A Quest To Woo the Prince

The morning air was crisp as the hunting party gathered in the expansive woods bordering the palace. A low mist clung to the forest floor, weaving through the tall trees like a restless spirit. Eleanor adjusted her riding gloves, her fingers trembling slightly—not from the cold, but from the knowledge that this hunt was far from a simple outing. She could feel the weight of Adrian's gaze as he mounted his horse nearby, his expression unreadable as ever.

"You didn't have to come," Cedric murmured to her as he guided his horse closer. His tone carried genuine concern. "Adrian only invited you to test your resolve. He didn't actually expect you to agree."

Eleanor offered a small, determined smile, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Then he underestimated me."

Cedric's eyes flickered with something like admiration before he shook his head. "Just be careful. These woods have their share of dangers."

As if summoned by his words, the System's voice chimed faintly in Eleanor's mind.

"Remain vigilant. External interference detected. This event may deviate from the standard timeline."

Her grip on the reins tightened. She had learned to trust the System's warnings, though she hated the way they often left her with more questions than answers.

The hunting party set off, the rhythmic clatter of hooves blending with the distant rustle of leaves. Adrian rode ahead, his sharp eyes scanning the forest with practiced ease. He looked every bit the capable leader, his posture confident, his movements precise. Eleanor couldn't help but admire the way he seemed to command his surroundings without effort.

And yet, there was an edge to him today—a tension in his shoulders, a flicker of something dark in his gaze. Was he testing her? Or was he testing himself?

The group spread out as the hunt began in earnest. Hounds barked, their noses to the ground as they picked up the scent of game. Nobles whispered among themselves, their laughter cutting through the otherwise serene forest. Eleanor stayed near the back, her bow slung across her shoulder, her senses alert.

An hour passed without incident. Adrian had bagged a stag, his skill drawing murmurs of approval from the group. Eleanor had yet to fire a single arrow, content to observe and learn. Her chance came sooner than expected.

The hounds abruptly stopped, their ears perked and their bodies tense. A low growl echoed through the woods, chilling the air. The hunting party halted, exchanging uneasy glances.

"What is it?" one of the nobles asked, his voice unsteady.

Before anyone could answer, the forest erupted into chaos. A pack of magical beasts—large, wolf-like creatures with glowing eyes and smoke curling from their mouths—emerged from the underbrush. Their snarls filled the air as they lunged at the group, teeth bared and claws slashing.

Eleanor's heart pounded as she scrambled to unsling her bow. Around her, horses reared and nobles shouted, their once-confident demeanor giving way to panic. Adrian drew his sword, his expression grim but focused. Cedric was already on the move, shielding a younger noble from one of the beasts.

Eleanor nocked an arrow and aimed at the nearest creature, releasing the string with a sharp twang. The arrow found its mark, striking the beast in its side. It let out an ear-splitting howl before collapsing, its body disintegrating into a puff of smoke. Relief surged through her, but it was short-lived.

Another beast charged at Adrian, its glowing eyes locked on him with deadly intent. He swung his sword, but the creature was too fast, dodging the blade and lunging for his throat.

Without thinking, Eleanor acted. She raised her hand, and a burst of light erupted from her palm, striking the beast mid-air. The creature yelped, its momentum halted as it fell to the ground in a heap of smoke. The light lingered for a moment, shimmering like starlight before fading away.

Adrian turned to her, his eyes wide with shock. "What—"

"There's no time!" Eleanor interrupted, nocking another arrow. "We have to drive them back!"

The next few moments were a blur of movement and sound. Eleanor's arrows flew true, each one imbued with a faint, shimmering light that seemed to disorient the beasts. Adrian and Cedric fought fiercely, their swords cutting through the smoke and chaos. The rest of the nobles were less successful; some fled, while others struggled to defend themselves.

Finally, the last of the beasts vanished, leaving the forest eerily silent. The survivors stood frozen, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The ground was littered with scorched earth and broken arrows, a testament to the battle that had just taken place.

Adrian sheathed his sword, his jaw tight as he approached Eleanor. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with intensity.

"What was that?" he demanded, his voice low but sharp. "That light—what did you do?"

Eleanor swallowed, her mind racing for an explanation. The System, unhelpfully, remained silent.

"I—I don't know," she admitted finally, her voice trembling. "It just... happened."

Adrian's gaze didn't waver. "Magic like that doesn't just happen."

Cedric stepped in, his hand on Adrian's shoulder. "She saved your life, Adrian. Maybe start with a thank you."

Adrian's expression softened slightly, but his suspicion didn't fade. He glanced around at the remaining nobles, most of whom were too shaken to notice the exchange. Then he leaned closer to Eleanor, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Why are you so determined to help me?" he asked, his tone laced with both curiosity and accusation. "What is it you want?"

Eleanor opened her mouth to reply, but the words caught in her throat. How could she possibly explain the truth? That she was here on a mission dictated by an unseen force? That her every action was guided by the desperate need to gain his trust?

"I just..." She hesitated, her voice faltering. "I just wanted to prove myself."

Adrian studied her for a long moment, his eyes searching hers for something she couldn't name. Finally, he stepped back, his expression guarded once more.

"Prove yourself to whom?" he muttered, almost to himself, before turning away.

The ride back to the palace was subdued. The hunting party was smaller now, their numbers reduced by those who had fled or been injured. Adrian rode ahead, his posture stiff and unyielding. Cedric stayed by Eleanor's side, offering her a faint smile.

"You did well," he said quietly. "Adrian may not say it, but he's impressed."

Eleanor managed a small nod, though her mind was elsewhere. The System's earlier warning echoed in her thoughts, and she couldn't shake the feeling that the attack had been orchestrated. But by whom? And why?

As the palace gates came into view, she felt a heavy weight settle on her chest. The magical beasts may have been defeated, but the real danger was far from over.

That night, Eleanor's dreams were filled with flashes of light and shadow, the image of the glowing-eyed beasts haunting her. When she awoke, she found a strange mark etched faintly on her palm—the same light that had saved Adrian now burned into her skin.