As they walked peacefully through the woods, Matthias didn''t dare to let go of Rose''s hand. He was afraid that if he did, he would get burned by the sunlight. Rose seemed to sense his fear and smiled reassuringly.
"You don''t have to worry, Matthias," she said. "During this early winter, most wild beasts are still in hibernation. We''re unlikely to meet any troublesome creatures."
Matthias nodded, his eyes fixed on Rose''s hand. He was grateful for her presence, for the sense of safety she provided.
"By the way, how did you manage to escape from the palace?" Rose asked, her voice curious.
Matthias hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "I—I just can''t die, Lady Rose," he said finally. "I hadn''t eaten anything since they imprisoned me, and when I tasted your blood, I...I got the strength to escape."
Rose''s eyes widened, her expression surprised. "You saved me, Lady Rose," Matthias continued, his voice filled with gratitude. "That''s why I tried to track you down, and then I will serve you well in the future. When I become strong, I will become a reliable ally."
Rose smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Really? Even when the whole world is against me?" she asked, her voice teasing.
Matthias nodded, his eyes shining with determination. "I will always be by your side."
Rose''s smile softened, her expression turning serious. "I will hold onto your word, then."
As they continued on their journey, they came across a river that hadn''t yet frozen. Rose suggested they wash their faces and skin, and Matthias agreed, still holding onto her hand.
As they washed, Rose took off Matthias''s clothes, revealing his unscarred skin. "Your skin is beautiful," she complimented, scraping his shoulder with a wet cloth.
Matthias blushed, feeling a sense of embarrassment. But Rose just smiled and continued to wash him, her touch gentle and soothing.
After they finished washing, Rose cut Matthias''s hair with a pair of scissors, trimming his locks to frame his face. Matthias trusted her completely, his eyes closed as he let her work her magic.
As they finished up, Matthias looked like a new person, his facial features standing out. Rose smiled, her eyes sparkling with approval.
Just as they were about to leave, Matthias''s expression turned serious. "Someone''s coming, Lady Rose. We need to go."
Rose quickly gathered their belongings, and they ran as fast as they could. But unfortunately, they were soon blocked by three knights, their swords drawn.
"At last, we finally found her," one of the guards sneered, their eyes fixed on Rose.
But as they noticed Matthias standing beside her, their expressions turned cruel. "What an unfortunate way to die, kid. You should''ve stayed where you were."
Rose''s eyes narrowed, her hand on the hilt of her sword. She saw a Lion sigil encrypted on the guards armor. "I can see that you''re wearing the Capital sigil. Did the Crown Prince send you here to kill me?"
The knights nodded, their faces twisted with malice. "Yes, Lady Rose. The Crown Prince told us that if we killed you, he would grant us a handsome reward. So it''s better to make this easy for us."
Rose''s expression turned cold, her eyes flashing with anger. She raised her father''s sword, her stance ready. "Or not."
The knights charged, their swords clashing with Rose''s. But just as the fight was intensifying, Matthias jumped into the fray, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination.
Rose was taken aback as Matthias viciously killed the knights, his movements swift and deadly. He bit and stabbed them with the pair of scissors he was holding, his attacks precise and calculated.
But as one of the knights stood up, wounded but not defeated, Matthias was caught off guard. The knight stabbed him in the back, the sword penetrating through his chest.
Rose''s eyes widened in horror as she saw Matthias fall to the ground, his body limp. She quickly ran to the knight and stabbed him in the back, her sword slicing through his armor.
As the knight fell to the ground, Rose rushed to Matthias''s side, her heart pounding with fear. She held his shoulder, trying to keep him upright, but Matthias''s eyes were unfocused, his breathing labored.
"It''s me, Matthias. It''s all over now," Rose said calmly, trying to reassure him.
But as she reached out to touch his cheek, Matthias''s eyes snapped open, his gaze blazing with a killing intent. He looked at Rose with his red eyes, his breathing heavy, and Rose felt a shiver run down her spine.
Matthias quickly ran away from her, disappearing into the trees. Rose chased after him, but he was too fast, too agile. She lost him in the forest, her heart heavy with worry.
As she returned to the clearing, Rose saw the knights'' bodies, their armor dented and bloodied. She noticed the bite marks on their necks, Rose''s eyes widened, Matthias was indeed a monster. But as she looked at the bite marks, Rose felt a pang of sadness. Matthias was still just a child, a child who had been forced to live in the shadows, to survive on his own.
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Rose took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she had to do. She raised her sword, her eyes fixed on the knights'' bodies. With a swift and deadly motion, Rose decapitated the knights, making sure to destroy any evidence of Matthias''s bite marks. She knew it was a gruesome task, but she had to protect Matthias, to keep his secret safe.
As she finished, Rose felt a sense of relief wash over her. She cleaned her sword, her eyes scanning the surrounding area to make sure they were still alone. Satisfied that they were safe, Rose sheathed her sword and followed Matthias''s trail, her heart pounding with worry.
As she walked, the forest was quiet, the only sound the rustling of leaves beneath Rose''s feet. She walked for what felt like hours, until, the sun beginning to set in the horizon.
***
As nighttime fell, Rose couldn''t shake off the feeling of unease. She had lost Matthias, and the thought of him being alone and vulnerable in the dark forest filled her with worry.
As she approached the abandoned cabin, Rose decided to exercise caution. She walked around the perimeter of the cabin, her eyes scanning the windows and doors for any signs of disturbance.
