/////// The Past ////////
"Please raise your glasses for my daughter, who will become the next ruler of Yseria," my father announced to everyone at the party, prompting joyous applause and exuberant cheers.
Grateful and slightly overwhelmed by the warm reception, I continued to bow to the crowd, the fabric of my exquisite gown whispering softly with each movement. The gown, a masterpiece of intricate design, cascaded down in delicate layers of the finest silk, its color a deep shade of sapphire that mirrored the twilight sky. The bodice was adorned with a pattern of silver thread that glimmered like stars, meticulously hand-stitched by the kingdom's finest artisans. Pearls and tiny sapphires were interwoven into the fabric, catching the light with every gesture, while the long, flowing sleeves billowed gracefully, suggesting the majestic wings of a mythical bird in flight. The hem of the dress was trimmed with a subtle silver lace, which seemed to float above the ground, adding to the ethereal quality of the ensemble.
"Thank you, thank you," I said continuously, bowing to everyone while the layers of my gown fanned out elegantly around me.
"Congratulations, my dear princess, or should I start calling you My Dear Queen?" Kyle teased me. He's my childhood friend and soon-to-be husband. He will also become the king of Sumarya Kingdom. Our parents are on good terms and had arranged our union when we were still children.
"Not yet, though. I still need to wait 3 years to take the throne," I told him as we walked towards the center, him assisting me with my gown. We needed to perform a dance for the crowd as an announcement that once we turned 18, we would marry and assume the throne.
"Well, there's no doubt that you will take the throne," he told me. We began to dance gracefully, our movements synchronized and elegant. As we swirled and glided across the floor, there was a mix of emotions—anticipation, duty, and an underlying sense of the weight of our future responsibilities. Our steps conveyed a silent promise to our kingdom, a pledge to lead with grace and compassion.
After the dance, he mentioned he had a surprise for me. We politely asked my parents to take our leave, which they agreed to, as the guests were busy enjoying the party. Kyle continued assisting me as we made our way to the garden. Upon arriving, we spotted Lilly opening a large gift box. Lilly, my younger sister, was only one year younger, now 14.
"Hey, why did you open that?" Kyle asked her in a friendly tone.
"I thought it's mine, didn't you get it for me though?" she asked, to which Kyle awkwardly smiled, running his hand through his hair in embarrassment.
"I'll get you your gift next time, okay? But this one is for your sister," he explained calmly, but Lilly pouted and walked away, pretending to be upset.
"Lilly!" he tried to stop her, but she left anyway.
"Oh boy," I teased him, "You'd better make my sister happy," I told him, and he pouted.
"I'll calm her down first, but anyway, this gift is for you. It's already opened, though," he told me shyly. His cheeks flushed slightly, and his eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and nervousness as he presented the opened gift.
The gift was elegantly wrapped in shimmering silver paper adorned with intricate lace patterns. As the box was already opened, I caught a glimpse of a glimmering tiara nestled within, its delicate jewels reflecting the soft glow of the garden lights. The tiara exuded a timeless elegance, each gem carefully set in a delicate filigree of silver. Its presence seemed to carry a weight of tradition and responsibility, yet it also sparkled with a youthful radiance, symbolizing a future filled with promise and possibility.
As I peered into the opened gift box, my eyes widened in astonishment. "Oh, Kyle, it's beautiful," I exclaimed, reaching for the tiara, marveling at its intricate craftsmanship.
"Try it on," he urged, a warm smile gracing his lips. Gently, he lifted the tiara from the box and carefully placed it on my head. As the cool metal touched my skin, I felt a rush of emotions, a mix of tradition and modernity converging in that single moment.
"I feel like a true princess," I whispered, my voice tinged with both awe and delight. Kyle beamed, his eyes tracing the contours of my face with pride and tenderness, as the tiara adorned my head, a symbol of our shared future and the responsibilities that lay ahead.
His smile softened. "Did you like it?"
"Thank you so much for this, I loved it," I told him, overwhelmed with gratitude. He gently took my hand and pressed his lips against it.
"Anything for my princess," he told me with a warm smile. In response, I embraced him, feeling a surge of delight and happiness coursing through me. His embrace felt like a warm, comforting cocoon, enveloping me in a sense of security and joy.
