Dawn had not yet broken when I woke Lira. Her voice was soft, but tense. 'Your Majesty, you must prepare. The king is waiting in the throne hall.'
I just nodded. My body felt heavy, like it was burdened by a secret that was about to explode.
Lira helped me put on a long maroon dress with gold thread embroidery along the collar. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Lady Seraphine's face stared back, graceful but fragile.
Meanwhile, my heart continued to race. What would the King ask? Did he know anything about who I really was?
Lira put a thin veil around my head. 'Your Majesty,' she said softly, 'be careful. The King... never messes around.'
I looked at her. 'Are you afraid, Lira?'
She bit her lip. 'I fear what the King will do if he senses a lie, Your Majesty.'
I just nodded. Because I was afraid that this whole charade would come crashing down.
---
The Throne Hall
The long and silent hallways of the palace seemed to lead me to an uncertain fate. Armoured guards escorted me, their steps echoing off the marble walls.
When the great doors of the throne hall opened, I was stunned for a moment. There, on an ebony throne, sat King Leontius - Aldric's father - in purple robes and a golden crown that exuded a cold aura.
His old grey eyes stared at me intently. Beside him stood Aldric, tall and imposing. He wore regal clothing that made him seem even more regal... and more menacing.
I bowed respectfully. 'Your Majesty,' my voice sounded calm, though my heart trembled.
King Leontius only nodded lightly. 'Lady Seraphine,' he said, his voice husky yet full of authority. 'I heard you returned from the dead.'
I raised my head. 'I was only seriously ill, Your Majesty. And now... I'm cured.'
A faint smile appeared on the King's lips. 'You're cured,' he said softly, his eyes still unblinking. 'Or have you changed?'
Instantly, I felt my breath catch. I had to play it smart. 'I'm still me, Your Majesty,' I said as I looked into his eyes, trying to keep the tremble out of my voice.
The king rubbed his chin. 'You know what people are saying out there? That Lady Seraphine rose not as herself. That your body is now merely a vessel for another soul.'
I tried to smile, pretending to be confused. 'Only a fool would believe such superstitions, Your Majesty.'
The king's smile disappeared. 'And I... am no fool, Lady Seraphine.'
I froze.
Aldric took a step forward, his voice low but piercing. 'Father... I witnessed it myself-Lady Seraphine has been different since her 'recovery'. The way she talks, the way she looks at the world...'
The king turned to him. 'And you suspected?'
Aldric looked at me. 'I suspect... but I want to know the truth. Because if the curse is true, then it means danger for all of us.'
I clenched my fists under my dress. I couldn't let them doubt me any further. I must play the role of Lady Seraphine to the end.
'Your Majesty,' I said firmly, 'I am not cursed. I just survived death-and maybe that made me see the world in a different way.'
There was silence for a moment. The king looked at me, his grey eyes piercing my soul. Then he signalled to a servant standing in the corner of the room.
The servant came forward, carrying a silver bowl filled with holy water. 'Lady Seraphine,' said the King, 'prove to us that you are not an evil spirit possessing this body. Drink this holy water. If you lie... it will burn your soul.'
I gulped. The servant's hand trembled as he handed me the bowl.
I grasped it tightly. I knew this was just a symbolic ceremony, but in this kingdom-belief can become truth. If I refuse, they'll believe I'm a demon. If I drink, at least I can still delay their suspicion.
I took a breath, lifting the bowl to my lips. The water was cold, slightly salty. I sipped slowly, holding back the fear gnawing at my chest.
The hall was silent, all eyes on me.
I put the bowl down, my breath shaking. 'I'm fine,' I said firmly. 'I'm not an evil spirit.'
The king studied my face for a long time. Finally, he sighed softly. 'Very well. For now, I will trust you. But remember, Lady Seraphine-this kingdom never forgets. If the curse is true, you will become our enemy.'
I bowed my head. 'I understand, Your Majesty.'
---
After Court
Aldric accompanied me out of the hall. Our steps were slow, only the sound of shoes on the marble floor could be heard.
'You managed to calm Father down,' he said without turning to me. 'But I still see something in your eyes, Seraphine.'
I stared at him, trying to challenge his gaze. 'You only see what you want to see, Aldric.'
She leaned closer, looking down slightly. 'Perhaps. But I know Lady Seraphine very well. And you... are not her.'
I smiled slightly. 'You consider yourself a great observer.'
He smiled back, but his eyes were cold. 'I don't need to be great to recognise a lie, Seraphine.'
---
Evening
I returned to my room, my body limp as if I had no bones. I sat on the edge of the bed, grabbing a piece of paper and a pen. I had to write down everything that happened-everything I heard. I had to find the loophole behind this curse, before the truth killed me.
Suddenly there was a knock on my bedroom door. Lira entered, her face pale. 'Your Majesty... you have a guest who insists on seeing you.'
I furrowed my brows. 'Who?'
She looked down deeper. 'That person... Oren.'
My heart skipped a beat. 'Send him in.'
---
Secret Meeting
Oren entered slowly, his dark eyes staring at me. 'Lady Seraphine-or whoever you are,' he said matter-of-factly.
I stood up. 'Do you wish to destroy me with your words?'
He shook his head. 'No, I don't. I want to give you a choice.'
I looked at him warily. 'A choice?'
Oren walked over. 'This curse... isn't just about you and Seraphine. It's about love left behind-about an old betrayal that can never be erased. You can choose: continue to live as Seraphine and bear these lies, or... you find a way to break the curse.'
I felt a darkness creep into my chest. 'How?'
She looked at me sharply. 'You must find the mirror of origin-the mirror that is the door to this curse. Destroy it, and you may be able to return to yourself. But... if you fail, this curse will swallow your soul forever.'
I froze. 'Where is the mirror?'
Oren sighed. 'In the secret underground chamber of this palace. But be careful-you're not the only one looking for it.'
---
That night, I stood on the balcony of my room, looking up at the pale moon. The night breeze whispered warnings: Aldric, the curse, and the mirror of origin-all await. And tomorrow, I would begin my journey to the secret chamber that might be the end of everything