The Absolute Surrender

Chapter 9: Into the Forbidden Woods

Lilian submerged herself in the cool embrace of the river, letting the night air caress her skin. The moonlight was her sole guide, casting a silvery glow that wrapped around her like a comforting cloak. It was as though the moonlight could soothe the relentless troubles that had been plaguing her. As she swam, her thoughts wandered back to the world she had left behind. Her mind drifted to her friend Noah—how he must have been frantic after seeing her vanish into thin air upon the truck's impact. "Noah," she whispered, the name escaping her lips like a lost sigh.

She took a few more strokes before lying on her back and floating, her gaze fixed on the immense moon overhead. The serenity of the night allowed her to relax, but her thoughts inevitably turned to Ardan, the majestic king of Silla. His grace and humility had captivated her, and his long grey hair and expressive eyes were etched in her memory. She smiled at the thought, only to be reminded of Kalen with his striking jade green eyes and radiant white hair. Her heart ached with the hope that they would rescue her, though she tried to suppress the hope to avoid further pain.

Suddenly, the rustling of dried leaves nearby snapped Lilian from her reverie. Her eyes widened as she became acutely aware of her vulnerable state. Her satin dress clung to her wet form, barely providing cover. Panic surged through her, and she mentally berated herself for swimming at this hour.

Relief washed over her when she saw it was Obene who had approached. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light, but when they did, she took in his appearance with an involuntary gasp. Obene stood confidently, his usual armor replaced by a robe of rich velvet. His long hair cascaded freely, giving him an almost ethereal appearance.

"You're quite the brave little human, wandering alone in the river," Obene remarked a hint of amusement in his voice.

Lilian's cheeks flushed with a mixture of irritation and embarrassment. "I'm not that little," she retorted, her tone edged with defensiveness.

Obene's eyes sparkled with mirth as he stepped closer. "What would happen if a ghastly beast were to prey on your beauty and whisk you away?" he mused, his words carrying a lightness that contrasted with the gravity of the situation.

Lilian bit her lip, the weight of his words sinking in. She lowered her gaze, feeling both exposed and apprehensive under his scrutiny. The night air was cool against her wet skin, heightening her vulnerability.

"Aren't you cold?" Obene's voice dropped to a whisper, his gaze lingering on her with an intensity that made her shiver involuntarily. The way his eyes roamed over her made her acutely aware of her state. She instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, trying to shield her dignity from his lingering gaze.

"Come on out," he said gently, his voice softening. "I have some news to share with you."

Lilian hesitated, but the warmth in his voice coaxed her out of the water. As she emerged, she could feel the chill of the night air accentuated by her damp clothes. Obene's presence was a stark contrast to the cold, his concern and warmth providing a slight reprieve from the discomfort.

"You shouldn't be out here dressed like that," Obene said, a hint of humor in his voice.

Once they reached the clearing, he wrapped a large cloth around her shoulders and lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "Be more careful next time," he added, his dark eyes studying her with an unreadable expression before he stepped back to give her space.

Her heart raced from the unexpected intimacy, and she felt a flush of embarrassment hidden by the night's shadows. Obene guided her back to the hut, giving her privacy to change.

"Do you need any help?" he teased from across the room.

Lilian quickly changed, her eyes darting nervously toward the door. The idea of Obene barging in made her cheeks flush. "No, thank you!" she replied firmly.

When she finally emerged, she found Obene sipping wine, his brow furrowed in thought. "Is everything okay?" she asked, concerned.

He acknowledged her with a brief smile but quickly returned to his serious demeanor. "King Marlin wants me to undertake another mission," he said, his tone resolute.

Lilian's heart sank. "What does the king want?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Obene noticed her distress and sought to reassure her. "He has a task for me," he said, carefully omitting details. "I can't leave you here unprotected. They'd throw you straight into the dungeon. The only way to ensure your safety is to have you come with me. The journey will be perilous, so the choice is yours," he said, his breath warm against her cheek.

Too close! Lilian swallowed hard. "What exactly do you need me to do?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Obene gently brushed a wet strand of hair from her face, his touch electrifying. "Join me and assist me in infiltrating the kingdom of Silla," he said with a seriousness that left no room for doubt. 

She swallowed nervously. 

Days passed, and Lilian and Obene walked side by side as they entered the foreboding path leading into the dangerous forest. Their journey toward Silla had just begun, and the conversation Obene had shared left Lilian feeling torn. She had witnessed the beauty and benevolence of both Silla and Lavitica, and the prospect of conflict between the two kingdoms troubled her deeply. Despite her growing unease, she kept her silence about her connections to the king and prince, fearing the consequences if Obene discovered her secret. The nature of King Marlin's task for Obene remained unknown to her, but his insistence on keeping her close, perhaps even in danger, made her feel as though she was treading on perilous ground.

Lost in her thoughts, Lilian barely noticed when Obene reached out and grasped her hand, drawing her closer. The rain continued its relentless assault, drumming steadily on the canopy above, and the encroaching darkness of night wrapped the forest in an oppressive shroud. The dampness of her clothes clung heavily to her skin, and she felt the cold seeping through, intensifying her discomfort.

"Have you heard about the forbidden forest?" Obene's voice cut through the steady patter of rain, firm and resolute as he guided their steps through the shadowy undergrowth.

Lilian nodded, her mind racing with the eerie stories she had heard. "I've heard some unsettling tales about what lurks within," she replied, her voice almost swallowed by the rain. She shuddered, recalling the unnerving sounds she had encountered before, her eyes darting nervously through the darkness.

"Have you heard about the forbidden forest?" Obene asked suddenly, his voice cutting through the rain as he walked with unshaken resolve.

Lilian nodded. "I've heard some stories about what lurks within," she replied, her mind drifting back to the unnerving noises she had heard before.

"Danger is prominent here, especially as we venture deeper into the woods. Stay close to me and do not stray," he warned, pulling her hood tighter to shield her from the rain.

She understood the gravity of his warning and nodded in agreement. Just then, they spotted a large oak tree standing solitary in the forest. Relief washed over Lilian at the prospect of finding shelter, but it was short-lived. As they drew closer, a spine-chilling sound echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down her spine. She tried to scan their surroundings for any signs of danger, her heart pounding in anticipation of an ambush. Obene swiftly drew his sword, his posture tense as he assessed the threat.

The absence of Obene's soldiers was a significant disadvantage, but Lilian knew that King Marlin had ordered this mission to be covert, aimed at surprising their enemies.

The temperature in the forest dropped sharply, making Lilian tremble uncontrollably. The cold was eerily reminiscent of her previous unsettling experience. The forest around them seemed to grow darker and more sinister, with thorns like blackened teeth wrapping around the trees, and massive trunks closing in on them, suffocating the faint light that struggled to penetrate the fog. The oppressive atmosphere made Lilian feel as though she was gasping for air, the sense of foreboding nearly overwhelming.