I heard a thump from outside the door. I opened my eyes and propped myself up on the side of the crib. The doors slowly opened, revealing Mother's handmaiden, Cathleen. This was the first time I got a good look at her. She had snow-white hair that reached the bottom of her back. Her skin was a dark caramel color, and she had piercing blue eyes. She was stunning.
She looked over at my crib and stumbled back a bit when she saw me looking at her. She placed her hand on her chest and exhaled.
"You sure scared me there, young prince." She smiled, walking over to the crib. "You have quite the piercing gaze... just like your father."
I glanced over at the window. It was nighttime, and the stars shone brilliantly in the dark sky. In my past life, the sky was always clouded by pollution. I never got to see the night time as clearly as it was now, but that was beside the point.
Why was Cathleen here? It was the middle of the night. Did my mother ask her to tend to me? No, that can't be it. Helena was typically the one that took care of me at night, or it was my mother on some occasions when she couldn't sleep. My stubby legs kicked the sides of the crib, and I fell back. Cathleen smiled at me and reached over to pick me up. I was still perplexed. What was going on? But my questions were soon answered when two men entered the room through the wall.
"So this is the crown prince, eh?" The bulkier man asked in a gruff voice, squinting his eyes at my face. "Well, what do you know! He is like those beings in the storybooks! Those crazy eyes say it all."
I turned away and looked towards the other man. He had ivory skin, just like the queen, and dark brown eyes, almost black, but he had a slim but toned build and sleek black hair, neatly cut slightly above his shoulders.
"Let's go quickly. The crystal won't be able to hold out much longer." He turned towards Cathleen and hooked her arm around his. She still held me close in her other arm.
Ah, so that's what was happening. Not even a week into this life and already the tragedies begin to unfold.
"Sylas, can you knock the kid out, so he doesn't make any noise? I dont want to get caught this far into the game." The muscular man asked the other man.
"No need, Colton," Cathleen turned towards the man. "This kiddo hasn't even made a noise since he was born. Even when he cries, it's silent."
"That's peculiar... Is he mute or something?" Sylas asked, looking down at me.
"I'll tell you all about it later. We only have 14 minutes to leave, so let's not stall here." Cathleen said, looking at the crystal in Sylas's hand.
I looked down. I wasn't mute. It was merely a force of habit from my past life. I never wanted to draw unwanted attention to myself, so I learned to cry without making a sound. If someone heard or saw you cry in those parts, it was a sure-fire way to get beaten. I couldn't stop my tears, so I learned to suppress my voice.
"Well, let's go then!" Colton laughed, dragging the two of them behind him. He dropped a scroll into the crib. I didn't know what it said because it in an unfamiliar language, but I assume it was a ransom note.
A wavey wall of mana surrounded them. I looked up at the strange pattern that enveloped me. It reminded me of a mirror that was covered in a dewy mist, or bubbles. It looked quite peculiar.
"You like that kid? That's my stealth magic. No one can see or hear us when I use this baby." Colton laughed.
Stealth magic, huh. No wonder these people were able to take me so quickly. Usually, I would be more flustered and scared if someone took me away abruptly, but I felt these people, despite obviously having bad intentions, it was clear that they were not going to harm me. I should still be on guard, well, as much as an infant could be.
"His name is Seraph," Cathleen told the two men, hoisting me up higher onto her shoulder.
"A name befitting a king," Sylas said, in a mocking voice.
"Sylas, be more respectful!" Cathleen remarked.
"Oh, cool it. It's not like the kid can understand me anyway."
I could, but I didn't care. Why would I? The two men climbed over the wall, grabbed Cathleen's arm, and pulled her up, still holding me tight. I know it's not normal for someone to feel safe in the arms of their kidnapper, but Cathleen was another story. She was a caring soul. I could tell. I remember what the handmaidens were talking about a while ago. I believe she has a baby at home. That explains why she was so careful with me.
I tried to stay awake, but I just couldn't. All of this drama took it out of me. My eyes fluttered closed.
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