AT THE SAME TIME
MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW:
I carried Isabella through the winding halls of the castle, my steps steady, but my grip on her firm. She was still unconscious, her breaths slow and even, but I wouldn't take chances. She needed to be seen by a healer. The rogues who had gathered to witness my return parted as I passed, their whispers trailing after me. Some were amused, others genuinely curious. A few of them, the more seasoned warriors, merely smirked knowingly. They understood. The castle's healer, an old yet sharp eyed woman named Marise, was already waiting for me when I entered her chamber. She barely blinked at the sight of me carrying an unconscious woman, only let out a low hum as she motioned toward the bed at the center of the room.
"Lay her down." Marise instructed, already moving to gather her supplies. "She doesn't smell injured, but there's something different about her."
I placed Isabella down carefully, my silver eyes never leaving her face. Even in unconsciousness, she looked strong her features set, her breathing steady.
Marise began her work, pressing cool fingers to Isabella's wrist, checking her pulse, then moving to her forehead.
"Exhaustion." She muttered. "Likely magical interference. Something drained her energy, but it isn't natural. This isn't just fatigue."
I frowned at that, my jaw tightening.
"The system?"I asked.
Marise glanced at me, her sharp blue eyes glinting. "Perhaps. It binds you all in ways even I don't fully understand. But she'll wake soon. She's stronger than she looks."Marise said.
I exhaled through my nose, stepping back slightly, but my attention remained locked on Isabella. Then, a deep chuckle echoed from the doorway.
"I see my son has brought home a woman."I heard a male voice.
I turned my head to see a towering figure leaning against the frame of the door. My father, King Aldric, watched the scene before him with unmistakable amusement. His presence was commanding, even in his more relaxed state, his broad form covered in dark armor, his greying beard trimmed short, his piercing silver eyes nearly identical to mine.
"She's not just any woman." I replied smoothly, crossing my arms.
Aldric stepped inside, his gaze roaming over Isabella's sleeping form before a slow, knowing grin stretched across his face.
"No, I suppose she's not." He turned back to me, his expression pleased. "I take it this is the leader of Moon's chosen?"
I nodded. His grin widened.
"You have good taste, boy."He said.
I huffed a laugh.
"I know."I said.
Aldric stepped closer, watching Isabella for a moment before shaking his head with a chuckle.
"Your mother will be thrilled." He mused."She's been waiting for you to find someone worthy." He said.
I rolled my eyes.
"She's already asking for grandpups."I said.
Aldric laughed loudly at that, clapping a heavy hand on my shoulder.
"As she should!" His gaze flickered back to Isabella, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes. "She'll be a strong match for you. I can see why you chose her."
I didn't respond immediately, my gaze returning to Isabella's resting form. Chose her? No, I didn't just choose her. I wanted her. Isabella stirred, her breathing shifting from slow and steady to quick and shallow. I could see the subtle twitch of her fingers, the faint crease forming between her brows as she slowly began to regain consciousness. Then, with a sharp inhale, her eyes snapped open. She sat up abruptly, her body tensing as she took in her unfamiliar surroundings. Her golden eyes darted around the dimly lit chamber, her expression shifting from confusion to alarm.
"Where-" Her voice was hoarse, her hands gripping the soft fur blankets beneath her as if grounding herself.
I stepped forward, my movements slow, calculated.
"You're safe." I assured her, my voice calm yet firm.
Her head snapped in my direction, and for a moment, I saw pure instinct take over her muscles tensing, her breath quickening.
"Breathe." I murmured, holding my hands up in a non threatening gesture. "No one here will harm you, Isabella."
Her sharp gaze studied me, still filled with wary distrust. But she didn't move away, which I took as a good sign. Then, her eyes flickered past me to the man still standing in the doorway. My father. His arms were crossed over his broad chest, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.
"Ah, she's awake." He mused, his deep voice carrying an edge of approval.
Isabella's eyes widened slightly as she fully registered his presence. Her shoulders stiffened. I exhaled, stepping closer to block part of her view, keeping her focus on me.
