Piercing, bright, intrusive. These are what describe what my eyes are feeling as I slowly open them. I’m…I’m in a forest. I can feel the cold wet ground. I can grip a handful of damp soil and feel it fill beneath my nails. I shiver violently. I can’t seem to know how I got here. Mosst importantly, why am I bare? Slowly I prop my upper half of my body up with my elbows. The sun beams are peaking through the canopy of the forest and it sparkles upon my pearlescent complexion. Earthy aroma fills my nose as I observe my surrounding area.

“ Ah..a what is” I wince as a shooting pain goes through my head. A migraine due to the sensitivity of the light. Clearly I’m not used to the sun. I have no clue why. Was there an accident? There has to be some explanation as to why I am exposed in the middle of the forest covered in moss and dead tree things. My body reacts and tenses up the the sounds of rustling leaves and cracking twigs. Footsteps. Something is approaching and quickly. Whatever is approaching is making its way hastily in my direction. I can hear the footsteps get louder. A couple of times, I blink to try and clear my vision. I can see it. Pure white hair, a man dressed in a vest, white dress shirt and slacks with a coat hung over his arm. It appears he’s spotted me and then quickens his pace. He's called, Grymm of the First Primordial reaper.

“Your majesty?! Oh thank the Judges” He came close enough that I could smell the light woodsy cologne waft in my direction. Not minding the wetness of the ground, he kneels down beside me and drapes the coat of wool over me. He effortlessly scoops me up into his arms and I can make out his face.

“Wha…why’s it so bright?”

“Ah, you’re not used to the sun.” he breathes. “Well that’s to be expected.” I assume he was moreso thinking out loud when he said it not necessarily replying to my inquisitive tone to my voice. I can feel his body relax as if relieved to have found me at last. He still had a quick pace but not as before. He still moved with a purpose but was gingerly caressing me into his chest. I can now fully smell his cologne and it soothed me. Curious. He isn’t a threat and I didn’t feel the need to struggle to get away. I never came this close to a Grim before. Only the meeting we had previously I never touched him due to not knowing if touching him could reap my soul. And for that I am content with him just carrying me away without any repercussions.

I must have been quite deep, REALLY deep within the forest to have it take some time to reach a well paved road with a polished black vehicle still running. Grymm shifted me to one arm and adeptly opened the door to the car and managed to gently place me in the seat. After closing the door carefully and making his way to the driver side to get settled in, he turns his head to face me.

“Well, that must have been wild for you to wake up to your highness.” He grins then proceeds to readjust and begins to make the drive down the road.

I peered out the window as best as I could with the piercing headache still prevalent. I can see the slow transition of trees, to small houses and buildings, and to towering spires or buildings with glistening lights dotted on the glass windows. This city seemed dense with its people and establishments. Quite lively, quite dreary. The sun thankfully had succumbed to the gray clouds and little raindrops began their races on the window diagonally. I clutched the wooly coat closer to my body and the lapel brushed gently across my lips. I can feel my eyes become heavy and I feel exhausted, confused even and sore.

“We’re close” the man finally speaks once more. “Are you famished? Perhaps you need a bite to eat?”

“C..close to where?” I chose to inquire on the situation instead then worry about nourishment later.

“Home,” He replies. “I can explain where we are once we get there. Let’s just get you settled first. I need you to regain your strength again. No point in trying to add on stress so soon.” I gave a nod to acknowledge him then let my eyes close for a bit. I would hope that it can help the headache subside some. I must have hit my head pretty hard on something. What I find the most odd is why am I naked? How did I even end up in a forest…naked?

The transition to a less dense area and into a gated place is what I laid my eyes upon once they opened. Pristine and large houses were perfectly lined up once we were on the other side of the ornate gate. A few houses down, the vehicle pulls into a long drive way at last. Once parked the vehicle’s rumble died out. Grymm got out and I reach for the latch to do the same. By the time I could open it myself he had already did so. He gives me space to get while holding out his slender hand to assist. I take it to help myself out of the vehicle carefully. I struggled and could feel the coat slouch off my shoulder some. Quickly, he catches it to get nice and wrapped tight around my body.

