Ariana’s eyes flew wide in disbelief—she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
A chicken?
Right here? Right now?
She had been so scared earlier, worrying about her fate, only to realize all this was because of a chicken. She sighed softly. She had thought... oh heavens.
She didn’t know whether to cry or laugh at the absurdity of it all. Was she cursed? Cursed by a chicken or sothing? Why was it always chickens?
Why were they the ones that ruined everything for her?
If this kept happening, she was going to develop a very personal, very deep hatred for chickens.
But wait—why was a chicken here? What could it possibly be looking for at this ti of night? Was it not supposed to be asleep?
’Are you not supposed to be asleep’ she asked herself.
The chicken clucked. Loudly.
Ariana’s face paled as shivers ran down her spine. Oh goodness, she was going to get caught.
And then, as if it had been born with the soul of a rebel, it clucked even louder.
Ariana’s heart pounded in her chest, her lips trembling. No, no, no—this couldn’t be happening.
She raised a hand, trying to gesture it into silence, pressing her index finger to her lips like it would understand. She did the shhh gesture.
The chicken clucked even louder.
Of course it did.
It even started waddling toward her, patting its feathers like this was its ti to fly.
Of all tis, this chicken decided to test its flying skills?
Her breaths ca fast and shallow. This—this was how her plan was going to be ruined? Not by guards, or footsteps, or a misstep—but by a stupid chicken?
What was it even doing in the castle garden?
Did it sneak out like she was trying to?
And then it hit her.
There really wasn’t much difference between her and this chicken.
Both were trying to escape.
And both were seconds away from getting caught.
But still—she couldn’t believe this.
In all her planning, all her hoping, never had it once crossed her mind that her grand escape would be foiled... by a chicken.
An annoying-looking chicken.
She waved her hand, pushing it away gently, hoping that alone would be enough to shoo it off.
’Just go. Please, just go.’
But instead, it was like the chicken had just realized this was its mont to shine.
Its ti to perform.
And then, it began. Loud and proud.
"BUC... BUC... BA... BOC!!"
Ariana flinched, her eyes darting wildly toward the castle windows as she looked left and right in panic.
’No, no, no—shut up! Please shut up!’
She frantically waved her hand again, more aggressively this ti, as if scolding an unruly child.
But the chicken only puffed out its feathers and strutted even closer.
"BAA-BOOOOC!"
Ariana’s mouth dropped open, lips parting in shock.
How... how did her life co to this?
She moved fast, as if that would scare the chicken away. Weren’t chickens supposed to run? But this one didn’t.
She couldn’t believe she was being outwitted by a poultry perforr in a castle garden.
Trying to sneak away from a fate she didn’t ask for—and as if that wasn’t enough, she heard voices.
*
*
anwhile...
Zavren stood, expression unreadable, by the window.
The cold, freezing breeze brushed against his skin—but he didn’t flinch. Not once.
His dark cloak swayed faintly at the edges, the fabric heavy with silence.
Grey eyes blank, locked on nothing, he brought the cigarette to his lips.
He exhaled.
The smoke curled into the dim air like whispered secrets, fading into nothing.
He had been standing there for what felt like hours.
Maybe longer.
Just breathing. Thinking. Watching air.
Then—
A soft knock broke the stillness, echoing quietly through the door.
Zavren didn’t move. Not imdiately.
The smoke drifted between his fingers as his eyes darkened slightly. The atmosphere turned suffocating.
The knock ca again—gentle, hesitant, like it wasn’t sure if it had the right to disturb him.
Only then did his eyes shift slightly—just enough to acknowledge it.
"Enter," he said, his voice low, steady, and cold like ice.
Raven entered, expression slightly panicked, worry written all over his face as he scratched the back of his head, unsure how to put his thoughts into words.
"Your Majesty, there is... a problem," he said, his voice low but strained.
Zavren didn’t turn. He remained by the window, the cold air brushing against him like a shield. The cigarette glowed briefly in his fingers as he inhaled.
Raven hesitated.
"It’s about... Lady Ariana," he finally said.
Still, Zavren didn’t move. His voice ca out calm, almost indifferent.
"What could be so important that you’d dare disturb my quiet ti, Raven?"
Raven swallowed, clearly uneasy.
"Well... it seems her personal maid went to her chambers and found it empty. They’ve searched the castle... and can’t find her. She’s gone missing."
A pause.
Zavren’s lips curled into a dark, amused smirk as he exhaled a long, slow stream of smoke.
He turned slightly, eyes gleaming.
"Is that so?"
Raven stiffened at his words.
Then, quietly, as though speaking to the wind, he added,
"You don’t have to worry about that... I’ll hunt her myself. Let her wander a bit, don’t you think?"
Raven’s face mirrored shock at Zavren’s words—it was like the king was playing a ga. Predator and prey. Allow the prey to enjoy its al before striking... at least give it so extra nutrients.
Raven bowed quickly, lips pressed tight to avoid asking more knowing his head was on the line between life and death.
"As you wish, Your Majesty," he said respectfully, not daring to go against the king’s word.
"Now get out," Zavren spoke, tone sharp and final.
Raven flinched slightly. It was then he realized the sweat trailing down his forehead. He bowed deeper and quickly exited the room.
Zavren slowly turned fully now, stepping closer to the window. His gaze lowered to the garden below—
And there she was.
Ariana.
Struggling with what seed to be... a chicken.
A low, cold chuckle slipped past his lips—void of humor, edged with nace.
His smirk twisted into sothing darker, sothing that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
"Run all you want, snowflake..." he murmured, voice like ice laced with hunger.
"But now... It’s ti for the hunt."
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