The moon hung high in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow upon the quiet landscape. But within the walls of the castle, a tempest raged in the heart of young Elara. She was trapped in a nightmare, one that replayed in her mind like a broken record.
"Mother! No!" Elara screamed, her voice echoing through the darkness. The image of her mother, Charlotte, lay before her, lifeless and surrounded by a pool of crimson. Charlotte stretched her arms toward her, whispering in a voice that was both soft and haunting, "Mother loves you."
With a jolt, Elara awoke, heart racing, tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt the warmth of her beloved Duke embrace her, pulling her into a comforting cocoon.
"Sweetheart, it's okay, it's okay," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm against the storm of her emotions. He cradled her head against his chest, running his fingers through her hair. "It's just a dream. You will be fine, okay?"
But Elara could only nod, her heart heavy with sorrow as the remnants of her nightmare clung to her like a shroud.
Later that day at sun set, Elara found herself sitting before a mirror as Olivia, her maid, carefully braided her hair. The midday sun streamed through the window, illuminating the room, yet a shadow loomed over Elara's heart.
"Olivia," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Your ma ..." Olivia started, but Elara quickly interjected.
"Elara, that's my name," she corrected, her tone sharp but weary.
"I can't call you that, your ..."
"Olivia, can I confide in you?" Elara cut her off, desperation lacing her voice.
Olivia paused, her hands stilling as she met Elara's gaze. She nodded, a silent affirmation that spoke volumes.
"Maybe I was foolish, blinded by the love of the one person who made me feel safe," Elara said, exhaling heavily. "Never mind."
"It's fine," Olivia replied, kneeling before her. "You did the right thing. I'm not from this place either; we share the same story."
Elara's eyes widened in surprise, the weight of Olivia's words sinking in.
Holding back her tears, Olivia sniffled, her voice trembling. "She told me to hide. I watched them pierce him with a sword when he ran to stop them from having intimacy with her." Her voice broke. "To this day, I can't find my only brother, whether he is alive or not." Tears streamed down her face. "I couldn't help them. I couldn't."
Elara felt a surge of empathy. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on Olivia's shoulder.
"For once, I thought they would let her go," Olivia continued, her voice gaining strength, though it trembled with emotion. "But after they violated her, they slit her throat." She spoke with a confidence that belied the pain in her heart. "I promised to kill Torin, but they told me it wasn't time yet. Then you walked into the palace, and I heard them... they told me Torin's reign is over."
"What voices?" Elara asked, her curiosity piqued.
Suddenly, Olivia's expression shifted. She began to whimper, her body trembling as her eyes changed, shifting to a deep amber hue that glowed with intensity. Her pupils appeared menacing, the warm, golden tones of her irises contrasting starkly with the fear in her demeanor.
"Oh my god!" Elara gasped, watching in awe as Olivia morphed before her eyes. But just as suddenly, Olivia regained control, her breathing ragged.
"A majestic Phoenix?" Elara whispered, the realization dawning upon her.
"Please, your majesty," Olivia implored, her voice barely a whisper. "Please don't tell anyone."
"No one will hear about it, I promise," Elara vowed, her gaze locked onto Olivia's, a pact sealed in the depths of their souls.
With a weary nod, Olivia leaned back, her eyes fluttering shut as a single tear slipped down her left cheek, the weight of their shared burdens pressing down upon them both in that moment.