With the existence of mind manipulation magic, it is not considered an irrational fear to be afraid that your reality may be fiction. This terrifying thought is better dead and buried, so it is easier for one to sleep at night.
Thankfully, only the most powerful of casters can do such a thing, but the victim wouldn't be aware of its occurrence.
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Artero wore a grim expression as he sat beside Gwyn on a bench in the gardens of the Kosmairian Estate.
"Sorry about… all of that. I didn't know how to tell you and have you believe me."
Gwyn didn't say anything about what just happened.
"I think I want to lie down."
Both of her hands were pressed firmly against her thighs, embedding her nails into her skin.
"Some rest may be beneficial." He stood, holding out his hand to the Chosen One. "I'll post a guard by your door, and one inside, if you like."
"Just the one outside is fine."
Her head was throbbing now; she didn't know what was real anymore. The sense of accomplishment from passing the test was now over. Gwyn couldn't help but question everything. She even wondered whether she had lit the paper on fire or not, or whether the paper was just regular paper, with no iron paper used at all.
Is this all a lie? Who can I trust?
When the couple was outside her dwelling, Artero came to a stop.
"One last thing." He placed his forehead to hers. "Here's my link. This is entirely one-sided, and I am unable to communicate with you. If you need anything, please do not hesitate."
His skin against hers was a slight comfort to the Chosen One. She appreciated the gesture but did not say so. Gwyn only gave him a sweet smile that quickly faded as she entered the dwelling.
The first thing she did was make sure every door and window was locked. Although it eventually occurred to her that if anyone wanted to force their way in, they wouldn't have much trouble.
The Chosen One sat alone. Trying to think of fond memories, but none came. When night arrived, she had reached a version of herself she would consider to be calm.
The sting of Elise's betrayal had waned in its intensity. A hole had been left, a hole that felt incredibly familiar to Gwyn.
As she rested the first night, she had a terrible nightmare. She was being chased through the woods by a man in black armor whose helmet sported a twisted visage and vine-like antlers that rose towards the sky.
The second night, she continued to ruminate. Thinking of every interaction she had with Elise.
God… is that why I fell for her so quickly?
When night arrived, so did another nightmare, this one more vivid than the first.
She was before a crowd of a thousand elves, all of them holding pitchforks and torches. A rope was tied around her neck. Elise and Artero were beside her, worthless and wordless. They gazed away as a man in black armor pushed her from a ledge. The rope went taut. She awoke in a sweat.
After two nights of nightmares, Gwyn was tired of being alone. It felt as though a dark cloud had possessed the home, exclusively remaining inside.
She imagined people whispering about her, about what had happened.
Despite all of the events, she still cared for Elise. However, the thought of being under someone's control made Gwyn sick to her stomach, and every time the thought slipped into her head, the sickness would return.
Midday arrived, and Gwyn was looking for something to eat. She tried casting occasionally, but no matter how hard she tried, nothing would happen. Not a single spark or flame would appear.
There is no way I lit that paper.
She stared at the storeroom filled with food. Yet, none of it looked appetizing.
An ever-growing part of her wished to speak with Artero, but she had a feeling that if she had, he would come running.
The thought of him standing on the other end of the training field, shirtless, popped into her mind. Her face flushed, and then she considered sending for him, so she could at least get a bath going.
Then she remembered Elise and the night they spent together. Helping her bathe, touching her. Gwyn's face flushed all over again. It all felt so real to Gwyn; she was beginning to feel a genuine connection to the elf, and it was all a lie. It was hard to fathom for Gwyn that Elise was manipulating her mind.
Why do I still desire her? Was it really all a lie?
Gwyn tried to clear her mind of those thoughts. She closed her eyes and thought of Artero.
Every time she tried to picture him with a shirt, he seemed to have less clothing. She ended up just envisioning his face. So handsome, a little rugged, but was clearly still a royal. His dark hair smoothly swept to the sides of his face. She saw him across the table at the café, how the light touched his face through the window. A feeling of longing crept into her chest.
~I wish Artero were here to hold me and make these awful feelings go away.~
A thought that comforted Gwyn. She immediately shook her head afterward; it was just a momentary lapse of judgment.
She finished preparing a meal. Gwyn hadn't learned how to summon flames at will, so she had been eating all the food that was still serviceable when cold.
Today was a salad of various colored leaves, small fruits, and vegetables Gwyn didn't recognize, along with a grilled meat that looked like it could belong in a salad.
She tasted a few unlabeled jars of liquid and determined that a salty, lemony sauce would pair perfectly with her meal.
The leaves had a nice crunch, with a slight earthy flavor, while the fruits, vegetables, and meat blended harmoniously with the dressing.
Everything had a freshness to it, as if it had just been prepared, but Gwyn was pretty sure she saw them there yesterday.
The Chosen One started up the stairs to find something to read when she heard a knock at the door. In her surprise, she nearly dropped the bowl she was holding.
"Coming!"
A muffled tone, her voice barely audible through the leaves in her mouth.
She placed the bowl on a nearby stand and opened the door.
It was Artero Kosmairian, standing alone.
"Did you call for me?"