Master Sebastian

     The man halted in front of a magnificent carriage, its black lacquered surface gleaming like polished obsidian in the pale winter sunlight. The carriage's intricate golden filigree seemed to dance across its surface, casting a mesmerizing pattern of light and shadow.

The air was heavy with the scent of polished leather and the faint tang of horse sweat, as if the very carriage itself was alive, waiting to convey its occupants to their destination. The vampire's eyes gleamed with a possessive intensity as he gazed at the carriage, his gaze unwavering.

He shifted his grip on the witch, holding her closer as he reached out to open the carriage door. The door swung open with a soft creak, revealing a dimly lit interior that seemed to whisper promises of warmth and comfort.

The vampire's eyes never left the witch's face as he stepped up into the carriage, his movements fluid and effortless. He placed Her on the Cushion sitting opposite to her. 

       "Let me take a look" 

  He gently lifted her foot, his long fingers wrapping around her ankle with a surprising gentleness. As he examined the wound, his brow furrowed in concern. The cut was not very deep, but it was still a stark reminder of the cruelty she had endured. What struck him as odd, however, was that she hadn't winced once, nor had she grimaced in pain. It was as if she had been numbed to the sensation, her body and mind hardened against the infliction of pain. The vampire's eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he studied her reaction. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a crisp, white handkerchief. With a gentle touch, he wrapped the handkerchief around her foot, tying it securely in place. His eyes never left hers, his gaze searching for any sign of pain or discomfort. But her expression remained serene, her eyes calm and untroubled. 

      After he put her foot down, she bowed her head. "Thank you Mister." 

       The man clicked his tongue in disapproval. "I've told you before, you don't need to bow your head to anyone, especially not to me," he said, his voice low and smooth. "And please, call me Master Sebastian or Master Seb, not 'Mister'. You're not a servant, and I won't have you addressing me like one."

The witch looked up at him, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Yes, Master Seb," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Master Seb's expression softened, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair out of her face. "Good girl," he said, his voice low and approving. "What's your name." 

    The witch's eyes dropped, her gaze falling to her lap as if the question had awakened a deep-seated pain within her. The last time she was asked that question was when she was 10, and had just been brought to the dungeon. The instructor asked her her name, and after that, no one else ever asked. Even during meal times, when the girls got to meet together to eat and talk, she had never communicated with any of them, never told them her name. They never knew her name; she was simply addressed as "the weakling."

A faint tremble ran through her hands as she clasped them tightly together. Her slender fingers intertwined, her knuckles white with tension. For a moment, she seemed to retreat into herself, her expression a mask of serenity that hid the turmoil brewing beneath.

Then, in a voice barely audible, she whispered, "Gisella."

The name hung in the air like a delicate flower, its petals trembling with vulnerability. Master Seb's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with intensity as he repeated the name, his voice low and husky. "Gisella."

The sound of her name on his lips seemed to awaken something within her. Her eyes fluttered closed, and for an instant, a glimmer of sadness flickered across her face. But when she opened her eyes again, they shone with a hint of determination, as if she had resolved to confront the demons of her past.

Master Seb's expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "I'll call you Ella," he whispered again, his voice a gentle caress. "You're safe now. You're mine, and I'll protect you from harm."

     As the carriage ride continued, Gisella's eyelids grew heavy, and she succumbed to exhaustion. She fell into a deep sleep, lulled by the gentle rocking of the carriage and the soft murmur of Master Seb's voice.

  When she woke up, she found herself in a cozy room with a plush bed and warm fire crackling in the hearth. The room was simply furnished, with a small wooden dresser, a comfortable armchair, and a delicate porcelain vase filled with fresh flowers on the bedside table.

Soft sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. Gisella sat up, rubbing her eyes, trying to remember where she was and how she got there. She looked around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

    Just then the door opened and Sebastian walked in, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Gisella. A soft smile spread across his face as he took in her disheveled appearance.

"You're finally awake." He said walking over ro her with a small tray in his hand, laden with steaming hot pastries, fresh fruit, and a delicate china cup filled with a fragrant, golden liquid.

"I brought you some breakfast," he said, his voice low and smooth. "You slept for a while, and I didn't want to disturb you. We're at an inn, by the way. I decided it would be better for you to rest comfortably instead of sleeping in the carriage."

Gisella's eyes widened as she took in the spread, her stomach growling with hunger. She hadn't eaten a proper meal in years, and the sight of the food made her mouth water. 

   The reason for her lack of proper meals was a harsh reality she had grown accustomed to in the dungeon. The food served there was barely edible, a watery gruel that seemed to suck the life out of her rather than sustain her. Many times, she had gone to bed with an empty stomach, her belly growling with hunger.

But it wasn't just the quality of the food that was the problem. Sometimes, she was unlucky, and her meager rations were snatched away by the other girls, who seemed to take pleasure in her misfortune. The instructors, too, would often withhold food as a form of punishment, leaving her weak and lightheaded.

As a result, Gisella had grown accustomed to going without proper sustenance, her body adapting to the scarcity of food. But now, faced with the sumptuous spread before her, her senses were overwhelmed, and her stomach growled with anticipation.

Master Seb's eyes watched her with a knowing glint, as if he understood the depth of her hunger. "Eat, Ella," he encouraged, his voice low and soothing. "You need to regain your strength."

Gisella nodded, taking a greedy bite of the pastry. The flavors exploded on her tongue, a symphony of sweetness and savory goodness that left her wanting more, As she took another greedy bite of the pastry, she ended up choking herself. Her eyes widened in panic as she struggled to breathe.

Sebastian chuckled and handed her a glass of water. "Slow down, Ella," he said, his voice low and amused. "You're not used to eating real food, are you?" She took the water gulping it down.

  Sebastian's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "One single small bite at a time." 

     She nodded,following his instructions ,She took a small bite at a time ,but her movement was still hurried,it was almost as if she feared that if she didn't do fast,the food would be taken away.

       As she ate Sebastian watched her an amused expression, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Take your time, we still have enough time to get to Evaria. " He said in a low voice, he didn't seem to notice the girls eyes widened a bit at the mention of Evaria.