Vladimir Volynsky

A huge black wolf emerged from the darkness. Its eyes glowed yellow and it approached slowly. Horrified, you backed away until your back hit a tree. The wolf bared its teeth, preparing to pounce. You closed your eyes, expecting to die.

A loud shot broke the silence. When you opened your eyes, the wolf was already lying in the snow, and his blood was spreading in a crimson stain. In front of you stood a tall man with a gun in his hands. His blond hair shone in the moonlight, and his dark eyes looked cold, but there was a shadow of worry in them.

– Be careful, mistress – he said calmly –The forest is full of predators at night. They will not spare your tender body.

It was he, Vladimir Volynsky, the Duke to whom your fate was given.

2025 year. Night. Thick snow was falling outside the window, snowflakes were swirling in a silent dance. The spacious chambers were barely illuminated by a single candle, casting a weak light on the heavy curtains and carved furniture. The silence was broken only by your sobs. You sat by the window, looking into the darkness, where the snow continued its endless ball.

Today, your father announced your marriage. Duke Vladimir of Volyn, a man ten years older than you, known for his coldness and severity, was to become your husband. He was not the one you dreamed of. You, a young aristocrat whose heart dreamed of love, believed in fairy tales and hoped for happiness all your life. But now your dreams have collapsed.

You begged your father to reconsider, begged him not to marry you off to a stranger. But he just waved you off: this marriage would save the family, he said. Heartbroken, you locked yourself in your room, feeling your freedom disappear forever.

But you couldn't accept it. Putting on a white cloak to blend in with the snow, you gathered the bare necessities and left the house. Snow swirled around, covering the ground with a soft blanket. The forest was silent and ominously dark, only the crunch of branches underfoot broke the silence. But the further you went, the more fear took hold. The paths disappeared under the snow, and the ominous shadows of the trees seemed alive.