AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
Evelyn's gaze softened as she stepped closer, lowering herself to my level. Her silver eyes were kind, yet something was calculating in them, something that made me feel like I was under intense scrutiny. I couldn't escape the overwhelming feeling that the game had just shifted entirely out of my control.
"You're nervous, aren't you." Evelyn asked, her voice soothing. "Don't worry, we don't bite. Not unless provoked, of course."
I tried to steady my breath, but it felt as if the weight of her words had pressed on my chest, making it hard to speak. She's too familiar with me.Michael, still standing at the side, didn't seem bothered by his mother's attention. His presence was both comforting and unnerving, like a fire you could feel but couldn't touch. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching me with those intense silver eyes that made it impossible to look away. The silence stretched, broken only by the soft rustle of the wind outside. Finally, I found my voice, albeit shakily.
"I don't understand." I muttered, glancing between them. "I'm just a… an ordinary villager. Why are you two acting like I'm... important?"
Evelyn's smile remained, though there was a trace of sadness in it.
"Because, my dear, you are important. To Michael, to our people, and even to this world, whether you know it or not."Evelyn said.
I stiffened.
"What do you mean? I'm nothing special. I don't belong in this... royal world."I said.
Michael's expression hardened, his posture straightening. "Stop saying that." He said, his voice low, but with an edge. "You are special, whether you like it or not."
My heart skipped. His tone, uncharacteristic for the indifferent rogue king was enough to make me pause. He was speaking to me as if... well as if I meant something more than just a random villager caught up in a game's plotline. Before I could respond, Aldric's deep voice broke through the tension.
"Enough, Michael. Let the girl breathe."Michael said.
His tone wasn't harsh, but there was an authority to it that made even Michael, the king himself, stiffen slightly.
Evelyn shot her husband a look, one that spoke volumes. "Don't scold him. This is more important than we realize."Evelyn said.
"I know." Aldric's gaze softened as he turned to me. "What my wife is trying to say is that there is more to this than just fate. There is a reason you're here, in our castle, with our son." His gaze shifted back to Michael, the unspoken meaning clear. "We've been waiting for this day to come, longer than you know."
My stomach churned. Waiting for me? That was… too much. I was just a player, why was I suddenly at the center of all this? I felt like I was tumbling down a rabbit hole that had no end. I could feel Michael's eyes on me, a steady presence that grounded me, yet unsettled me all the same.
"I don't understand." I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. "This wasn't supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to be here like this. I'm not even part of the main storyline."
Evelyn gave me a sympathetic look, her hand gently resting on my arm.
"You're more than just a part of the story, Isabella. You're a force that even the game doesn't understand yet."She said.
The weight of her words hung heavily in the air. I could feel the game's restrictions loosening around me, as if it were bending to something far greater than the rules it had been following. My mind swirled with questions, but before I could voice another one, Michael spoke again, this time with a softer tone, as if trying to reassure me.
"We don't know everything." He admitted.
I didn't expect him to say something like that.
"But I do know that you are important to me. And to my parents."I said.
I blinked, taken aback by his words. Important to him? This... this wasn't part of the plan. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. But the sincerity in his eyes made me pause, just for a moment.
"You have my attention." I finally said, my voice steady despite the racing thoughts in my head. "But I don't know if I can trust you just yet, Michael."
A shadow of hurt flickered across his features, but he didn't argue. Instead, he nodded.
"Fair enough." He said softly. "But know that I'll do whatever it takes to earn that trust."
Evelyn smiled, a soft, knowing smile that made her look even more mysterious.
"This is just the beginning, Isabella. You'll understand everything in time."She said.
In time. I wasn't sure if I was ready for whatever was coming next, but I couldn't deny that I felt like I was on the cusp of something much bigger than myself. Something I didn't have control over, and honestly, the idea scared me. But, strangely, it was also thrilling.
A few hours later the soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. The weight of the day had been heavy, but as I looked up, I saw the maid standing there, her expression calm and serene. She smiled warmly, her voice gentle.
"My lady, dinner is ready. If you're feeling up to it, I can assist you with getting dressed."A woman said.
I nodded, feeling the weight of the day pressing on me. I'd barely processed everything, especially after the events with Michael, my unexpected fainting, and the new world I'd found myself in. The idea of meeting his family at dinner seemed overwhelming, but I knew it was inevitable.
The maid guided me into a large dressing room where I was helped into the gown they'd provided earlier. It was a deep violet, soft and delicate, the fabric almost silky against my skin. When I glanced in the mirror, I couldn't help but be surprised by how different I looked. The gown seemed to make me appear more… regal, more like I belonged in a place like this.
