A Quest To Woo the Prince

The morning air was crisp as Eleanor adjusted the strap of her quiver, wishing she looked more composed than she felt. Though she was concerned about Adrian's words about her life at risk, she remained silent already. Adrian didn't even try to explain it to her anymore. 

Across the clearing, Adrian saddled his horse, his movements efficient and practiced. The slight crease in his brow suggested he was already regretting allowing her to join. Because now, he doesn't have a choice but to be with her. 

Cedric, of course, was enjoying every moment of the spectacle. He leaned against a nearby tree, grinning as Eleanor fussed with her borrowed gear. He just come back from the palace to gather new supplies.

"You look positively radiant," Cedric teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Radiant isn't exactly what I'm going for," Eleanor muttered, tugging at her ill-fitted cloak.

Cedric chuckled. "Don't worry, Lady Eleanor. If anything happens, Adrian will save you. He's honor-bound to protect all those under his charge."

Adrian shot Cedric a glare that could have frozen the morning dew. "I'm not a babysitter," he said flatly.

"And yet," Cedric replied, gesturing to Eleanor, "here we are."

Eleanor sighed, wishing she could disappear into the forest without needing to step into it first. She straightened her shoulders and approached Adrian's horse.

"Ready when you are," she said, forcing her voice to sound more confident than she felt.

Adrian glanced at her, his icy blue eyes assessing her as if she were a puzzle he didn't have the patience to solve. Without a word, he mounted his horse and gestured for her to follow.

"Try to keep up," he said curtly, spurring his horse forward.

The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong. Eleanor followed Adrian closely, trying to ignore the awkward bounce of the saddle beneath her. Cedric rode behind them, whistling an upbeat tune that felt wildly out of place amidst the towering trees and dappled shadows.

It didn't take long for the hunt to begin. Adrian spotted fresh tracks leading deeper into the woods, and the group dismounted to follow them on foot.

Eleanor struggled to keep pace with Adrian's long strides, her borrowed boots sinking slightly into the mossy ground. She glanced nervously at the bow slung across her back, wondering if she'd ever actually have to use it.

"Do you even know how to shoot that thing?" Adrian asked, not bothering to hide his skepticism.

"I know enough," Eleanor replied defensively, though the truth was she'd barely touched a bow in her life.

Adrian smirked faintly but said nothing more.

The tracks led them deeper into the forest, the air growing cooler and the light dimmer as the canopy thickened overhead. Eleanor couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them.

The System's voice chimed in her head, startling her.

"Warning: Magical interference detected. Probability of unforeseen events: 87%. Proceed with caution."

"Great," she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Adrian asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"Nothing," Eleanor said quickly.

Cedric, who had been unusually quiet for the past few minutes, suddenly stopped and frowned.

"Does anyone else feel that?" he asked.

Eleanor paused, realizing what he meant. The air had changed. It felt heavier, charged with a strange energy that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

Before anyone could respond, a guttural growl echoed through the trees.

Adrian immediately drew his sword, his posture shifting into one of readiness. Cedric unsheathed his blade as well, his playful demeanor replaced by sharp focus.

"Stay behind me," Adrian ordered Eleanor, his voice firm.

Eleanor opened her mouth to argue but thought better of it. Instead, she fumbled with her bow, trying to appear at least somewhat prepared.

The growl came again, louder this time, and then the creature emerged.

It was unlike anything Eleanor had ever seen—a hulking beast with glowing green eyes and fur that shimmered like oil in the sunlight. Its claws dug into the ground as it snarled, its gaze fixed on Adrian.

Adrian didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air as the creature leapt to meet him.

Eleanor stumbled back, heart racing as the two clashed. Cedric darted in from the side, his blade flashing as he struck at the beast's flank.

The fight was chaotic and brutal, the creature moving with unnatural speed. Adrian and Cedric worked together seamlessly, but the beast seemed to anticipate their every move.

Eleanor nocked an arrow and raised her bow, her hands trembling. She waited for an opening, her breath catching every time the creature swiped its claws at Adrian.

"Now would be a good time to help!" Cedric shouted, narrowly dodging a strike.

Eleanor loosed the arrow, and by some miracle, it struck the creature's shoulder. It wasn't a fatal blow, but it was enough to distract it.

Adrian seized the opportunity, driving his sword into the creature's side. With a final, ear-splitting roar, the beast collapsed.

The forest fell silent.

Eleanor lowered her bow, her hands still shaking. "Is it… dead?"

Adrian nodded, pulling his sword free and wiping it on the grass. "For now."

Cedric crouched next to the creature, studying its strange, shimmering fur. "This isn't natural," he said. "It's been touched by magic."

Adrian frowned, his gaze sweeping the surrounding trees. "We need to move. There could be more."

As they continued deeper into the forest, the tension only grew. The air felt heavier than before, and the light seemed to twist and warp around them.

Eleanor couldn't shake the feeling that they were being led somewhere—that the forest itself was alive and guiding them.

Adrian, too, seemed uneasy. He kept his sword drawn, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings.

"Do you know where we are?" Eleanor asked, her voice hushed.

"No," Adrian admitted. "This part of the forest isn't on any map."

The System's voice chimed in her head again.

"Warning: You have entered an enchanted zone. Probability of disorientation: 95%."

"Fantastic," Eleanor muttered.

"What now?" Adrian asked, giving her a suspicious look.

"Nothing," she said quickly. "Just… thinking out loud."

The turning point came when they reached a clearing that felt eerily familiar.

"Wait," Cedric said, stopping abruptly. "Haven't we been here before?"

Eleanor frowned, looking around. The gnarled trees, the mossy rocks, even the arrangement of the fallen leaves—it was identical to a clearing they'd passed at least an hour ago.

"We're going in circles," Cedric said, his voice tense.

Adrian's jaw tightened. "No. The forest is playing tricks on us."

Eleanor glanced at the surrounding trees, her unease growing. "What do we do?"

Adrian's expression darkened. "We keep moving. If we stop, we'll never find our way out."

The hours that followed were some of the most disorienting of Eleanor's life. No matter which direction they went, they always seemed to end up back in the same clearing.

Adrian grew increasingly frustrated, his usual stoicism giving way to barely-contained anger. Cedric, meanwhile, kept cracking jokes in a desperate attempt to lighten the mood.

Eleanor tried to stay calm, but the forest's magic was wearing on her. The shadows seemed to move when she wasn't looking, and the air was so thick with energy that it felt hard to breathe.

The System offered no helpful advice, only repeating warnings about the enchanted zone.

Eventually, they stopped to rest, though none of them felt truly at ease. Adrian sat with his back against a tree, his sword resting across his lap. Cedric stretched out on the grass, his arms behind his head.

Eleanor paced the edge of the clearing, trying to make sense of their situation.

"We've been cursed," Adrian said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Eleanor turned to him. "Cursed?"

He nodded, his expression grim. "The forest won't let us leave until it's satisfied. This isn't just random magic—it's deliberate."

"Who would do this?" Cedric asked, sitting up.

Adrian's gaze darkened. "Someone who doesn't want us to make it back to the palace."

Eleanor shivered, the weight of his words settling over her like a heavy cloak.

As the group prepared to move again, a low, melodic voice echoed through the forest. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, sending chills down Eleanor's spine.

"Turn back," the voice whispered. "Or be lost forever."