The Doll and the Prince | Tedros Pendragon

Chapter 5

Layna was a princess who had no particular desire to roam beyond the castle walls. Although her stepmother had forbidden her never to leave the castle without permission (which had always been denied), she had no qualms about the order. She liked the comfort and security within the golden cage she grew up in, and she once believed that nothing would make her think otherwise.

At some point, however, that changed.

Maybe it was when she first roamed the pristine halls of the School for Good that she was reminded of the beautiful dreams of a Happily Ever After, or maybe it was when she started to frequent that Library of Virtue that she realized that there was more to the world beyond her own. Perhaps, it was when she began catching herself habitually watching the class within the Amphitheater of War to catch sight of the boy whose coat remained inside her closet.

However, that could not be the reason why she was roaming the pathway that led to the gates of the Blue Forest - or at least, those were the words that Layna thought to herself when she vaguely remembered walking past a group of boys whose wild jokes and booming laughter echoed throughout the halls right before they walked outside leading to the Tunnel of Trees. She guessed they were going to have lunch in The Clearing right before they resumed their class within the amphitheater, and although she wanted to see what the place looked like, she had no reason to be there. Moreover, she was instructed by Professor Espada and Dean Dovey not to make contact with Ever boys before the Welcoming, which she failed to keep the other evening because of an unforeseen incident. However, she did not deliberately want to go against their instruction, so she believed that limiting contact with the Ever boys was the best she could do if she could not avoid accidents (which she secretly wished to occur more frequently.)

Layna was distracted from her silent rumination when she heard the sound of chimes and fluttering wings twinkling about her, making her look to her side as her eyes widened in gentle surprise.

It was the same fairy who brought her to the Groom Rooms the other evening.

Her lips curved into a pleasant smile, subconsciously intertwining her fingers in front of her as protection. She had grown doubtful of the creature's motives, making her slightly nervous.

"Good day," she started before stopping herself from speaking. Her next words would have been 'It is nice to see you again,' but since the last thing she wanted was to encounter the volatile creature, her lie would have cost her a few moments of irreversible torment.

"How are you faring?"

The fairy only blinked at her with his dark, beady eyes.

Perhaps he knew of her growing distrust, so he remained quiet as he fluttered his wings about her. After a while, he motioned for her to follow him as he flew farther from the girl while looking at her expectantly, but Layna decided not to follow his wish. Remembering how she promised herself never to trust fairies (which only really pertained to him), she gazed at the small creature with evident suspicion.

"I'm afraid I'm quite busy with something." She thought about the books that she planned to read today, "Maybe another time."

The girl pretended not to see the fairy's disappointment as she walked away. However, his dejected expression remained in her mind, making her heart grow soft. Layna deliberated her decision as she continued to walk, her steps growing slower when she finally decided to entertain the fairy's wishes for the last time. But just when she was about to turn around, her neck was bitten with force by two rows of sharp teeth, making her jump in surprise as she squealed in pain.

As quickly as she could, the girl pried the fairy off her, revealing the furious indentations upon her pale skin. Angry by his actions, she steeled her heart as she glared at the small creature, whose rigid posture and firm gaze revealed his unyielding nature. Yet, when she saw the determination upon his features, she took a step back which resulted in the fairy fluttering near her. The girl became intimidated; it seemed as if there would be no use trying to speak with the creature as it was obvious how the fairy had no intention of conceding until he got her right where he wanted. Moreover, she did not know how to defend herself, so Layna decided that there was only one thing to do.