The dreams had stopped.
The library lost its color.
And the world no longer seemed to hold meaning.
Luana no longer felt hunger or sleepiness—she simply wandered through the house or sat on the cold floor in some dark hallway. Most often, in front of her mother's bedroom door. As if being there, somehow, brought her closer to that fading presence.
Anna, her mother's lady-in-waiting, often looked at her with quiet pity. Sometimes, she gently wrapped Luana in warm shawls.
One day, Anna suggested she go inside the room and speak to her mother—hoping, perhaps, that even a few words might soften the ache in both their hearts.
Luana didn't expect anything. She just wanted to be near her again, even for a moment.
Still... it hurt.
"Anna, is that you?" her mother asked, her voice calm—too calm.
Luana sat down on the bench beside her, silent.
"I'm worried about my baby," her mother whispered, staring at nothing. "He doesn't cry, doesn't move. I never know if he's scared or in pain... Do you have children, Anna? Please, tell me what to do."
Luana wanted to answer. But the words died in her throat.
She could only stare—at the woman she had loved most in the world, who no longer even remembered she had a daughter.
She didn't know what to say. She only knew that none of it was right.
Her mother didn't deserve this.
Neither did her father.
Nor her baby brother.
They should've been happy. Once, they had been.
"You're acting strange, Anna. What's wrong with you?" her mother said suddenly, eyes narrowing. And then, a flash of clarity—followed by fury.
"No... It's YOU! MURDERER!" she screamed, standing abruptly. Luana rose, stunned.
"YOU KILLED MY SON! I KNOW IT WAS YOU! WITCH!"
She grabbed Luana by the shoulders and shook her violently. But Luana didn't fight back—just waited for the storm to pass.
"What's going on here?!" her father burst into the room, eyes wide with panic. "What are you doing?! She's our daughter—wake up!"
He rushed to Luana's side, pulling her away from the outburst.
He looked exhausted. Crushed by grief, broken by injustice. He'd been avoiding the house, but... for how long could he run?
"Our son is dead! Dead!" he shouted at his wife, shaking his head. "He's not coming back. But you have a daughter! You have Luana! Look at her!"
She said nothing—only wept.
Luana had always hoped her father still cared. But she had never wanted it to come to this.
She never wanted to see her mother cry like that.
"Open my eyes?" her mother finally muttered. "I saw... I saw how she looked at him when he was born. Like he'd stolen something from her. She hated him the moment she knew I was pregnant. She killed him... She's a murderer. She doesn't deserve to live. I want her dead!"
Her father turned away from his wife, furious.
He helped Luana up and led her out. That night, he hired healers to care for his wife and placed guards to protect his only daughter. He wouldn't be around often. But at least... she'd be safe.
Luana couldn't stop thinking about her mother's words.
When had she ever acted like she hated her brother?
She didn't remember.
She hadn't loved him—he was a stranger to her—but she'd never wished him harm. Even though his birth would have taken everything from her, it still would've been better.
If he had lived... none of this would've happened.
"I'd do anything to go back in time. Anything."
"Is that your final choice?"
A voice cut through her thoughts.
Luana looked up, eyes wide.
It was him again.
The hooded man.
This time, even through the dark, she could see his face clearly:
Eyes black as night.
Skin pale as snow.
Hair soft and golden like morning light.
He seemed so familiar... and yet, she couldn't remember from where.
"Who are you?" she asked. "How did you get in here?"
"Time," he replied coldly. "Where there is time, I exist. I can appear wherever I choose."
His answer was simple—but filled her with a thousand questions.
Still, she couldn't bring herself to ask any of them.
Were her prayers really so powerful that even beings like him could hear them?
"And your wish... Are you willing to pay the price?" he asked, serious.
"Yes," she said without hesitation. "I'll pay any price."
He didn't seem convinced.
"If that's what you want... then follow me," he said, extending his hand.
Luana looked over her shoulder—toward her mother's room.
"Don't worry," he said. "You'll be able to return to any point in space or time. Even this one, if you choose. I'll teach you everything you need."
Hesitantly, she took his hand.
Whatever lay ahead... it couldn't be worse than what she was leaving behind.
She had nothing left to lose.