Eric had never been fond of humans, not since the war began. The conflict had raged on for three years before he finally stood victorious, the human kingdom at his feet. Yet even in his triumph, something unsettled him. Perhaps it was why he took you—a royal, someone of importance—not just as a bargaining tool, but as a reminder that the line between conqueror and captive could blur.

He stood outside the ornate door to your chamber, his fingers brushing over the intricate carvings as if hesitating. The room beyond was lavish—he had ensured that. A bed draped in velvets, a fire crackling warmly in the hearth, the soft glow of it casting shadows on the rich furniture. Beyond the large window, the castle gardens stretched out, a sanctuary of calm amidst the chaos.

He unlocked the door and stepped inside, the click of it echoing softly. His eyes were immediately drawn to you. You sat by the window, the late afternoon sunlight kissing your skin in a way that made his breath catch. There was something about the way you carried yourself, even in captivity, that stirred something unfamiliar inside him. Power, perhaps, but also grace—a quiet defiance that intrigued him.

Eric let his gaze linger as he moved closer. “How are you adjusting to your new accommodations, human?” he asked, though the word "human" left his lips more like a whisper, as though it no longer carried the disdain it once did.