EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER
CASSEY
I was still asleep when someone suddenly burst into my room.
"Cassey!!"
I jumped out of bed.
"Ghost, ghost, ghost—" I paused when I saw who it was.
"…Nicholas?! It was you?"
Nicholas had been my childhood friend since I was ten. He now worked in the palace as a royal doctor. His father had once served my family in the same role before Nicholas took over.
He was just a year older than me—fair-skinned, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and tall.
As for me, I was also fair, with light brown, shoulder-length hair, dimples, and emerald green eyes—just like my mom.
"Are you still sleeping at this time?" he asked.
"Yeah, what else would I be doing?" I groaned and fell back onto the bed.
"It's your sister's wedding, you idiot!"
I sat up instantly. "It's today?!"
"Of course, dumbhead."
"Oh my God—has the groom arrived yet?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Greta is going to kill me! I need to see her." I jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, I was dressed.
I wore black pants, a purple suit with silver embroidery, and black shoes—just like the other groomsmen—but mine was fancier, more elegant.
When I arrived at Greta's room, she was sitting in front of the mirror in a stunning white wedding gown, her face covered with a veil.
The maids and Irene were with her, helping with her makeup.
Irene caught sight of me standing at the door.
"What are you doing here? Males aren't allowed in here!"
"Says who? I just came to see my sister," I replied and walked closer.
"Is that the way you talk to me?" I asked.
"Who are you that I can't talk to like that?" Irene snapped back.
"I'm your elder—" Greta interrupted.
"Enough, you two. It's my special day, and I don't want either of you ruining it already," she said firmly.
Then I turned to Irene. "You heard that, right?"
She made a grumpy face—which was honestly so annoying.
"I'm so happy for you, sis," I told Greta, smiling.
"You broke the promise," Irene suddenly jumped in.
"What promise?"
"Was she talking to you?" I shot back. "I think you all are done here. Don't you think it's time they left?"
"You all should excuse us," Greta said. All the maids left—except Irene.
"She said 'you all.' That includes you," I added.
"Yes, Irene," Greta said gently.
"But why? I'm not your sibling?"
"Sibling… not a partner. We just want to have a private talk," I replied.
"Yeah, Irene," Greta nodded in agreement.
"Seriously… the both of you are unbelievable," Irene muttered and left reluctantly.
"So, Mr. Man… why were you late?" Greta asked, this time with no smile.
"I'm so sorry. I overslept… but we did have fun last night," I said with a chuckle.
She laughed softly. "I'll miss you so much, Cassey."
"I'll miss you too," I said, removing her veil.
"Why'd you remove it, Cassey?"
"I just want to see this beautiful face one more time." We both laughed.
"I'll miss this moment, Cassey… and those silly dimples of yours," she teased.
"Stop that. They're cute!" I said, and she laughed again.
"You look like Mom," I added, smiling.
"Really? I don't really remember how she looked back then… before she died," she said quietly, looking down.
"I miss her a lot. I always see her in my dreams," I said in a soft tone.
"I wish I knew how she died."
At that moment, the memories of that night came flooding back. The sight of her death, the sound of my own screams, and the cold warning from my father… tears welled up in my eyes.
"Cassey? Cassey?!" Greta's voice brought me back.
"Are you okay?" she asked, handing me a small cloth to dry my tears.
"Don't think about it too much, okay? I believe wherever she is now, she's happy."
"She would've been happier here," I whispered.
"Cheer up. It's my day. No sad stories, okay? Now show me those dimples!" she said playfully.
I don't know how—but I smiled instantly.
"That's more like it, Cassey."
Just then, Lawrenta—my fourth sister—burst in.
"Greta, come out. The groom is here!"
"Let's go, Cassey," Greta said, standing up.
I stood with her, then offered my arm.
"How about I take you to your groom?" I asked.
She looked up at me—of course, I was taller—and smiled.
"I wish you were my groom," she said, blushing.
I laughed. "Keep dreaming, sis."
She laughed too, and then we headed to the ballroom.
I led Greta to her husband. They made their vows and kissed.
I felt sorry for myself, of course—my partner was leaving.
No one to tell silly stories to anymore.
After that, it was just celebration all the way.
JADE
I ran quickly when I heard my mother's voice echo from her sorcery room.
"What's the matter, Mother?" I asked, curious about why she had shouted.
"Yes! I've found it!" she said, laughing loudly.
My mother—the leader of the Seraphic Keepers.
She had spent many years after the war searching for a way to make King David's curse continue.
She never had time for me as her daughter—not since my father died during the war.
Devon, my close friend, also came into the room.
"I've found it," she repeated.
She held up a small bottle filled with a red, smoky substance, then quickly sealed it.
"What is that, Mother?" I asked.
"Just a poison. A very strong one. Instead of letting the curse continue, I'll wipe them all out. Just one drop will kill the uncursed descendant and his entire family," she said, grinning.
"And I need you, Jade, to accomplish that mission for me."
"No, Sect Leader," Devon objected. "If she's seen in the human world, she'll be killed."
"Jade knows how to handle herself… don't you, darling?" she said, raising her right eyebrow at me.
"Yes, Mother. I can handle myself," I replied coldly.
"Jade—" Devon started, but I cut him off.
"I can handle it."
"That's more like it," my mother said, pleased.
"One hundred days to complete the mission. If today ends… you'll have ninety-nine days left. Good luck."
With that, she left the room.
"I wish I could help..." Devon said quietly.
"No, it's okay, Devon," I replied, and walked out.