I was lost in my thoughts when the carriage came to a halt.
"I think we've arrived, my lady. The royal palace," she said, peeping outside through the veil of the carriage.
My heart was pounding so loudly I could hear it, but I forced myself not to think too much about it.
I looked toward the palace entrance. Maids and butlers stood in perfect rows, bowing as the competitors arrived, welcoming each of them with practised grace and noble equity.
Is she....???
No. That can't be.
My thoughts were too loud for this silence.
"My lady, it's time to step down," Daisy said softly.
She didn't notice the sweat forming on my forehead. I wiped it away quickly, schooling my expression, pretending calm. But the moment I saw her standing there in that dress I knew some things hadn't changed at all and things are bound to happen.
I stepped out of the carriage and made my way into the royal palace hall, where all the participants were already seated.
That was when I saw a familiar face with an unfamiliar gaze and expression.
"Lady Adelina Han Dravelle" the daughter of Duke Dravelle the genius that born in centuries she was my inspiration and I always looked up to her.
She stood out immediately.
Her shoulder-length hair was cut far shorter than any noblewoman on this continent would dare she never cared for rules anyway.
In Vellore, a woman cut her hair only for one reason: if her husband had died. It was a mourning custom, a silent declaration of loss. No noblewoman would dare shorten her hair otherwise.
A woman who cut her hair that short was said to invite misfortune into her marriage. It was an unspoken rule, one followed without question.
Her light brown eyes were sharp and unwavering, carrying a confidence that set her apart from the others.
She didn't look nervous. She didn't look hopeful either. She looked certain enough to make other candidates lose their confidence
as if this competition already belonged to her and everyone here was just for decoration.
There was no doubt Duke Dravelle believed she could win.
Still… something felt wrong.
I couldn't tell what it was yet but the uneasiness settled more deeply in my chest the longer I looked at her it was like my inner self was screaming something and I couldn't understand.
"Welcome to the royal palace,"
Suddenly a man announced. His voice was calm, each word was measured and placed with care.
His words made me come back to reality.
"You are here as candidates for the position of Empress of this Kingdom. His Highness does not seek admiration, but a companion worthy of the crown one with intellect, resolve, and strength."
The hall fell silent. Everyone can listen to each other breathing.
"I trust this Selection will make that clear."
Alaric Vaelmont was advisor of King Asper and the man whose words carried almost as much weight as the throne itself let his gaze swept across us, as though measuring our worth in a single glance.
"The honour is ours," Lady Adelina murmured.
Her smile was polite.
Controlled.
The kind that revealed nothing but revealed everything.
"I advise you to rest well," Alaric continued. "Everything has been prepared for your comfort. Should you face any inconvenience no matter how small please don't hesitate to inform us now you all are guests of the royal family and if we can't fulfil your needs it will be like a stain in honour of Vellore.
The smile he offered then was flawless.
And empty and confident. His words were sweet.
Soon after, maids escorted us toward the Empress Palace, where each participant would reside during the Selection.
As we walked, I noticed something that made my steps slow.
Lady Adelina's chambers were placed beside mine. I was happy, who wouldn't be if they finally met that one person whom they always admired?
I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly A sharp pain split through my head.
My vision blurred, and before I could steady myself, my knees gave way. I collapsed to the floor, clutching my head with both hands as the world tilted violently around me.
"Lady—!"
Daisy's scream cut through the noise, sharp with fear.
That was the last thing I heard before
Darkness swallowed everything and I was back in the hell that had been haunting me for months.
Someone was talking.....
I tried to open my eyes, but the pain in my head was unbearable my head feels too heavy, too sharp, which made me want to rip my headoff.
Daisy was constantly checking on me. I could feel her hands wrapped around mine it was the only thing in that pain that was giving me some strength. She was constantly crying I could feel some tears in my hand.
I wanted to tell her I was alright, that she didn't need to worry but no sound came out. My voice failed me.
After some time, the pain slowly eased. With effort, I forced my eyes open.
Daisy was still there. The whole time.
She looked like she hadn't breathed once since I collapsed.
I looked at her and touched her cheeks with my trembling hand and gave her a sweet smile because she needed that more than anything.
I didn't notice the doctor first but when she gently grabbed my hand for a checkup I finally looked at her.
The doctor sat beside my bed, fingers pressed to my wrist, checking my pulse.
"Doctor... doc-"
Daisy's voice trembled with fear her eyes were filled with tears.
"How is the lady?" she whispered tears rolling down her cheeks.
Hope flickered across her face as she looked from the doctor back to me, her fingers tapping anxiously against the bed.
"Are you feeling alright, Lady Calista?" the doctor asked gently.
"Are you in pain anywhere?
Please tell me."
I looked at her and forced my sore throat to work.
"N... no," I replied
She nodded once. "What happened in the hallway? Why did you suddenly faint? Have you ever had an episode like this before?"
She adjusted her glasses, pen moving quickly as she noted my answers.
"No," I replied. "This is the first time."
As I spoke, my eyelids drooped again, my hand instinctively rising to my head.
"Alright," she murmured.
"This could be a case of malnutrition," she added after a pause." I've given your maid some medicine please take it on time and if you have any problems please call me immediately."
She stood up, gesturing toward Daisy before calling her closer and handing her the medication.
I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts spiralling.
Nothing made sense
the dreams,
the constant nervousness,
the fear that clung to me for no reason.
Why? This is happening to me? What did I do?
The dreams every things that happens to me...
Why? Just why? I was trying too hard to survive then why is everything happening with me? The constant dreams of my death have been haunting me for months.
I hadn't told anyone, but I was constantly dreaming of a royal selection. Everything in those dreams was blurred I could never see faces, never grasp details.
And every time, without fail, the dream ended the same way With my
...Death...
And every time I try to see how or why it happens, the dream breaks-and I wake up with nothing left to remember.