Before Freya could respond, Vladimiros' voice cut through the room, smooth and commanding.
"Your father asked if anyone would love to marry you," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Would you marry me, my lady?"
His smile was playful, but his words held a weight that made the entire room fall silent. Freya's father tried to speak, his voice laced with disbelief.
"My lord, she's cursed. You can't be with her."
Vladimiros waved a hand dismissively, cutting him off with a cold, imperious look. "Be quiet."
Freya blinked in confusion, her mind racing. Who was this man? Someone who had the power to speak to her father like that?
A strange, unsettling feeling gripped her. She quickly pulled her hand away from Vladimiros' grasp, her eyes searching for answers.
Lylah, standing beside her, instinctively took a few steps back, her heart racing as she watched the tense scene unfold.
Freya stammered, her voice shaking as she tried to make sense of everything. "I… I… I didn't—" But before she could finish, her half-sister suddenly rushed out from the crowd.
"Oh, Lord Vladimiros!" the woman exclaimed, her voice laced with enthusiasm.
Freya's eyes widened in surprise. She had never properly met any of her other family members, and now here was one of them, acting as though she had known him for years.
"It's my pleasure to meet you," the woman continued, eyes bright with excitement.
Vladimiros, still holding Freya's gaze, turned to the new voice. "And who are you, young lady?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
The woman quickly moved to Freya's side, her arm wrapping around Freya's tightly as she looked up at Vladimiros. "Oh, Lord Vladimiros," she said, her voice still trembling slightly with nerves. "Freya is my half-sister, and I am Alphina."
Freya, caught off guard by her sister's sudden closeness, tried to pull away, but Alphina held her arm so tightly that she couldn't escape. The gesture was firm, protective, as if she didn't want her to move an inch.
"Alphina…" Freya murmured, her voice full of confusion and uncertainty. But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting in the room, something dangerous, and she was caught in the middle of it all.
Vladimiros watched the two of them with an almost predatory calmness, his eyes glinting with interest.
Vladimiros turned around and walked toward Freya's father, his steps steady and commanding.
"So she's your captive?" he asked, his voice cold and almost amused. "I'll be taking her as mine."
Before her father could speak, Vladimiros declared, "I, Vladimiros, the Emperor of Kheldrid, will be taking Freya Alphaea as my captive."
A shocked gasp swept through the room.
Freya stared at him, her eyes wide. He just said he wants to marry me... now he says he wants to keep me as his captive? She felt a cold chill run down her spine. This man is twisted.
She took a few steps back, but Vladimiros didn't move. His towering form stood there, unbothered, watching her with those predatory eyes.
Her heart raced.
Her father, without hesitation, bowed his head. Everyone in the room followed his lead, including Lylah.
"Do with her what you please, my lord," Freya's father said, his voice flat.
Freya's stomach twisted with fear. No... this can't be happening.
Vladimiros took a step toward her, closing the space between them. He reached out and took her hand in his, pulling her toward him.
She stiffened in his hold as he whispered softly in her ear, "You're so short, so small, and so fragile. But don't worry, I like short girls."
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She wanted to pull away, but his grip was firm, and she couldn't escape. She stood there, trapped, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear.
Vladimiros suddenly threw Freya over his shoulder, and she kicked and squirmed, shouting, "Put me down!"
He gave Lylah a look, cold and serious.
"Come with me," he ordered, his voice unwavering.
Before leaving the council room, he turned to Freya's father and said, "I won't be attending Lupa's Night. I have a toy to break."
Everyone bowed, and with that, Vladimiros walked out with his guards, Lylah following behind him. Freya kicked and struggled, trying to get free, but he didn't let her go.
They stepped outside, reached his carriage, and climbed in. The night air was chilly as they rode off into the dark.
Freya sat between his legs, her body stiff with fear. His arms were wrapped around her tightly, holding her in place. She was terrified, too scared to move or speak.
Lylah sat next to them, silent, not daring to say a word. Everything had taken a twisted turn, and she had no idea what would happen next.
Vladimiros spoke, his voice calm but cold. "We won't make it to my kingdom in time," he said. "We'll sleep on the road."
Behind them, there were many carriages—his royal guards traveling with them.
The journey was just beginning, and neither Freya nor Lylah knew what to expect next.
************************************
As they were riding, the carriage suddenly came to a stop. The night had gotten dark, and the world outside was swallowed by the shadows. Vladimirios turned to Lylah, his tone firm.
"Stay here," he ordered. "I'll have the guards guide it."
To Lylah's surprise, the guards moved to the back of the carriage. They opened the rear door, revealing a hidden compartment that Lylah hadn't noticed before. Inside was a small room, just big enough for her to rest in.
"Sleep here," Vladimirios told her as he carefully carried Freya out of the carriage.
Freya was wide awake, her eyes alert, but she didn't speak as Vladimirios gently moved her into another empty carriage. Once Freya was inside, Vladimirios closed the door behind him.
The silence stretched on as Lylah stayed inside the first carriage. She kept her eyes on the door, waiting to see what would happen next.
Inside the second carriage, Freya sat in one corner, her eyes locked on Vladimirios. She watched him closely, her gaze sharp and full of questions, almost like a wild animal waiting to pounce.
Vladimirios didn't speak at first, simply laying down on the opposite side of the carriage. He remained still, but after a few moments, he spoke, his voice low and slightly irritated.
"Don't look at me like that."
Freya quickly averted her gaze, her body stiffening slightly. She had been caught staring, and now she avoided looking at him, her eyes focused on the other side of the carriage.