AURELIA POV...
The morning light crept through the high window—pale and golden, cascading across the stone floor like spilled wine. I had slept little. My mind was too full of plans, my body too aware of the sword's weight in my hand. The weight I had sworn to carry.
I must destroy the dark creatures.
I repeated the words like a prayer carved into my bones.
But I had learned something yesterday. I understood swords now—if only a little. The way the blade becomes an extension of the arm. The way it becomes a part of you. Vasile had taught me that. And I would not forget it.
Perhaps I might even pity him when his end came.
I had dreamt of it—a glorious dream where I had chopped off Tenebrarum's head myself. His body crumpling like a doll with its strings cut.
That is the best dream I had dreamt in a long time.
People might say it was only a dream. But I was certain it would become reality one day. When I finally put an end to this nightmare.
---
The maids arrived at dawn.
They did not speak—not a single word passed their lips, as if making a sound would cost them their lives. Their hands moved with practiced efficiency, stripping away my nightclothes, guiding me into a bath scented with lavender and something sweeter. They washed my hair, combed it until it shone like dark silk, and laced me into a gown the color of a summer sky.
The fabric was impossibly soft. It whispered against my skin like a lover's touch, light and cool and smooth. It draped over my shoulders, cinched at my waist, and fell to my feet in gentle waves.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
The woman staring back was almost a stranger. Pale skin. Dark purple eyes. Hair like a river of ink. And a dress the color of the heavens.
I would have been a grand sight to behold.
But I did not belong here. I should have been fighting monsters, not wearing this foolish dress.
"Where am I to go?" I asked the maids, my voice feigning softness.
They simply bowed and gestured toward the door.
I had no choice but to follow.
---
The corridors were quieter than usual.
I cannot explain this feeling—but it was as if my heart has been squeezed from my chest and thrown away. Such a strange, unsettling sensation.
Where was Clara? I had not seen her since last night.
How could she simply disappear from the room? No good morning. No greeting. She had simply left.
The estate duties must have weighed heavily on her back. They worked her too hard.
---
"I hope you slept well, our dear Aurelia."
Cornelia's voice was the first grating thing I heard.
How did she even come to know my name?
I walked into the dining hall—vast and shimmering with food. Platters of roasted meat, bowls of glistening fruit, flagons of wine. The scent of fresh bread and honey filled the air.
"Are you not shocked that I know your name?" Cornelia laughed, her voice dripping with mockery. "Soon, I shall know all there is to know of you—your thoughts, your fears... and most certainly, your screams."
I ignored her. I walked to the chair and sat.
Before, I had promised myself I would not eat anything from this cursed place. But of what use was that? I did not plan to starve myself to death before my plans were realized.
I grabbed a whole leg of lamb and bit into it without hesitation.
"Aurelia, are you all right?"
Luna's voice was softer. She sat in the chair opposite mine, her clothes more striking than Cornelia's—a white garment with flowery patterns and a small slit at the front, exposing her belly.
"I am sorry for your loss."
I froze.
Sorry for your loss?
Why was she apologising to me?
Dark creatures are so foolish. Look at them—two useless creatures. Or three, if I counted the one serving the food.
I said nothing. I simply took another bite of the lamb, then grabbed a bowl of milked rice, eating as fast as possible.
"Is it because of what happened that you lack manners?" Luna's voice cut through again. "You make me feel like I might lose my meal."
"Why do you disturb me so much?" I snapped, my voice sharp. "I have equal right as you. So if you are not hungry, I am!"
I continued eating, refusing to meet her gaze.
"This is why I love you, Aurelia," Cornelia said, her voice slow and syrupy. She leaned forward, her golden thighs catching the morning light. "You are so beautiful and strong. Beautiful girls used to always be foolish—but you are not."
She smiled at me sluggishly, her eyes crawling across my face like insects.
What kind of fool was this, looking at me like that?
I wondered why the heavens had not yet seen fit to clear such mistakes from the earth.
---
"Excuse me, my ladies."
A guard rushed in, his voice breathless.
"What news has come for us?" Cornelia snarled, her smile sharp and hungry.
