My eyes fluttered open.
Maria's pale, worried face hovered above me.
"Oh, Lady Aria, are you alright? Did you have a nightmare? You wouldn't wake up!" she exclaimed.
I realized I was drenched in sweat, tears still wet on my cheeks.
"Yeah... I think so. I'm alright now, Maria. Thank you."
"I'll get the bath ready for you, my lady, and prepare your clothes for breakfast."
"Yes, thank you."
I sat up slowly, trying to calm my racing heart. The dream... it had been so vivid, so intense. The scenery had been strange yet strangely familiar. I couldn't explain it. It just felt like something I knew.
After my bath, I sat at the dresser as Maria began drying my hair.
"What was the dream about, my lady—if I may ask?" she said gently, concern evident in her voice.
"I don't remember," I lied. How could I explain something I didn't even understand myself?
"Oh... alright then. How would you like your hair done today?"
I looked into the mirror. Thick raven-black hair reached my waist, framing emerald eyes with long lashes, fair skin, red lips, and naturally rosy cheeks. I looked like a porcelain doll. A beautiful one. But my eyes... they'd lost their shine long ago.
"A low bun, please," I said softly.
It had been two years since I was adopted by the Castille family.
Yesterday was my birthday—I was sixteen now. Two more years until the coming-of-age ceremony.
I got dressed, choosing a pale yellow gown with simple embroidery around the cuffs and chest. I preferred calm colors and simple designs.
When I entered the dining room, the Duke and Henry were already seated.
"Good morning, Father. Good morning, Big Brother."
The Duke greeted me with his unsettlingly sweet smile.
"Good morning, sweetheart."
Henry gave me a silent nod. He was four years older, and we'd never been close. He always kept his distance.
"Did you sleep well, honey?" the Duke asked.
"Yes, Father," I answered immediately—almost before he finished the question. It was the same conversation every morning.
The butler arrived with the day's mail and handed it to the Duke. He read through them, then suddenly paused. His expression flickered with anger before he masked it again with his usual smile.
"Aria, sweetheart," he said, holding out a letter, "you've received an invitation to a tea party hosted by Lady Caroline Bennet next month. She's the youngest daughter of Duke Bennet. Have you met her before? It's rather strange for her to send this out of the blue."
I glanced at the invitation—an all-girls tea party.
"No, Father. You know I've never left the mansion. She must've sent it out of courtesy since I turned sixteen."
He seemed satisfied with the answer. "Yes, that makes sense."
"Do you wish to attend, Aria?"
I knew this was a test. And I knew what answer he wanted.
"I'll go if you want me to, Father."
He smiled, pleased. He liked being in control.
"Very well. It's time you started attending these events. You're a young woman now."
"As you wish, Father."
I finished breakfast and returned to my room.
The dream lingered in my mind. Another world... It had felt too real. But I couldn't share that with anyone. They'd think I was insane.
It was just a dream, Aria. Forget it.
I grabbed the book I'd been reading and headed to the veranda. It was a beautiful spring day—warm, but not hot. I opened the book, a romance novel the maids had been gossiping about for weeks. I'd asked Maria to get me a copy out of curiosity.
It was about a prince who fell in love with a commoner—cliché, but not bad. The maids probably liked it because of all the steamy scenes.
[He pinned me to the wall and kissed me deeply and passionately...]
That scene jolted a memory.
Andre.
My first kiss.
He was three years older than me. Andre had always been my best friend—kind, protective, strong, and dependable. He had rich brown hair and soft blue eyes. So handsome, even then. You could just tell he'd be the kind of man to take every girl's breath away one day.
I was fourteen when it happened.
Mr. Knight—the man in charge of the orphanage—had locked me in the basement again. Andre had picked the lock and sneaked in at midnight. he could unlock any door he wants he was amazing
"Hey, silly. Want some bread?"
I smiled broadly at the cheeky boy "Yes! I'm starving."
He sat beside me while I devoured it.
"There's something I need to tell you, Aria." He used my real name—he only did that when it was serious.
"What is it, Andie?"
"Mr. Bone is moving back to Balden village."
Mr. Bone, the blacksmith, had taken Andre on as an apprentice.
"And... what are you going to do?"
Andre was learning a lot from him, and his dream was to open his own shop one day
"He asked me to go with him. He wants to adopt me." he said shyly
Silence.
I didn't know what to say.
He's leaving. I can't live here without him. He's all I have.
''Ria if you don't want me to go I won't'' he said, watching me.
You're selfish, Aria. He has a chance for a better life, and you want to keep him here.
I forced a smile. "Of course you should go! I'm happy for you." I hugged him tightly, hiding my tears.
As I pulled back, he held me close and whispered, "I'll miss you so much, Ria."
"I'll miss you too."
His forehead touched mine. "I love you, Aria. When I turn nineteen, I'll come back and take you away from here. I promise. Just wait for me."
His sudden confession stunned me. My heart fluttered. He leaned in and kissed me. At first I was shocked—but then I kissed him back. Butterflies danced in my stomach.
The kiss deepened, and I moaned softly. He grew more excited and pressed me gently against the wall. I felt dizzy, breathless. I tried to push him back, but he was too strong.
"Ah... An–dre, s–stop."
I slapped his arm.
He froze. "Oh, Aria—I'm sorry. I got carried away."
His face flushed, and his breath came in ragged gasps.
The next morning, Andre left.
I never saw him again.
Not long after, I escaped the orphanage too.
Ugh. Why remember all that now? Stupid book.
I stormed inside and tossed it aside.
It's too nice a day to waste. I'll practice archery.
I changed into my training clothes and went down to the grounds. I'd started practicing archery six months after arriving here. I'd begged the Duchess to let me learn the sword, but she refused.
"What kind of lady holds a sword!" she'd snapped.
Eventually, she allowed me to learn archery—something "acceptable" for noble ladies, especially during hunts.
I took my bow and aimed at the target. The pressure of the string on my fingers—it was the one feeling that made me feel alive.
I remembered Sir Lance's instructions and took a deep breath.
But just as I was about to release the arrow, a hand grabbed my arm. Strong arms surrounded me under the pretense of "fixing my form."
I gasped, ready to shout at whoever dared touch me—until I heard the voice.
Low. Deep. Familiar.
You should lower your hand a little bit, Aria."
Henry.
I was stunned. Henry never approached me. I'd assumed he hated me.
I shifted in his arms. "Thank you, Big Brother, but I think I'm doing fine."
He chuckled but didn't move. I turned to look at him—and froze.
He was so close. His eyes locked onto mine, darkened with something unreadable.
I panicked.
"C...could you release me?" I stuttered, voice barely a whisper.
He kept staring at me, as if he hadn't heard what I said. Then, without a word, he finally stepped back.
"Don't stay out too long—the sun's getting hot," he said.
I nodded. "Yes, Brother."