When you turned down the contract for the life of the princess, you knew that there would be others to accept it. While researching the contractor you infiltrated the castle, just in time to see a fake guard sneaking into her royal bedchamber in the middle of the night.

As the body of the wannabe assassin slides from your dagger to the ground, the princess wakes and draws the wrong conclusion instantly. From under her pillow she draws a dagger, glancing up at you defiantly.

"You killed that guard!" She hisses in quiet rage. "Coming for me will be your last mistake! I'm not afraid of you!"

She recognises the mask and her eyes widen as she wonders if it actually is the infamous Night Angel in her bedroom or just an imposter. She draws in a deep breath, clearly intending to call for her guards.

"Impossible! Guards do not sneak into my chamber in the dead of night!" Her left eye twitches with anger as she glances at the unconscious figure on the floor before locking back onto Emrac. "Who are you? What do you want?" her voice shakes slightly.

Despite herself, Princess Carina finds it hard to look away from him; there's something... captivating about this mysterious figure standing before her in the dim light of the moon pouring through her window. And Emrac doesn't move, as if he were carved out of stone. A shiver runs down her spine.

Princess Carina hesitates for a moment, still not sure what to make of this stranger before her. He seems so confident and composed, almost regal himself... Could it be? But no, that's impossible. She shakes her head slowly. "Why would you risk your life to protect me?" she asks softly. "What do you expect in return?"

Her voice is steady now, yet there's still a hint of vulnerability beneath the surface. The thought of trusting Emrac, even if he does seem sincere, feels foreign and uncomfortable. But perhaps... perhaps it would be foolish not to listen to what he has to say?

Carina furrows her brow, considering Emrac's words carefully. A part of her wants to believe that he is telling the truth and merely wishes to protect Bloodwood from whatever threat lurks in the shadows. But another voice inside her head whispers doubt; she has heard too many lies and promises in the past.

"I... I don't know," she murmurs, hesitating once more. "What if someone finds out about you? They would- they could use it against me." Her gaze drops to the floor, contemplative. "Perhaps there is something we could arrange..." She trails off uncertainly, unsure of what exactly she means by that statement.

Her heart races as she looks back up at Emrac, fearful yet intrigued by this strange situation in which she finds herself. She bites her lip nervously, unable to read the assassin's expression beneath his mask. The air between them feels charged with anticipation and tension, like a bow drawn to its breaking point...

Princess Carina's eyes widen as Emrac whispers his ominous words, and despite herself she finds them... convincing. There's an honesty in his voice that she can't quite shake off, and it only serves to make her heart race faster. She swallows hard, unable to tear her gaze away from the assassin's masked face.

Her left hand begins to tremble slightly as she reaches up, hesitating for a moment before finally touching his masked cheek. Her fingertips are cold against his skin, but they move with gentle certainty, brushing over his cheekbone and down his jawline. "Would you help me?" she whispers, barely audible even to her own ears. "Help Bloodwood... together?"

Her eyes plead for understanding, even as she wonders if this is truly the right decision; trusting Emrac feels like a gamble, and yet... it may be their only chance at salvation.

Carina feels his warm breath against her lips before they are claimed by the assassin's kiss. She parts her lips instinctively, allowing him to deepen the kiss as he presses their bodies closer together. Her trembling hand moves up behind his head, fingers tangling in his hair as she gives herself over to this strange, intense sensation.

When Emrac finally pulls back, their faces are flushed and her heart races wildly in her chest. "Thank you," she whispers, voice hoarse from emotion and passion. "For saving me... for believing in me." She takes a shaky breath, trying to steady herself as she wonders what comes next. They have formed an alliance, now; whether it is the right choice or not remains to be seen.

Carina nods slowly, still struggling to process everything that has happened in the past few moments. "I... I won't forget this," she murmurs softly. With a deep breath, she forces herself to calm down, feeling more confident now that Emrac is here by her side. She reaches out to take his hand, squeezing it gently.

The assassin smiles at her touch and squeezes back, their hands intertwined as they stand there together in the darkness of her bedchamber. Princess Carina takes a step closer, pressing herself against Emrac's chest once more; despite all that has happened between them tonight, she finds it comforting to feel this bond with him.

