A dark all-encompassing forest surrounded Seris. All the branches of the ancient evergreens protrude outwards like spikes. Their dark bark was unlike any tree Seris had seen before. And yet, mere moments ago, this very forest had been a simple yet beautiful orchard.
A voice echoed. The sound it produced reverberated throughout Ser's skull, almost deafening her.
"Seris! Don't toy with me…"
The oddly familiar voice spoke.
Seris stayed glued to the floor, looking more like a porcelain doll than a person, in her current state. She was covering her now bleeding ears with her battered hands
"You know exactly what I want."
The voice resounded. It was as if it didn't only reach her ears, but also firmly shook her brain. The voice had lost its once similar tone and changed almost entirely.
"I didn't ask to form that stupid contract in the first place."
She said, her head still ringing from the previous outburst.
Suddenly a flurry of tiny translucent shards began forming around Seris. Every shard brought with it a chilling sensation. It shook her to her very core.
A figure appeared, It had to be no taller than two meters, with 2 pairs of wings protruding from its upper and lower back respectively. The beings entire body was covered in a dark unmoving shadow, its features almost indiscernible. The only thing of note on the expressionless being were its radiant Rings around its six arms.
Then it spoke.
"You know… I showed you so much kindness back then. Watching your every move, making sure you didn't get yourself killed in this damned wasteland. And yet I ask you to complete one simple task. And you go and do the opposite. If not for me District 14 would've had another princess in its catacombs."
The shadow paused for a minute before continuing.
"But fine. You want to be difficult, ill let you handle problems on your own from now on. Next time you beg for my help will be the last. My patience has run thin."
Before the young girl could retort, the shadowy manifestation had already disappeared into a flurry of sparks once more.
Left to her own accord, Seris rolled on her back, the faint glint of the moonlit sky peeking through from the treeline, this calming light felt all too familiar. Without even realizing her eyes grew heavy, an unfathomable weight pressed down on both her body and eyelids alike.
****
"Lady Seris!"
A commanding voice said.
Seris had simply rolled back over in her bed, unwilling to hear out the person on the other side of the door.
"My lady, if you are not downstairs in ten minutes your father will have my head! So please just listen to me, just this once."
Seris opened one eye, hesitated for a moment then, in the direction of the door, with a stifled yawn said:
"Malcolm, I'll be down in a second. Don't worry yourself."
The hurried butler did not seem to ease at these words, but stood firm instead.
"My lady, It is very important that you listen to me. Today is your coronation and the final day you'll stay in the cast-"
Before he could finish, Seris cut him off.
"Yeah… I know."
Readying herself, Seris got out of bed, frizzled her long dark hair, then headed towards her wardrobe, she browsed diligently ultimately picking out a neatly pressed white ball gown and began to head towards the door. On her way something on her ebony wood cut desk caught her attention.
'Hm…?'
A pair of burgundy tinted glasses laid on her night stand. Their frame was a brilliant azure color, an interesting combination of colors in her opinion. These spectacles had an odd allure to them, a faint hypnotic pull that demanded attention once noticed. Seris tried using all the power her half lucid brain could muster, but even then she couldn't recall how or who placed these in her room.
A hurried knock followed by a slight squeal could be heard from the door once more. Malcolm had begun to look frantic, a faint bead of sweat hurriedly climbing down his graying brow. His once neatly fixed butlers uniform now reduced to a tangled mess of belts and ties. He had an unsettled look on his aging face, as if he knew too much. A crushing sin was waying down his shoulders.
"Lady— Seris… Please, just come out."
Seris took one last glance at the pair of glasses on her desk. Picked up her dress, hurriedly grabbed some plain white stockings— she had hung up last night, and finally decided to give notice to her butler's worried calls. With a confident stride— Seris took hold of the burgundy wood door knob.
And opened it.