**[Scene: The Dark Forest – A Small Clearing Under the Moonlight]**
*(Elara stands frozen as Lucian's fingers graze her cheek. The air between them crackles with something unspoken—something forbidden. She swallows hard, but doesn't step back. The sinner smirks, his silver eyes gleaming like the edge of a blade.)*
**ELARA:** (steadying her breath) "You didn't answer my question."
**LUCIAN:** (tilting his head) "Which one, little witch? You've asked many."
**ELARA:** (firmly) "The one about your curse."
**LUCIAN:** (scoffs) "Curious creatures never survive long."
**ELARA:** "Neither do cowards."
*(Lucian's smirk falters for a fraction of a second. Then, he laughs—a low, rich sound that makes Elara's skin prickle. He steps back, arms crossing over his broad chest.)*
**LUCIAN:** "Bold. Either you don't fear me, or you are very, very foolish."
**ELARA:** (lifting her chin) "Perhaps both."
**LUCIAN:** (grinning) "Then you might just survive in my world."
*(Elara exhales, gripping the dagger hidden beneath her cloak. She doesn't trust him—but she needs him. He is her only chance at freedom. The palace guards will be hunting her soon, and she won't stand a chance alone.)*
**ELARA:** "I need your help."
**LUCIAN:** (mocking) "Oh? And what could a cursed man possibly offer a runaway witch?"
**ELARA:** "Safe passage. Protection."
**LUCIAN:** (raising an eyebrow) "Protection from whom?"
**ELARA:** (hesitating) "The king."
*(Lucian goes still. His gaze sharpens like a predator scenting blood. He takes a step closer, his voice low, dangerous.)*
**LUCIAN:** "And why, little dove, would King Aldric be hunting *you*?"
**ELARA:** (gritted teeth) "Because I know his secret."
*(A flicker of something dark passes through Lucian's expression. He studies her, as if weighing her words.)*
**LUCIAN:** "A secret worth killing for?"
**ELARA:** (nodding) "Yes."
**LUCIAN:** (smirking) "Then I should kill you myself and collect the bounty."
**ELARA:** (coldly) "You won't."
**LUCIAN:** (intrigued) "And why not?"
**ELARA:** (quietly) "Because you hate him more than I do."
*(A tense silence falls between them. The name of the king lingers like poison in the air. Lucian's jaw tightens, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. When he speaks again, his voice is eerily calm.)*
**LUCIAN:** "What do you know, Elara?"
**ELARA:** "Swear to protect me first."
**LUCIAN:** (dark chuckle) "Clever little witch."
**ELARA:** (steadfast) "Promise me, Lucian."
*(He watches her for a long moment, then exhales, running a hand through his dark hair.)*
**LUCIAN:** "Very well. You have my word—though I doubt you'll live long enough to regret it."
*(Elara finally releases the breath she had been holding. Her hands tremble slightly, but she ignores it. She had made her choice.)*
**LUCIAN:** "Now… tell me what you know."
*(She hesitates for only a second before stepping closer, lowering her voice to a whisper.)*
**ELARA:** "King Aldric is not the rightful heir to the throne."
*(Lucian's entire body tenses. His silver eyes burn like molten steel.)*
**LUCIAN:** "Lies."
**ELARA:** "It's the truth. The royal bloodline was severed long ago. Aldric's claim is false. And I have proof."
**LUCIAN:** (voice like a blade) "Where?"
**ELARA:** "Hidden. Safe. But if I die, it dies with me."
*(Lucian steps closer, his presence suffocating. He stares into her eyes, searching for deception. When he finds none, something unreadable flickers across his face.)*
**LUCIAN:** "You just made yourself the most valuable target in Valderia."
**ELARA:** (softly) "I know."
*(A beat of silence.)*
**LUCIAN:** (scoffing) "Damn you, little witch."
*(Elara almost smiles, but she doesn't dare. Instead, she meets his gaze with steady resolve.)*
**ELARA:** "Does that mean you'll help me?"
*(Lucian sighs, rubbing his temple as if she's the worst mistake he's ever made. Then, with a dramatic flourish, he bows slightly, his voice laced with sarcasm.)*
**LUCIAN:** "Congratulations, Elara. You just made a deal with the Sinner."
*(And in that moment, the fate of Valderia begins to change.)*
**[To Be Continued…]**