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The Elusive Pursuit

Eveline could no longer hear the sound of her pursuers. She stopped abruptly, placing her trembling hands on her legs as she bent over, trying to catch her breath. Each deep breath was an effort to fill her exhausted lungs. The rapid pounding of her heart echoed in her ears, awakening the fear of drawing attention once again. Eveline knew she needed to calm down. Since that disturbing scene she had witnessed during breakfast, she had lost any trace of control she had gained through years of training. A shiver ran through her body as a terrible idea formed in her mind.

"If the king is suspicious of me, he will search for me in the castle. If he doesn't find me there, he will be certain that I am the spy," Eveline whispered to herself, her tone filled with apprehension.

She couldn't waste any time. She had to return to the castle as quickly as possible, avoiding being discovered if she hadn't been already. Eveline ran back as fast as she could, being careful to avoid the king's soldiers. She decided to take a longer route, seeking to conceal her true identity. After a frantic run for a while, Eveline reached the south side of the castle, but security was even tighter there. Guards watched over every entrance, and some in their lupine forms prowled the entire perimeter. She found herself cornered, her eyes desperately searching for any opening. How had it been so easy to leave, only to be confronted with so many guards all of a sudden?

As she looked in another direction, Eveline spotted Cedric, the prince, accompanied by his faithful servant Gideon. He seemed lost in thought when suddenly his body collapsed to the ground. Gideon shouted, drawing the attention of the guards, informing them that the prince had fainted. Eveline saw the perfect opportunity there. The guards moved away from the gate, allowing her to quickly enter and hide in a corner, waiting for the opportune moment to enter the castle's interior. It was already late, and she couldn't understand what the prince was doing strolling in the garden at that hour.

After crouching for some time, Eveline saw the guards disperse and assume their posts. The prince seemed fine, so she decided to move stealthily, trying to go unnoticed. However, a voice echoed in her ears, freezing her in place.

"You move like a slug. Come on, hurry up," said the voice.

Eveline recognized the scent that entered her nostrils. Cedric, the prince, had discovered her position. She stammered as she tried to apologize, "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you."

A smile formed on Cedric's lips. "What were you doing outside the castle walls at this hour?"

Eveline felt lost. How had Cedric spotted her outside the walls? He couldn't see, he had no way of seeing her, and she was covered by a potion that made her scent invisible to everyone. He couldn't have smelled her; she had taken all precautions to go unnoticed.

"I..." Eveline began to respond, but Cedric interrupted her.

"It doesn't matter. You should be more careful. You could be considered a spy. You've seen what the king does to his enemies," Cedric warned.

Eveline felt her heart wanting to race, but she kept calm, fighting not to show her true state of apprehension.

"I'm not a spy. I was just trying to get some fresh air after everything I saw today," Eveline protested, her tone laden with sincerity and defense.

Before Cedric could respond, a battalion of guards surrounded them, their armor gleaming in the torchlight. The king emerged from the midst of the guard, emanating a commanding presence. His piercing eyes fixed on Eveline as if he could read her deepest thoughts. Silence hung in the air as everyone awaited the monarch's word.

"What are you doing out here at this hour, surely plotting against me," echoed the king's stern voice.

Cedric took a deep breath, turning his back as a gesture of disdain towards the king. Eveline felt her life hanging by a thread once again. She thought perhaps the king had already discovered that she was one of the rebels fighting against his oppressive regime. She clenched her fists, feeling her claws tear into her own flesh. Fury and the will to fight to the end consumed her being. If she could, she would rip the king's throat right there. However, she maintained a firm control over herself. Her heartbeat remained calm. She couldn't make the same mistake as before.

Roderick stared at Eveline, probing each of her movements, even the most subtle and imperceptible ones. The atmosphere around them became dense, as if the fate of both was about to be decided in that moment.

"Uncle, stop these foolishness. Now you think everyone is plotting against you? I decided to torment the mind of this rejected she-wolf. Had nothing better to do," Cedric said, stepping away.

Eveline looked towards the prince, surprised that he was helping her. She wondered about the prince's intentions at that moment. Roderick seemed confused for a moment, but quickly regained his composure.

"I went to your room, but I didn't find you, Eveline. I've been searching for you for some time," he said. Before Eveline could respond, Cedric took the lead.

"She was hidden in the garden, crying. How did you expect me to accept such a weak companion? Did you really think I would?" Cedric interjected.