After bidding goodbye, I needed to present myself in front of everyone as the party was drawing to a close. It took longer than expected, and I began to feel the heaviness of my eyelids and a growing sense of sleepiness. Despite this, I persevered, and as the hours passed, the full hall gradually emptied as visitors departed.
"You better take a rest now, daughter. The royal maids are going to take care of the rest," my mom told me as they left for their rooms. I nodded, kissing her and my dad on the cheeks before heading to my room. My royal maids greeted me as I entered, assisting with removing my clothes and preparing my bath. They attended to my needs, ensuring every detail was taken care of, from brushing my back to helping me change into my nightgown. Most of the time, I didn't lift a finger, as I had many royal maids to assist me.
After they finished, I asked them to leave as I longed for solitude and rest. Gently, I placed Kyle's gift in my cabinet, wrapping it in a soft cotton cloth, a treasured reminder of the evening's celebration.
I longed for a breath of fresh air, so I made my way to the expansive balcony. As I opened the doors, a rush of cool night air greeted me, and I embraced myself, relishing the sensation. Slowly, I strolled towards the ornate golden railings, my steps measured as I took in the surroundings. The wind caressed my face and played with my hair, each gust carrying a whisper of tranquility.
Leaning against the railing, I gazed out at the sprawling vista before me. The night sky was adorned with a myriad of stars, each one twinkling like a precious gem. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of the kingdom below created a serene symphony that enveloped me. I found solace in the peacefulness of the night, finding a sense of calm amidst the grandeur of the royal estate.
I halted in my tracks, my contentment shattered as something drew my attention. Squinting, I focused on a familiar pair embracing below in the distant garden. In an instant, my heart sank as I witnessed them sharing a passionate kiss. My sister, Lilly, and Kyle, the one I held dear, were entwined in an embrace I couldn't comprehend.
"The hell?!" I muttered, clenching my fists in disbelief. Overwhelmed by the scene before me, I retreated inside, locking the veranda behind me. Hastily, I made my way to the cabinet where I had placed Kyle's gift. As I opened it and beheld its brilliance, anger surged within me. The contrast between his outward sweetness and this clandestine affair with my own sister ignited a furious storm within me. In a fit of rage, I seized his gift and hurled it, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the room.
"Arrrgggg!" I screamed, the raw intensity of my emotions reverberating through the chamber.
"Royal Highness, what's going on?" the concerned voice of a royal maid called from outside. "I will come in, okay?"
"Don't come in! Get the hell out, and leave me alone!" I shouted, my voice laced with anguish and rage, the weight of betrayal heavy upon my heart.
As I heard the fading tracks of the maids retreating, tears streamed down my face. How could my best friend, Kyle, do something like this to me? I thought he only had feelings for me, but it turned out he had ulterior motives. And to make matters worse, it was my own sister involved in this betrayal. I felt a mix of emotions—betrayed, hurt, and confused.
Years passed, and I became more determined to claim the throne. The incident on the veranda had shattered my trust in Kyle, and not seeing him anymore helped me begin to move on. The thought of encountering him again only fueled anger within me. However, I held no grudge against my sister, understanding that it was Kyle who had pursued her. I knew my sister's innocence and kindness, and our relationship remained intact.
Now, at the age of 18, preparations were underway for me to ascend to the throne. I underwent various training and evaluations, including a challenging task of finding my kingdom's flag in a vast forest within a designated time. Failure to reach safety within the given time would result in disqualification. As I embarked on this evaluation, I ran through the woods, carefully scanning my surroundings for any glimpse of my kingdom's flag.
But as I ventured deeper into the forest, the sunlight diminished, swallowed by the thick foliage and towering trees. Walking cautiously, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, an unsettling sense of danger lingering in the air. My heart raced, and I sensed a presence following my every move. Mindful of my surroundings, I quickened my pace, searching for the flag while reminding myself of the looming threat.
However, just as I was about to increase my speed, a firm grip seized my arm, halting my progress. "No matter how hard you try to conceal it, you can never get away from me," a voice declared, its owner hidden from my sight. I attempted to turn around, to catch a glimpse of the person holding me, but an unseen force rendered me immobile.
"Who the hell are you?! Let go of me, that hurts!" I protested, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.
"It doesn't matter who I am. You're destined to meet your demise at my hands," the voice coldly stated, sending shivers down my spine. Fear consumed me, but then something unexpected happened—my inner demon, which I had carried since childhood, surged forth and took control. It forcefully freed me from the grip, growling with fury.
