《Stupid Girl》 Chapter 1: The Betrayal. "Wake up, you wretched witch!¡± The guard shouted, through the bars of the dungeon''s door. ¡°With great power and authority, King Theoden demands your attention!¡± The suddenness of the guard''s deep, burly voice broke the silence of the dungeon, startling Seraphina awake. Seraphina winced in pain, she had been locked in the dungeons under the castle and tortured endlessly. The cell was absent of visible light and her eyes strained to make out anything in the shadows. She had no way of knowing how much time had passed since she had been imprisoned, although it felt like an eternity. The guards hung her naked body on a hook by her bound wrists, as if she was venison being tenderized for dinner. The lashings had been endless, repeatedly tearing through her skin, her back was a mass of gashes and cuts that were oozing infection, filling the air around her with the pungent smell of putrid flesh, and coppery blood. The guards, clearly reveling in her pain and humiliation, would laugh and spit at her, taunting her as she was helplessly suspended, unable to do anything to protect herself. She found herself in and out of consciousness. Her body weakened and her mind foggy, she felt her life slipping away with each passing moment, but then she heard his name. ¡°Theoden finally came!¡± She thought to herself, a single name was enough to spark the light inside her that was so close to going out. Theoden was the second Prince of Elberethion, a large Kingdom that was supposed to be hidden away from the rest of the world. Long ago Elberethion was filled with magic, mages and creatures with incredible powers, they lived there amongst humans peacefully. But as time went on, the old King got jealous and greedy, as humans always do, and began to covet the power that the magical creatures possessed. He wanted to control them and their magic, and so he set out to find ways to gain access to it. He tried to manipulate and bargain with them, but when that failed, he resorted to force causing a great war to break out. The humans were no match for the creatures and their magic, so the King ordered his knights to push the creature''s forces back to the forest at the edge of a meadow with the help of hired mages who were promised a safe haven in the Kingdom when the war was over. The mages cast their spell on the Kingdom of Elberethion, hiding it away from the creatures and the rest of the world. Without the magic energy from Elberethion the creatures became feral and stalked the forest waiting for their chance at revenge and the magic that once filled the Kingdom slowly disappeared becoming nothing more than a story moms told their little ones before bed. Seraphina met Theoden on her 18th birthday in that very meadow on a beautiful spring evening, just as the sun was setting. When Theoden first approached Seraphina he told her it was fate and she agreed, it felt as if destiny was unfolding before her eyes. He whisked her away to his castle, giving her a job as his personal servant so that he could be close to her, vowing to never leave her side, seducing her with promises of a future with him. She had faith that he would not allow her to be wrongly accused and would fight for her innocence. However she was confused, Theo wasn¡¯t the Monarch, his uncle King Sebastian was, Theo wasn''t even the heir to the throne. Just then, the loud metal doors opened, flooding the room with a blinding light. Seraphina slowly opened her eyes and tried to adjust to the bright torchlight. She could make out the silhouette of a man standing in the doorway. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and he exuded an aura of confidence and power. ¡°Tsk..Look what they¡¯ve done to you...¡± a familiar voice spoke. Seraphina immediately recognized his voice; it was the voice that had whispered promises in her ear not long ago. She had yearned for it everyday since being imprisoned. She felt a rush of emotion as the familiar voice reached her ears, it was a voice that lived in her memory, and yet it felt like she was hearing it for the first time. ¡°Th-Theo!¡± her voice cracked, ¡°There has been a mistake! Tell them I''ve done nothing wrong! I am innocent, you must tell them!¡± ¡°SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU FILTHY WITCH! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK SO CASUALLY TO OUR KING! YOUR WORDS ARE AN INSULT TO HIS MAJESTY!¡± The guard shouted as the crack of his whip echoed throughout the dungeon, reverberating off the cold stone walls. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Seraphina felt her skin split open as the whip ripped into her flesh. Screams resounded through the air, echoing around her. Her body went limp, she was beyond tears, all she could do was surrender to the suffering, helplessly suspended in agonizing pain and despair, unable to even cry. ¡°Let her down and Leave us,¡± The familiar voice ordered, waving his hand at the guards. Seraphina was roughly dropped to the ground and forced to kneel on the cold dirt floor, her head bowed in submission. She gritted her teeth and held herself upright, mustering all the strength she had to not fall over. As the heavy doors crashed shut, the man stepped closer, with a torch in his hand. He knelt down slowly, carefully lifting Seraphina¡¯s chin with his finger, she could now see that it was in fact Theo, her Prince. His blue eyes twinkled in the torch''s flame, the fire brought out every intricate detail, causing them to shimmer with an almost otherworldly radiance. ¡°Oh my poor sweet Seraphina, they ruined you¡±, Theo caressed her cheek, his hand was warm, her face fell into his touch, savoring the moment. Theo leaned forward, he delicately placed his lips close to her ear and spoke softly, ¡°Thank you Seraphina, you made me the King¡±. The moment his statement reached her ears, an indescribable terror washed over her. ¡°Ww-what do you mean Theo?