Nicholas hadn't gone far when he heard Annabelle's voice, he hastened back to her room and found her outside looking terrified as though she had experienced something horrific.
"Annabelle!" he called. He noticed that immediately he called her, her body movements became stiff. Nicholas creased his brows and went closer to her, she was backing away from him. "Anna?" he called again. Belle, on hearing the name Anna, looked behind her carefully and saw a familiar face, the candles were back on. "Nicholas!" she breathed a sigh of relief and jumped on him. "You scared me."
"Why aren't you in your room?" he questioned, holding onto her lightly. Belle's breathing was uneven and her heartbeat raced unusually, he wondered what must have caused her to be so terrified.
"I don't know..." she hesitated, "I just heard noises coming from outside and I decided to check what it was, but I didn't see anything." She gazed up at him, "I think there's a ghost in your mansion." Nicholas chuckled loudly, he couldn't believe what Belle had just said. "Is that what got you scared?" he asked in amusement, when she nodded he laughed harder and pinched her nose. Nicholas was surprised that the almighty Annabelle could get scared by something as insignificant as that. He knew Belle to be someone who was tough and strong, she hardly got scared of anything, even if assassins were to arrive, she would remain unfazed. So he was quite surprised.
"What happened to the strong Anna I used to know?" Nicholas asked as he led her back into her room.
"She's still alive, you dumbo," she retorted. "Oh, really? And you got scared because you heard noises?" he replied sarcastically. "I thought it was a ghost, I never said I wasn't afraid of ghosts." She sighed and hopped onto her bed, allowing Nicholas to fully tuck her in.
"Ghosts aren't real, Anna. Goodnight," he kissed her cheeks, blew out the candles, and left her room.
As Nicholas walked down the hallway, he couldn't help but think about Belle's reaction. He had never seen her so scared before, and it was almost... endearing. He shook his head, chuckling to himself. He had more important things to worry about than Belle's fear of ghosts.
Nicholas adjusted his sleeves as he headed back to his study, he felt a presence following him and he very well knew who it was. The presence had been watching him the moment he entered Belle's room, and he wondered why. Nicholas entered his study and continued with some paperwork, but he couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. When he got fed up with the presence around, he finally spoke up. "I know you are in here, Miquel," he breathed out in annoyance.
The person emerged from the shadows, it was the same dark figure in the library. His hair was raven-black and long, falling to his shoulders in messy waves. His blood red eyes seemed to gleam in the dim light of the study, like two piercing stars in the night sky. His features were chiseled, with high cheekbones and a sharp jawline that seemed to be carved from granite. A dark aura surrounded him, like a palpable cloud of malevolence that made the air thick and heavy. He was dangerously handsome.
"Miquel," Nicholas said, his voice firm. "What brings you here tonight?"
"I've come to discuss the treaty," Miquel said, his voice cold and detached. "The terms are no longer applicable."
Nicholas's eyes narrowed. "The treaty? You can't be serious. It's held for centuries. It's the foundation of our world."
Miquel's gaze remained unyielding. "Centuries-old agreements are irrelevant when the balance of power shifts. And it has shifted. I will not be bound by outdated rules."
Nicholas's grip on his pen tightened. "You can't just disregard the treaty. There are consequences. Consequences that could affect us all."
Miquel's expression remained impassive. "I'm aware of the consequences. And I'm willing to take that risk. The question is, Nicholas, are you?"
The air was thick with tension as the two men locked eyes. "What's driving you to do this, Miquel?" Nicholas asked.
Miquel's gaze seemed to bore into Nicholas's soul. "The world is changing, Nicholas. And those who adapt will survive. Those who don't... will be left behind."
Nicholas's eyes narrowed. "And what exactly do you plan to do, Miquel?"
Miquel's smile was faint, but it sent a shiver down Nicholas's spine. "I'll do what's necessary," he said. "I'll do what it takes to ensure our survival."
The words hung in the air like a challenge, and Nicholas felt a surge of frustration. "You're playing with fire, Miquel," he said. "You're risking everything."
Miquel's gaze never wavered. "I'm willing to take that risk," he said. "Are you?"
The two men sat in silence for a moment, the only sound was the soft ticking of the clock on the mantle. Then, Miquel spoke up again.
