The carriage jolted over the rough dirt road, and Elowen gripped the edge of her seat, her pulse quickening. Outside, the forest stretched endlessly, dark shapes swaying in the evening wind. The air smelled of wet earth and pine—a sharp, clean scent unlike anything she had ever known. No smoke, no cars, no concrete… just trees, wind, and the distant sound of horses.
Her hands trembled slightly, but not from fear of the road. The man beside her—Darcien, the Monster Prince—radiated a presence so cold and intense it made the air itself feel heavier. Most people would have frozen in terror. She had felt it in the palace already. Yet, strangely, she did not.
"Okay… wow," she muttered under her breath, leaning slightly toward the window. The forest passed in streaks of shadow and rain. "This is… really different."
Darcien's dark eyes flicked toward her, but he said nothing. He simply closed them briefly, resting his jaw in perfect stillness. The silence pressed down like steel, yet she felt… oddly safe.
The carriage driver's hands shook on the reins. "Your Highness… there's an inn up ahead. Shelter for the horses and travelers."
Darcien's eyes opened, cold and sharp, scanning the road. "Very well," he said, voice calm and commanding, yet utterly devoid of warmth. The driver stiffened immediately, fear sharpening his every movement.
Elowen climbed out of the carriage behind him, careful not to slip in the mud. Her skirts were damp, but she hardly noticed. She looked at the small inn, sniffing the wet air, taking in the smell of earth and firelight.
Inside, everything froze. Patrons and staff stopped what they were doing, staring. Mothers clutched their children. Men paled. The innkeeper's hands shook. Everyone seemed to hold their breath. Fear of the Monster Prince was palpable.
Elowen alone smiled faintly. She was still nervous—her heart still thumped—but not afraid. She followed him to the hearth, letting her eyes linger on the flames and the smell of the warm wood.
She leaned slightly toward him, voice casual. "Hey… why aren't there more guards with you? Shouldn't someone… like, protect you?"
Darcien's eyes remained half-closed. He didn't answer. The faint rise and fall of his chest was the only acknowledgment she received. The sheer calm of it, the stillness, carried more weight than any words could.
Elowen blinked, shrugged, and muttered, "Huh… okay. Didn't see that coming."
The rain began to fall harder, drumming on the carriage roof and tapping against the inn's wooden beams. Inside, the fire crackled warmly. Patrons whispered cautiously, careful not to draw his attention. Elowen leaned back, taking in the warmth and the faint scent of wet wood, and let herself smile faintly.
"The fire… smells nice," she said softly, almost to herself. "Feels good after all that rain."
Darcien's head tilted slightly, eyes still closed, as if he were merely listening without speaking. That was enough for her. Most people would have cowered or stayed silent. She… didn't.
Four days lay ahead. She didn't know the roads, the towns, or what dangers awaited them. But she would endure. She would quietly support him. She would be the only one brave enough to speak freely to the Monster Prince, even if he never answered.
Before they could go upstairs, the innkeeper appeared at the bottom of the stairs, bowing nervously. His hands shook slightly as he addressed Darcien.
"Your Highness," he said, voice quivering. "What would you and your… companion like to eat or drink before retiring?"
Darcien didn't look at him. He simply inclined his head once, enough to signal acknowledgment. The innkeeper flinched slightly at the stillness in the prince's gaze, but recovered.
"I… I can prepare whatever you wish," the innkeeper continued, voice hurried. "And the payment… please, it can be settled anytime"
Maya peeked at him, eyebrows raised. "Wow… everyone really is terrified of him," she whispered under her breath. "Even this poor guy."
The innkeeper hesitated, then accepted payment from Darcien without another word. His hands trembled slightly as he handed over coins, and Darcien's calm, cold presence seemed to tighten around him like a physical weight.
Once the formalities were finished, they climbed the narrow stairs to the room.
The inn room was small, just a single large bed pushed against the far wall. Rain still drummed steadily against the roof, the sound muffled slightly by the thick wooden beams. Maya's heart skipped a beat.
"Wait… what?" she murmured to herself. "They actually want us to… share a bed?"
In her past life as husband and wife they had never shared a room, let alone a bed. Maya blinked, feeling a small wave of surprise and discomfort. Her hands clutched the blanket instinctively as she took in the unfamiliar intimacy of the situation.
Darcien stood by the window, hands behind his back, gazing out at the storm. Shadows of the forest pressed against the glass, but he didn't move toward the bed, nor did he seem concerned by the close quarters. The quiet confidence in his stance made the room feel colder than the rain outside.
Maya tugged at the corner of her damp skirts, nerves bubbling. "Um… so… we're, uh… sharing this bed?" she asked softly, trying to sound casual, though her voice betrayed her surprise.
Darcien didn't look at her. He simply inclined his head once, as if that answered everything. Then he moved to the side of the bed, settling onto one edge with precision, leaving her the other half. His movements were measured, calm, and utterly controlled—like nothing could touch him, not even her presence.
Maya climbed onto the bed, adjusting to the strange reality of the room. She hugged the blanket around herself and let her gaze wander to the storm outside. The world smelled like wet wood and rain, the fire from earlier no longer warm, but comforting in memory.
She exhaled quietly. This… this was going to be a very long four days. Sharing a room with a man everyone feared, a man she knew, a man the world called a monster… it was intimidating. Yet, she felt a small thrill in being the only one who could speak to him freely, who could sit here without fear.