¡± She was struggling to speak. Each passing second seemed to stretch endlessly, the unknown implications of his words loomed large, heightening her sense of vulnerability and helplessness. ¡°You killed my uncle and his entire family.¡± He chuckled. ¡°You set them ablaze with your magic while they slept in their beds¡±. His voice was still smooth and calm speaking such atrocious words, his lips curled into a revolting smile. ¡°You understand what I am saying don¡¯t you Seraphina? You Killed the King and his Heir, and since I am next in line the throne is finally mine¡±. Seraphina''s eyes widened, her beautiful green eyes that had once been full of life now appearing dim and lifeless. Her dry, cracked lips quivered as she tried to form the words, but her voice was barely a whisper. She felt a deep sense of despair, a heavy weight crushing her chest, making it hard for her to breathe. She tried to speak. ¡°Nnnnno I....¡± Theo grabbed her face violently, digging his fingers deep into her skin. She tried to plead with him, but he tightened his grip, effectively cutting off her plea. She could feel her words dying in her throat. His fingers dug deeper, pushing against the delicate bones of her face, she whimpered in pain. ¡°Of course you did, Seraphina!¡± He laughed maniacally; his face was lit up with a heinous grin. ¡°You''re a filthy witch, you were working for those beasts who hide in the forest. You were sent to kill the royal family so the creatures can steal the throne like they tried to do centuries ago!¡± He pushed her face away forcefully as he stood up and backed away. ¡°My sweet gullible Seraphina, you were a lot of fun! I once even contemplated taking you as my concubine.¡± He let out a long sigh, ¡°Your magic would have been useful to me if you knew how to use it properly, but I no longer had the patience, and I was getting bored with you.¡± He leered at Seraphina with a look of disdain and disgust, she lowered her head, she did not have the strength to meet his gaze any longer. ¡°So, I had to change my plan. Instead of using you for your magic, I used your magic to frame you for the murder of the King and Prince.¡± His words were cold and calculated, as if he had rehearsed them in advance. There was no emotion behind them, only a steely determination to deliver his message. It was difficult to comprehend how someone could be so unfeeling. Seraphina had put all of her trust and faith into him, believing he would one day be her Prince Charming, but instead, he had sentenced her to the misery and suffering she was now experiencing. It was a cruel twist of fate that left her utterly heartbroken and devastated. ¡°I was on the verge of giving up on my dreams of taking the throne from my uncle.¡± Theo¡¯s voice now patronizing and callous. ¡°But then I made my way up to the top of that hill and there you were, I could feel a power emanating from you like a beacon, calling me to you. As I reached the summit, and looked out across the meadow, I saw you amongst the flowers, playing with your magic, the sun setting behind you. It looked as if you had set the sky on fire. The moment our eyes met; I knew that you were the one who would make me King. I just had to figure out the best way to use you.¡± Seraphina could not utter a word; her heart was heavy with an aching pain like nothing she had ever known before. This anguish was more excruciating than the lashings of the whip which had been her constant companion, it was a deep and relentless kind of pain, one that made her feel like she was slowly being broken apart from the inside out. ¡°Tsk, you are nothing but a stupid girl,¡± he scoffed, ¡°A gullible, stupid girl, so desperate for love and attention. You allowed yourself to be taken advantage of Seraphina, believing the words of a man you hardly knew, like your life was some fairy tale. Your naivety has cost you.¡± Theo pulled his sword out of its sheath. ¡°Goodbye stupid girl¡±. Everything went dark. Chapter 2: Stupid Girl Darkness was all that she could see, a vast expanse of nothingness that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. Seraphina could no longer feel pain. The insufferable sting from being endlessly whipped finally ceased. Her stomach was no longer screaming out in agony begging for food. She now felt nothing, only a heavy burden of heartache, sorrow and regret. The darkness seemed to be all that was left for Seraphina. ¡°Stupid girl!