Princess Elira was returning home in a carriage after meeting with Prince Valen of Valroth. On her way back to Lornyth, the once-solid road had turned to a thick slurry of mud under the relentless rain. Water pooled in dips and hollows, reflecting the stormy sky, while the carriage wheels slid and strained against the slick earth. The horses struggled for footing, their hooves sinking in places, and the carriage swayed dangerously as the wind picked up. The road, though passable, was treacherous with slippery spots and hidden dips.

"We have to slow down, Your Highness, the road is too wet!” the driver shouted over the rain.

"Is there a village nearby where we can take shelter?" she called back.

“Yes, there is, Your Highness, just west of here!” he replied.

“Let’s go; we can send Mother and Father a letter once the weather calms down!” Elira shouted.

As soon as the driver began guiding the horses westward, the carriage hit a bump in the road just as the wind picked up rapidly, causing the carriage to sway.

The driver calmed the horses and continued. Then, out of nowhere, the carriage hit a large dip in the road with the village just in the distance. With help from the wind, it pushed the carriage onto one wheel. With quick thinking, the driver detached the horses and jumped off the carriage; however, he wasn’t fast enough, and the carriage went tumbling down the hill with Princess Elira still inside.

The driver quickly jumped on a horse and rode into the village.

“Please, help me. The carriage has fallen!" the driver called, his voice echoing through the rain.

The mayor of the village appeared around the corner, with men behind him on horseback.

“Take these men and bring her back safely; we will provide you both shelter and hospitality.” The mayor shouted over the rain.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the hill, Elira lay in the muddy field in pain from the pressure of the carriage on top of her. Suddenly, she heard hooves approaching quickly.

“She’s under here!” a man called. “She’s gravely wounded!”

His voice echoed as her vision began to blur.

“Princess, Princess!”

The night passed, and the harsh weather settled. Elira slowly began opening her eyes, feeling pain in her side.

“You should go and rest, I’ll take over and replace her bandage; it’s the only way to reduce the bleeding.” Someone said.

“Ah,” Elira groaned as she felt a pressure on her side.

“Thank goodness you’re awake; your injury is quite severe. A piece of the carriage had pierced your side,” the man explained. “We removed what we could; we are just trying to stop the bleeding.”

The door suddenly burst open as the driver rushed into the room.

“Your Highness! You’re awake, thank goodness,” he said, visibly relieved. "They have informed Their Highnesses, and they should arrive with a royal physician to patch you right up.”

“I am… glad… you’re… okay," she said weakly.

Hours passed, and Elira was resting. Her parents then entered the room, accompanied by the physician.

“How is she?” Eldric asked, his voice heavy with concern.

"Not so good. The bleeding won't stop,” the man replied.

“I’ll examine for bruises and cuts, and then we can return to the major injury,” the physician explained.

Halfway through the examination, Elira began to stir as she opened her eyes and saw her mother and father in the room.

“Mother?” she groaned.

"I'm here, and so is your father," Elena replied, her long, flowing silver hair catching the light and framing her face. Her deep green eyes shone with kindness. Elena stood gracefully, her slender figure enhanced by a flowing blue dress adorned with intricate patterns.

Eldric stood beside her, displaying authority. His short, dark hair contrasted sharply with his piercing blue eyes. He appeared imposing, dressed in armour displaying the crest of Lornyth—a lion against a blue shield—symbolising his royal status. Eldric’s expression was serious, but when he smiled, his face lit up.

"I'm sorry," Elira said suddenly.

“What for dear? You’re safe and sound and that’s all that matters right now don’t think about anything else," Eldric said cautiously.

“But I failed. Valen rejected your marriage proposal. I tried to encourage him, but it felt like he sensed my lack of enthusiasm. He preferred friendship instead and sent me home,” Elira explained.

"Don't worry about that. All we want is for you to be happy and find someone you love, not someone we have arranged for you," Elena said.

While they spoke, the physician and the man proceeded to replace her bandage.

"Really? I don't have to?” Elira asked. “But it worked out for you.”

“You don’t,” Elena said.

You know, it wasn’t smooth sailing from the beginning, but we can tell you that story once you have recovered,” Eldric laughed. “We’ll leave you to rest.”

As soon as Elena started to let go of Elira’s hand, Elira held on tighter.

“Please don’t leave, not just yet,” Elira started as her eyes began narrowing. “I…. just want to say…. how wonderful of a mother and fa… father you have been to me…. I love you so—"

Her hand slipped out of Elena’s hand.

“Elira? Elira!”

Elena began to sob.

“Dear, hey, sweetheart….” Eldric started.

He let out a saddened sigh.

“We love you so much, too,” He said sadly and held Elena in his arms as she sobbed.

The driver quietly left the room, putting his head in his hands as he slid down the wall and cried silently.

***

The first thing Elira felt was warmth—it enveloped her, soft and secure. For a moment, there was nothing. No pain, no sorrow, just a sense of floating in darkness. Then, voices echoed around her.

“Elira,” a voice sobbed.

“We apologise, Your Highnesses. We should have done more,” said another.

More voices murmured in the distance, their words overlapping, fading in and out—until they didn’t. Silence swallowed her once more.

She tried to move, to reach for something, anything, to escape this vast emptiness, but her body wouldn’t listen. Then a light appeared.

Elira summoned every ounce of strength she had and reached for it. The light suddenly surged toward her, expanding further the closer it got. The light swelled, surrounding her in warmth, yet a strange sensation curled in her chest. A pull, gentle yet absolute, as if something beyond her control had already decided her fate. There was no resistance—just a new presence waiting beyond the glow. As her fingertips met the light, she expected warmth. Instead, she felt something soft beneath her touch.

Her eyes fluttered open, but the world remained a blur—colours and shapes blending in a hazy swirl. Beneath her was soft fur, and beside her, the steady rhythm of another creature’s breathing filled the silence.

Elira blinked again, feeling an odd sensation in her body. She tried to move, but her legs felt shorter, and her movements were clumsy and uncoordinated. Confusion swirled in her mind.

“Where am I?” she thought.