"You fainted." I explained, my tone gentle but matter of fact. "I brought you here to make sure you were alright."
Her hands clenched in the blankets, frustration flashing across her face.
"You-" She shook her head, as if trying to piece everything together. "You took me to your castle?"
"Yes." I admitted, watching her closely.
She inhaled sharply, her golden eyes narrowing.
"Why?"She asked.
A slow smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Instead, I went for the simple truth.
"Because I didn't want to leave you behind."I said.
AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:
A dull throbbing pulsed behind my eyes as I slowly came to. The moment I moved, the soft sensation of fur blankets registered beneath my fingertips. This wasn't my bed. This wasn't even my village. My stomach dropped. Before I could fully process my surroundings, the system's chime echoed in my head.
"System notification. Event update. Location. Rogue king's castle. Status: Under observation. Note. Congratulations! You have successfully drawn the rogue king's interest. (Unintentional or not.) Warning. Be cautious. The story is shifting from its original path. Player actions are influencing major characters" System said.
My breath caught in my throat. The system had warned me before that my actions could cause variations, but this, this was something else entirely. If the story was changing… then I had no way of knowing what would happen next. Focus. I sat up too fast, making the room spin. My vision blurred for a moment before it settled, and then I saw him. Michael. His silver eyes locked onto mine the moment I moved, sharp and unreadable, but his lips curved into the faintest smirk.
"You're awake." His voice was smooth, a little too pleased.
I tensed, instinctively pulling the blanket closer around me
"Why am I here?"I asked.
He chuckled, stepping closer, his towering figure casting a shadow over me.
"You fainted."He repeated.
I clenched my jaw. No shit.
"And instead of leaving me with my people, you decided to take me?"I asked.
Michael tilted his head, looking entirely unbothered.
"I prefer keeping things I like close."He said.
My heart stuttered at the way he said it, like it was a simple, undeniable fact.
"System notification. New title acquired. Title. The rogue king's interest. Effect. Increases attention from Rogue King and his subordinates."System said.
I swallowed hard. Oh, great. Just what I needed.
Then I noticed a man in the room. The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his graying hair doing nothing to dull the sharpness of his golden eyes. His presence alone was enough to make anyone wary, yet his expression was more curious than threatening. Beside him stood a woman with long, silver streaked hair that fell elegantly past her shoulders. Her face was beautiful, her silver eyes warm yet piercing. The resemblance between her and Michael was undeniable.
Michael exhaled, a smirk playing at his lips.
"You're early."He said.
His father scoffed.
"You bring home an unconscious woman, and you expect us not to be curious?"An older man said.
Wait. His parents? I stiffened, my grip on the blanket tightening. That wasn't possible. The game never mentioned Michael's parents, he was always depicted as a lone ruler, one who rose through brutality and strength. There was no mention of a father, no mention of a mother named… Evelyn. Evelyn Roguehart. The system pinged again.
"System notification. Hidden character encounter! Duke Aldric & Lady Evelyn. The forgotten Rulers Note. These characters were not originally accessible in the game. Their presence indicates a major shift in the storyline. Proceed with caution."System said,
Oh, come on. What was going to happen now? Evelyn stepped forward, her sharp gaze studying me as though she could see into my very soul. Then, to my utter shock, she smiled.
"She's smaller than I imagined." She mused aloud, tilting her head. "But I can see why you like her."
Michael chuckled.
"She is… unique."He said.
His father, Aldric, crossed his arms, his eyes thoughtful.
"You're the one who's caught my son's attention."He said.
My breath hitched.
"I- I don't know what you're talking about." I managed to say, forcing myself to remain calm.
Evelyn merely laughed, a rich, knowing sound.
"Oh, dear, you don't have to say anything. The way my son looks at you is proof enough."She said.
Michael didn't even deny it. If anything, he looked amused. I swallowed hard, my heart hammering in my chest. This is getting out of hand. And judging by the way Evelyn and Aldric were looking at me, they weren't planning on letting me leave anytime soon.