¡± She cried out into the empty space around her, "What did I do to deserve this awful fate? I have been kind all my life, so why am I the one facing this consequence? ¡± Her voice echoed through the empty abyss, her resentment lingering in the air for just a moment. She stood there, alone in the void, her cries dissipating into the nothingness around her. ¡°You are correct, you don''t deserve this fate Stupid Girl¡­¡± A vexatious and frightening voice suddenly boomed through the air. ¡°Who¡¯s there! Who are you!¡± Seraphina yelled out into the nothingness, her presence insignificant. ¡°HA¡± The voice laughed condescendingly. ¡°Who am I? You dare ask me such an insulting question? You have entered my realm uninvited, and yet you have the impertinence to enquire as to my identity? Your lack of respect is astounding!" The voice roared through the darkness, Seraphina could feel it vibrating deep within her chest but could not tell where it was coming from or who was speaking. It was loud and powerful, she tried to look around and find the source, but there was nothing in the shadows. ¡°I-ii don''t know how I got here,¡± She cried, ¡°I just woke up in this place I did not ask to come¡±. ¡°And yet, here you are. So then, are you lost Stupid Girl?¡± The voice teased her, its words dripping with sarcasm and mischief. It was clear that the voice was trying to get a reaction out of her, and it seemed to be succeeding. ¡°STOP CALLING ME STUPID GIRL!¡± She shouted into the void. Seraphina could feel her fear lingering for a mere moment before it was replaced by a much more powerful feeling of anger. It was a strange sensation, as a wave of heat seemed to fill her body. She was consumed by a sudden rage, one that seemed to come from nowhere. Suddenly a small light flickered in front of her. Seraphina was taken aback by the unexpected burst of light, and instinctively took a step back. As she did, the light began to slowly diminish, until the room was again in darkness. It had been a strange sensation, one that Seraphina could not explain. She had a feeling that something important had just taken place, but she couldn''t put her finger on it. Whatever it was, it had left her unsettled. ¡°NO!!¡± The voice thundered, ¡°Stupid Girl, what are you doing! do not hide. Go towards the light, and embrace it, let it grow. Be exposed to the beauty and possibilities that this light brings with it.¡± ¡°Why do you keep calling me that?¡± Seraphina mumbled. She had had enough. She was fed up with the way the voice continued to speak to her, and she refused to heed its demands. ¡°Calling you what?¡± The voice chuckled. ¡°You keep calling me stupid girl!¡± Seraphina was annoyed by the playfulness in the Voice''s tone. It was a lightheartedness that Seraphina found grating, as if the Voice was mocking her. ¡°Stupid Girl is your name, is it not? The voice asked innocently, ¡°It is what that vile man called you, it is also what you called yourself when you first arrived.¡± ¡°That is not my name! She declared, ¡°My name is.¡­¡± She paused, recalling the events that just took place. After a few seconds she responded. ¡°My name was Seraphina¡±. ¡°So, it is now Stupid girl, correct?¡± The voice jested, its chuckle a low growl. ¡°No! My name is Seraphina, you wretched voice!¡± Seraphina was trying to keep her temper in check, but it was proving difficult. She felt her frustration and anger building up inside her, and she knew it was only a matter of time before it boiled over. ¡°You just said your name ¡®WAS¡¯ Seraphina! Make up your mind Stupid girl!¡± The voice shouted. It was deep and raspy. Although frightening, Seraphina sensed no maliciousness in the voice. ¡°I just meant, since I am dead, I probably no longer need a name.¡± Seraphina felt a wave of sadness wash over her as the memories of how she had been betrayed by the man she loved came flooding back. The voice had distracted her, but she could not forget what Theo had done; he had stolen her innocence, used her, had her tortured, and then killed her. The weight of these memories felt unbearable and Seraphina could feel her heart sink into her chest. ¡°You are not dead¡±, The voice sounded sympathetic, ¡°not yet at least.¡± ¡°What do you mean, not yet?¡± Suddenly the small flame was ignited once again, as if her hope kindled it. This time she did not retreat. Seraphina was filled with a mix of confusion and wonderment. She had never heard the voice before, and it had done nothing but provoke her since she arrived, yet it also brought her comfort in some strange way. It felt familiar, as if she had heard it in a dream, or perhaps in a distant memory. ¡°Just as I stated, you are not dead yet. However, you will be dead soon if you continue to let your dejection consume you.¡± The voice sounded aggravated now. ¡°That man, that false king, he stole your flame, I am giving you a chance to take it back¡±. ¡°How do you know that? How do you know what happened? Who are you?¡± Seraphina was overflowing with questions, she still didn''t know where she was or how she got there. If this wasn¡¯t the afterlife what in the world was it. ¡°Because I am everything Stupid Girl, I am everywhere, I am life itself, and this is my realm.¡± The Voice said smugly. The Voices answer was something unimaginable, yet Seraphina wasn¡¯t taken aback. Instead of questioning it further, she accepted it and moved on. ¡°Why did you save me?¡± Seraphina continued. ¡°I did not save you!¡± The voice griped, ¡°You are the one who appeared in my realm unannounced or did you forget Stupid Girl.