**
Chapter 53.
~Katrina~
It felt strange to hear a knock on the door this late. Marissa and I were still talking when it happened. At first, I thought about ignoring it, but something inside me said not to.
Marissa looked at me, and I gave a small nod. She stood and walked over to the door.
And then—there he was.
King Karl.
My breath caught in my throat. I couldn't speak. I quickly grabbed my robe and slipped it on, my heart pounding in my chest. He and Marissa exchanged a few words, but I couldn't hear what they were saying.
Then Marissa turned to me, her face lit up. "The king wants to see you, my lady."
I froze. A part of me wanted to say no. Why wasn't he with Queen Fortuna? Why now?
Still, I walked to the door slowly. He looked at me for a long moment, saying nothing.
"Greetings, Your Highness," I whispered and curtsied.
"Are you busy?" he asked softly. His voice was calm, but I could see something in his eyes.
"No… I couldn't sleep," I said, nervously twisting the hem of my nightgown. Why didn't I say I was tired? Why didn't I just pretend?
"Do you mind coming with me?" he asked. His face gave nothing away. I shook my head, and he smiled just a little. "Then let's go, dear."
There it was—a playful glint in his eyes.
He took my hand and we ran down the stairs like children sneaking out for a game. I tried not to laugh, but I couldn't help myself. What was he doing?
I giggled, and he turned around with a finger to his lips. "Shhh… you'll wake them up."
This felt like a dream. Like we were playing hide-and-seek. For the first time all day, I felt truly happy. I hadn't smiled once today… but now, I was laughing like a little girl.
We made it out of the quarters. The guards on duty looked shocked, but they didn't dare say a word.
Lord Rowland was already waiting outside with a horse. The king helped me up, then climbed on behind me.
"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice low and unsure.
It was the middle of the night. It probably wasn't safe. But somehow… with him, I felt no fear.
"You'll see," he whispered, and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
I blushed and smiled to myself. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I wondered—did Queen Fortuna know about this?
Because if she didn't… there was going to be trouble.
The horse picked up speed, faster and faster, like the wind. We raced through the palace gates, and I caught the surprised looks on the guards' faces. Maybe this was the first time the king had done something like this.
It made me feel special.
I loved the way we galloped down the long path leading to Xylonia's villages. The wind blew through my hair, and for the first time in a while, I felt free.
Since I arrived at the palace, I hadn't stepped outside—except for the visit to the complex. I hadn't even realized how much I missed the world outside until now. And being here, with him, made it feel even better.
After about fifteen minutes, the horse began to slow down. The village was quiet. Peaceful. We were almost at a house I didn't recognize.
"What do you think?" the king asked softly, his breath brushing against my neck. "Should we see the village before I take you to where I planned?"
I could barely breathe. His nearness stirred something deep in me—feelings I had tried so hard to push away.
"I think I'd love that," I whispered.
We rode into the village square. It felt familiar, and my eyes landed on the complex we had once visited. I gasped. It looked even more beautiful now. The building was becoming something grand—something that could change lives.
"What do you think?" the king asked again as he got off the horse. Then, without a word, he helped me down too. His touch lingered longer than it should have.
I walked slowly to the front of the complex, eyes wide.
"I wish this could be named after me," I said softly, even though I knew it already belonged to Fortuna.
"It can be yours," he said, walking up beside me.
He looked at me, then at his mare, like even the horse agreed with him.
"Really?" I asked, surprised.
"Just ask, and it will be yours," he said with a calm smile. He reminded me of the Karl from last night—gentle, kind, and sweet. Not the king everyone feared.
"Fine," I said, heart beating fast. "I want it named after me."
"If that's what you want, my princess," he said, stepping closer.
He brushed a curl from my face, his fingers warm against my skin. The wind had messed up my hair, but he didn't seem to mind.
"I like your new hairstyle… And that dress you wore during the games?" he said with a smirk. "What were you trying to do, Katrina?"
A chill ran through me. That dress had been bold—I wanted him to notice me. I thought he hadn't. But now, with the way he was looking at me…
"What did I do?" I asked, pretending to be confused, though a smile tugged at my lips.
He bit his lower lip and shook his head. "I see now…"
Then he leaned in. His lips came so close to mine, but he didn't kiss me. He paused, breathing heavy.
"You're driving me crazy, princess," he whispered. "I'm slowly losing my mind."
My heart fluttered. I wanted so badly for our lips to meet, but here wasn't the right place. Anyone could come out of their homes… or look from a window.
I looked away, unable to handle the way he looked at me. I was drowning in his eyes, even though I could feel the danger in them.
But before I could stop it, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him. There was no space left between us. I could feel our bodies aching for more—just like last night.
"Someone might see us," I whispered, laughing nervously as I glanced around. He didn't seem to care. His face was calm, confident.
"I don't care," he said—and then his lips were on mine.
He kissed me like I belonged to him.
And for a moment, the world disappeared. There was only us. I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave in. I had never felt anything like this. I never wanted it to end.
But it did.
Marianne neighed loudly, breaking our moment. A light flicked on in one of the houses behind us. My heart raced.
I tried to push Karl away, but he held me firmly. "Someone is coming," I whispered.
It was already too late.
The door creaked open and a voice called out, "Who's there?"
Marianne took off, leaving us behind like she didn't know us. The king grabbed my hand, and we ran down the opposite street, laughing like children sneaking out.
Karl's laugh echoed in the night, and even though I was scared—we could've been caught—I laughed too.
Because in that moment, I didn't care. I had never felt so alive.
**
The two of us raced through the quiet, dark streets like village lovers sneaking away. It felt strange—almost unreal—knowing this man beside me was the king of Xylonia.
The same king whose name caused fear across oceans and kingdoms. Who would believe me if I said he was just a man tonight? A man running through the streets, laughing and holding my hand.
But we weren't alone anymore.
The person chasing us didn't give up… and now, two more had joined him.
We stopped running and slipped into a narrow space between two old buildings. It was tight and hidden, but if they found us, there would be no way to run.
The king pulled me into his chest. His heartbeat was fast, just like mine. He placed a finger over his lips, asking me to stay quiet.
I nodded and obeyed.
Moments later, the villagers ran past us—fast, loud, unaware of how close they were. My heart nearly stopped as I held my breath.
When they were gone, I shifted, ready to leave. But Karl didn't let go.
Instead, he wrapped his arms tighter around me… and kissed me.
This kiss was deeper than the first—urgent, hungry. It caught me off guard, but I couldn't stop him… I didn't want to.
I melted into him, moaning softly as his hands found their way around me, desperate and wild. It was like he couldn't get enough of me, and I didn't want him to stop.
We only pulled apart when Marianne returned.
She found us like she knew exactly where we'd be. I blinked in surprise, breathless from what had just happened.
"Let's go," the king whispered, his voice low and rough.
He helped me up onto the horse, then climbed behind me. I leaned against him as we rode through the quiet streets. The villagers were too late. We were already far, far away.
We rode faster than before, the wind rushing against my skin. I held onto him tighter, wondering where he was taking me now.
But as the trees thickened and the air grew colder, fear crept into my heart.
We were heading into the forest.
I swallowed hard, suddenly unsure. Was this the place he meant to bring me all along? The forest?