Eve Altera's life was absolutely boring.
Others considered it luxurious and extravagant, saying that she was lucky to have the life she had at the moment.
Being the ultimate heiress to the Altera Empire, wherein the production of advanced technology existed.
Living in a palace that was the absolute envy of the surrounding kingdoms.
Having power and possessing an intelligent mind that could surpass even the greatest of scholars.
Without her, the empire would cease to exist.
Ah yes, what more could anyone want?
Her looks? The most exquisite flowers of Elrios wouldn't be enough to compare. Soft and procelain skin, delicate eyes, along with flushed lips that made her look like the most beautiful doll in the whole land.
She absolutely lived in a fairytale.
However, Eve herself, thought differently.
If only they knew it wasn't a dream come true. It wasn't the life everyone would want. It was dull and plain.
The reason behind her thoughts?
She was isolated. She felt unloved. She had nobody to talk to. It made her life not worth living at all. Despite the countless royals and noblemen visiting her every day, she still felt lonely.
The endless gifts, presents and suitors lining up all had the same twisted intentions. They meant nothing to her at all.
Those halls that she called home were filled with people she didn't even know. Filled with guards that didn't dare look or talk to her. The commoners themselves thought she was cold-hearted. Thus fear began to circulate among the people towards the princess they never even knew.
Rumors spread that she would turn out just like her grandfather, who--with a brilliant mind--became greedy for and nearly destroyed the empire with war.
Millions of lives and losses in exchange for power.
The most powerful empire but at the same time, the most hated one.
Being stuck in a place where you could not fit in was horrible.
She thought life wasn't great at all. Her wealth, her being, her status. What was the use of all of these when she wasn't even allowed to go outside?
Her life couldn't honestly be more lively, could it?
"No it couldn't." The princess sighed as she tucked herself to sleep, deep within the comfort of her luxurious room and bed.
Well, that is what she thought until she heard footsteps come from outside her room, on the balcony.
In the middle of the night.
Her heart was pounding in her chest.
What was this new emotion that she felt? Fear? She honestly couldn't remember. This felt too foreign in her perspective. Being protected daily made her life so easy.
She glanced at her hands and found them to be shaking.
Nontheless, Eve recklessly stood up from her bed and slowly started walking to meet the full moon.
The moment she opened the large doors leading outside, a silhouette clouded her vision. The silhouette that bore such dark hair. The silhouette that bore such light eyes filled with gold. It was as if his eyes held a thousand thoughts that words could never express.
But how could such eyes have the audacity to break in the palace? It was honestly a death wish if one wanted to tresspass these grounds. He looked as if he was only a commoner with his ripped clothes. Wasn't he afraid of the consequences?
"Who are you? Speak." Eve tried to command with the most authoritive voice that she could muster. Despite her efforts, the man paid her no mind and just stared at her with those eyes that had so much hatred. Eyes that had so much emotions that she never even knew existed.
Looking at him, she felt somewhat envious.
"Are you deaf? I demand you to tell me who you are." She forced, leaving behind no emotions on her features as he closed his eyes.
Eve had long noticed how the man seemed to be out of breath, as if he had just went through a war in a batlefield.
Deep and heavy breaths gradually calmed down and what soon replaced her interest was how he sat on the balcony quietly.
'Was he being chased?' She couldn't help but wonder, eyeing him silently.
Quite a few minutes passed until he opened his eyes again, revealing the fierce golden colour that put even the light of the moon to shame.
Eve could only stare in return. She was indeed curious. Both stood there, eyes fighting quietly, not daring to break the trance they were in.
Well, that was until he tore his own gaze away. He ignored her, as if she was merely the air in that cold autumn night whispering in his ears.
Eve should've been angry, maybe insulted, or offended even. Because how dare he, come up to her chambers --in the dead of the night, mind you-- and ruin her much needed beauty sleep?
Yes, she should've been really angry.
But unfortunately, she somehow wasn't.
The man looked as if he was contemplating, a thousand thoughts roaming around his head. About what exactly? Eve didn't know.
All she knew was that there was something. Something in his confused eyes that was begging to be revealed.
The white-haired beauty could only watch as the man silently jumped, off of the balcony and into the night, soon consumed by the darkness below.
From the night he came to the night he vanished. Speaking not a single word.