When we reached the grand dining hall, my heart raced. The space was massive and warm, with the faint glow of candles casting soft light on the long wooden table that stretched before me. I saw Michael seated at the head of the table, his posture strong, yet relaxed. The royal family was already present, and other important figures of the castle were scattered around.
Michael stood when I entered, his eyes immediately finding mine with an intensity that almost took my breath away.
"Please, join us." He said, his voice warm, inviting. I swallowed my nerves and made my way to the seat he had gestured toward, next to him.
"Isabella." Michael's mother Evelyn greeted me with a smile that was both kind and welcoming. "I hope you're feeling better."
I nodded, still unsure of what to say.
"Yes, thank you. I, I'm feeling fine."I said.
"Good." She replied, her voice warm, and she looked at me as if seeing something deeper within me. "We are honored to have you with us. Tonight, we'd like to get to know you more. I'm sure Michael has told you a little about us."
I nodded again, feeling awkward, unsure of how to start a conversation in this new environment. Michael's father, Aldric, spoke next. He had a commanding presence, his deep voice filling the room with ease.
"Tell us, Isabella, about the village you come from. What was life like before all of this?"He asked.
"I come from moon's chosen village. It's a small community, not much different from the others. I helped with whatever I could, gathering herbs, assisting with daily chores. It wasn't anything special."I said.
Evelyn smiled softly, almost knowingly.
"But there is something special about you, Isabella. That much is clear."She said.
Before I could respond, a familiar face entered the room. Adrian, the young man from the Shadow Pack, walked in with a confident stride. His presence was imposing, though there was a warmth in his eyes that matched his friendly demeanor.
"Ah, Adrian." Michael said, gesturing toward him. "Join us, please. We were just speaking with Isabella."
Adrian gave a nod, sitting across from me. His smile remained as he settled into his seat.
"It's good to see you again, Isabella. I hope your sister is doing well. Thank you again for helping her."
I gave a soft smile.
"She's fine now. I'm happy to hear she's recovering."I said.
There was a pause, and Adrian's eyes softened.
"I owe you a lot for what you did. We don't forget acts of kindness in our world."Adrian said.
Another man, taller, broader, and dressed in finer attire, with a silver streak in his black hair entered the room. I couldn't help but notice how striking he looked, how he commanded attention without speaking a word. His eyes met mine, and there was something in his gaze that made my heart skip, something more than just a passing glance. Michael's mother, Evelyn, broke the silence with a soft smile.
"Ah, Adrian, your brother is here. Please, join us."She said.
The man who had entered, the one who had captured my attention, gave a small smile. He moved toward the table with grace, a quiet authority in every step. He seated himself next to Evelyn, and for a moment, the room fell into a comfortable silence, only broken by the clinking of cutlery and the quiet murmur of conversation.
"And this." Adrian said with a smirk, gesturing toward me. "Is Isabella, the leader of moon's chosen village."
The man turned his gaze toward me, studying me with open curiosity before flashing a charming smile.
"Damien." He introduced himself, bowing slightly. "Adrian's younger brother."
I blinked, surprised.
"You have a brother?" I hadn't expected Adrian to have siblings, let alone one who looked at me like I was the most interesting thing in the world.
Adrian chuckled.
"I don't talk about him much he's been traveling." Adrian said.
Damien grinned.
"You wound me, brother." Then he turned back to me. "I've heard a lot about you, Isabella. Your leadership, your strength… Adrian spoke highly of you."Damien said.
I crossed my arms, slightly wary of his smooth words.
"Is that so?"I said.
"Absolutely." Damien said, stepping a bit closer. "And I must say, meeting you in person? Even better than the stories."
Before I could respond, a deep, familiar voice cut through the air.
"How interesting."I heard a voice.
I didn't need to turn to know who it was. Michael's presence was unmistakable, his silver eyes sharp as they landed on Damien. His usual smirk was in place, but there was a cold edge to it like a predator sizing up another wolf who had stepped too close to its territory. Damien, completely unbothered, just grinned.
"Oh? You must be the infamous rogue king." Damien said.
Michael's smirk widened.
"Infamous, am I?" He stepped forward, effortlessly inserting himself between Damien and me. "And what brings you here, dear younger brother of Adrian?"
Adrian, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, cleared his throat.
"I was just telling him about Isabella's work here. How she turned moon's chosen village into something incredible despite the odds."Adrian said.
Michael's tense posture eased just slightly, satisfaction flickering in his expression as he glanced at me.
"That she did." His voice was laced with pride, but his silver eyes flicked back to Damien, watching him carefully.
Damien, still grinning, held his hands up in surrender.
"Relax, king. I was merely introducing myself."Damien said.
Michael hummed, unconvinced, but he said nothing more. I sighed internally. Why did every encounter with new people turn into some silent battle for dominance?