Thea

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- I have a more interesting suggestion. - The duke replied, playing a slight smile on his face. – Follow me.

Did I think that the Duke was doing all this to distract me from what was happening? Yes, I thought. But even in bold thoughts, I could not imagine that this distraction would lead us to this terrible place full of fetid smells, dampness and rot.

We stopped in front of a massive metal door, and I wanted to ask what was behind it, but I didn’t dare. Because the very sight of the prisoners in this dungeon, led me to primordial horror, making me think that probably an even more terrible sight awaits me behind this door.

But it is worth noting that the method of distraction is really working, I completely forgot about the fun that is happening upstairs, many meters above the ground.

- Open this door, Princess. It’s safe. - the Duke advised me gently.

Seeing the unconditional confidence in his eyes, I decided and pushed the heavy door.

- Oh, my God. - I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand. -Why are you keeping him here?

I didn’t expect to see the very person I asked to be rescued from Riliya’s dungeon here. The same person who protected me despite the fact that we were practically on the level of strangers to each other. Wasn’t he released? Why was he locked in a cage again?

I was silent, but my emotions were significant and the duke hurried to give an explanation.

- We had to be safe before deciding what to do with him. His Majesty promised you to save this man, that’s the only reason he’s still alive. He became one of Queen Riliya’s test subjects.

- Experimental subjects?

- Yes, your father and his wife conducted experiments on people, turning them into werewolves. Most of the experiments were unsuccessful and there in the dungeon, only this man was able to retain the ability to change his appearance back and remain sane, able to cope with his emotions and thirst for murder.

- What about the others? - I asked, involuntarily squinting at the man who was staring at me intently, causing some wave of concern that he might be at least a little dangerous.

- They have irrevocably lost their human form and turned into uncontrollable monsters. They all had to be destroyed. For the sake of everyone’s safety.

- But it was someone’s family. Was there really no way to get their humanity back? What about magic? Is she powerless too? - I asked desperately.

- They did what they had to do, millady. - The prisoner’s voice interrupted us.

Rising to my full height, I was finally able to notice that the man looked completely different from the last time. Now he was clean washed, his hair was in order, and there were no bleeding wounds on his body. Although he still remained very thin from exhaustion.

He looked to be in his early thirties, tall, with sharp features, piercing amber eyes and medium-length brown hair. I immediately noticed that his hair length was about the same as that of the duke, only the latter tied his hair in a small ponytail at the back of his head.

- I’m so glad you’re safe. You look much better than last time. - I hurried to start a conversation with a man. – I am very grateful to you for helping me then. I’m even afraid to imagine how it would have ended if you hadn’t stopped my sister.

- You were the first to show me compassion and help. I will always be in your debt, millady.

- May I ask what your name is?

- Klaus, millady. - he bowed in reverence, putting his right hand to his chest.

- Klaus. - I repeated and smiled, coming closer and holding out my hand to him. – Nice to meet you. My name is Thea.

Instead of shaking my hand in greeting, he turned it palm down, bent down and left a light kiss, immediately pulling away. The Duke cleared his throat unsatisfactorily. Although it was surprising in itself that he did not keep the man at a distance from me, despite the fact that he could pose a danger.

- I thank you, millady, for your kindness to me. If you will allow me, I would like to stay to serve you. - he got down on one knee and bowed his head, like a loyal warrior taking an oath.

- I don’t mind starting small... how about being my friend? - I smiled, but again noticed the duke’s twisted face and decided not to aggravate the situation.

- You won’t keep him here, will you, Your Grace? - now the question was intended for the Duke of Parmont.

- That’s why I brought you here. You can release it yourself. His Majesty had a "thorough conversation" with him and we can safely say that he is safe for you." - He nodded approvingly.

- It’s wonderful, even though I didn’t think for a moment that he could be dangerous to me. – I lied, although deep in my mind there were still sparks of common sense, telling me to be on my guard.

- You are extremely naive and it may cost you your life, Princess. Be careful with your surroundings.

After freeing Klaus from the prisoners’ cell, we finally left this creepy dungeon. A short time later, the duke left the two of us in the courtyard, citing his busy schedule.