"I'm not asking you to agree with me, Nicholas. I'm just stating the facts. The treaty is outdated, and it's time for a change."
Nicholas sighed, rubbing his temples. "Miquel, think about what you're doing. Think about the consequences."
Miquel's expression remained cold. "I've thought about it, Nicholas. And I've made my decision."
The conversation continued, with neither men willing to back down.
"Miquel, can I ask you something?" Nicholas said, his voice cautious.
"Of course," Miquel replied, his eyes never leaving Nicholas's face.
"What's the endgame here?" Nicholas asked. "What do you hope to achieve by disregarding the treaty?"
Miquel's gaze seemed to bore into Nicholas's soul, as if searching for something. "I'll know it when I see it," he said finally. "But for now, let's just say... I'm curious to see how things will play out."
Nicholas stepped out of his study once Miquel was gone, the burden of his conversation with Miquel was still lingering in his mind. He couldn't shake off the feeling that Miquel's words had left him with. As he walked through the dark corridors, he made his way to a secret entrance that led to an unknown cave.
The cave was hidden behind a waterfall, and only a select few knew of its existence. Nicholas had been coming here for months, ever since he had stumbled upon an ancient text that hinted at the cave's significance.
As he entered the cave, he saw a group of cloaked figures waiting for him. They were shrouded in darkness, their faces hidden behind hoods.
"Greetings, Nicholas," one of them said, their voice low and mysterious. "We've been expecting you."
Nicholas nodded, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. "I've had a conversation with Miquel, my friend," he said, getting straight to the point. "The Damned Prince has made his move."
The cloaked figures exchanged glances, their faces still hidden in the shadows. "We know," one of them said. "We've been watching him. The cursed bloodline has always been a threat, and now he's seeking to disregard the treaty."
Nicholas's eyes narrowed. "I won't let him go through with it," he said. "Miquel is my friend even if he is damned, and I know him better than anyone. I can talk him down, make him see reason."
The figure stepped forward, its hood falling away to reveal a woman with piercing green eyes. "You really think you can stop him, Nicholas?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "Miquel's power is growing stronger by the day. He's not the same person you grew up with."
Nicholas's grip on his cloak tightened. "I know Miquel," he said. "I know what he's capable of. And I know that deep down, he's still the same person."
The woman's expression turned grave. "We hope you're right, Nicholas," she said. "But if you're wrong, the consequences will be catastrophic. The balance of power will shift, and the world will be plunged into darkness."
Nicholas's eyes locked on the woman's. "I'll take that risk," he said. "For Miquel's sake, and for the sake of our friendship. I'll do whatever it takes to help him see reason."
The woman nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Then let us work together," she said. "We'll help you uncover the truth behind Miquel's plans, and maybe, just maybe, we can find a way to stop him before it's too late."
...
Belle slept peacefully in her bed, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. Her peaceful moment was disrupted by a dark presence. A crow had somehow managed to get into her room and was perched on her bed, its beady eyes fixed on her.
As Belle stirred, the crow's gaze seemed to intensify, its eyes were gleaming with a devilish intensity. It cocked its head to one side, its sharp beak inches from Belle's face. She felt a chill run down her spine as she slowly opened her eyes to find the crow looming over her.
Belle's eyes widened in terror as she took in the sight of the crow. She let out a blood-curdling scream, her voice piercing through the halls. The crow, startled by her sudden outburst, let out a loud caw and flapped its wings wildly.
A maid nearby, Emma, rushed into the room, her face etched with concern. "Lady Belle, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Belle was still shaking, her eyes scanning the room frantically. "The crow," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "It was right here, on my bed. It was going to attack me."
Emma looked around the room, but there was no sign of any crow. She frowned, confusion etched on her face. "I don't see anything, milady," she said gently. "Maybe you had a bad dream?"
Belle's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew what she saw, and she knew that it wasn't just a dream. But as she looked around the room, she realized that there was indeed no crow to be seen. A shiver ran down her spine as she wondered if she had really seen the crow, or if it was just a product of her imagination.
"Maybe you're right, Emma," Belle said finally, trying to calm herself down. "I must have had a bad dream."
Emma nodded sympathetically. "I'll stay with you for a bit, Lady Belle," she said. "Just in case."
Belle smiled weakly, grateful for the maid's concern.