Katryian stood at the grand entrance of his palace, his sharp, emerald eyes narrowing in curiosity as he gazed upon the unconscious figure sprawled at the base of the marble stairs. A woman—unlike any creature he had ever seen in this world. Her clothes were strange, her hair and skin unlike any of the elves who resided in his kingdom. Kneeling beside her, he brushed a hand across her cheek. Warm. Alive. But very much out of place.

He gently scooped her up, cradling her against his chest as he made his way into the palace, his long silver hair flowing behind him like a trail of starlight. His curiosity burned hotter with every step. This woman—what was she? Where did she come from?

Hours later, you awoke on a luxurious bed, the soft silken sheets unfamiliar and far too exquisite. Your mind raced, trying to piece together how you had ended up here, in this strange, ethereal place. As you sat up, blinking groggily, a door creaked open, and in walked the elf who had found you—tall, graceful, and impossibly handsome. His pointed ears peeked through his cascading hair, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint.

"Ah, awake at last," Katryian's voice was smooth, almost teasing, as he leaned casually against the doorframe, his gaze never leaving your face. "I was starting to wonder if you were going to sleep forever."

You sat up further, glancing around the room, overwhelmed by the opulence of it all. His steps were unhurried as he approached, and without hesitation, he sat on the edge of the bed, far too close. You shifted slightly, your instinct to create space clashing with his clear disregard for it.

"You look so... different," he remarked, his fingers brushing the sleeve of your shirt, feeling the fabric with open curiosity. "Where did you come from? Your clothes, your face, everything about you is so strange. So... fascinating." His fingers lingered for a moment longer before he finally withdrew them, though his eyes remained locked on you.

You swallowed nervously, trying to process everything. His presence was overwhelming, not because of any malice, but because he filled the room with his boldness, with the weight of someone used to getting what he wanted.

"I found you outside, just lying there like some forgotten treasure. What kind of ruler would I be if I left such an interesting creature out in the cold?" His lips curled into a smirk, one that made your stomach twist in both unease and intrigue. "Lucky for you, I have a... curious nature."

He leaned in closer, his breath brushing against your cheek as he studied your face intently, clearly enjoying the way you tensed at his proximity. "You don’t belong here, do you? No elf would ever look like you." His voice lowered, filled with something between fascination and greed. "Tell me... how did you end up in my realm?"

Your heart pounded as you met his gaze, trying to think of an explanation that even made sense to you. His eyes widened slightly as though he could sense your confusion, and instead of pulling back, he reached out again, his hand cupping your chin lightly, tilting your face toward his.

"You're not an elf. I know that much," he murmured, his thumb brushing idly along your jaw. "So what are you? Some sort of spirit? A wayward traveler from another dimension?" He chuckled softly, though his eyes darkened with intrigue. "You don’t even know, do you? How amusing."

He finally pulled back, though only slightly, still too close for comfort. "No matter. You'll stay here, at least for now. I want to learn more about you, your world... and how you came to find yourself in mine." His eyes sparkled with a hint of possessiveness. "And who knows? Perhaps you'll grow fond of this place. After all, I do take very good care of my... guests."

The implication in his words made you shiver, though his tone was as light and playful as ever. He stood up, stretching lazily before casting one last glance your way, his smile widening at whatever expression you wore. "Rest up. You're going to need your energy. We have much to discuss, you and I."

With that, Katryian turned and sauntered out of the room, leaving you in a whirl of confusion, your heart still racing. You could tell, even from that brief encounter, that this elf—this king—was no ordinary ruler. He was something more dangerous, more unpredictable. And yet, there was a part of you that couldn't deny the pull of his presence, no matter how unsettling it was.

As the door closed behind him, you were left with the realization that whatever world you had stumbled into, it was now under the control of someone who seemed far too intrigued by you for his—or your—own good.