Now it dawned on me that maybe then Raphael told the Duke to distract me, otherwise why would he come now? They were probably afraid that I might do something reckless and ruin their wedding. It’s like I’m a kid who always needs looking after. And I wouldn’t say that I’m so reckless to take such a step. Besides, even though I feel in love with the king, I am not so desperate yet that I have reached my own humiliation. Once he has chosen this path, there is nothing I can do.

- Hey, Theanna, what are you doing here? – shouted a guy I’ve seen a couple of times in the kitchen, but I can’t remember his name. - Come on, you’re going to miss everything.

He unceremoniously grabbed my hand and dragged me along, and I could only beckon Klaus to follow me.

Next to the ceremonial hall there was a small chapel, the windows of which were adjacent to the hall in which the sacrament of the wedding took place. The small space of the chapel was filled with servants who wanted to take a look at the beautiful celebration, so that later they would have a reason for new gossip and discussions. Through the crowd, Jenin noticed me and actively waved her hands, beckoning to her, but I waved her off, since I had no desire to make my way through the whole crowd.

As a result, I stood at the very entrance to the chapel, but had a small narrow window next to it, which opened a view directly onto the podium on which the bride and groom were standing. Raphael stood in front of Giselle, gently holding her hands. His eyes never left her face for a second and were very piercing, as if he was looking into her soul. This again caused the unpleasant sensations in my chest to wake up and move. Even his hands alone on her hands were an unpleasant sight for me. I restrained myself as much as I could, so as not to give in to emotions, so that no one would notice the soreness on my face, which my heart reflected. The priest continued to say something that I couldn’t hear from my seat, but judging by what Raphael and Giselle answered him, most likely it was vows.

I wondered how he could swear an oath before God to a person whom he claims he does not love? Or is this just another farce to mess with my brains? I couldn’t take my eyes off them for a second, as if paralyzed, I felt only tingling on my fingertips and a slight numbness when Raphael slowly began to lift the veil from the bride’s face without interrupting their eye contact.

Happiness and sincere love shone in Giselle’s eyes as Raphael slowly bent over her, imprinting a long, thorough "adult" kiss on her lips. And at that moment I was afraid to even blink, I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

After all, he claimed that...

He said that...

What was he talking about? I think my memory is starting to fail me. Maybe it’s a substitution of memories, and I’m wishful thinking? Did he promise me that he would never kiss her?

I lost myself so much in my thoughts that everything went to a secondary plan, only the images of his lips on hers remained. Those damn lips. Why does it hurt so much?

He asked me to trust him, but what did I do? I agreed, but I didn’t think it would be so unbearably difficult. I forgot everything we talked about, what I promised him. I just didn’t want to remember anything anymore, I just wanted this gaping growing hole in my chest to stop growing in size. All that remains is his betrayal of me. How can a person who declares his feelings at one moment start kissing another?

The thin ice that was full of cracks now shattered into pieces with a resounding crack, leaving no more chance for recovery.

- Let’s get out of here, milady. - Klaus’s words echoed in my ears somewhere, but I was as if hypnotized, as if I was frozen, as if ice had crept into my very heart, leaving splinters.

- Wow, did you see that? – servants bustled around.

- Fantastic. – others picked up.

- Is this some kind of magic?

- Impossible, it’s just impossible.

The noise of the voices merged into one, making it impossible to distinguish the essence of these exclamations. I closed my eyes, feeling the wet streaks running down my cheeks. Cold. Icy tears.

- We have to leave. Quickly. Here, wrap it up to warm... - I finally got distracted from the sight that tormented my soul and saw the panic on Klaus’ face.

He hastily wrapped my hands in a jacket that he had taken off his own body. And there was an incredible fuss going on around and it was not joy and fun as before, but rather panic and fear.

The entire courtyard, which until then had been covered with trimmed yellowing grass, was completely covered with a transparent, tear-like layer of ice, strong and durable. The flowers in the vases dropped and lowered their heads under the weight of the ice. The entire courtyard was covered with ice, there was not a single thawed area, and not snowflakes or raindrops fell from the sky, but icy drops that crashed with a ringing on the icy flooring.

With a jerk, Klaus dragged me through the crowd of onlookers to the side, when an equally excited Jenin ran up to us.