“You knew about her?” she asked quietly.

“That she poisoned me? Yes, I did.” Her voice wavered. “Did he take any action?”

“Well… he did. But only after Sir Alan pleaded with him.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my fingers tightening around the blanket.

“We told everyone that you were only resting, exhausted after the ball. But somehow, after just one day, he sensed something was wrong. He begged His Majesty to give you justice. The king, however, dismissed it as nothing more than food poisoning. He did not believe otherwise… yet he still came to your room every single day to check on you.”

My breath caught. “He came here every day? Then… what happened to Stella?”

Her eyes lowered. “She… she is no more.”

“What?!” I gasped. “What happened?”

“One day, His Majesty summoned her while you were still unconscious. During their conversation, she confessed that she had poisoned you. Sir Alan happened to be present. He heard everything.”

My chest tightened.

“He demanded justice for you. The king ordered that Stella’s family would be stripped of all noble ties. Every title, every ounce of wealth granted by the crown was taken back. They were cast out.” She paused, her voice trembling. “Stella lost her sanity soon after… and she committed—”

She stopped.

“Oh…” I whispered. “That is tragic. It has only been a few days since her death, has it not? His Majesty must have been devastated to lose his dear friend.”

“Y-yes… he was,” she replied, though something in her tone faltered.

“Lara,” I said softly, “may I ask you a favor?”

“Of course, my lady.”

“Please do not tell anyone that I have awakened. I am still tired… I want some peace.”

She nodded. “Very well.”

Moments later, I was alone.

“I will come to meet you tonight,” I whispered, watching the sun melt into the horizon as I sat upon the bed. Even though the voice warned me to stay away from Alan, the nightmare lingered like a wound that refused to close.

Just one glance. Just to make sure he is safe.

“Everything will be fine if Alex does not find out,” I murmured. “I will make sure you are well… then part our ways, Alan.”

I tilted my head upward, eyes closing as a bittersweet smile curved my lips—a smile I never thought I would wear again. A single tear escaped, sliding down my cheek.

NIGHT:

I dressed in a black robe, covering myself from head to toe. Tearing the bedsheets into knots, I fashioned a rope and lowered it to the ground below. My hands trembled as I gripped it, my breath shallow, heart pounding as I slid down.

For a moment, I thought I had succeeded.

Then I heard voices.

Guards.

They had seen me—but not my face.

Without hesitation, I ran.

I ran blindly, breath burning in my lungs, feet barely touching the ground. I crashed straight through the guards at the entrance, catching them half-asleep, and before they could react, I was outside the palace walls.

I opened my eyes—and froze.

A forest.

Dark. Endless.

I regret it.

I slowed my steps, convinced the guards had lost my trail. Suddenly, my foot snapped a branch beneath me.

Crack.

I flinched violently, my own heartbeat deafening. The wind howled through the trees, carrying distant cries of unseen creatures—far away, yet terrifyingly alive.

I sank to the ground, pulling my knees to my chest, arms wrapped tightly around myself.

No one is coming.

Regret clawed at me.

“Alan… where are you?” I whispered. “I need you.”

A roar echoed from afar.

My body trembled. Sweat slid down my temples. My heart raced as I lowered my head, bracing myself for an end I could not escape.

Then—

“My lady?”

That voice.

Warm. Familiar.

“Alan?!”

I leapt to my feet and ran toward him. There he stood—his usual expression of concern etched across his face, the same face that had always appeared whenever danger found me.

I collided into him, clinging tightly.

“Alan… I am scared. I need you,” I whispered, refusing to let go.

“Are you unharmed, my lady?” he asked, his arms still at his sides.

“Now that you are here, nothing can happen to me…”

My strength gave out.

The world blurred.

“My lady?!”

DREAM:

“Where am I?” I asked faintly.

“You are back with me, Bella,” the voice replied.

“Why did you bring me here? I just—” I stopped, covering my mouth.

“What?” she snapped. “You met Alan? Did you forget that I can see everything?”

“I know,” I said quietly. “But after that nightmare… I could not stop myself from worrying about him.”

“Why can you not understand?” she hissed. “Your task is Alex, not Alan.”

“I know. But I do not like him. I do not want to stay in that cold, soulless palace. Please…”

“Hmph. Fine. If you are this stubborn, I will show you the consequences.”

“Show me what?”

The world shifted.

Alan stood before me—his body battered, blood flowing freely. Then Alex appeared behind him and drove a blade through him.

“Alex! Stop!”

I tried to reach him, but my body would not move.

Alan collapsed.

Cold. Still.

I fell beside him, disbelief choking me. The moment I touched his face, his body dissolved into nothingness.

“Alan…?” I cried. “Alan!”

“Do not worry,” the voice said calmly. “He is not dead. I merely showed you a glimpse of his future—if you continue to cling to him.”

My breath shattered. “What…?”

“You will be the reason for his suffering. Stay away from him, or you will be the cause of his death.”

“Why?” I whispered, my heart breaking. “Why all of this? Is it only because of love?”

“I told you already,” she replied. “This novel is filled with pain, agony, sorrow—and above all, sacrifice.”

“Then I do not want to stay here,” I sobbed. “Take me away. I do not want to hurt him!”

“Hmph. Too late. You cannot.”

Everything blurred, dissolving into smoke once more.