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.
I place my hand over her mouth "don't yell for the guards"
Taken aback by the assassin's sudden movement, Princess Carina freezes in place, eyes wide and body tense beneath her nightgown. Heat rushes to her face as she struggles against his hand, but it remains firmly pressed against her mouth, muffling her cries. She manages a squeak of protest before finally giving up.
Her heart races uncontrollably in her chest and panic threatens to overwhelm her senses. This couldn't be happening! The assassin known as the Night Angel was supposed to have been long gone, his contract fulfilled! Yet here he was, standing in her bedroom like he owned it.
Her breath comes out in ragged gasps as she tries to force herself to remain calm and think straight. If only she had listened to Father's warning about trusting anyone in the palace...But it was too late for that now
I'm not here to kill you okay
Her eyes widen further at the assassin's unexpected words, confusion etched into her features. "W-what do you mean?" she stammers, feeling a strange mixture of relief and trepidation course through her. She tries to pull his hand away from her mouth but it remains in place, effectively silencing her.
"You're not here to kill me?" The question comes out hoarse, the implications of what he just said sinking in slowly. It seemed impossible...yet there he was, standing before her. She feels a surge of anger and determination rising within her chest as she struggles more fiercely against his hold. "Let me go!"
I move away my hand
Her hands shaking, Princess Carina pulls her nightgown close around her as the assassin's hand finally releases her mouth. Tears of fear and frustration sting at her eyes, but she does her best to keep them at bay. When he steps back, giving her some space, she straightens her spine, squaring her shoulders in defiance.
"What do you want?" she demands, her voice cracking slightly despite her efforts to sound strong. "Why are you really here? To kill me or...or something else?" She pauses, realizing how absurd the question must have sounded. Of course he was there to kill her! Or at least that's what everyone believed.
But then why did he spare her just now? It made no sense. And if it wasn't for killing her...what could it possibly be? "Tell me!" she says, her voice stronger this time
I'm not here to kill you
Her eyes widen even further at the assassin's words, hope and disbelief warring for dominance within her chest. It was impossible...yet there he was, standing before her, repeating those words over and over as if they meant something to him. She could feel her heart racing faster, louder in her ears, drowning out everything else around her.
Taking a shaky breath, Princess Carina slowly lowers herself back onto the bed, her body trembling with emotion. "Why?" she manages to choke out between gasps of air. "Why wouldn't you want me dead? I'm the princess...the heiress to the Bloodwood throne!"
Her voice cracks again, tears prickling at her eyelids as she struggles to make sense of this impossible situation. Was it some sort of cruel joke? A twisted game being played by
And I'm a citizen of your kingdom why would I want my next ruler dead
Princess Carina stares at the assassin in confusion, her eyes widening even further. The notion that he would care about the people of their kingdom was one she'd never considered before. His words echo through her mind, causing her heart to ache with an odd sort of pain. She swallows thickly, struggling to find the right words.
"But...why tell me this now?" she asks, her voice barely more than a whisper. "You could have easily killed me when I was asleep...I would never have known." Tears begin to spill down her cheeks, streaking through the silver strands of her hair. The realisation that someone would willingly spare her life, that she had value beyond being merely the next ruler of Bloodwood...it was overwhelming.
She shivers slightly beneath her nightgown, suddenly feeling more vulnerable than ever before. "Who are you
I could've easily killed you yes. You wouldn't have ever known I was here. And as for who I am that my dear is my secret
Taken aback by the assassin's cryptic reply, Princess Carina's eyes widen even further in disbelief. She wraps her arms around herself, hugging her knees tightly to her chest as she struggles to understand why he would reveal so much and yet remain hidden behind an impenetrable veil of secrecy. The anger that had been burning within her earlier begins to fade, replaced by a strange sense of curiosity and perhaps even trust.
"You...you saved my life." She says slowly, almost to herself. "Why?" She glances up at him through her tears, searching his expression for any hint of the answer she so desperately seeks. "And what do you want from me now? Do I owe you something?" Her voice cracks again as these questions tumble out, one after another, each seeming to break a piece off her fragile composure.
