. I climb out of the bush, my top half of my body sticking out the top of it. I rushed forward, my legs feeling refreshed like a heavy weight was taken off of them.

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This would have been oh so helpful before, I want to mutter.

I suddenly felt this strength as soon as my father died. Did I suck out his life force involuntarily so that I could live?

A deep frown crosses my face as I pass the statue. I don’t dare linger as a pressure tightens in my chest. I start my way through the opening of the bush maze instead. I kind of know the way since I stared at it before. Using the superior power of photographic memory, I quickly navigate myself through the twists and turns of the maze. It’s rather bland as my bare feet tramples over precisely cut grass. Nothing in this maze catches my eye. All there is green cut shapely into a soft rectangular wall.

It takes me minutes to find the exit. I’m greeted with lighted lamps on poles that sit in rows by the edges of the dirt road. The road ahead me is even ground, starting from the end of the maze, leading into the dark forests ahead.

Why would they allow a forest here? Does it really lead me away?

I take a step forward when suddenly I see a tall figure walking ahead of me. My eyes quickly distinguish the person as a dark-toned lady. She’s wearing a bright blue dress with white trimmings as well as tight, black pants and heels. Her long, curly, black hair sways behind her round ears and past her shoulders.

Round ears?

Right. I should be the only anomaly. If I remember correctly, my father and the doctor had round ears as well.

I tense as the woman grows closer, haulting suddenly as soon as she’s under the first lamp out of the woods. I can clearly see her dark eyes from here widen in surprise, not fear.

“Hello?” She calls, her voice oh so soft and sweet.

I don’t say anything, standing there. I’m not really sure what to do. Should I approach her and hope she doesn’t notice or should I run past her or the other way. Maybe she won’t chase after me. She can’t really see me feet away as I sit in the dark.

“What are you doing out here by yourself?” She asks taking a step forward.

I back away when a sudden noise rings in my ears.

Ding!

[Activation: Allure!]

[Analyzing…]

[Success!]

What was that?

The woman reaches me under the last light. My distraction with that strange noise seemed to make me space out for a second. That’s not good in a tense situation or any type of situation for that matter.

“Why are you backing away?” She asks, curiosity shining in her eyes. Then she blushes, turning her head away quickly. She stops herself underneath the last light, wrapping her arms around her chest. “I’m sorry, my prince! I didn’t notice…”

Does she recognize me in the dark? How? Was this Allure thing I heard in my head? What’s going on?

“It’s fine,” I say, my voice sounding a little less hoarse than before.

“What are you doing out here by yourself? No offense to his majesty, but with a bathrobe as well?”

I look down at myself. There is an equally purple and fuzzy robe draped over my body.

It’s almost a sickening amount of purple.

“I just went for a midnight stroll since I just woken and all.”

“I haven’t seen you in months, my Prince.” She turns back to me but the blush in her face only turns darker and she turns away again. Her hand slides down and abruptly stops at her stomach, clenching tightly to her dress. “I’m sorry. You’re just so…”

“It’s fine.” I reassure, as confused as she might be. “I was in a coma and just woke up. I wanted to take a stroll since I was cooped up in my room the past few days,” I explain.

“Coma?” She asks, confused. “The king said you were away on a trip.”

What? Did no one know about the incident? Did he lie to protect me?

“I mean, the trip was like a coma,” I tried to recover but the wave of stupidity at my words hit me in the face. She doesn’t seem to mind though as she slowly nods in understanding.

“I get it.” She smiles timidly. “Where are you headed, my Prince? If you’ve just got back, Queen Delphine and Princess Ivyanne must be happy to see you. I’m surprised the news never reached when you returned.”

“Maybe father didn’t like the publicity of it,” I responded as more confusion rattled my mind.

Do my mother and sister not know as well? Was it only his personal guard and that one maid and doctor that knew?

What is going on?

“So, where are you headed?” She asks again, more tentatively.

I may as well tell her since she might know more about this lay out than I do. I want to know what the woods are for and where they lead.

“Where does this path go?” I ask.

She glances up at me in shock but quickly looks back down, burying her chin into her chest. “You don’t remember?”

“I just need to be sure you know.” I mentally slap myself for that answer.

I sound so stuck up.

“It leads to the hunting grounds, my prince,” she replies. “Where your father and dukes go to hunt for monsters. Beyond that is a border to the next country, Aralin, where King Trent rules. His holy knights usually sit near the border to kill monsters that try to get through.”

“I see.”

So I guess I’m not safe going this way after all. All that lies before me is death but I can’t stay here either. I just need to hide until I can figure out something. Surely there’s a place for that.

“Are you planning on going that way, my Prince?”

“Yes, but only for a stroll.”

“I see. I would try not to go too far. There’s a sign that tells you where monster territory typically are. Beyond that is suicide without the proper equipment.”

“I’m well aware. Thank you.”

“I’m sorry,” she steps back suddenly fearfully but hesitates as her eyes attempt to meet mine. “I didn’t mean to scold you.” Sweat drops from her face as her pupils widen, only showing slivers of her dark iris’. “Should I come with you as company?”

The strange look in her eyes reminded me of someone under the influence of a drug. I feel unnerved witnessing her like this and shake my head.

“I’ll be fine alone. Thank you.”

She frowns, her brows upturned in disappointment. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Enjoy your night, my Prince.” She bows before running past me. I notice her hands squeezing the bottom of her abdomen as she rushes into the woods.

Strange. What does this Allure really do?

I shake my head at the absolute ridiculousness of it all.

No matter. I’m wasting my time just standing here and pondering. I need to leave before someone less gullible comes through. I’d be in a world of trouble then.

I march briskly down the path into the encroaching wilderness. The dark world of trees immediately envelopes me in obscurity. The lamps barely catch me in the light as I walk on the dark edge of the road.

It can’t be too bad, right?

I hope so.