The first light of dawn brushed the horizon as Daniel carried Aurelia through the thinning shadows of the Grey Hills. The danger was behind them, yet her arms remained tightly wrapped around his neck, as if letting go would make everything vanish like a bad dream.
Aurelia: (the last thing she said before got kidnapped was Daniel please save me and she couldn't have said anything else coz in her heart she knew he would come )
Daniel i kew you would come .
Her voice trembled—not from fear anymore, but from relief.
Daniel stopped walking.
Carefully, he set her down, keeping his hands on her shoulders to steady her. Before he could speak, Aurelia stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his chest, pressing her face against him.
Aurelia: "I never doubted it. Not even once."
Daniel froze for a heartbeat.
Then he slowly raised his arms and returned the embrace, holding her firmly, protectively.
When Daniel returned the embrace .. Aurelia's saw her all fatigue..Fear ..starts vanishing and she felt safe very safe in his arms
Daniel: "I will never let anything happen to you."
His voice was low, absolute.
Daniel: "You're… too important to me."
Aurelia's breath caught. Her fingers clenched against his clothes.
Aurelia: "Daniel…"
She wanted to say more. So much more. But the words tangled in her chest, overflowing her heart instead.
Daniel gently pulled back, just enough to look at her.
Daniel: "Listen to me carefully, Aurelia."
Aurelia nodded.
Daniel: "What happened tonight must remain a secret."
Aurelia blinked. (Secret why secret anyone in his shoes will try to show off to everyone and will be asking for the appropriate reward from my father but why secret )
Aurelia: "A secret…?"
Daniel: "No one can know you were kidnapped. And no one can know I fought."
Daniel: "I'm hiding my strength for a reason."
Aurelia searched his eyes, then slowly nodded. (I don't know what is going inside his head but if Daniel said everything should be kept secret then secret it is ..i trust him with my life )
Aurelia: "What should I say… to my parents?"
Daniel: "Tell them you got separated during the chaos."
Daniel: "Say I found you while searching and brought you home."
Aurelia: "And the others?"
Daniel: "The same."
She hesitated only a second before answering.
Aurelia: "Alright. I promise."
Daniel: "Good."
They began walking again, side by side this time.
Aurelia quietly slipped her hand into his.
Daniel noticed—but didn't pull away.
She noticed that Daniel didn't pulled away and Next thing without knowing it ..
She held on it as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
He came for me, she thought.
Through darkness. Through monsters Through blood.
How could my heart not belong to him?
Her grip tightened slightly.
I won't say it yet, Aurelia thought, her cheeks warming.
But one day… I will.
The baron's mansion came into view just as the sun fully rose.
Chaos still lingered in the air—knights patrolling, servants whispering, tension clinging to every wall.
The moment Aurelia stepped through the gates, a cry rang out.
Baroness Octavia: "AURELIA!"
The baroness ran forward, tears streaming down her face, pulling Aurelia into a crushing embrace.
Baron Dean followed, his strong arms wrapping around both of them.
Baron Dean: "Thank the heavens… thank the heavens…"
Aurelia: "Mother… Father…"
Baroness Octavia: "Are you hurt? Are you injured? Say something!"
Aurelia shook her head quickly.
Aurelia: "I'm fine. I'm really fine."
She glanced at Daniel.
Aurelia: "I got separated during the chaos in Sunwood. I was lost."
Aurelia: "Daniel found me… and brought me back."
The baron turned sharply toward Daniel.
Baron Dean: "You found her?" How when the whole army was not able to find a single clue
Daniel bowed respectfully.
Daniel: "Luck must have been on my side my lord."
Baroness Octavia moved toward him, her eyes red with tears.
Baroness Octavia: "You brought my daughter home…"
She suddenly pulled him into an embrace.
Baroness Octavia: "Thank you… thank you so much…"
Daniel stiffened in surprise, then gently returned the gesture.
Daniel: "I only did what anyone should."
Baron Dean placed a firm hand on Daniel's shoulder.
Baron Dean: "You have my gratitude. No—more than that."
Baron Dean: "Name your reward."
The surrounding knights and servants fell silent.
Baron Dean: "Gold. Land. A title. Anything."
Daniel looked at Aurelia. ..Seeing her in her mother's arm was more than enough..and he can see She was watching him with shining eyes.
Daniel turned back to the baron
Daniel: "There is no reward I want."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Daniel: "Lady Aurelia being safe and back home with her parents… that is enough."
Daniel: "That alone is more valuable than anything else."
Silence. Everyone's Mind was blown totally blown away
Then—
Baroness Octavia pressed a hand to her chest.
Baroness Octavia: "What a child…"
Baron Dean laughed softly, though his eyes glistened.
Baron Dean: "You amaze me, Daniel."
Aurelia's heart raced.
He doesn't want gold.
He doesn't want power.
He only wanted me safe…
Her feelings swelled, warm and overwhelming.
Leslie stood near the edge of the hall, her hands clasped tightly together, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Leslie: "That's my son…"
Pride filled her gaze like a quiet flame.
Baroness Octavia turned back to Aurelia.
Baroness Octavia: "Come. You need rest."
Baron Dean: "We'll talk later."
As they turned to leave, Aurelia stopped.
She looked back.
Then, without hesitation, she stepped forward and hugged Daniel—tight, sincere, and unashamed.
Aurelia: "Thank you."
Her voice was soft, meant only for him.
Daniel gently patted her back.
Daniel: "Rest well."
The hall remained silent as she walked away.
No one spoke.
But every heart present understood—something important had just been witnessed.
---
Later that night, Daniel sat alone in his room.
The events replayed endlessly in his mind.
Daniel: "Sensei."
Sensei: "I am listening."
Daniel: "Count Sebastian Arclay."
Daniel: "He won't stay silent after this."
Sensei: "Correct. His plan failed. His subordinates were neutralized."
Daniel: "What's the best course of action?"
Sensei: "we should attack him first ..and that time is Now"
Sensei: "Right now he believes the operation succeeded." And he should be proceeding with his next part of plan soon so before he makes the move we should make ours
Daniel leaned back, eyes cold.
Daniel: "And before he moves again?"
Sensei: "yes you strike first."
Daniel closed his eyes.
Daniel: "I won't forgive him."
Sensei: "Nor should you."
A faint smile curved Daniel's lips—not warm, not kind.
Daniel: "Anyone who touches what's mine…"
Daniel: "Loses everything."
Sensei : Daniel you just out right said Aurelia is yours
Daniel: No way ..i didn't
Sensei : yes you did
Daniel: shut up focus on Count not on what I was saying
Sensei: Daniel you need medical assistance something wrong is going in your body
Daniel: what ..what is wrong
Sensei: your cheeks are getting red because of the embarrassment
Daniel: Shit are you fucking serious..This is not the time for your Jokes
Sensei: Sorry my bad shall we proceed with the plan
Outside, the mansion slept peacefully.
But somewhere in the shadows of the kingdom, fate had already begun to shift.
And the Count had no idea—
He had awakened something far worse than an enemy.