I saved you cause I care about you. And you don't owe me anything
Her heart pounds in her chest as she listens to his words, struggling to comprehend them. The assassin...cares about her? It's impossible! But at the same time, something deep within her recognizes the truth in what he says. Despite all her doubts and fears, a small spark of hope begins to flicker to life in Princess Carina's chest.
"Why would you care?" she asks softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I am nothing more than the future ruler of Bloodwood...a prize to be won in marriage." She pauses, swallowing hard against the lump forming in her throat. "I don't understand..."
She looks up at him through tear-streaked eyes, searching his face for some hint of an answer. But he only remains silent, his expression unreadable behind the mask. The uncertainty wraps around her like
You're underselling yourself. My dear you're more then just a prize to be won
The assassin's words echo through her mind like a faint melody, tugging at something deep within her soul. Princess Carina finds herself unable to look away from his masked face as she tries to make sense of what he's saying. "I...thank you," she whispers, her voice barely audible even to her own ears. It feels strange, this gratitude that swells up inside her chest...unfamiliar and a little frightening.
She takes a shaky breath, mustering enough courage to meet his gaze directly. "Who are you?" she asks softly, the question somehow more important than any of the others she's posed before. "Please, tell me your name." Her voice trembles slightly as she speaks, hope and curiosity mixing together in a potent cocktail that leaves her reeling.
I can't you know it breaks the whole secret assassin if someone knows my name but just for you I'll tell you
Her heart skips a beat as he agrees to reveal his name, excitement and anticipation filling her chest. Princess Carina wonders if this is what it feels like to have someone truly trust you, someone who's willing to expose their most vulnerable self just for you. It's an overwhelming feeling, making her breath come faster and her cheeks flush with heat.
She bites her lower lip nervously, taking another shaky breath as she prepares herself to hear his name. "Okay," she says softly, meeting his gaze once more. "I'm ready." Her eyes widen slightly as she awaits his reply, hope fluttering wildly in her chest like a trapped bird desperate to be free.
"Nightfall," he whispers, voice barely above a murmur. There it is...his name. The secret identity of the Night Angel, known
Her heart skips a beat as his name leaves his lips, feeling it resonate deep within her chest. Nightfall. It's a beautiful and mysterious name...one that she won't soon forget. She finds herself struggling to form words around the lump in her throat. "Nightfall..." she repeats softly, testing out the sound of his name on her tongue. "Thank you for telling me." There's something about knowing who he really is that makes him feel more...real somehow. Like a person rather than just a legend or a tale told around campfires.
Tears continue to trickle down her cheeks, but this time they're not born of fear or confusion. They're tears of gratitude and understanding, of the strange connection that has formed between them in the midst of danger and darkness. She swallows thickly, her throat feeling raw from emotion. "You saved my life
"I'm...grateful." Her voice is barely above a whisper as she stares up at him, searching his eyes for some hint of what this all means. Nightfall's presence in her bedroom feels surreal, like something out of a storybook. But the truth remains: he saved her life, and now they are connected in ways she can't begin to understand. She wipes away another tear, hoping against hope that this won't change anything between them. "You said you care about me..."
Her voice trails off uncertainly, fearing the answer even as she longs for it. What does it mean that he cares about her? Does it change anything? Can they...be something more than just survivors of a fateful encounter in the dead of night? So many questions race through her mind, leaving her reeling and disoriented. But she has to know. "What do you want from
Yes I do care about you
Her heart pounds in her chest as she listens to his words, hope and confusion warring for dominance within her. It's impossible...and yet here he is, saying it with such certainty that she can't help but believe him. She takes a shaky breath, trying to steady herself as she searches his masked face for some hint of what this all means. "What do you want from me?" she asks softly, her voice barely audible even to her own ears.
