The morning in the palace of Valeria Castle seemed ordinary, but not to me. The cold air clung to my skin, and my mind was busy formulating a plan.
I knew what I had to do-I had to find the secret room. Oren had given me a clue, but I couldn't just walk around randomly. If Aldric finds out, he'll get suspicious. And I wasn't sure I could fight the growing suspicion in his eyes.
I tried to look calm as Lira helped me put on my emerald green dress that morning. 'There is a luncheon for the nobles today, Your Highness,' she said quietly. 'Lord Aldric will be attending as well.'
I took a deep breath. 'I must attend, even though I'm... busy.'
Lira looked at me doubtfully. 'Are you all right, Your Highness? Ever since that day... your eyes have always seemed distant.'
I looked down, hiding the rage in my chest. 'I'm just thinking about the future, Lira.'
---
Lunch
The dining hall was filled with the fragrance of spices and the gleam of silver. The nobles seated at the long table looked elegant, but their voices were filled with whispers-about me, about the rumours of Lady Seraphine rising from the dead.
Aldric sat opposite me. He seemed to be studying my every move, his eyes piercing.
'Lady Seraphine,' he said suddenly, his voice calm but containing a tone of challenge. 'You seem restless today.'
I smiled faintly. 'I'm just not used to all this attention, Lord Aldric.'
He tilted his head slightly. 'Or are you hiding something?'
I looked him straight in the eye. 'What are you thinking, Aldric?'
A small smile appeared on his lips. 'I think... you still haven't told me everything.'
I took a small bite of the soup in my bowl, trying to ignore the clinking of glasses and the whispers around me. 'Maybe. But everyone has secrets, right?'
Aldric chuckled, his tone cold. 'Of course. But some secrets... can be a curse.'
---
Secret Room
That afternoon, I pretended to feel sick. 'Lira, I want to rest in my room. I need some peace,' I said.
She gave me a worried look, but nodded. I closed the bedroom door, held my breath, then walked quickly to the dark back corridor. I recalled Oren's words: 'Near the fallen angel statue, there's a hidden passage.'
The statue stood in the corner of the silent hall, its wings broken, its face staring at the ground. I touched the cracked wing, feeling the cold air envelop my fingers.
I pressed the carving at the base of the statue, and-click-the wall behind the statue crackled softly, revealing a dark, narrow opening.
My heart raced. I took a deep breath, then stepped inside. The hallway was dank and dark, lit only by an old torch that wobbled. My steps echoed in the stone hallway.
I don't know how long I walked, but I finally arrived at the old iron door. Valeria's family crest was carved into it-a spiked rose in a circle.
Hesitantly, I pushed the door open. Behind it, a round room opened up, full of dust and the smell of old earth. In the centre of the room stood a tall mirror, its silver frame dull and cracked in places.
Mirror Curse
I approached. The mirror reflected Lady Seraphine's figure-long black hair, eyes that seemed full of secrets. But I knew behind that reflection, there was me: The trapped Elara.
I touched the mirror's surface. It felt cold, piercing to the bone.
Suddenly, the reflection in the mirror moved. I took half a step back, holding my breath. The reflection... smiled.
I squinted. 'Who are you?' I whispered.
The reflection whispered something I couldn't hear clearly. I moved closer, sharpening my hearing. '...love...death...sacrifice...'
I felt trembling in my fingertips. 'You... the curse?'
The image just laughed softly-and in the mirror, I saw a woman in a dark dress, her face faint. She reached for me, but it was only a reflection. But my heart felt touched...
---
Sound of Steps
Suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps approaching in the back hallway. The sound of metal guards. I panicked-there was no other way out!
I looked in the mirror once more. I knew it was time. 'Show me-how can I break this curse?' I hissed.
The image in the mirror stared at me for a long time, then slowly, the cracked reflection formed a symbol-an upside-down rose. I felt a strange warmth in my hands.
Then the metal door rattled-someone was trying to open it from outside.
I hurriedly smoothed the skirt of my dress, turning away as if just looking around the old room. The door opened-and Aldric stood there.
---
His eyes narrowed, looking at me. 'What are you doing here, Seraphine?'
I tried to look calm. 'I just want to know the secrets of this palace. Everyone knows this place is forbidden... but I'm curious.'
Aldric stepped closer, his eyes dark. 'You know this is a dangerous place. What are you looking for?'
I lifted my chin. 'Perhaps... answers. About the curse. About me.'
He stopped just a few steps away from me. 'And what did you find?'
I smiled faintly. 'A mirror that reflects more than just shadows.'
Aldric frowned. He leaned in further, staring at the cracked mirror. 'It's... an original mirror, isn't it?'
I swallowed. 'Perhaps. But are you superstitious, Aldric?'
He turned his head, his gaze piercing me. 'I believe... that you are not Seraphine.'
I froze, but tried not to show fear. 'And if I'm not Seraphine? Are you going to kill me?'
Aldric paused, then leaned in so close that I could smell his scent. 'No,' he said softly. 'I... want to know who you really are.'
---
She grabbed my chin, looking deeply into my eyes. 'Even if you're my enemy, I can't turn my back on you,' he whispered. 'You're like a thorn stuck in my heart-and I... don't want to pull it out.'