Unwanted wish

chapter 2

At the backyard of the old fort, the princess wandered through the overgrown ruins, her thoughts as tangled as the vines creeping over the crumbling walls. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decay, and the fort, once grand, now stood as a relic of forgotten times. As she explored, she couldn't shake the feeling that this place held secrets—secrets that the mysterious stranger, the Black Knight, seemed to guard with his silence.

Days had passed since she first stumbled out of that dark chamber and into the eerie silence of the fort. At first, she had been determined to escape. But every time she thought of leaving, something stopped her. It wasn't fear—no, she had faced far worse threats before. It was... curiosity. Who is he? She wondered, her thoughts always circling back to the Black Knight. Why did he bring me here? What does he want?

She knew he was watching her, always from the shadows, always just out of reach. He moved through the fort like a phantom, silent and unseen, yet his presence was undeniable. She started calling him the Black Knight, though she knew nothing of his true name. The only thing she knew for sure was that he was a skilled fighter, and he always wore that dark, concealing armor.

She had tried to provoke him, to get him to reveal something—anything—about his intentions. She would spoil his meals, knock over objects, and generally cause as much trouble as she could. Sometimes, her antics worked. They would exchange sharp words, her voice rising in frustration, while his remained cool and measured. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break through his calm facade.

Yet, there was something in his eyes, a flash of something dark and dangerous, whenever she pushed too far. He would respond in kind, setting up traps or hiding things she needed, as if he was playing along with her games. The back-and-forth between them became a strange dance, a twisted game of cat and mouse, where neither seemed willing to admit defeat.

As the days passed, the fort became less of a prison and more of a puzzle she was determined to solve. She felt something strange within her, a mix of frustration, intrigue, and a peculiar sense of familiarity that she couldn't quite place. It was as if she had known this place—or someone like the Black Knight—before. But that was impossible... wasn't it?

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the fort, she found herself drawn to the main hall. It was there, seated on a grand, albeit weathered, throne, that she found the Black Knight waiting for her. His black armor gleamed in the fading light, his face as unreadable as ever.

"I've been watching you, Princess," he said, his voice low and smooth. It was the first time he had spoken more than a few words to her, and it startled her. "You're not just trying to escape, are you? You're trying to uncover the truth."

The princess narrowed her eyes, unsure of where this was leading. "And if I am? What's it to you?"

He smirked, the first hint of emotion she had seen on his face. "I'll give you a choice," he said, leaning forward slightly. "You can try to escape. Return to your old life, pretend this never happened. Or..." He paused, letting the word hang in the air, thick with implication. "Or you can stay. Stay, and I'll give you the answers you seek. But to do so, you must follow my commands. Every. Single. One."

The weight of his words settled on her like a shroud. It wasn't just a choice between staying and leaving. It was a choice between ignorance and knowledge, freedom and submission. Her heart pounded in her chest as she met his gaze, trying to decipher the thoughts behind those dark eyes.

"You've stayed this long," he continued, his voice almost a whisper. "You've been playing this game with me, haven't you? But now, the stakes are higher. Make your decision, Princess. But choose wisely. The truth comes at a cost."

She stood there, frozen in place, as he rose from the throne. The room seemed to darken as he walked past her, his presence more intimidating than ever. As he disappeared into the shadows once more, leaving her alone in the vast hall, she felt a shiver run down her spine.

This was the first time he had shown his true intent, the first time he had given her more than just silence. But with that revelation came a new fear—a fear that she had underestimated him, that she had played right into his hands. And yet, there was no turning back now. The truth was so close, and her curiosity burned too brightly to be snuffed out.

She knew, deep down, that he hadn't kept her here out of ignorance. He knew exactly who she was—a princess, a symbol of power and pride. But he had treated her as something else entirely, something that made her question everything she knew about herself.

As she stared at the empty throne, she realized the seriousness of her situation. This was no mere game. The Black Knight had set his trap, and she had willingly walked into it. Now, she had to decide—stay and risk everything for the truth, or escape and live with the mystery forever........