That night, after the intense conversation on the balcony, I returned to my room. I walked quickly down the torch-lit hallway, my silk dress swaying softly. Aldric's words were still spinning in my head "You are mine. "
I must not fall for his words. This is all a game-and I must remember my purpose: to break the curse and find my freedom.
---
Behind the Room Door
When I reached the door of my room, I stopped. There was a piece of paper tucked between the doors, a small scroll tied with a black ribbon. With a sense of caution, I opened it.
"Please meet me in the secret room behind the library. I know how to break your curse."
My blood rushed. Who wrote this? Oren? Or... an enemy who wants to trap me?
I took a deep breath, holding the letter tightly. If this was a trap, I had to be careful. But if it's a clue, I can't ignore it.
---
Secret Room
The library in the palace was a silent place, full of tall bookshelves that creaked with age. I walked down its dark hallways, feeling the marble walls until I found an inverted rose carving-the symbol I saw in the mirror.
With a light push, the wall shifted, revealing an opening to a secret chamber. I entered, and the stone door closed behind me.
Inside, there was only a single torch burning dimly, reflecting the light on the stone walls. And in the center of the room stood a man in a black hood, his face faint in the shadows.
"Lady Seraphine," he said in a hoarse voice. "You came."
I straightened my chin. "Who are you? What is this all about?"
She lifted her hood, revealing an unfamiliar face-gray eyes, pale skin. "My name is Lucien. I am the secret keeper of this curse."
---
Secret Keeper
Lucien walked closer, his steps barely audible. "The curse that binds you is not just fate, Lady Seraphine. It is a blood inheritance-a curse passed down from generation to generation."
I furrowed my brow. "Blood inheritance? You mean... this has happened before?"
Lucien nodded. "In the past, your predecessors tried to break this curse. But they failed, because there is only one way: sincere sacrifice."
I swallowed, feeling my blood rushing. "Sacrifice? What do I have to sacrifice?"
Lucien came closer, looking deeply at me. "Your love. Or your life."
---
My heart was beating hard. "I'm not
Desire and Lies
Suddenly, Aldric grabbed my waist, pulling me closer. I could feel the strength behind his arms, the scent of spices and wood wrapping around me.
"Why are you so stubborn, Seraphine?" he whispered, his voice almost soft. "You want to fight this curse, when you know... by my side, you are more alive than ever."
I stared at him, my breath catching. "Alive? Or tied to you like a puppet?"
He chuckled, his fingers tracing my cheekbones. "What's the difference? Don't you feel this too-a pull you can't resist?"
I wanted to deny it, but his words penetrated my heart. Yes, there was something between us. Something dangerous... and intoxicating.
---
Oren the Seer
The sound of another door creaking. Oren appeared, his face tense. "Sir, Lady Seraphine-we must leave. There are guards approaching. We can't let them know this room."
Aldric turned to him, then back to me. "We'll talk later," he said quietly, but his voice was full of menace. "You will not run from me, Seraphine."
I felt a flutter in my chest-between fear and a feeling I couldn't understand.
---
Running in the Dark
Quickly, we exited the secret room through another hidden door. A dark hallway greeted us, only the torch in Oren's hand illuminating the way.
Oren walked in front of me, his body tense. "Lady Seraphine," he whispered, "be careful with Aldric. He... he's more dangerous than you imagine."
I stared at his back. "And you, Oren? Are you really by my side, or just a pawn in this game?"
He paused for a moment, turning his head with a look that I couldn't interpret. "I... just want to make sure you stay alive, Lady."
---
We had almost reached the main hallway when suddenly a loud echoing sound-the clatter of steel shoes, the lights of torches appeared at the end of the hallway.
The voice of a palace guard shouted, "Who's there? Stop them!"
Aldric grabbed my arm, pulling me close. "Don't be afraid," he whispered, his eyes dark. "I won't let anyone touch you. Even if it means... killing them all."
---