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The cold pavement I felt at the soles of my feet caused a visceral reaction to shiver. He must have felt my body shake because he wraps his arms around me tightly to steady.

“Easy now,” he looks down at my feet. “Should I carry you?”

“Augh…” I sharply sucked in air at the sheer feeling of the cold wet driveway. “No, I can manage just…hang on to me, please” He nods and closes the door to the vehicle. We slowly make it up to the front of the door to the house I will reside in. He fumbles with the keys with one hand in an attempt to pinch the right one within his grasp.

“There we are.” he says triumphantly and unlocks the way to the inside. I didn’t feel the need to gawk at the interior decorations and furniture so elegantly placed as I just needed a place to sit. Grymm must have read my mind. He guides me to the couch to sit and takes my bare feet off the dark wooden floor and on to the couch as well.

“Alright then, nice and cozy.” He stops and looks over his shoulder first his left then right. “Oh not just yet.” The couch was L shaped and a throw was on the other side. He goes to retrieve it then drapes it over me. He’s cautious when he does it and makes sure it’s not covering my face. A rush of air leaves through my nostrils in the form of a heavy sigh. “What’s wrong,” he pries.

“Nothing, I’m just “ my eyes shoots up to the ceiling as a if the words I’m trying to find are up there. “I’m a little disoriented. Which I’m sure you can see. It’s just feels like…I’ve been ripped out of one dimension into another.” I look around the richly decorated house. “So this is the human world I take it?” I look to him to confirm my answer. He nods.

“Indeed it is. Sorry, if my summoning skills were lackluster. I didn’t think you would be off into the forest.” Indeed it was frustrating to wind up on unfamiliar ground however, I didn’t hold it against him. I didn’t have authorizations to walk through the gates like he does. I would have to get special privileges and some how being heiress to the Storm Empire wasn’t enough. I shouldn’t be entitled though. I know the gates are only used for actual business ventures. I leaned my head on the arm rest as Grymm makes his way to the kitchen not to far off from the living area.

“Human world…huh. “ I gazed up at the ornate ceiling. I don’t know for how long I daydreamed but it was long enough for him to return with a ready made cup of tea. He places a napkin on the table in front of the couch then the cup and kneels down to my eye level. I shifted my body to face him gripping the throw as I did.

“You have no idea how much you volunteering to help me survey this realm will help.” He softly smiles. I return with a wry smile of my own. “As I said before during the ride here, I want to make sure you are well enough again before I have you set loose to roam as you please.”

“Ah, right that’s fair. I mean, I did wake up with no clothes on in a dank wet forest. One minute I’m looking over a lazily hung moon by the balcony and next I am here.” I grimaced at the thought of being all vulnerable for I don’t know how long.

“That’s understandable” he replies. “Grymm. The First of the Reapers. I know we haven’t properly introduced ourselves. I just waltz into the castle asking your folks to grant me with some assistance.” he introduces himself and holds out his hand. I stared hesitantly once I was reminded that he was a Reaper. I know earlier he had carried me into his arms but I didn’t have direct skin to skin contact with him. He stares blankly back at me and I snap back into focus and took his hand into mind for a shake. He tilts his head and shows off a toothy smile.

“Were you expecting me to claim your soul?” He chuckles afterwards. I scoffed and let go of his hand.

“Well, yes?” I feel my lips curl into a sarcastic smile. “Aaizogoth or I guess my human name Aaisuke. You don’t have to address me as your majesty. I have some years before I can fully take the throne. I’m still young and being here I can probably have some freedom.” He raises up an eyebrow.

“Well let’s not get too out of hand. I know this may be your first time without parent supervision or handmaidens but you should still be cautious here.” He adjusts the throw once more to make me feel more snuggled up. “I’ll be in the study. Rest up. If you manage to sleep through the night then I’d say that’s progress in your recovery. Your mother and father suggests you still keep up with your studies so tomorrow I’ll enroll you into the academy specific to us residents of the ElderRealm”

Grymm gets up and gives a light bow then heads to the staircase and ascends up the stairs. The lights were dim and it was calming enough to have me feel more comfortable and trusted that he know what he is doing. Ordering me to sleep and all. I suppose I should just let the day pass and as I cuddle more into the throw, the wool coat and couch, I shut my eyes to rest.