Criminal

I lie on the floor, frozen; clutching what is left of my dress.

The masked man tilts his head and rises from the ground. I'm still in shock and shivering from the night's cold.

“That was stupid of you, my lady. You should have called for help.”

It's the attacker who says this. He has come to stand over me and outstretches a hand.

I take it slowly and rise to the ground. We're both wearing gloves so all I feel is cold from his person.

“Uhm…we— we'll be in trouble…Thank you for your help.” I whisper, looking away from his masked face. The eyes that lie within are very intense, making me even more uncomfortable than I am now.

I cling tightly to my dress.

If anyone came out now, they'd see their Luna-to-be half naked with a stranger and a corpse on the floor.

That'd be bad for my reputation. I had to leave this party.

When I make to move through a hidden corridor, the man stops me, grabbing me gently by my arm.

I flinch immediately and he lets go. “I wouldn't go down there if I were you. This was a planned attack. More bear shifters are waiting for you to try to run.”

I look at him with confusion.

“I certainly cannot pass through the main entrance. Everyone will see me! And the corpse? What are you going to do about that?”

My heart is palpitating; seems there are some events of my past life I simply can't get rid of.

And that scares me.

I knew about this attack— I knew it would happen but I stupidly fell into it again.

My palms are sweaty.

Is this how you want to get your revenge? By falling for stupid ploys like this?

If I could easily fall for something like this; how many more issues will I have in the future?

No. Not like this.

I look at the masked man deep in his eyes. I see them twinkle underneath the soft moonlight.

“How much shall I pay you then? To clear that passageway for me?”

My voice is sharp and clear and I hold firmly to my dress.

I can see a bit of amusement in the strange man's eyes.

“When the time comes, you will know.”

And with that, he dashes away, towards the dark passageway. He's so fast that I can't see his movements.

Who is this person…

I follow him slowly even if I cannot see. The torches here burn dimly so I have to watch my step.

In the next instant, the hallway is full of pained grunts and thumps.

They're all dead.

When I get to the spot where they fell, I notice the masked man is gone.

The only thing that happens is that the corpses start to disappear. I back away; watching as they turn to dust right before my eyes.

It's only then I realize— I never picked up a scent on that man.

His bloodline is unknown.

For some reason; this makes me shiver.

When the time comes, you will know.

I immediately run down the hall, hoping to escape the party without being seen. I successfully do so, getting into my carriage and heading back to my quarters.

I don't stop thinking about the masked man. Even when I sleep that night, I dream of him.

***

The following morning, I'm woken up by Runa’s noise.

She has opened the curtains and is now rummaging through my dresser. When I yawn and stretch, she turns to me in alarm.

“Lady Madeline! You're finally awake. There's a terrible issue in the palace. I am trying to sort your attire before they come!”

I rub my eyes and sit up. “Issue?”

My lady-in-waiting pauses her actions. I can see how fidgety she's behaving.

“What's going on, Runa?”

She lets go of the lace gloves she's clinging on to and turns to face me. I can see how ruffled she looks.

I get out of bed and walk up to her.

‘Runa?”

She shakes her head and whispers, “it's terrible my lady. The whole palace is talking about you…”

My heart sinks.

“What do you mean?”

I desperately hope it's not what I'm thinking. I take Runa by the arm, anxious.

“Runa what is it?! Speak to me?”

My maid's eyes are red rimmed and I notice the bruises on her face.

“The court maids are saying you were making love to a stranger last night just outside the banquet hall. Even the carriage drivers have a gossip going around…you were almost naked and heavily flushed.”

Oh.

I let go of Runa, shaking from shock. I did everything right…

I thought it was too dark for the carriage driver to see but it seems like I was totally wrong.

And to think that I thought I had escaped a bad reputation.

This was worse than my past life. At least then, everyone knew it was harassment even if it was a bit shameful.

Now the whole palace thinks I actually…

I find my way back to the chair.

“I tried to fight them…how can they say such terrible things about their Luna?! But…but that wasn't all.”

I look up from the ground. “W-what else?”

“The emissaries from the Black Bear Clan are missing. Someone testified that the last person he was seen with was you. The person testified you had been seducing him but before they could see more of what happened, they were knocked out mysteriously.”

The masked man…

He had done that.

My heart gallops madly. Not only was I facing accusations of cheating but now, I had something to do with the Black Bear's alpha's death.

I run a hand through my tangled locks.

Fear is starting to creep in.

I look up at Runa. Her expression is heavy; as though she has something to say.

“Spill it, Runa,” I say, my voice shaking.

“The warriors are on their way now— they've been ordered to bring you to court. You've been labelled a criminal.”

For someone who had lived this life before; somehow I've made a more fatal mistake than last time.

Before I can utter a word, loud knocks bang on the chamber door.

They don't wait for Runa to answer, knocking down the door entirely.

The palace warriors.