Chapter 6 The unknown truth

Eliana pov

Bright sunlight streaming through the window awakened me. It’s been a long time since I slept like this—not even in my father’s castle.

I sat up and smiled as a fresh, cool breeze passed over my face and brushed through my hair. I stretched, climbed out of bed, and walked into the bathroom. It felt so wonderful, like I could stay here all day.

All day. Memory hit me like a sudden splash of cold water. I had work to do.

I hurriedly washed up and rushed downstairs. Titan was standing right outside the door with his arms folded across his chest. I offered him a tentative, fearful smile.

"You're late," he said, his tone harsh.

"I'm sorry, I overslept. I forgot—"

"You'll find the other slaves in the garden," he cut in.

I nodded and hurried toward the garden. Why is he always so harsh? Why is he the one giving commands? I thought he was a slave as well.

"What's on your mind, little princess?" a deep, soft voice murmured.

I turned to see a man clad in a black cloak. His eyes were a striking blue, and even the heavy fabric of his cloak couldn't hide his broad, muscular frame.

What am I thinking? He's a monster.

I quickly bowed my head. "My lord, I am on my way to join the other slaves in the garden." I raised my head, unable to hide a faint frown.

He chuckled softly, his chest rising and falling with every breath. "And who, if I may ask, told you to do that, princess?"

"I did," a firm voice answered from behind us.

We both turned to see Titan walking toward us, his hands clasped behind his back as he approached with a commanding presence.

"My lord," Titan said, bowing deeply.

"Ah, Titan. Little princess, this is Titan—my best friend and my right hand," the man explained in a warm, friendly tone. He turned to Titan with a slight smirk. "Oh, smile a little, Titan. Take it easy on our little princess."

I stood there, thoroughly confused, but forced myself to keep a polite smile on my face.

"Walk with me, little princess. I have a proper job for you," the lord said calmly. "Titan, go attend to other matters."

Titan bowed once more and withdrew.

"Walk with me, princess," he repeated, extending his arm toward me.

I slipped my hand into the crook of his arm and walked beside him. His muscular frame and powerful presence were overwhelming. I tried my best not to stare, but I couldn't stop my mind from racing.

"What did you sense from Titan?" he asked without looking down at me.

"Uhm..." I glanced up at him, bewildered. What is he talking about?

"You sense people's emotions, don't you, little princess?"

My heart skipped a beat. I had almost forgotten. Ever since the incident in the forest, I hadn't been able to focus on my power.

"I... I didn't notice anything, sir. Maybe he wasn't feeling anything strong enough for me to pick up," I replied thoughtfully.

"I see you haven't mastered your gift yet, little princess." He finally stopped, turning to look at me with a faint smile that somehow made me feel completely safe.

"Gift?" I asked, testing the word.

We stepped into a grand hall. He turned to face me fully. "Do you truly not know why you can sense emotions and read minds?"

"I... I thought it was a curse."

Silence fell between us.

​A loud laugh filled the air as he laughed heartily, his muscular chest heaving. I quietly adored him, but I still had to keep my cool.

​He stopped laughing and wiped his face with his hand. "Ever heard of a Luna?"

​I looked at my hands. "Not really. Grandma said she's a nine-tailed fox or something," I said thoughtfully, rolling my eyes. "But that's not me." I dropped my hands and looked up at him; he was still looking at me with a surprised expression.

​"You're right, she is indeed a nine-tailed fox—and that makes you a nine-tailed fox too, little princess." He took my hand and raised it up.

​His face turned deadly serious, and I felt something strong radiating from him. His hand suddenly turned hairy, his nails growing sharp. I couldn't even process what was happening—my eyes widened in surprise as his arm transformed into that of a wolf's. He moved so fast; a moment later, I felt a sharp, severe pain in my hand. I looked up at my raised arm and saw blood dripping from it.

​My eyes filled with fear and shock as I watched my hand bleed. I felt something strange awakening inside me—something strong, trying to break free.

​I turned to see why he would do something like this, but a loud growl escaped him as he tried to slash my face.

​Something burst out of me. My body moved instinctively—I jumped remarkably high and landed on my feet like a cat. I couldn't believe it. I looked at my hands; they had turned hairy, my fingernails extending into long claws, and my heart was beating wildly.

​"No, no, no, please help me!" I panicked.

​I moved backward, clutching my hair in fear.

​"The music box," I whispered. I turned to him. "Where is my music box?"

​He looked utterly confused. "The box? I fixed it, and Titan put it back in your room."

​I ran toward my room, bashing the door open as I bolted inside in a frenzy.

​The speed and strength I had were unbelievable. I was shocked, yet it felt natural—like something deep inside me was finally being set free.

​I sprinted up to my room, threw open the door, and lunged for the closet, my heart racing uncontrollably. "Grandma, grandma, help!" I cried, a feral growl laced into every word.

​As I pulled away a pile of clothes, something metal fell. I turned to look; it was Grandma's music box.

​I picked it up, rushed to the corner of the room, turned it on, and sat down—wrapping my arms around my legs with the music box in front of me. As the melody began, I clutched my head and sang along, my eyes squeezed tight shut.