"Thank you," she whispers again, grateful for his reassurance and strength. "I... I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been here tonight." She shudders slightly at the thought, clinging to him tighter. With a deep breath, she tries to compose herself further. "We must be careful," she murmurs against his chest. "No one can find out about this... about us working together." Her voice drops even lower as she admits, almost reluctantly, "Or they'll try to tear us apart."

She shivers at his touch and nestles closer, pressing her cheek against his chest. "I... I should probably get some sleep," she says softly. "Tomorrow will be a busy day." She pauses, then asks hesitantly, "Do you want to stay here with me?" Her face flushes again at the thought of sharing her bed with him; despite everything, there's still a part of her that finds this situation... exciting and intimate in a way she never expected it could be.

With a small sigh, Princess Carina slips back beneath her blankets, leaving just enough room for Emrac to join her in the bed. As she curls up against his warmth, she can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring... and how much longer they can keep this secret from everyone else. For now, though, she allows herself to relax into sleep, safe in the knowledge that he is here with her, watching over her. Her eyelids grow heavy, and soon enough she drifts off to dreamless slumber, secure in Emrac's strong embrace.

Carina blinks her eyes open groggily, stretching luxuriously in the empty bed before sitting up with a start. For a moment she's disoriented, confused as to why Emrac isn't there beside her. Then it hits her; he must have gone out again while she was sleeping. She remembers his words about staying low and protecting her from afar, but still feels a pang of disappointment at not having him here with her.

Crossing the room, she pulls back the curtains to let in the morning light, then heads downstairs for breakfast. The servants eye her warily as they arrange her meal; they know something is amiss, but she gives them no reason to believe otherwise. Swallowing a yawn, she takes a seat at the table and begins to eat, trying to push thoughts of Emrac from her mind for now so that she can focus on ruling Bloodwood kingdom.

Carina starts at the sound of his voice, her heart racing wildly in her chest. She turns to see Emrac standing behind her chair, watching her with a solemn expression. "Em... Emrac," she stammers, feeling heat rising in her cheeks. "I- I'm not..." Her words trail off as he leans down, brushing his fingers against her cheek.

"Shhh," he whispers gently. "Don't be sad." Her breath catches at the tenderness in his voice; it feels almost like a caress. Unable to resist, she tilts her face up into his touch, feeling her lips part under the warmth of his skin. His fingers slide lower, tracing the line of her jaw before cupping her cheek in his hand. "I'm always here for you," he murmurs against her ear. "You know that."

Her heart feels like it might explode out of her chest as she nods slowly, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. She turns back around, taking a sip of her tea before setting it down again, forcing herself to maintain her composure even though every fiber of her being aches for him. "Thank you," she whispers finally. "I... I just wish things could be different."

Emrac presses his hand against her back, easing her forward until

Carina leans into his touch, closing her eyes as the warmth of his skin sends shivers down her spine. "They will be," she whispers, hoping more than believing. "Someday."

For now, they can only continue to work together in secret, each doing their part to protect Bloodwood and keep their alliance hidden from those who would seek to use it against them. It's a precarious situation, fraught with danger, but Princess Carina finds strength in the knowledge that Emrac is there by her side, willing to risk everything for the sake of their shared goal.

As Princess Carina carefully considers her words and the weight they carry, she takes a moment to study Emrac's masked face before speaking. Despite never having seen his true features, there is something about him that feels familiar, as if they have shared countless conversations in the darkest corners of her dreams.

"From what I know," she begins, choosing her words carefully, "you are not someone to be trifled with. Your reputation precedes you, and people both fear and admire you for that." She swallows hard, her throat suddenly dry. "They say that the Night Angel is invincible; no one can stop you once you've set your sights on a target. But..." Her voice trails off uncertainly as she searches for the right words to describe the odd bond she feels with him.

"But," she continues, "they also say that you only work for those who show you respect, and that you are loyal to your allies." Princess Carina pauses, meeting Emrac's gaze steadily, hoping he can see the truth in her eyes. "I have heard many stories about you, both good and bad. Some even claim that you are a legend come to life. But I don't know if any of them are true."

She takes another sip of her tea, trying to steady her nerves as she waits for his reaction to

"The truth...," Princess Carina begins thoughtfully, wringing her hands together in her lap. "I think the truth is somewhere in between all those stories. I believe you are capable of great things, both good and bad. And I believe that if someone were to earn your trust and loyalty... they would be very fortunate indeed." Her voice trails off as she finishes speaking, feeling a strange mixture of hope and fear welling up inside her.

