TBATE | King Grey

-CHAPTER 22- Captured

(A/N: I'm back after two years. My head hurt trying to write this chapter since I'm so out of touch. I hope I can improve myself with days to come. And I stay longer this time and finish this fanfic.)

// 6 months ago //

// ?????? ??????? PoV //

"In moonlit glades where shadows play, 
The whispering winds in twilight's sway, 
Rest now, sweet dreamer, the night's embrace, 
In silvered light, find gentle grace."

I hummed the lyrics of glades lullaby's softly as I wandered through the forest, my melody intertwining with the chirping of birds around me.

*birds chirping*

Their delicate calls seemed to echo my tune, creating a harmonious chorus that lulled me into a fleeting sense of peace.

I smiled before, pushing my silver bangs out of my field of view, my thoughts trailing back to the things I had kept in the back of my mind.

*sigh*

A soft sigh escaped my lips, while I skipped a series of mossy rocks, carefully steering—not to lose my footing.

The elven palace had always felt too big, too quiet. Everyone was always so careful around me—too careful. The whispers from the maids, the gentle smiles from the guards, and the doting attention from Grandpa and my parents. I loved them, I really did, but sometimes... it felt like a cage. They all treated me like I was fragile, like I might break if the wind blew too hard.

So, I left.

It wasn't the first time I had slipped away after one of those little disagreements with Grandpa. He always meant well, but sometimes he made me feel... small. Today, he'd told me I wasn't allowed to practice mana like Alea or Aya did because I was still "too young"—like I didn't know how to take care of myself.

I know I am only 5 years old but, I wasn't some delicate flower!

That's why I found myself in the forest again, beneath the trees that always seemed to stretch on forever, offering a sense of freedom the palace walls couldn't. This was my place. The towering trees and thick, leafy canopies made me feel alive, their earthy scent filling my lungs. The forest didn't ask questions or treat me like I was something precious.

Here, I wasn't the elven princess; I wasn't a loving daughter, nor a cute granddaughter.

Here I was just Tessia.

With this thought I walked deeper into the misty forest. But my steps soon slowed down when I felt something unusual. The usual comforting rustling of the leaves and songs of birds that had always accompanied in the background has now completely faded.

I stopped, listening.

The forest was quiet—too quiet.

An unfamiliar stillness crept over me, and I felt my skin prickle with unease. 'What's happening....?!' My mind raced as my eyes scanned the large green canopies dipped in the foggy white mist.

*thud!*

Then I heard it: the muffled sound of voices. Low, rough, and human.

*rustle*

"Shhh!"

I froze, my heart thudding in my chest. Humans? Here? They weren't supposed to be in our lands. My fingers curled into fists as I slowly peeked out from behind the thick trunk of an old oak. Through the shadows, I saw them—three men. Their backs were to me, but I could tell they didn't belong here.

My breath caught when I saw their ears—round, not pointed like ours. Definitely humans.

"Oh no.."

I took several steps back, completely forgetting that I was walking in a forest landscape as my footing collapsed and I fell down in a thud.