Penelope woke up expecting all that had happened to her to be a dream, but the throbbing headache said otherwise. 'Oh God,' she said, sitting up and looking at the window. Someone had put up curtains,_Ryak had been here_ she thought. She looked around her, remembering the eyes she saw last night, which seemed like those of a wolf.
As she got out of bed, heading to the bathroom, she saw a piece of paper on the dresser drawer
"I got you a dress,try it on"
Penelope opened the drawer and found a beautiful, stunning light green, short, straight gown with white star prints, delicate chest opening, and net-like sleeves. 'Wow,' Penelope thought, 'it's beautiful.' She rushed into the bathroom, where she found everything she needed to get clean. After a long bath, she got dressed and admired the dress,she realised the neck and ankle monitor were gone,she screamed in excitement and joy.
As the door opened, she shrunk back a little, but upon seeing him, she relaxed. 'Thank you for the dress,she whispered, her head down. 'It looks good on you,it matches your eye color,' he said standing at the doorway, gesturing for her to leave.
Penelope's cheeks flushed light pink. Excited, she hugged him and said, 'Thank you for releasing me! I won't forget this.' She gave him a light peck on the cheek it was then she realised how cold his skin is, a habit she had when thanking people in moments of excitement (know what you're thinking - she pecks strangers on the cheek whenever she's happy and grateful, yes. But where she grew up, she hardly sees strangers, so this reaction might be unexpected).
"But he pushed her, and she landed on the floor. (Thank God for the rug, or her butt would have splattered everywhere.)
"Ouch!" Penelope rubbed her butt. "No, you are not free to leave for your home, but free to explore the house!" His voice was fierce and intense. "Don't try that ever again." The last part sounded like a threat as he walked out.
Penelope felt a mix of emotions - fear and shock. The person who had been kind to her yelled at her for no apparent reason, except for the harmless peck. Maybe if she wasn't confined, she would know how to make friends.
As she stood up, wiping away the tears that had dropped from her eyes, she felt someone watching her. She looked around the room and the doorway but saw no one. Still scared, she decided staying in the room was the best choice. He might get too angry if she left...
She gulped, not wanting to fill her mind with negative thoughts. She went to the bed, took her novel, and began to read. She had to learn to embrace and love this place if she wanted to stay alive.
Meanwhile, in the hallway, a low growling sound could be heard. "You trash, you'll regret this, her!"
Ryak stormed into the serene library, its towering bookshelves, warm lighting, and comfortable seating a stark contrast to his turbulent emotions. He slammed the door shut, leaned against it, and stared blankly into space. "Why would you do that?" he muttered, his voice softening to a whisper. "What's wrong with me?" His tone tensed once more, laced with frustration.
Ryak walked to a nearby bookshelf and grabbed a random book titled "The True Feeling Of Love". Feeling disturbed, he hurled the book at the window, shattering the glass and sending the book flying outside. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the library, prompting Ivy to rush in like an angry bull. She took in the broken window and scattered glass, her gaze snapping to Ryak with concern. "Are you hurt?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
She approached him, taking his hand to check for injuries, but Ryak swiftly slapped her hand away. "Don't touch me, I'm fine," he snapped. "Besides, if I get hurt, I can heal myself." Ivy's eyes widened in shock; they rarely fought, but since Penelope's arrival, tensions had been escalating.
"It's because of that vixen, huh?" Ivy yelled back, her voice laced with frustration. Ryak massaged his temples, walking toward the door. "Ivy, I don't have time for this. Let's just drop it."
"It's only been two days and you're already becoming a softie" Ivy continue yelling
"Leave me alone, Ivy," Ryak said through gritted teeth. Ryak's anger flared. "You don't want to make me angry," he warned. "Or what? You're going to walk out like the coward you're becoming?" Ivy's fury was uncontainable, and no amount of human blood could silence her sharp tongue.
"Stop. Stop being a poison, Ivy," Ryak growled. "I am not soft, and I am definitely not a coward." He strode toward Ivy, who was breathing heavily, her chest heaving like someone who'd just emerged from a fierce battle. Ryak's eyes darkened as he grasped her neck, lifting her off the ground. A sinister grin spread across his face. "You're just jealous that she looks stunning in that dress – or any other dress – better than you'll ever look."
Ivy's eyes bulged, and she gasped for air, her fingers scratching futilely at Ryak's hand. "Drop... put me down!" she choked out, her voice barely audible. Ryak's grip tightened, and Ivy's face turned blue, but he seemed unfazed to her struggles.
"If I strangle you to death, you won't die," he laughed sinisterly. "You'll just come back to life." His dark words could send the dead shivering back to live, but he spoke the truth. Ivy's special power is the ability of being an immortal immortal,only the sun could kill her, and even then, it would take two hours of excruciating pain. Neither silver knives,bullets or a wooden stake plunged deep into her heart could kill her. She would just come back to live like nothing ever happened.
Ryak's dark chuckle echoed through the air as he released his grip on Ivy's neck, letting her fall to the side. She landed hard, groaning in pain as she struggled to catch her breath.
"You're lucky I even like you," Ryak added, his voice dripping with disdain. He had never loved anyone and never would; his father had instilled in him the belief that love was for weaklings, a sign of weakness. A true strong ruler should never fall in love, and Ryak had always abide to this belief system.
"I don't need your pity," Ivy whispered, rising to her feet and massaging her sore neck. Ryak's eyes narrowed. "What did you say?" Ivy shook her head vigorously, her eyes welling up. "Nothing."
Despite her immortality, Ivy could still feel pain, and the weight of her power had made her pain tolerance low. Ryak's evil smirk spread as he walked out of the library,he had heard Ivy's words and would do exactly that – show her no mercy.