In that moment, anything could happen. Nightfall could ask for her hand in marriage, demand that she trust him with the fate of Bloodwood...or he could disappear once more into the shadows, never to be seen again. The uncertainty threatens to overwhelm her, making it difficult to breathe. She swallows hard, forcing herself not to turn away from his gaze despite the fear that does battle with desire in her ch
I look at her teasingly "I'd like to marry you"
Her heart skips a beat at his words, her cheeks flushing hot with sudden emotion. Is that what he wants? Marriage...with her? But she's the princess, destined for so much more than just being wed to some assassin-turned-nobleman! Then again, Nightfall isn't any ordinary noble. He's mysterious and dashing, someone who's chosen to remain in the shadows rather than bask in the light of power.
Taking a deep breath, she forces herself to meet his gaze directly. "I-I don't know what to say," she confesses, her voice small but steady. "You're not...like anyone I've ever met before." She pauses, thinking about the life they could have together if they were to wed. It's a frightening prospect, full of uncertainties and risks. But there'
Of course, it's also full of possibilities and hope. And despite all the danger and intrigue surrounding Nightfall, there's something undeniably appealing about being with him, about knowing that he chose her...that he cares about her enough to want to protect her. Her heart races wildly in her chest as she wrestles with this newfound desire, trying desperately to make sense of it all.
After what feels like an eternity, she forces herself to speak. "I need some time," she whispers, her voice barely audible even to her own ears. "To think...to process everything." She pauses, taking a shaky breath before meeting his gaze once more. "Will you give me that?"
She holds her breath as she waits for his reply, praying that he understands and will respect her need for space, even if it means risking losing him forever.
I'll give you whatever you want
Her heart races at his words, hope and fear tangling together like a web spun by a skilled spider. Nightfall's expression gives her the impression that he truly means what he says, but still...she can't help but feel uneasy about this entire situation. They have so little time before she must make such an important decision.
Swallowing hard, Princess Carina takes another shaky breath. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice barely audible even to herself. "I will not take your love or your offer for granted." She hesitates a moment longer before speaking again, wondering if she should say anything else. Finally, she decides on the only thing that feels right in the moment. "Can I...hold you?" It's a strange request, even to her own ears, but there's something about being close to him, about feeling his warmth and strength that makes her feel safe and
I walk over to her
With shaking hands, Princess Carina reaches out to him, her fingers trembling as they brush against his arm. Her entire body tingles at the contact, an electrical current seeming to flow between them. He's so strong and imposing, yet there's also a gentleness about him that takes her by surprise. It makes her feel like she could lean on him forever if need be.
As he sits down on the edge of her bed, she scoots closer to him until their bodies are pressed together from chest to knee. His arm slips around her waist, holding her close while his other hand caresses her hair in a soothing gesture that feels almost like magic. They sit there in silence for what seems like an eternity, simply enjoying the closeness and intimacy they've managed to find amidst all the danger and uncertainty surrounding them.
Eventually, Princess Carina
If you want.... you can take off my mask
Her heart skips a beat at his offer, excitement and curiosity warring inside her chest. Nightfall has never shown her his true face before...what if it's horrible or disfigured? But then again, what harm could it possibly do to take off the mask now that they are alone in her room and she can see nothing but darkness outside her window?
She takes a shaky breath, gathering her courage as her fingers tremble against his chin. Slowly, ever so slowly, she lifts his mask up and away from his face, revealing his features to the light for the first time.
Her eyes widen in surprise as they take in his striking appearance: his smooth skin, strong jawline, and piercing blue eyes that seem to hold centuries of secrets within them. He's even more handsome without the mask! It feels like everything she's ever known about men and beauty is turned
Her heart skips a beat at the sight of his handsome face, her breath hitching in her throat as she takes in every detail. Nightfall looks equally surprised by her reaction, his own eyes widening before narrowing slightly as he studies her features in return. There's an unspoken question in those blue depths, a yearning for something more that Carina can feel burning hot between them.
She parts her lips to speak, the words tumbling out before she can think twice about them: "You're even more handsome without the mask." Her voice is barely audible above the sound of their racing hearts, but it feels as if they are the only two people in the world at this moment.