My heart was so loud—I could hear it thudding like a war drum inside my chest.
With every step I took toward the door of my room, my heartbeat quickened. Not out of fear, no. I wasn't scared. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. After all, this was the first time I was leaving the room… since I woke up in this world. Since I became... Liora.
I stood at the door, frozen.
My hand hovered over the handle.
I took a few deep breaths.
Behind me, Nirelle's gentle voice broke the silence. "Lady—"
"I'm fine," I cut her off gently, not wanting to let hesitation seep in. "Don't worry."
And with that, I opened the door and stepped out.
The hallway greeted me with a chill silence. Vast, empty, and echoing.
Thick marble pillars stood like silent sentinels on the left, casting long shadows against the walls. Beyond them, nothing—just a stretch of pale, empty wall, and the eerie quiet of a place no one cared to visit.
But I wasn't suprised.
This part of the estate… the backside of the left wing of the castle... was neglected, forgotten, like a discarded limb of the grand Dreadmoor household. But to me, it worked to my advantage. No one cared what I did here. And that meant I could complete my plans without anyone interfering.
Lilith, too, resided on the left side — but at the front of the castle. Meanwhile, the Duke and his sons—my supposed family—resided in the main and right wing, far removed from the silence I now stepped through.
Which meant: no accidental encounters. No confrontations. Less chance of running into them.
Or so I thought.
I continued down the corridor, my footsteps echoed across the polished marble floor as I approached the main corridor connecting the wings.
That's when I saw them.
Lilith.
Renald.
Cedric.
Renald and Lilith were walking ahead, just turning from a connecting hall. Laughing. Chatting. Cedric trailed behind them, silent, his gaze flicking around with cool detachment.
Lilith's laughter chimed like bells, soft and sweet. I saw her properly for the first time.
And yet... it felt like I had known her forever.
Pink hair, styled into delicate waves flowed down her back.
Maroon eyes, wide and sparkling. Her smiled looked so gentle.
She wore a pastel rose-pink gown, like something out of a fairytale.
She looked like a saint—an innocent princess from a children's story. Beautiful, graceful, radiant.
But I knew better.
I knew her smile.
Her beauty was a mask. Her softness, a tool.
She wanted my place in this family. And slowly she was taking it.
I sighed softly. "Haa..."
"My Lady?" Lina's soft voice tugged at my side. "Are you alright? Do you need anything?"
I shook my head. "No, Lina. I'm alright."
We kept walking.
Lilith glanced in my direction—just for a second.
Our eyes met.
And then… she looked away.
Like I wasn't even there.
She turned back to Renald, her laughter resuming as if the moment had never existed. As if I had never existed.
But I felt nothing.
Not anger. Not sadness. Just... emptiness.
Renald and Cedric saw me next. Their eyes landed on me, registering my presence.
I didn't flinch.
I didn't acknowledge them.
I kept walking.
My steps were slow, regal—measured.
I passed them without a single word.
Like they weren't even there.
But the silence didn't last long.
A mocking voice floated behind me.
"Hey… Hey, Liora! Don't you see we're standing right here?"
I paused and turned toward the sound. Renald.
Both Cedric and Renald were now standing in front of me, dressed in elegant suits—probably heading for tea in the garden.
Cedric raised a brow, his tone feigning offense. "Liora, don't you know you're supposed to greet your family when you see them?"
Renald added with a chuckle—light and taunting. "Or maybe she forgot all basic etiquette after losing her memory?"
I met their gazes with a calm smile.
"Why would I greet someone who doesn't want to be greeted?"
My voice didn't shake. "Isn't it better I listen, to your words that I should not waste your time for my unnecessary greetings?"
Their eyes widened, clearly not expecting that.
Before either could reply, a familiar voice entered the hall.
"Lady Liora," Bertram's deep, steady voice reached me. I turned and found the Bertram bowing with a hand to his chest. "Your carriage is ready. All preparation have been made, as you instructed."
"Thank you, Sir Bertram."
I turned back at Cedric and Renald. " Ah, forgive me. I have some business to attend to. If you'll excuse me."
And just like that, I left them standing in stunned silence.
Once we stepped outside the grand door of the castle, the sun warmed my skin and fresh air hit me like a wave for the first time in weeks.
Bertram matched my pace as we walked toward the waiting carriage, his expression tinged with concern. "My Lady, you've just recovered. Would it not be wiser to use the portal instead of traveling by road?"
I glanced at him and shook my head, a gentle breeze brushing my hair. "I've been confined in that room for nearly a month, Bertram. I need to see the world beyond these walls… even if it's just the roads. I want to breathe real air again."
Bertram hesitated but eventually nodded with a soft smile. "As you wish."
We descended the grand marble steps together, and then I saw them.
The carriage.
Polished brown wood gleaming under the sunlight. Embossed on the front of the carriage was the Dreadmoor crest: a silver sword with outstretched wings. Elegant. Fearsome.
It was... beautiful.
But that wasn't what stunned me.
Behind the carriages, I saw people.
Dozens of them.
I blinked, my voice barely a whisper. "What... is all this?"
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