CHAPTER THREE

I jolted awake and find myself atop a white mare, how I able to mount on this, I don't know, perhaps I am still having a dream.

I tried scanning my surroundings, freshly bloomed flowers and healthy trees surrounds me. I in a long breath and the smell of the spring breeze filled my lungs. This must have only be a dream. Mondain is covered with thick snow, and this place doesn't even have any snow or ice anywhere. 

I was busy contemplating the weird feelings I am having with this dream when a male voice interrupted me.

"I see, you are now awake. I am glad that you did not fell off from your ride, human, or should I say, Naeun?" I snapped my head at him and that is when realization hits me.

I have recalled that I left my sister alone to cross the gate of Verboden. The thought of leaving her behind was like putting salt on a fresh wound but I do not have any choice. Being away from her will give her comfort that I could not possibly able to do if I stayed.

I tried moving my already numb limbs but failed. Magic! This faerie bastard dared to use his magic to bind me. "Jerk! Remove the binds, my limbs are getting numb," I told him through a gritted teeth.

"Oh. I will not remove that bind unless you address me properly. I am a Grand Duke and you dare call me a jerk?! What an ill-mannered human," he said.

"You are a short-tempered man, aren't yo–"

"Correction, I am not a man. I'm a male. I am nothing like you so stop addressing me as if we are alike."

I just rolled my eyes on him and said, "Fine! How do you expect me to address you properly if I don't even know what your name is!" He sneered at me but did not even response. Perhaps this man, or male, or whatever word he used to address himself, is as cold as his kingdom. Wasn't he the so-called Grand Duke of Winter Realm?

"We are currently in Vernal Kingdom. You have been asleep for two days, we are getting near the borders towards the Fire Kingdom," I stared at him oddly. I know that I have been unconscious the whole ride crossing the wall but I never imagine that these lands will be so vast to take about two days and we only reached one kingdom.

"How many days would it take to reach your kingdom?"

"It will take another two days to reach the winter realm."

Never in my entire life that I have imagined of seeing the legendary lands of Verboden. Just like what been told in myths, the faerie land is like a living fantasy book. I could feel the the subtle magic surrounding the whole area and there is something odd about the things around here.

Trees are abnormally stiff, you will also have a weird feeling that someone or something is watching your every breath. Chills go down my spine as I remember other stories about faeries.

There's the good faerie, and the bad faeries who will use his magic to lure you into danger. I was told that these bad faeries will try to glamour you and use you for their merriment. I could not let that happen so I force my mare to move closer to the Grand Duke on my left.

My sudden movement caught his attention and the Grand Duke fixed his gaze towards me. I raise my brow towards him. We are like staring at each other for like five minutes until he divert his eyes towards the expanse ahead.

I hate to admit but this male, despite of being a bastard, is undeniably handsome. He has a midnight black hair, a perfectly pointed nose, and he is surprisingly pale, well afterall, he is living in the winter realm.

I could feel the heating of my face. I am such a fool for thinking that the bastard Grand Duke is handsome. Well he is indeed handsome. I slap both of my cheeks to stop whatever thought building up in my mind and the action caught his attention again.

"What are you doing?"

"Uh, well, I am starting to feel sleepy so I slap myself." 

"But you just woke up," he raised his eyebrow at me. 

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