"Nephew, do you think, in your condition, I would find another bride for you?" Roderick laughed. "Consider yourself flattered that this well-bred she-wolf accepted you, because even her sister rejected you first. And she only accepted you out of fear."

Cedric clenched his fists, keeping his back turned to his uncle. He couldn't let his anger show at that moment.

"So it's true, Eveline. If you couldn't bear to witness that scene, you could have warned me. I didn't know you were so fragile," the king said in a tone heavy with sarcasm.

"I apologize, my king. I didn't mean to trouble you with my weaknesses. I chose to isolate myself in the garden to avoid causing any interference," Eveline responded sincerely.

Roderick stared at Eveline. She seemed genuine in that moment, but the king still mistrusted her and everyone around him. The attack that occurred within the castle had revealed his vulnerability, leaving him on constant alert.

The tension in the air was palpable. Eveline felt her heart racing as she stared at King Roderick. Those piercing eyes seemed to search her soul for any sign of betrayal. She knew she was in a dangerous position, her true identity as a rebel fighting against Roderick's oppressive regime was threatened to be revealed at any moment.

Cedric, on the other hand, remained silent, but his impetuous expression and clenched fists revealed the fury contained within him. He couldn't let his anger show, not now. The pressure of the moment was overwhelming, but the determination in his eyes was unwavering.

The garden was imbued with tension as Roderick silently observed Eveline and Cedric. He believed that the two were simply exchanging insults and disagreements, yet Cedric's presence by Eveline's side, despite their previous differences, stirred unease in the king.

"You two are fools," Roderick finally broke the silence, his voice dripping with disdain. "Arguing like spoiled children. Don't you have anything better to do?"

Eveline maintained her composure, hiding her true mission behind a facade of personal discord. "I apologize, my king. Our personal differences should not invade the castle's atmosphere. I promise it won't happen again."

Cedric smirked ironically. He knew Roderick was far from fooled, but he also knew this was the perfect moment to keep his true identity hidden.

"She's right, my king. We were imprudent to let our disagreements affect the palace environment. We promise it won't happen again."

Roderick frowned, watching the two intently. He could sense there was something more behind their words, something he couldn't fully identify. However, his suspicion wasn't enough to expose their true intentions.

"Make sure this doesn't happen again," Roderick ordered, deciding to set the matter aside for now. "There are more important matters that require my attention."

Eveline and Cedric nodded in agreement, aware that they had narrowly escaped Roderick's suspicion. However, this close call forced them to act with caution, both to ensure their own safety and the success of their mission.

As the king and the soldiers distanced themselves, Cedric stood with his back to Eveline, taking a deep breath. In that moment, Eveline felt a deep gratitude for Cedric having saved her, even without knowing his true intention. It was as if a mysterious and powerful bond was forming between them, creating a connection that transcended words.

Despite this, Cedric still didn't fully trust Eveline to reveal all his secrets. As the true leader of the rebels, he understood the importance of protecting his plans and strategies. After all, many of his soldiers remained imprisoned in the castle dungeons, enduring cruel and inhumane tortures. Cedric knew he couldn't jeopardize the lives of his comrades or the cause they were fighting for.

"Eveline..." Cedric said, his voice filled with mystery and uncertainty, as he slowly moved away from her. "Don't be mistaken, I am not acting out of altruism. My motivations are complex and not always clear."

Cedric's words deeply wounded Eveline. She lowered her head, feeling diminished and insecure. It was difficult for her to understand the intricate nature of this mysterious man who had rescued her. But despite the pain, a flame of determination ignited within her. She was determined to prove her worth, to prove that she was more than just a pawn in a larger game.

As time passed, the casualties among the rebels increased in frequency, weighing heavier on the hearts of those fighting for freedom. Sadness and anguish mixed with hope and courage, creating an atmosphere charged with intense emotions. Each loss was a painful reminder of the high price of freedom and how much they were willing to sacrifice to achieve it.

The responsibility of finding a way to free his comrades weighed on Cedric like an anchor, constantly reminding him of his mission and the suffering his soldiers faced. Every night, he lay on his bed, staring at the dark ceiling, as the burden of leading a just and courageous rebellion weighed on his shoulders.

Despite the hardships, Cedric maintained a facade of strength and determination in front of his followers, always presenting himself in his lupine form, so as not to be recognized by anyone. He knew that as a leader, he needed to be a source of inspiration and hope, even when darkness seemed to increasingly envelop the kingdom.

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