Ophelia: A Life in Shadows

Midnight Encounters

Queen Elara's voice trailed off as Ophelia departed with Liril. Ryker's eyes never left the door, his mind racing.

Queen Elara asked Ryker, "Is she—" Queen Elara asked, her tone laced with urgency.

Ryker's response was barely audible. "Not yet."

Queen Elara urged, "We need to hurry."

Ryker nodded. "I know."

On the other side, Liril introduced herself to Ophelia. "Milady, I'm Liril. I'm assigned to be your personal servant. Do call me if you need anything."

Ophelia smiled. "Oh! Ok Liril!"

Liril bowed and left.

Ophelia lost in thought for a second and went to lock the door. Just then, someone pushed the door open and entered her room. It was Ryker. Ophelia lost her balance and was about to fall when Ryker caught her and placed his palm on her mouth as she was about to shout.

Ryker whispered, "Shh... Come here." He dragged her to the bed and made her sit, then went to close the door.

Ophelia whispered, "Ryker, you..."

Ryker reminded, "Shh... keep your voice low."

Ophelia asked, "Why are you here, that too like this?"

Ryker explained, "Ophie, there are certain rules in this palace that everyone has to follow. Like unmarried men and women are not allowed to meet at night. So, I had to come here like this."

Ophelia teased, "So Prince Ryker is breaking the rules."

Ryker chuckled. "Anything for you."

Ophelia inquired, "But why? We can talk tomorrow, right?"

Ryker's expression turned serious. "No, we weren't able to complete our conversation before, and I can feel you're troubled because of some thoughts and questions. What is it? Didn't I promise you answers?"

Ophelia hesitated. "Ryker..."

Ryker urged, "Yes?"

Ophelia whispered, "Someone's coming."

Ryker doubted, "Huh? I don't think so... What? Is this a sign you don't want me here?"

Ophelia reassured, "No Ryker, don't get me wrong... I can feel it."

Just then, someone knocked at the door.

Ryker exclaimed, "Whoa! You really have strong instincts."

Ophelia agreed, "I guess."

Ryker hid behind the curtains.

Ophelia permitted the person to enter.

Liril came in. "Milady, Queen Elara sent food for you."

Ophelia instructed, "You can place it here."

Liril placed the food on the table.

Ophelia gently added, "Liril, you can go now. I'm a bit tired and need some rest."

Liril bowed and left.

Ophelia closed the door.

As Ophelia turned, Ryker stood right behind her, and she stumbled.

Ryker held her waist, whispering in her ear, "Be careful, Milady."

Ophelia blushed.

Ryker asked, "Did I scare you?"

Ophelia inquired, "Ryker, what is it? What do you want to talk about?"

Ryker suggested, "Later. You should eat first; the food's getting cold."

Ophelia refused, "No Ryker, I really don't—" But before she could finish, Ryker put a bite of food in her mouth, leaving her stunned.

Ryker teased, "What? Are you a small kid that needs to be fed? Come on, finish your food."

Ophelia asked, "Did you have your dinner?"

Ryker shook his head.

"Then let's eat together," Ophelia proposed.

Ryker agreed, "Ok."

They shared a meal.

Ryker inquired, "Do you know what it means?"

Ophelia questioned, "What?"

Ryker chuckled and said, "Forget it."

Ophelia asked, “So, you didn’t tell me why it’s not safe at night? Didn’t you say the danger’s over?”

Ryker sighed. “Yes, Ophie, but…” He paused, collecting his thoughts. Ryker sighed again before continuing, “Before my mother, there was a Queen. Her ancestors built this kingdom. She was a pure spirit, so the shadowy figures and all won’t dare harm anyone here. However, their power grows at night, and people have often seen them. That’s why nobody dares to go out.”

Ophelia thought to herself, Should I tell him that I’ve seen that too… or?

Ryker snapped his fingers in front of Ophelia’s eyes. “What? Where did you get lost again?”

Ophelia nodded, trying to brush it off. “Nothing.”

Ryker’s expression turned gentle. “Ophie, we’re always like this. Can’t we forget about all this for a while and think about something else?”

Seeing Ophelia’s puzzled expression, Ryker sighed. “Forget it.”

Ophelia inquired, “What do you mean?”

Ryker’s eyes sparkled with amusement, but he didn’t elaborate.

Ophelia reminded him, “Wait, Ryker, you should leave now. If someone sees you here, they’ll misunderstand.”

Ryker shrugged. “I don’t care. I won’t leave before you tell me what’s in your mind.”

Ophelia hesitated. “What?”

Ryker’s voice turned serious. “Ophie, I know something’s troubling you. What is it? Is everything alright? Or are you hiding something from me? You always look troubled and lost. What’s going on in your mind?”

Ophelia confessed, “There’s a lot… that I don’t even know myself.”

Ryker reassured, “You can ask me anything. I’ll answer if I can.”

Ophelia’s curiosity resurfaced. “Ryker, you always talk about power… what kind of power do you mean?”

Ryker’s expression turned cryptic. “About that… don’t think too much. This is a little complicated. You’ll find out soon. Ophie, don’t trouble yourself with these thoughts. Give yourself some time. I know all this isn’t easy for you, but I’m here with you always.”

Ophelia wondered, Is he hiding something from me?

Ophelia clarified, “Ryker, I don’t know what to do. There are too many secrets and truths to uncover, but I don’t even know how.”

Ryker’s eyes locked onto hers, his voice gentle. “Ophie, can’t we forget about it for a while and talk about something else?”

Ophelia’s confusion deepened. “What— What do you mean?”

Ryker’s smile hinted at secrets.

Ophelia urged, “Ryker, I really think you should leave now. Otherwise, you’ll be in trouble. What if someone comes?”

Ryker whispered, “Shh… Let them come.”

Ophelia pleaded, “Ryker…”

Ryker relented. “Ok, fine. I’ll leave once you sleep, ok?”

Ophelia nodded and laid down in her bed. Ryker pulled the blanket over her, his touch gentle.

“Sleep tight,” Ryker whispered.

As Ryker left, Lyra secretly watched him.

At midnight, Lyra tried to sneak into Ophelia’s room, but Ryker pulled her from behind and took her to a corner.

Ryker demanded, his jaws clenched, “What are you doing here? Are you trying to repeat your mistake?”

Lyra clenched her jaw. “What do you think? Do you think I’ll repeat my mistake?”

Ryker’s eyes narrowed. “Then what were you doing outside her room?”

Lyra replied, “I just can’t help it.”

Ryker’s voice turned firm. “Enough, Lyra. You should stop it now. You know I love her, and I’ll always will.”

Lyra whispered, “Ryker…”

Ryker left, leaving Lyra behind, her emotions in turmoil.