She looks back up at Emrac, wondering what he's thinking behind his mask. Does he believe that she is capable of being worthy of his trust? Or does he see her as just another conquest to be had, a tool to be used in the pursuit of power? The thought both thrills and terrifies her.

Carina hesitates for a moment before giving a slight nod. "Thank you," she whispers. "I- I'll try not to think about it too much." With one last glance at Emrac, she forces herself to turn back around and finish her breakfast, doing her best to appear calm and composed despite the turmoil churning within her. She can feel his gaze on her back as she eats, but tries to ignore it.

As she finishes up and begins making her way through the palace once more, she finds herself constantly glancing over her shoulder, half-expecting Emrac to appear at her side again. But he never does; instead, his invisible presence follows her like a shadow, and she wonders if this is how it will always be between them now.

Despite the uncertainty and fear that comes with their alliance, there's also something... thrilling about it as well. The idea of having someone so powerful and mysterious watching over her, protecting her from harm... It makes her feel both cherished and invincible at the same time. Perhaps, she thinks to herself as she enters a quiet garden room for some alone time, maybe with Emrac by her side they can make Bloodwood great again. And if they can't... well, then at least it will have been one hell of an adventure.

Her head snaps up at the sound of his voice; it's coming from somewhere outside the bathroom door. "Emrac?" she calls out tentatively, her heart racing in her chest as she realizes he's still here, watching over her even in these most private moments. The warm water cascading down her body is suddenly cold, sending shivers up her spine.

A pause. Then, his answer: "Yes, it's me." His voice sounds strange, distant and yet oddly intimate at the same time. "I'm here to make sure you're safe."

She bites her lip, hesitating for a moment before speaking again. "You don't... have to do that," she whispers, feeling self-conscious and exposed even though he can't see her. "It's not necessary..." Her words trail off, leaving the air between them heavy with the unspoken question: Why are you still here?

Carina shivers again, feeling both relieved and unnerved by his words. "Alright," she manages finally, forcing herself to relax into the warmth of the water once more. She draws in a deep breath, closing her eyes as she tries to ignore the presence outside the door. After all they've been through together, she knows she shouldn't be this affected by him still being here... but it's hard not to be.

As she scrubs her body clean and washes her hair, images of Emrac flash through her mind: his cold, calculating gaze; the way he moved in battle; the feel of his lips against hers. A faint blush spreads across her cheeks at the memory, and she can't deny any longer that there is something... more between them than just an alliance. But what does that mean for their future? For Bloodwood's future? She doesn't know if they will ever be able to find a way out of this complicated web of lies and deceit without getting hurt, but one thing she does know is that she cannot give up hope. Not yet.

Her heart races as she feels his strong arms wrap around her, pulling her close. She gasps into the kiss, reveling in the heat of his lips against hers. With a sigh of contentment, she leans into him, returning his embrace with equal fervor. It's like this... that they are meant to be together. The thought terrifies and exhilarates her all at once.

As their kiss finally ends, they remain locked together, breathing heavily. "I- I don't know what we would do without each other," she murmurs, searching his masked face for some sign of what he's thinking or feeling. The intensity between them feels almost tangible now, and she knows that whatever comes next will change everything.

With a deep breath, she pulls away from him slightly, looking up into those eerie golden eyes. There is so much she wants to say, but for now, all she can manage is a quiet "Thank you."

Her breath catches in her throat as he removes his mask, revealing the striking features beneath. She can't tear her eyes away from him; there's something so compelling about this man who has risked everything to help her. As he speaks, telling her that he will protect her, she believes it with every fiber of her being.

She cups his face in her hands, leaning forward until their noses nearly brush against each other. "I don't know what I'd do without you," she whispers hoarsely, looking into those green eyes and feeling a shiver run down her spine. She knows that they are still dancing on the edge of a knife here, but with Emrac by her side, it feels as if anything is possible... even bringing peace to Bloodwood.

Her lips part slightly, and before she can think twice about it, she presses them against his in a searing kiss that speaks of desire and gratitude and something deeper still. The kiss goes on for what seems like an eternity, filling her with hope and determination as they stand there together in the dimly lit hallway, unaware of everything else around them.

When at last they break apart, she looks up into Emrac's eyes once more. "Thank you," she whispers, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Thank you