Suddenly, Akira felt as if she were waking up from a deep trance. Her eyes wandered across the garden before her. Sunlight filtered gently through the leaves, brushing the flowers, reflecting on the shimmering ponds, and letting the breeze caress her face softly.
She turned to Emilia, her maid, with eyes filled with shock and confusion.
"Emilia… how did you find me in that sea?"
Emilia hesitated for a moment before a mysterious smile curved her lips.
"I was… passing by there. I found your crown lying on the shore, and there was a strange book…"
Akira shivered, unable to believe it. It didn't feel like a coincidence, yet she felt a strange pull toward the book. She stood up, her eyes glowing with curiosity.
"Where is the book?"
Emilia answered quietly:
"It's in the drawer of your room, my lady."
Akira's heart leaped violently, as if some unseen force pushed her forward. Emilia tried to stop her:
"Be careful, my lady… don't exhaust yourself!"
Akira looked at her sharply and ordered firmly:
"Don't follow me. Leave me alone!"
She entered her room quickly, opened the drawer, and there it was—the old book, covered in dust, sealed with a lock that looked strangely new. The moment Akira touched the lock, it vanished as if a magical force responded to her will, and the book opened on its own.
She began reading, and with each line, her heart pounded harder. The pages revealed everything that had happened and everything that would happen to Valeria—even the hatred everyone held toward her, including her own parents.
She screamed internally:
"No… this can't be real… I must change her fate—my fate!"
She made her decision: she would live Valeria's life, fix what was broken, make people care for her again, and break the curse that shackled her since childhood. But she knew the path wouldn't be easy. She would have to forget her name and her past, keeping only the beautiful memories with her grandmother as a shining star in her heart.
Suddenly, a strange fatigue washed over her, dragging her into deep sleep.
Emilia's gentle voice woke her:
"My lady… it's time to wake up."
Valeria rose with unexpected energy, as if a hidden force flowed inside her. She asked about her parents, and Emilia replied:
"They are having their tea."
Valeria smiled excitedly:
"Then I'll join them… I want to spend some time with them."
Emilia was surprised—Valeria normally avoided being around her parents—but she began preparing her. Akira dressed in a long green gown, her hair braided elegantly, giving her a regal appearance.
"Wait," Emilia said mysteriously. "I'll inform the head butler to prepare a proper place for you beside your parents."
The head butler rushed ahead and arranged her seat with her favorite sweets.
Akira sat before Valeria's parents—the atmosphere filled with tension. Her father, Philip, was a handsome man with black hair and emerald-like red eyes. Her mother, Elianor, had serene features, long white hair, and diamond-blue eyes.
Elianor spoke cautiously:
"How are you, dear Valeria?"
Akira smiled politely.
"I'm fine. Thank you for asking."
Her tone shocked them; they were not used to Valeria speaking so gently.
Before they could process it, Valeria asked:
"Why didn't you come to see me after I woke up from my coma?"
Her mother answered awkwardly:
"We wanted you to rest… and we were busy. We're sorry we didn't visit you."
Valeria smiled softly:
"It's alright… what matters is that we are together now."
When she finished eating, she stood.
"Excuse me, I'll take my leave."
She walked quietly to the garden. Peace surrounded her, yet she knew rebuilding her bond with her parents would be a long and difficult journey.
Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her chest. She clutched her heart as sweat dripped down her forehead. Each step grew heavier, but she finally reached her palace with difficulty. No one noticed her—everyone was busy. Her vision blurred, and she saw a figure approaching, but she couldn't endure it any longer. Her body collapsed, and she lost consciousness.
Philip reached her just in time, catching her before she hit the ground. He carried her in his arms and ordered the guards to summon the magical doctors immediately. The doctors arrived and examined her weak body, puzzled—something sealed deep within her since childhood was beginning to surface, even though she possessed no noticeable magical energy.
Philip stayed by her side, eyes filled with fear. Meanwhile, Akira struggled internally in her dream, sensing invisible threads binding her dormant power—threads she would soon uncover…