The moon hung high, silver and solemn, casting its delicate glow over the sleeping kingdom. But within the cold stone walls of the castle, a great disturbance raged in the heart of young Elara.
She was trapped again—caught in that nightmare, the one that gnawed at her soul.
"Mother! No!" Her scream pierced the silence. The vision unfolded with merciless clarity. Charlotte, her mother, lay lifeless, a pool of crimson staining her silken gown. Her hand reached out, trembling, her voice a ghostly whisper.
"Mother loves you."
Elara jolted upright. Her chest heaved. Tears streamed down her cheeks. The nightmare's grip loosened only as strong arms enveloped her, drawing her into warmth and safety.
"Sweetheart, it's okay. It's okay," Duke whispered, cradling her gently. His voice, tender and grounding, combed through the storm in her heart. "It was just a dream. You're safe."
She nodded, unable to speak. The shadows of the past clung to her still.
---
By sunset, Elara sat before her mirror, the golden glow of dusk painting her room in warm hues. Olivia, her loyal maid, braided her hair with practiced ease, but even sunlight could not chase away the shadow looming over Elara's heart.
"Olivia," she murmured.
"Yes, Your Ma—"
"Elara," she interrupted, her voice clipped with fatigue. "That's my name."
"I can't call you that, Your—"
"Olivia, please. Can I confide in you?"
The hands in her hair stilled. Olivia met her gaze through the mirror and gave a solemn nod.
"Maybe I was foolish," Elara said, voice barely a whisper. "Blinded by the one person who made me feel safe. Maybe I believed too much."
"It's not foolish," Olivia replied quietly. "You did what you had to. I'm not from this place either… We share the same fate."
Elara turned, startled. The pain in Olivia's voice was raw.
"She told me to hide," Olivia whispered. "I watched them pierce him with a sword—he tried to protect her." Her voice broke. "Mama… Papa…" Tears spilled freely. "I couldn't help them. I just—watched."
Elara reached for her, her hand steady but soft. "I'm so sorry."
"For once, I thought they'd let her go," Olivia continued, her voice trembling but unwavering. "But after they violated her, they slit her throat. I vowed to kill Torin. And definitely I will at the right time. Then you came, I heard what he did to your family, I share in your pain and I see you are willing to let go for your husband."
"Elara's breath caught. "Voices?"
Olivia's eyes shimmered, shifting to a luminous amber glow. Her body trembled. Her pupils thinned like a predator's.
"Oh gods," Elara gasped.
Then, as quickly as it came, the change receded. Olivia collapsed to her knees, panting.
"A Phoenix," Elara whispered. "You're a Phoenix."
Olivia's eyes fluttered open. "Please, Your Majesty. Don't tell anyone," She pleaded.
"I won't," Elara promised, their eyes locking in a silent pact. "No one will ever k
now, I promise." She whispered, patting her shoulder.