Chapter 33: The Waterfalls at Night

\- Lyra’s POV -

"Let's go," His hand was still wrapped tightly around mine. The warmth of his palm against my skin felt strange... warm but dangerous. His golden eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world around us seemed to fade into silence.

“W-Where are we going?” I finally managed to ask, my voice trembling.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes sharp and intense even in the dark. “Somewhere they won’t find us,” he replied in a low, steady tone. “If you stay here, they’ll see you.”

My heart skipped a beat. “B-but... the King is looking for you,” I whispered nervously.

A smirk formed at the corner of his lips, cold yet fearless. “Let him.”

Before I could even think, he turned his back to me. “Get on,” he ordered.

My eyes widened. “W-what?”

“On my back,” he repeated with a quiet growl, not out of anger but urgency. His voice was calm, yet it carried a weight that made my body move before my mind could even catch up.

“W-wait, I—”

But then I heard footsteps approaching from the hallway. The echo of the King’s voice was getting closer, each step heavy with power and rage. Fear rushed through me like a cold wind. I swallowed hard, my hands shaking.

Maximus glanced over his shoulder, his sharp gaze meeting mine. “Lyra. Now.”

My heart thumped so fast it almost hurt. With no other choice, I shyly stepped forward and climbed onto his back. The moment my hands touched his shoulders, a strange feeling bloomed inside me... a heat that spread from where our skin met. My chest tightened as if an invisible thread was pulling me closer to him.

“Hold on tight,” he whispered, almost too softly.

I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the solid strength of his body under my touch. His scent of rain and lilies surrounded me, warm and familiar. It calmed the storm of fear in my chest in a way I couldn’t explain.

Then—he jumped.

“Ah—!” I almost screamed, but I clamped my hand over my mouth just in time. The wind whipped through my hair as we soared through the night. My heart pounded wildly against his back, but Maximus only smirked, as if the danger thrilled him.

We landed softly on the forest ground like shadows melting into the night. He didn’t stop running. With every powerful stride, the wind brushed against my skin and the scent of the forest filled the air. I held on to him tighter, my fingers unconsciously gripping the fabric of his cloak. I could feel his heartbeat under my palms... fast, steady, and strong.

Damn, my heart keeps beating fast, not in fear... But with our closeness.

It was strange. It shouldn’t make me feel safe. And yet, it did.

After a while, the sound of rushing water grew louder, and then the trees opened into a clearing bathed in moonlight. My eyes widened at the sight before me. A tall waterfall cascaded down the rocks, glowing faintly as if touched by silver light. The water below shimmered softly, reflecting thousands of fireflies dancing around the edges of the pond.

It was breathtaking... And magical.

Maximus slowed to a stop and gently lowered me down. “We’re here,” he said, his voice quieter.

I looked around, still in awe. “What… is this place?”

He took a deep breath, lifting his face slightly to the wind. “Somewhere I come when I want silence.”

I hugged my arms around myself as I stepped closer to the water. The glowing light from the waterfall touched my skin like a soft embrace. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered.

He didn’t answer. When I turned my head, I saw him watching me, not the waterfall, not the glowing pond, but me. His golden eyes softened, and for the first time, he didn’t look like the cold prince who terrified everyone. He looked… gentle.

I bit my lower lip, unsure how to handle the strange warmth in my chest. “Your Highness… why did you bring me here?”

He looked away slightly, his jaw tightening. “Because you knew where I was,” he said simply. “I had no choice.”

But... why does something in his eyes telling me that wasn’t the full truth.

I didn’t push it. Instead, I knelt beside the pond, touching the water with my fingertips. It was cool and clear, and little sparks of light rippled around where I touched it. I smiled without meaning to.

He stepped closer, his boots were making no sound on the grass. I could feel his presence behind me, heavy and warm, “Do you like it?” he asked.

I nodded slowly. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the soft rush of water and the quiet song of crickets in the forest. I could feel him standing so close behind me that the back of my neck tingled.

Then a thought crept into my mind like a thorn. I remembered Edna and Nira talking... about him marrying a noble Lady Veyra, it must be that Darius’s daughter. My chest tightened painfully.

“Your Highness…” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “If I may ask… why didn’t you accept His Majesty’s request?”

His low chuckle broke the stillness, but it wasn’t a warm laugh. It was cold. “Tch. Darius’s daughter,” he said, almost spitting the words. “Who would want to marry that woman? I’d rather kill them.”

His voice turned sharp, raw, and dangerous. It should have scared me, and maybe a part of me was afraid. But another part of me felt something else... a flicker of relief I didn’t want to admit.

“Don’t you… want to get married?” I asked softly.

He finally moved. His boots brushed against the grass as he circled me and stopped right in front of me. His eyes met mine, intense and piercing. “Why?” he asked. “Don’t you?”

I blinked, confused. “I—” My voice faltered under the weight of his stare.

Before I could say anything, a sound echoed from the shadows of the forest. It was faint, at first a snapping twig. But in the quiet night, it sounded louder than thunder. My breath caught. I froze.

My instincts took over before my thoughts could. I moved closer to Prince Maximus, clutching the fabric of his cloak tightly in my fist. His warmth and scent wrapped around me like a shield.

He didn’t flinch at my touch. Instead, his body tensed, not because of me, but because he heard it too.

“Stay behind me,” he said in a low voice, the warmth in his tone fading, replaced by the cold, sharp edge of a predator.

"Stay with him."

Suddenly, my mom's voice echoed in my head like a repeating memory. But I ignored it, still I couldn't help but think, is this how it feels of having someone to rely on?

I have experienced a lot of darkness for as long as I can remember, but for the first time, despite the fear... I felt safe... and protected.