Satisfied that the cabin was secure, Rose returned to the front door and pushed it open. The creaking of the door echoed through the stillness, and Rose stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the darkness.
The cabin was small, with a single room and a fireplace at the far end. Rose could see the remnants of an old bed in the corner, the straw mattress torn and worn.
She walked over to the fireplace and examined it. The ashes were cold, but Rose could see that the fireplace had been used recently. She wondered who might have been here before her, and whether they might return.
Rose''s eyes scanned the room again, her mind racing with possibilities. She decided to start a fire, hoping to warm up the chilly cabin and perhaps signal to Matthias that she was here.
As she worked on starting the fire, Rose couldn''t shake off the feeling that she was being watched. She looked around the room, but there was no one there.
The fire crackled to life, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Rose sat down next to it, her eyes fixed on the flames as she waited for Matthias to return. "Where could Matthias be?" she wondered aloud. "Can''t afford to lose that kid. He''s one of the reasons the future rebellion will become successful."
As she spoke, Rose''s eyes felt heavy, and she struggled to keep them open. But just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she heard footsteps outside the cabin.
Rose''s heart skipped a beat as she grabbed her father''s sword, her eyes fixed on the front door. She stood up, her senses on high alert, and slowly made her way towards the door.
As she reached the door, Rose heard a faint knock. "Lady Rose, it''s me," a soft voice called out.
Rose''s expression softened, and she quickly opened the door to reveal Matthias standing in the entrance, his clothes and face covered in blood.
Rose''s eyes widened in concern as she took in Matthias''s appearance. She quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him inside, shutting the door behind him.
As they stood by the fireplace, Rose examined Matthias''s wounds, her eyes scanning his body for any signs of injury. But to her surprise, the stab wound on his chest had already healed.
"How are you?" Rose asked, her voice filled with concern. "Does anything hurt?"
Matthias looked up at her, his eyes red-rimmed. "I feel cold," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. As Matthias said those words, they quickly sat near at the fireplace.
Rose''s expression softened, and she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. "I''m here, Matthias. You''re safe now."
Matthias''s eyes locked onto Rose''s, and she knew exactly what he was thinking. He was hungry, and he needed her blood to survive.
Rose took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She removed the bandage from her wrist, revealing the wound Matthias had inflicted earlier.
"Here, but just be gentle this time," Rose said, offering her wrist to Matthias.
Matthias''s eyes lit up, and he grabbed Rose''s wrist, his fangs sinking into her skin. Rose groaned lightly, feeling a slight pain as Matthias drank her blood.
Rose couldn''t help but notice the way Matthias looked at her, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous intensity. It was as if he was teasing her, playing with her emotions.
''Snapped out of it, Rose. This is a child, it doesn''t have any deep meaning.'' Rose felt a flush rise to her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, trying to compose herself. "I think that''s enough, Matthias. I might not have the strength for our journey tomorrow if you drink more of my blood."
Matthias obeyed, releasing Rose''s wrist from his grasp. As he looked up at her, Rose saw a hint of a smile on his lips.
"Can I drink it at least once a week?" Matthias asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Rose was taken aback by the question, unsure of how to respond. But as she looked into Matthias''s eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat.
"Your blood gives me warmth," Matthias said, his voice barely above a whisper. "At least, I want to feel warm."
Rose''s expression softened, and she nodded, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Okay, Matthias, but you must promise me that you will be a good kid."
Matthias nodded, a smile spreading across his face. Rose was about to bandage her wrist again when Matthias suddenly licked her hand, his tongue warm and gentle.
Rose felt a jolt of electricity run through her body, and she quickly pulled her hand back, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Aaah...ahhh, hey, what are you doing?" she asked, trying to compose herself.
Matthias looked up at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I can help you heal your wounds."
Rose''s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly create some distance between them. "I think that''s enough, Matthias," she said, her voice firm but gentle.
Rose couldn''t help but notice the way Matthias looked at her, his eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity. It was as if he was trying to tell her something, to convey a message that only she could understand.
"Is this the way on how your wounds healed instantly?" Rose asked, trying to change the subject.
Matthias nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. Rose ripped a small piece of her clothes and poured water from the canteen to wet the cloth.
She gently washed Matthias''s face, her hands moving softly over his skin. She then took his clothes off to clean him, her eyes scanning his body for any signs of injury.
"Next time, don''t run like that. You made me worried," Rose said, her voice filled with concern.
Matthias looked up at her, his eyes red-rimmed. "I-I''m sorry, Lady Rose. If I stayed, I might kill you. That''s why I fled to have some time to calm myself before facing you again."
Rose nodded, understanding in her eyes. "You''re all good now," she said, smiling at him.
Matthias quickly hugged her tight, burying his face between her breasts. Rose felt a surge of affection for him, her heart aching with compassion.
"It''s a long day tomorrow. Let''s head to sleep," she said, her voice soft.
Matthias nodded, his face still buried in her chest. "Lady Rose, aren''t you afraid of my eyes?" he asked, his voice muffled.
Rose''s expression softened, and she stroked his hair, her fingers gentle. "Why aren''t you asking what kind I am? I know I''m different from the rest of the world, but I won''t hurt."
Rose knew what Matthias was. He was a creature of legend, a being feared and reviled by many. But as she looked at him, she saw only a scared and vulnerable child.
"At first, I was afraid," Rose admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But how can I be afraid of the person who saved me? I don''t know what kind you are, but one thing is for sure: You are mine and my savior who will be by my side through thick and thin."