Eve quickly ran to the railing, dress flowing freely with steps rushed and quiet. To see nothing but the wind only carrying dust.
What most noble people would do is punish their guards for letting an intruder in to their balconies. Unfortunately, Eve wasn't like most people. She kept quiet of that incident for days. Thinking that it wouldn't matter at all.
Oddly enough, she enjoyed his company despite them not having the exchange of words.
Letting it happen for a second time, then a third, then a fourth. It was on the fifth when he spoke.
The ebony-haired man just sat there on the balcony, while Eve was standing a good distance away.
His eyes were clouded with thought, similiar to how it was a few nights ago.
"Are you not afraid of me?" He said, a deep yet soothing voice surrounding her ears in a barely audible tone.
If his words had been said any quieter, Eve might've not heard him at all.
Surprised, she paused and glanced at him before talking.
"I don't have a reason as to why I should fear you. I don't know you at all."
Her answer made him confused for a moment. Deciphering if she truly did not know him. How impossible that seemed in his eyes. But it also sparked hope. Hope that there may be someone out there who could truly understand.
A few moments passed until Eve asked him.
"What about you? Are you not afraid of me?"
She questioned. Hoping that she would hear at least a single word.
Instead, ice cold eyes peered through her own and stared.
She continued,
"I'm not exactly the ideal and loving duchess that one would want, no? Cold-hearted and selfish, as they all say."
She broke her gaze from his and sat on the balcony next to him, toying with the flowers between them.
"An heiress..." Eve whispered as she carressed the red flower.
"But nonetheless a mere pawn." The girl coulf only stare. "They need me, but never want me. I'm just a tool for them." A sigh escapes her lips as she gazes up at the sky.
The stars looked beautiful that night, radiating such light that could convince anyone the beauty of simply being able to witness it.
Yet for her, despite everything, she felt nothing for it at all.
"Sometimes, I absolutely loath my life." Eve said quietly, features never leaving the blue and purple hues with stars above them.
His amber eyes, which bore through hers, blinked and looked away. It was as if his pools of gold were a mirror to her own.
His rough hand soon moved towards the red flower and he carefully scrutinized it.
"We all can't get what we want, you need to understand that." he spoke firmly yet gently, words spinning out of his lips as if they were the truth.
Eve, noticing his dark eyes and scars all over his body, said nothing in return.
Because all she could see were riddles hidden in his words.
What was he implying?
Was he a criminal? Who ruthlessly killed many for pleasure simply because the victims didn't have a choice?
Or maybe an outcast living his days without remorse or thoughts for others.
She studied his figure for a while longer, soft and delicate eyes searching for answers.
The way his masculine shoulders relaxed as he slowly exhaled.
The way his brows were knitted ever so slightly, as if he was remembering an old memory.
The way he stared at the flower, gently touching it with his hands as if one mistake could break it.
His hands, full of callouses and bruises. What had those hands been through?
Fights? Battles? Wars? He seemed too young to be having any battle scars on his body.
What made her interested in him completely though were his eyes. Hypnotizing her for they were a mystery. He seemed so stoic, but at the same time so full of emotion.
The wind grew stronger as each minute passed and leaves soon made their way toward the balcony.
The duchess was about to face them had the man not covered her gently using his cloak.
She quietly stared at his distant eyes— gaze focused ahead—endlessly shining under the moon's light.
Eve once again sighed.
How could a ruthless killer be nice towards a simple stranger?
Perhaps he was a wanderer.
Someone who constantly had to suffer such scarring trials in order to survive.
A commoner who had no choice but to deal with the cards that he was given.
His experiences were things her dull life could never give. Compared to him, she was a book filled with blank pages. The palace was the only place she ever knew.
The emotions in his eyes were proof alone of the many things he was able to witness.
Eve would never know what were behind those eyes.
But it doesn't hurt to keep trying.
She breathed in and lowered her gaze, licking her full lips as her features focused on the moon that kissed porcelain skin.
Silence consumed the pair for a few moments.
Until a single word leaves his mouth.
"Raven."
It took her a while to understand what he meant, but when she did connect the pieces,
"I'm assuming that's your--"
Before the duchess could complete her sentence, a mysterious wind embraced her, and when she glanced at her companion, only one object remained.
A red flower.
That's it for now. Dont forget to Fav/Review :)