𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐦'𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐳 .𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝.

| 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 |

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒
𝙰𝚗𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚊'𝚜 𝙿𝙾𝚅

My mouth was agape as I gawked at the man in front of me. He was an ethereal being to look at, every bit dangerous as he was seductive as he gazed across the room.

His eyes skimmed the movements of the people before him. Their bowed heads had shown signs of respect, his chin jutted out as if pleased with the overcoming amount of awe from the dead and living.

My mind had a dazy sensation as if it was being suffocated by the overcoming power his highness had over the room. He was to choose a lady to dance with. I thought. Knots in my stomach tangled up, anchoring my heart to the bottom of the floor.

I watched as he slowly leaned down the staircase. A long trail of a black coat trailed after him as vines of black smoke encompassed him like armor.

It looked as if he was levitating off the room as I saw him walk towards one of the girls. He bent his face downwards, his big stature about 6' 3", leaning over the girl. A young woman, no older than 20. She had big brown eyes, similar to my brother's and adorned an emerald green satin attire.

Her hair was in ringlets raining down the sides of her neck as twirls of hair, framing her rounded face. She was simply stunning. She bowed even lower to the ground if possible, displaying her deepest respect and submission. But he turned away.

I watched as he slowly stepped towards another girl. This one wore a deep red color. The fabric was decorated in small golden details adorned with a few golden laced cuffs.

Her hair was a deep shade of burgundy and her lips were painted in a blood red hue. She smiled mischievously as he walked even closer to her. She jutted out her chest, making sure her body was flush against the low light. She stood up straighter. He leaned down, his eyes squinting, he snapped his gloved hands.

Without a word, two men dressed in black armor, their faces shielded by an iron mask rushed in. They fiercely grabbed her arms and hands, wrapping them around her back. "W-what are you d-doing?" She jumbled out protests.

The woman looked around precariously. She kicked her legs out, her heavy gown holding her in a tight place."NO! NO! Please don't! I was only kidding! Please, this is a big misunderstanding! Please!! Help! ANYONE!"  I watched as her body left the room,  all eyes on her as her screams echoed through the palace halls.

That was the last time I saw her.

My gaze was transfixed as he turned, facing towards me. His cloak wrapped around his neck, hiding every single part of his body.

His boots thudded across the ground, his Victorian slacks showing with each deliberate step I held in my breath, praying that the shadows concealed me, rendering me invisible in the room.

The pendant around my neck throbbed with an unsetting warmth, as if reacting to the presence of the mysterious figure drawing closer. I shut my eyes awaiting the sharp pull of the curtain revealing my shaking body.

However, it never came. I slowly opened my eyes, relief washing over me as I witnessed him take a sharp turn away from me. I'm safe. I sighed.

A little too loudly though...

A subtle crack echoed through the room, an ominous precursor to the rapid approach of footsteps. My eyes widened as a black-gloved hand emerged,  pulling the dark curtain aside. It was him.

I slowly raised my head up from staring at the ground. His eyes locked onto me, revealing an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I locked onto those black eyes of his, they were like pools of midnight skies bleeding into the starry night.