The next morning, sunlight filtered through the thin curtains and woke me from a recurring nightmare blood, fire, and Aldric's haunting laughter. I woke up sweaty, breathless.
I got up and found myself still in this unfamiliar white silk nightgown. I walked slowly to the window, gazing at the dewy garden outside. The silence was freezing, suffocating.
Suddenly, my bedroom door opened. A middle-aged woman in a neat servant's outfit bowed politely. 'Your Ladyship Seraphine,' she said softly. 'I brought your breakfast.'
She pushed a silver cart filled with toast, honey, and tea. The sweet scent of spices filled the air, but I barely noticed it.
'What is your name?' I asked softly.
The servant bowed. 'I am Lira, Your Majesty.'
I forced a smile. 'Thank you, Lira.'
She nodded, but as she looked at me, I saw something in her eyes-doubt, or perhaps fear. I realised that everyone around me was looking at me differently, as if I were a stranger in this body. And it was true.
'Lira,' I said again, more seriously. 'What did people say about Lady Seraphine before... I got sick?'
She looked doubtful, but finally whispered, 'They said you were cursed, Your Majesty. That you bring death to anyone close to you.'
Curse. The word throbbed in my mind like a heartbeat that refused to calm down.
I nodded. 'Go, Lira.'
She bowed and left, leaving me alone with my untouched breakfast.
I sat in the chair by the dressing table, staring at Lady Seraphine's face-my new face-in the mirror. Those grey eyes looked empty, but behind them, there was me Elara, who died a horrible death, and now lives in the body of a woman people say is cursed.
Why me? Why this body?
There was a soft knock on the door. 'Lady Seraphine,' a man's voice called. A voice I would never ignore. Aldric.
I took a deep breath, trying to look as calm as possible. 'Come in,' I replied.
The door opened, and he stepped in gracefully. Aldric was dressed in dark blue formal attire, and the leather belt that adorned his waist added to his prestige. In the morning sunlight, his blue eyes sparkled sharply.
'Peaceful morning, Lady Seraphine.' His voice was calm, but there was something behind his words-an unflagging curiosity.
I stood up, bowing slightly as royalty should do. 'Morning, Prince Aldric.'
He walked over, looking at me like he was assessing my every move. 'You look pale. Are you really feeling better?'
'I'm fine,' I replied shortly.
He tilted his head, looking at me with a faint smile. 'I'm glad to hear that. But the healers say you look... different.'
I swallowed. 'What do you mean?'
Aldric pulled out a chair and sat across from me. 'They say... there's something in your eyes. Like you carry a secret much bigger than just a disease.'
I straightened my back. 'You listen too much to court whispers, Prince.'
He smiled faintly. 'Perhaps. But you know, I've always been interested in things that are hidden.'
His eyes caught mine-and for a moment, it felt like he was actually looking at me, through Elara's soul trapped in Seraphine's body. I turned away, trying to break the gaze.
'Why are you here, Prince? You've seen me well,' I said, my tone deliberately flat.
He didn't answer immediately. His fingers tapped lightly on the back of his chair, a clink that filled the silence. 'I came... to confirm something,' he said finally.
'What is it?'
She leaned in slightly. 'That the curse you carry will not destroy this kingdom.'
Curse. I froze. 'Do you believe in folklore, Prince? This palace is full of fairy tales.'
Aldric stepped closer, we were only a foot apart. 'I believe in what I see,' he whispered. 'And what I see now... is not Lady Seraphine.'
My blood rushed. 'You're mad,' I said, trying to stay strong.
She just smiled. 'Maybe.' He stood up, grabbing my chin, forcing me to look at him. 'Or maybe I'm the only sane one in this place.'
I turned my face away, my heart beating wildly. I had to be careful. He was suspicious-and he never gave up until he found the truth.
Aldric released my chin and walked to the window. He looked at the garden outside, then turned round again. 'You know,' he said, 'this kingdom stands on blood and treachery. Don't think you can hide yourself forever.'
I put my fingers to the mirror. Lady Seraphine's image stared back at me, and I wanted to scream-this wasn't me! But here, I had to be her. I had to survive.
'Prince Aldric,' my voice finally stabilised, 'I do not know what you seek, but you will only be met with disappointment.'
He came closer, too close. 'We shall see,' he said quietly.
Suddenly, a hurried knock on the door broke the tension. A bodyguard appeared, bowing deeply.
'Mercy, Prince,' he said, his voice agitated. 'There is a messenger from the King's court. They wish to speak with you immediately.'
Aldric turned to me, his eyes still flashing suspicion. 'I will leave first,' he said, his tone curt.
As he walked away, he paused in the doorway. 'Mark my words, Seraphine,' he said. 'The false will always be exposed.'
And then he was gone, leaving me with a choked breath and a cold sweat that ran down the back of my neck.
I sat back down, my hands shaking. Aldric was too close to the truth. I had to find a way to break this curse before he truly realised who I really was.
I took a deep breath, trying to get a grip on myself. I-Elara-was trapped in Lady Seraphine's body, and Aldric... he was the only one who could destroy me, or save me.
---
*Evening*
I walked in the palace garden, trying to calm my mind. The cold autumn air pierced my skin, but I didn't care. I had to find answers.
In the middle of a rocky path, I met an old man in dark robes. His eyes were grey, his hair was white, and a black wooden staff supported his body. He bowed respectfully.
'Your Ladyship Seraphine,' he said in a hoarse voice. 'I hear you are recovering from your illness.'
I looked at him suspiciously. 'Who are you?'
He smiled faintly. 'My name is Oren. I... was once a palace advisor, before being exiled for 'curse nonsense',' he said, emphasising the words softly.
My heart skipped a beat. 'You know about curses?' I asked quickly.
Oren nodded. 'More than you know, Lady. Curses are not just legends. Sometimes they are... the price to pay for unfinished love.'
I shuddered. 'What do you mean?'
Oren gave me a long look, then said, 'In death, a lost soul may find a new body-but its old love never dies. You must be careful, Lady Seraphine. For the curse always demands retribution.'
I swallowed. She knew-or at least understood-that I was not Seraphine.
Before I could ask further questions, she bowed again. 'I have to leave before the guards find me,' she said quietly. 'But you... you must decide what you really want, before the curse decides for you.'
She walked away, leaving me with the words spinning in my head.
What do you really want, Elara?
---
*Nighttime*
I went back to my room, trying to piece together the clues I had. The sound of the night wind and the chiming of the old clock in the corner of the room became eerie background music.
I looked into the mirror. Lady Seraphine stared back, her grey eyes reflecting both lies and truth. And I-Elara-was trapped in them.
There was a sudden knock on the door. I turned round, feeling my chest tighten. 'Who?' I asked softly.
Aldric's voice came through the door, low and firm. 'It's me.'
I took a deep breath, then walked over to open the door.
He stood there, his face grim. 'We need to talk.'
'What now, Prince?'
He gave me a long look. 'I've just returned from the King's palace. And there is news... that will change everything.'
My heart skipped a beat. 'What news?'
Aldric took a breath, then leaned closer. 'The King has summoned you-Lady Seraphine-to appear at his court tomorrow morning. He wants to make sure... that you are truly alive.'
I froze. This wasn't just about the curse anymore. This was about my survival-and the truth I couldn't hide forever.
And before I could say anything, Aldric whispered, 'And you know what's even scarier? I'll be by your side, and I won't let anyone get away with this lie.'
---
Tomorrow I must stand before the King-and before an increasingly suspicious Aldric. I can only hope this curse does not lead to a second death.