Ellis could not pull the sword out of my chest; it was entangled in something deep within me, refusing to let go.

The pain was unbearable, a searing agony that made me wish for another blow to end my suffering.

I felt the quiet streams of blood flowing down, warm against my fingers as I pressed them to the wound, trying to stop the crimson tide from sullying the ground. But it was too late. Some of my blood had already reached Aloen’s bed, staining the sheets and brushing against his pale, lifeless face.

“My Lady!” a familiar voice cried out, panic lacing every word. “What have you done? Lord Narcis will never forgive this!”

Slowly, my ears began to ring, a piercing sound drowning out the world around me.

I could not hear Asher’s voice this time. I was all alone in the darkness. Only silence and darkness surrounded me.

This time, there was no doubt. I was going to die. To perish in a foreign place, encircled  by strangers, what a cruel, bitter fate.

I would have died anyway, if I had stayed in my cell until the three days were up.

“Hahaha! Asher…. Didn’t you say you would always be by my side? Or have you too grown tired of my cursed existence!” I shouted hysterically into the darkness. “What am I even saying?” I laughed bitterly, choking on the words. “I am the one who killed you. It’s only natural that you’d abandon me. What a fool I am.”

“Alba…You should stand tall and strong. You are more than what you think you are,” said a voice.

“Who is this?”

“Focus on finding your way back to the light, Alba. The darkness may be your kingdom, but the light is your salvation.”

“Wait, I don’t understand. Please, why are you calling me Alba? And how can I get back?”

“A mere sword cannot kill you, Alba. You are more than capable of standing up”

“I am not Alba, my name is Mia” I said impatiently. “I may be cursed, but I am not immortal”

There was no answer.

The darkness pressed in, suffocating. I closed my eyes and thought about the insignia on my neck. I could not feel anything from it. Nothing at all.

Suddenly, a warm light appeared. The sun? No, it was definitely magic – the same magic I sensed in Aloen’s gleaming eyes.

The light enveloped me gently before piercing my body.

“Mia! Thank goodness you are alive!” a familiar voice called out.

I blinked, disoriented. Where… where was I? The world slowly came into focus, and I realized I was back.

Aloen was holding my hand tightly. His silver eyelashes framed his worried golden gaze, his concern palpable in every line of his face.

“I was worried sick about you,” cried Philamina, tears welling in her eyes, “I don’t know how Ellis saw you... I am really sorry,” she added, her voice trembling.

“I’m alright. Please, don’t cry,” I said softly, trying to comfort her despite the lingering pain.

Aloen did not utter a single word, still gripping my hand firmly.

“A.. Lord Aloen, I see you’ve recovered. Thank goodness you are well.”

“I am sorry for the inconvenience my knight caused you. I will personally see to her punishment.”

“I am fine, really” I protested, though the words felt hollow. “I can barely feel any pain now.”

He stared intently at my face, trying to discern whether I was lying or speaking the truth. The pity in his eyes was very obvious. I could feel his heart aching for me, as though he blamed himself for my condition.

I smiled weakly, hoping to alleviate his concerns

He finally released my hand, as if now certain I was well.

“I will interrogate Ellis. She has never once disobeyed my orders. I need to understand why she did this.” He said. “Rest well, Mia.”

“Brother, I am sorry I did not protect her. I will take care of her from now on!”

Aloen knelt, pulling his sister into a tight hug. “I am counting on you Philie,” he said softly.

*****

Philamina stayed by my side for a week. She kept me company, commanding the maids to serve me as if I were a member of the Narcis family.

One afternoon, the man who had guarded my cell entered my room.

“Ladies, greetings,” he said with a formal bow.

“Greetings, sir Alphonso. What brings you here?” Philamina asked, her tone polite but curious.

“I came to check on Lady Mia,” he said, his voice tinged with concern. “I heard she was stabbed by Ellis. That woman has no boundaries.”

“Is Aloen really interrogating her in the dungeon?” Philamina asked.

An awkward silence filled the air, for a moment, as if he were trying to hide the truth.

“Well, he didn’t want to force her to speak through violence since they are close,” he explained. “So, for now, she remains in her cell.”

“Philamina, who is that mysterious mage, who tried to heal Aloen?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

“That man,” Philamina said, her expression softening with respect, “has been our family’s teacher for centuries. He taught father and my brothers how to use some forbidden arrays.” she replied. “I haven’t taken his classes yet, since I am only ten.” she added with an innocent smile.

“I see. So, he is an old family friend. Lucius Virell, huh…” I murmured to myself.

“What is so peculiar about him that caught your attention, Lady Mia?” Alphonso asked, eyeing me closely.

I considered the question, but I could not bring myself to share my suspicions. Lucius had tried to kill Aloen, hadn’t he? But I couldn’t say it out loud since there was no solid evidence.

“Earth to Mia! Are you even listening? These humans are unbelievable!” Philamina’s voice broke through my thoughts.

“Oh, sorry!” I said, snapping back to reality. “I spaced out for a moment.”

“A piece of advice,” Alphonso said with a stern look, “hanging around Sir Lucius won’t do you any good. I’d stay away from his sight if I were you.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. I had already come to the same conclusion myself, after our tense conversation in my cell.

“Now, now Alphonso. Why would you tell her that? That sounded like a terrible threat,” the mage said nonchalantly. “I’d hate to have her as an enemy, you know?”

Lucius appeared without warning, his dark presence immediately filling the room.