I kept sobbing in lucien's arms. I couldn't control my tears- I was so happy to see him, so happy that he was here. He kept stroking my hair gently while I cried like a child in his embrace.
"oh my, now you've soaked up my clothes with your tears" he teased softly.
I couldn't help but laugh a little, and somehow, that stopped the flow of the tears.
I looked up at him through my blurry vision.
"Lucien," I whispered as I wiped my face, "I'm so glad you're here."
"I am too," he replied.
I stared into his eyes "You're really real... right?" I asked fear still lingering in my chest.
"Of course I am, my princess," he said with a reassuring smile.
Relief flooded my heart. Just hearing his voice, seeing him again- it was everything I had been longing for.
"I thought I'd never see you again," I said, still trembling. "Every one kept saying you didn't exist.... that you weren't real. Mom, dad, Julie. Jason and that man told me that everything was a lie, that my life was an illusion, that you were gone forever. I didn't know what to believe anymore...."
"Clara" he said his tone suddenly serious.
"What?" I asked, startled.
"There's something I need to tell you."
He sat me down gently on the bed and held my hands tightly.
"Clara.....the life you lived... wasn't an illusion. It was real. Mom, Dad, Julie- they're all real. They're still alive"
I stared at him in disbelief. And then, just like that..... I broke down again- but this time from pure overwhelming joy.
All this time.... everyone kept telling me that I was living a lie. That my family never existed. That this cold, unfamiliar place was my home. But now someone finally said it.
Lucien said it.
"My little princess why are you crying again?" he asked softly.
"I'm just so happy..... it was real." I said between sobs.
He waited till I had calmed down again, then began to speak more urgently.
"Clara don't believe everything Jason or that man tells you it's all lies."
I nodded, anger beginning to burn inside me again. "I knew it. They were all liars- trying to trick me, trying to erase everything I love"
"But lucien.... where were you?" I asked.
"Why did no one remember you? how could they all forget?"
He looked away pain flickering in his eyes.
"I didn't leave by choice," he said bitterly.
"That bastard Jason found me when I ran away. He locked me up and kept me prisoner for days. I barely escaped. And somehow wiped everyone's memories of me. when I finally found my way back..... you weren't there anymore"
"But.... how did he do that?" How could he make everyone forget?"
Lucien looked me dead in the eye. "Because Clara.... these people are demon's. You can't trust them"
Just then there was a sharp knock on the door. Lucien's head jerked towards it.
"I'll explain everything later," he whispered urgently. "But don't tell anyone about our meeting. please promise me."
"I promise" I whispered, and just like that he vanished.
I sat there I shock.
How could he disappear like that?
Was I just imagining it?
But no- I felt him, I touched him. I hugged him. That wasn't my imagination. That was real I tried to assure myself.
Panic crept into my heart again.
Then-a knock.
"Who is it?" I asked my voice shaking.
The door opened, and a young woman with dark hair and piercing green eyes stepped inside. she bowed slightly.
"Hello, your highness. I'm glad to see you again. You may not remember me, but I used to be your handmaiden- Lila.
I blinked at her.
used to be?
But I didn't remember her. not even a little. Her name, Her face,- it meant nothing to me.
Then I remembered what lucien had said: They're demon's Clara, you can't trust them.
Demon's? that part still confused me. But I knew one thing for sure- I couldn't trust any of them.
"Okay," I said cautiously. "What do you want?"
"I was sent by the king to prepare you for dinner," she said politely with a smile.
The king.... oh. she meant the man from my dreams.
I didn't want to go. I didn't want to see him. But I also didn't want to stay locked in that room any longer. And maybe, just maybe, I'd find a way to escape if I got a better look at this place.
"...Fine" I muttered.
She guided me to a warm bath scented with sweet herbs and oils. she washed me with care, dried me and gently rubbed scented oil onto my skin. Then she dressed me in an elegant royal gown- a deep crimson with gold embroidery- and styled my hair into an elegant updo.
I barely recognized myself in the mirror.
We walked through the grand corridors and descended a spiral staircase that seemed to go on forever. Finally, we reached the dining hall.
It was massive. The chandeliers sparkled like a thousand stars. The arched windows were framed in silver. A long table stretched across the room, carved with intricate symbols and patterns.
And there, at the head of the table stood.... him.
The man from my dreams.The one who kissed me.
He stood the moment he saw me. His eyes widened with admiration, and he walked over visibly stunned.
"You look beautiful Tonight," he said softly His eyes lingering on mine.
His compliment made something twist in my stomach- not from discomfort
but...something else.
No, I reminded myself.
Lucien said not to trust them.
They're demon's they lie.
I ignored him and walked past him coldly, choosing a chair away from his. I sat down without a word.
He paused still standing. I glanced at him briefly and saw the hurt flash in his eyes. And for a split second, I felt a strange pain in my chest..... a twinge of guilt.
They're demon's I told myself again
And demon's don't deserve trust.
He sat back down on his chair, then suddenly snapped his fingers- and I screamed as I was suddenly lifted into the air.
"Ahhhhh!"
panic and confusion hit me all at once. I was flying and then suddenly with a soft thud, I landed on the chair beside him.
"How did you do that?" I asked, stunned.
He chuckled "would you believe me if I said it was magic?"
Magic? my eyes widened I did believe him. But after everything I'd seen, magic didn't seem impossible.
"Really?" I asked.
"yes" he replied. "Though I'm surprised you believed me that easily. You seem to doubt everything I say".
"Of course I do" I snapped. "I don't even know who you are"
He looked at me seriously. "I suppose I've done a poor job explaining things."
Then he added. "My name is Ciel. And I'm your husband."
My heart stopped. Husband? No that couldn't be true. I looked away, repeating luciens words in my head. They're all demon's, liars.
"You're giving that look again" Ciel said softly. "The look that says you don't believe a word I'm saying."
"Of course I don't!" I spat.
"Alright then," He said, standing. "Follow me"
I followed him outside into a glowing moonlit garden. It was beautiful- like a place from a dream. Flowers shimmered with soft light, and the air smelled sweet and cold.
"Do you remember this place?" he asked
I shook my head, but something about it felt... farmiliar.
"This was your favorite garden" he said with a smile. "You used to come here every day"
He paused, and then looked at me intently.
"It was also the place where I created you. From my heart"
Those words struck me like lightning. Created me? from his heart?
I stared at him in disbelief. But something about the way he said it.....the look in his eyes....the strange ache in my chest..... made me want to belive him.
But I couldn't
Not when lucien had warned me so clearly.
They're demon's, they can't be trusted.