a/n: here's the preview to this!

Ambivalence

Dusk

. .

.

Perched on the border of the Forbidden Woods on the highest branch of the tallest, and broadest tree, was a man. A ragged cloak shadowed his identity down to the bridge of his nose, but the salmon-colored strands of hair were slightly visible, teasing out from under the edges of the fabric and over his skin. A light coat of rain showered the land, but the little water unfazed him. His attention and sharp eyes were locked on the castle that stood tall in distance. Surrounding walls that stood almost the same, guarding the citizens that house within the kingdom, leaving predators and people like himself out. Strapped loosely around his waist was a leathered belt containing a few picked items he felt necessary to bring with him, along with a small knife clipped to the inside of each his boot for extra coverage, even though his orders were not harm her when he got the girl into custody. But in this world outside the protection of the kingdom walls, nothing can survive without knowing how to protect itself. The creatures that lurk in these parts have yet to make the books, and he, a hired assassin is no better than them. It's to kill or be killed, no third option unless you're lucky, but luck is rare.

A grin etched at his lips as he straightened from his crouched position and stood. The sky was at dusk and the sun had set long before, and the night was at its darkest point—leaving only the moon and the scattered stars to litter the sky and shadow the land. He grabbed the branch collar that was in front of him and swung his legs up, and jumped over the end of it. A hand held the hood of his cloak in place as gravity did its deed and pulled him down, landing him in a perfect heap on the dry field. His back straightened and he cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders, stretching his arms out in front of her and popping his knuckles. The grin of his remained in place as he slowly started his way forward towards the walls, and he kept a hand at his side against his belt in case.

Even though the outside was the most gruesome place to wonder, this is a world of magic, and inside of the kingdom is no exception. Wizards of many kinds roam the lands from the inside, out, and this little Princess happens to be one of them.

"Your highness?" A voice sounded from outside the door along with a short repeated knock, "You're not still up, are you?" A little humor can be heard laced in the males tone as he slowly opened the door and walked in.

Lucy smiled and turned to the butler from her seated position on the rim of her windowsill, "Why, of course not, Gray. I am sound asleep in my bed." She said teasingly, and giggled at the way the male rolled his eyes. The book that was present in her hands was gently closed and placed on the end of her dresser for it to be reopened tomorrow. Lucy stood and pranced over to her bed where Gray can be found standing beside it with his arms crossed, giving her an expression that ordered her to sleep, but also made her laugh. He was her favorite servant that was hired by her father only a bit over a year back, but the two of them have bonded closely since then. But of course, she really wasn't one to choose favorites, he was like a close friend to her—almost brother like.

"You're due very early tomorrow, Princess, so I would recommend you—"

"How many times must I remind you to call me Lucy, Gray?" Lucy questioned, still using a teasing tone, "And I know, I know. Don't need to remind me a dozen times."

Gray nodded and pulled her quilts up as she settled down into her bed, "Just making sure," He paused, "Lucy."

"Much better!" Lucy nodded approvingly and dropped back down into her pillows and shifted comfortably. "Good night." Gray nodded to her respectively and turned to take his leave, and made it to the door before Lucy spoke up again, "Your top, Gray," A yelp erupted from the man's throat as he quickly re-buttoned his top garment and gave her a sheepish, yet, thankful look. He mumbled his farewell and pulled the door shut behind him as he exited, leaving Lucy alone.

She sighed and rolled over on her back and locked her eyes on the ceiling. The late night was quiet around this time, but the pitch-black sky was her favorite to look at seeing as the stars were more visible and brighter. The sight was breathtaking to look at, and it was one of the few reasons she stays up so late, reading against the sill of her window. And even though the rain was a slight bummer to the sight, Lucy still loved looking at it. She found getting comfortable easy as she snuggled down into her blankets and pillows, and sighed in delight and closed her eyes.

There was a long, still silence as her body slowly became heavier and heavier in her sleeping state. Lucy was able to comprehend the clicking that sounded around her room, coming from the clock that hung upon her wall on the far side of the room across from her. Nothing seemed unusual about this night than any other she had stayed up late. But even though her body was slowly seeping deeper into slumber, her mind was fully aware of the slight movement and sounds of the night around her. And as when the soft creaking of her window sounded followed by fain thumbs that throbbed against her floorboards did the stillness of her body from her slumber stiffen and Lucy shot upright in bed.

The form that had entered stilled for a moment before accepting its notice and moving towards her. The movements were quick, and Lucy had barely managed to thrash herself out from underneath her quilts and jump off the bed. Her vision wavered for a short moment, but she composed herself quickly, but not quick enough. Two muscular arms came up under her and locked her in their strong hold, but Lucy was in too much of a panic to keep still. She kicked and tried her hardest to wrench her arms free, and she had managed to loosen the hold somewhat, just enough for her to ring her arm back and strike her captor in the face with her elbow.

There was a grunt of pain and the hold she was in dropped, sending Lucy to the ground and on her hands and knees. She crawled her way to her dresser and reached her hand up to grasp her chain of keys she hand hanging and turned to press her back against the wall as she stood. The hood that hid the man's face had slipped off when she had struck him, but his head was bowed down with his hand covering his nose. Fresh drops of blood dripped down from the creases of his fingers, giving Lucy a small bit of pride knowing she had managed at least that. Her heart started pounding when he shifted and lifted his head up, and locking his stone stare on her. The snarl that was on his lips became visible as now that his cover was gone. Lucy fumbled with her keys like some fool when he started walking towards her again, but the moment she finally got the key she wanted in her grasp there a blur of movement until she felt a stabbing pain on the back of her neck, then she was out.

a/n: well? does it seem like it may be exciting?

thank you for reading! :)