"My ladies, the carriage has been prepared." He bowed before leaving.
"Yes! Yes! We are following our lord too!" Luna jumped, dancing like a child, her white dress swaying around her.
"Where are we going?" I spoke, but my voice was overtaken by Luna's happy shrieks.
"Where are we going?" I asked again, but she did not hear me—or perhaps she was playing the fool.
"Is Tenebrarum finally setting us free?"
Luna immediately choked on the wine she had been dancing with. Every eye turned to me.
What had I said wrong?
"Is he setting us free?" I screamed again.
"What freedom do you speak of? Death?" Luna's voice was sharp, cutting through the air. "You call the lord by his name. Everyone in this estate knows you have a strong heart against the prince—but be careful, Aurelia. He would kill you in a moment. You are of no use to him."
"What is his name? Should I call him a monster? Or the devil? Or a beast? Or perhaps I should call him a dark creature that will never see light? OR MAYBE—"
"Aurelia, I know you are angry because of your loss—"
"Oh no. I am lost in this place. If I am of no use to him, why does he not simply release me? Why would anyone train a lion and hope one day it will not eat him? I will eat him!" I slammed my fist against the table. "And then tell me—where are we going? More hell? Or more—"
"We are going to the palace!" Cornelia's voice rose above mine. "Enough, Aurelia! Stop whatever—"
But I did not hear the rest of her words.
All I could hear was the roaring in my ears.
The palace.
That cursed place.
I cannot go to their palace.
My thoughts spiraled, memories surging forth unbidden, each one a fresh wound.
No... I cannot... I cannot.
My father died in the hands of the beasts. Even Flavia.
I had promised myself I would go to that palace when I had won the war. When I had brought victory to my people.
What were the heavens planning?
I cannot go.
I could not.
How can I face this alone?
"Has anyone seen my sister?" The question flew from my lips before I could stop it. Was I scared?
NO. I CAN NEVER BE.
I just needed to speak with Clara. To discuss the practice with Vasile. I just needed—
To breathe.
"Has anyone seen Carla? The maid girl... she works—"
"Which Carla? She's—"
"She is in the palace. She left at dawn," Cornelia said quickly, cutting Luna off.
Palace.
Yes. I just needed to meet Vasile to rearrange the plan now.
"Where can I meet Vasile?"
"He will be extremely busy—"
"I need to speak to him."
He is useful. He can tell me how to reach Tenebrarum's peak. How I could kill him.
"Then let us go. I am not hungry anymore." Cornelia smiled seductively, standing up, her golden thighs catching the light.
"I do not want to go with you. I will go with Luna!"
"And sorry, Aurelia, I am still hungry," Luna said, sipping her drink like she did not care. "Cornelia will show you. Are you afraid she might mess you up in the corridors and make you—"
"No! I do not—"
"You do not have to worry. If she wants to ruin you, the time distance is too short. She will not." Luna sipped her drink, her eyes cold.
I thought she was the kindest person here.
She was no different.
---
"Let us go."
Cornelia wrapped her hand around my arm, dragging me out into a corridor with no light.
I will kill her. I will.
"I can walk on my own!" I pushed her against the wall, pressing her neck.
She pushed me back, pressing mine.
It was just me and her.
"I will not kill you," she said, her voice low and thick. "You can call this obsession or more... but from the first day you came to this estate, I see only you. I have dreams of ruining you every day. What do you need? I will give you my all. I will love you forever."
Squit!
I spat deliberately on her face, making her flinch backward.
"I will never need you. I pray the heavens would forgive you for this!" I hissed. "My father told me there is a terrible place for creatures like you—and that is hell. Now show me where Vasile is!"
She was still cleaning her face.
"Do you think I will react? I will not." She straightened, her eyes burning. "One day... I bet you, one day you will come to me yourself."
She turned and walked toward the door.
"Vasile is at the other side of the corridor. It will lead you to the estate compound. You will find him there."
She walked out.
---
I stood alone in the dark corridor, my chest heaving, my hands trembling.
I cannot tell why .... I feel something is wrong!
---
To be continued....