"The guardian," the mysterious person remarked, his voice filled with recognition. I strained to locate him, my eyes scanning the empty surroundings. Yet, no matter how hard I looked, he remained invisible to me. I searched in vain, my frustration growing. Yes, I was cursed. Since childhood, I had harbored this demon within me. My mother was aware of my curse, but my father remained oblivious. My mother didn't want me to take over the throne, as she feared that my secret would be exposed. She was also afraid of losing me because cursed individuals are banished to the land of Keimusho, the prison for the cursed. Her fear led her to believe that my little sister, Lilly, should inherit the throne. However, my father disagreed, arguing that they had a healthy child who could assume the responsibilities, sparing the sickly Lilly from further suffering.
"Where are you? Show yourself!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the empty space. I desperately tried to strike him, but my fists connected with nothingness. I couldn't see or touch him. Was he some sort of ghost?
"He's gone," my demon informed me, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"What?!" I snapped in anger and frustration.
In a split second, my demon disappeared, and I continued with the task at hand, afraid of being disqualified. But as I moved forward, I suddenly halted in my tracks when I spotted Kyle.
"Hey there, little princess in disguise. I'm clearly aware of your little hidden secret," he said to me. I furrowed my brow but replied nonetheless.
"Hi, little arrogant jerk. What are you doing here?" I retorted, a mischievous grin on my face.
"Just having a little fun with our little 'demon' here," he replied, emphasizing the word 'demon.'
"Oh great, that's nice. Anyway, I have to go. I still need to find my flag," I replied, eager to continue my quest.
"Oops, sorry," he said as he grabbed my arm, attempting to stop me from leaving.
"Let go of me, you traitor!" I angrily told him, struggling to break free, but he was much stronger than me.
"Oh~ You must have seen me with your sister, huh?" he asked, a sly tone in his voice.
I hissed, "Yeah, I did. I know what you did, so you can never make a fool out of me again. And don't ever, ever approach my sister again!" I warned him vehemently.
He smirked, "Oh, too bad. Your sister was the one who kept approaching me. She loves me too much. Too bad, though, as I wasn't the real Kyle," he revealed, his expression feigning sadness while his eyes showed no remorse.
"What?!" I exclaimed, my anger flaring.
"Yeah, I am not Kyle," he smirked evilly, slowly releasing his grip on my arm. "I'm Kevin. Pleased to meet you, cursed bullshit," he introduced himself, extending his hand towards me. The situation became more confusing, leaving me bewildered.
"What do you mean? Can you explain it in a way I can understand?" I asked, seeking clarity. He sighed heavily, as if exasperated with having to explain to a child.
"I am Kyle's twin brother," Kevin revealed, his tone filled with a mix of mischief and malice. "After surprising you, I orchestrated a plan to provoke his demon and make it go berserk. The council swiftly intervened and took Kyle to Keimusho, the prison for the cursed. So, on the day you saw us kissing, it was actually me disguised as Kyle. I did that to manipulate and deceive you, pretending to be him in your eyes. Anyway, your sister knows who I really am. She wasn't as innocent as you thought she might be," he explained, punctuating his words with a sly wink, as if relishing the deception and the chaos it had caused.
"Kyle... Kyle is cursed?" I asked, my voice filled with disbelief.
"Yeah, he is. Same as you," he replied nonchalantly.
"And this time, it's your turn to lose control," he spoke, injecting something into my arm. I couldn't react immediately, still processing the bewildering scenes and information. But as the liquid from the syringe slowly coursed through my veins, I felt my body growing weak.
"It's okay, though. You still have..." he checked his wristwatch before continuing, "5 hours before losing control to that demon," he tapped my shoulder as he withdrew the now-empty syringe. "Good luck," he whispered in my ear, then began walking away. My knees gave way, and I stumbled to the ground. My entire body felt as if it were engulfed in flames, intense and agonizing.
After a few minutes, the intense pain slowly subsided as if it had never occurred. The alarm rang, reminding me that there were only two minutes left for the evaluation. I refocused on the task at hand, searching for my flag amidst the challenges and struggles. Finally, after a relentless effort, I found it and made it safely to the designated safety area just before time ran out, announcing that I had passed the evaluation.