IX. The Girl

The Black Prince penetrated the cold night on horseback. The destination was not that far away, only a few hours compared to other cities that had to take days from the capital city of Anarka.  A little worried about the King's words earlier, Illarion remembered what he said when he left the girl's residence last time.

"We go back to the border and bring all the bodyguards. She will be safe because the terms of the King really protect him, she is still the Queen's family. After all, the King didn't condition that I have to be with her for a year.”

Illarion didn't expect that the small loophole in the King's order that he found was considered a betrayal by the King. “That old man really wants me to wallow with the demoness family,” the Black Prince cursed as he continued to gallop towards Sulli.

Once there, Illarion Black was surprised to see the dimly lit Broke residence, not as splendid as the last time he remembered it. And only two guards were seen in front of the gate who looked lazy, the number of guards was too small compared to the area of ​​land that had to be guarded.

Illarion stood on the back of the still galloping horse before leaping smoothly in an acrobatic fashion to the back of the Broke residence. Meanwhile, his highly trained horse kept going and then hid in the dark forest.

As Illarion was about to head towards the Broke family's main building, he heard footsteps coming his way. The man wearing a dark robe immediately hid among the lush rose bushes, the darkness of the night camouflaging his presence.

“Illarion!” A woman exclaimed.

Thump!

The Black Prince's heart was beating fast.

“I know you’re there, Illarion!”  cried the woman again.

‘How did she know where I was?’ asked the Black Prince to himself. Not wanting to brag, besides being called the Black Prince, Illarion Black also had many other nicknames, one of which was 'black shadow'. That title was not without reason, because every time Illarion descends to spy on enemy territory, no one knew of his existence. And now a girl could suddenly guess his place with certainty.  She's definitely not an ordinary girl, right?

“Illarion ...,” said the woman who stopped right beside the hiding Black Prince. Illuminated by the light of the full moon, the woman with silvery white hair seemed to glow, with her lips as red as the roses in the garden. Her big purple eyes glanced around, blinking several times, fluttering her long white eyelashes.

‘Beautiful.’ Again, the word was imprinted in the mind of the Black Prince. Illarion Black immediately jumped out of hiding. "How did you know I was here? Are you a witch?" asked Illarion while pulling down his cape, showing off her jet-black hair and sharp eyes that stared at Amanda's purple net.

Amanda widened her eyes when she saw a towering male figure appear in front of her. Her already white face grew even paler from the shock. She even fell head over heels as Illarion approached her.

"You're a witch?"  asked Illarion again.

Amanda shook her head quickly.  "N-no..." she answered with trembling lips.

Illarion tilted his head still staring intently at the girl still kneeling in front of him. "Don’t lie!  How did you know I was there!” He snapped. The man really didn't like being lied to. If this were a battlefield, surely, Amanda's head would be cut off as soon as she finished answering. "A Queen of the family, a witch, and a liar, you are truly the complete package I could hate for the rest of my life." The Black Prince sneered. Illarion Black's deep voice that sounded in Amanda White's ears made the hairs on the girl's nape stand up.

"I-I'm not a witch and a liar," Amanda said defensively.

This time, Illarion grabbed the girl's chin, holding her purple eyes back and not at the mound of earth beneath her. A dagger was in the Black Prince's right hand, one way of killing a wizard by stabbing him in the chest before the wizard had a chance to cast a spell. But even that handsome man still wasn't quite sure whether the girl in front of him was a witch. Illarion asked again while threatening Amanda. “Are you a wizard? Get the right answer or I'll gouge-"

Illarion Black had not finished threatening Amanda White, a cat flashed under the man's cloak.

“Meow.” The cat immediately jumped into Amanda's lap.

Illarion watched the cat for a moment before turning his attention back to Amanda. "Answer me!"  The man snapped.

Either because of Illarion's intonation, or because the cat realized the fear of its owner, the pitch-black cat hissed at Illarion, its tail erected and baring its teeth as if threatening the large man in front of it.

“Well, look, you can even hypnotize cute cats to threaten me. Aren't you going too far, witch?”  Illarion drew closer again.

“N-no, you're wrong…,” Amanda replied choked. Her purple eyes began to be flooded with tears and as soon as it was hit by the moonlight, it made those eyes look beautiful glistening.

‘Like an Amethyst,’ Illarion said to himself. His attention completely drawn to those eyes.  Unbeknownst to the man, the cat that was on Amanda's lap was jumping up and with a swift movement clawed Illarion's nose. The man took a few steps back holding his nose. Illarion's eyes were now fixed with vengeance at the cat that had landed gracefully on the ground. The cat turned upside down and growled angrily.

Illarion was ready to throw the dagger in his hand at the cat, when Amanda gave a commanding scream. "Illarion, sit down!"

This time, the girl's scream made Illarion's anger boil, no one except the royal family dared to call the man by his real name, not even just his real name, the petite girl dared to call him in a commanding tone.