¡± Seraphina could tell the voice was not being sincere this time, in spite of that she simply nodded and moved on. ¡°Then why were you watching me?¡± she pressed. ¡°Because you are pathetic and I had hoped you would finally wake up¡­¡± He moaned, almost sounding as if he was bored. ¡° You are always bowing to those who you deem to be more powerful or important than you, unable to find the motivation to make any real progress. Your life is a continuous cycle of failure and disappointment, and you have no one to blame but yourself. Even now you are pathetic, you are choosing to just accept your current situation.¡± Seraphina was now angry and confused. She had been continuously subjected to the voice''s taunts since she had first arrived, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it. She felt the anger rising within her, slowly creeping through her veins and spreading across her body like a wildfire. She hadn''t realized it yet but, the more she got angry, the greater the flame grew. The voice was all too aware of the power its words had unleashed. "Stop it!" She yelled, with a furious intensity that could not be ignored. There was a feeling of power and control in her voice, as if she was determined to be heard. "You have been nothing but rude since I got here. I am sorry if my presence is an inconvenience to you, but I didn''t ask to come here! I didn''t choose to be here." ¡°So you wanted to die?¡± The voice responded, with a hint of playfulness. ¡°That is not what I said!¡± She was becoming increasingly frustrated with the way he was taking what she said and distorting it to suit his own narrative. She could feel the fury rising inside her. With every word he spoke. The voice chuckled ¡°Then you came here on your own Stupid girl! You chose not to die, and came here instead!¡± Before she could respond, Seraphina''s attention was suddenly drawn away, her gaze now fixed upon the roaring flame that had been a mere flicker moments before. She could hardly believe how much it had grown. Feeling an undeniable pull towards the flames, her feet carried her closer, her eyes never leaving the sight before her. The heat from the fire warmed her body and soul, and she felt a sense of peace wash over her. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! ¡°What is that?¡± The flame seemed to be hypnotizing her, Its mesmerizing display of movement and color was entrancing. ¡°Ahh, it is beautiful isn''t it?¡± The voice said excitedly. ¡°It is capable of so much more though. It could be bigger than we ever imagined, it could be wild! Its power is almost infinite. It could incinerate entire worlds if it wanted to.¡± Seraphina was transfixed by the flame, she looked into its entrancing depths, the despair that had been weighing her down slowly slipping away. Feeling an inexplicable peace and a sense of calm when she looked at it, the flame seemed to offer her solace. ¡°Touch it.¡± The voice whispered in her ear. It sounded as if it was right beside her, but no one was there. The flame offered a strange sense of security, as if it was calling her closer into a silent embrace. With each step she took, the flame seemed to grow in size. She reached out her arm, her fingers trembling with anticipation, ¡°But what is it?¡± She asked, although the answer did not matter, it was too late to turn back. She knew she needed this, whatever this was, she needed it in order to live once again. The voice began to laugh a deep yet excited laugh, the roar of its laughter filled the area around them. Seraphina looked up from the flame, when her eyes finally focused she could see a large figure standing on the other side. It was tall and imposing, with large black feathered wings tucked away on its back. Its head was adorned with large horns that resembled those of a goat and its ashen gray skin had glowing symbols etched into it that looked as if flames were trapped inside of him trying to escape. The creatures'' large intimidating yellow eyes stared at her, but she was not afraid, she did not see malice in them; on the contrary, she felt adoration in its gaze. ¡°It¡¯s you Stupid girl, the flame is you!¡± The creature cried out, just then the flames wrapped around Seraphina like a blanket, she screamed as the flames enveloped her body. ¡°EMBRACE THEM STUPID GIRL! BE REBORN! RISE!¡± The voice called to her, but Seraphina was afraid. ¡°I Don¡¯t know what I am supposed to do!¡± She shrieked. She could feel the heat intensifying, threatening to consume her entirely. Though it did not burn, she was trembling in fear as the fire closed in around her. ¡°Live little one! All you must do is live!¡± The voice howled, ¡°Remember what they did to you, let that fuel your fire! Take revenge on those who have hurt you and live the life you were meant to live! You are stronger than all of them! Embrace your power! Do not hide it this time.¡± ¡°You are love, you are light, you are chaos!¡± The voice rumbled all around her as the fire grew bigger. ¡°I¡¯m scared!!¡­ I.. I don''t know if I can do this¡± Seraphina screamed as she dropped to her knees and closed her eyes. Just as the flames began to shrink she felt something take hold of her hand. When she opened her eyes, in front of her was the creature, its large yellow eyes met hers. ¡°Never let fear stop you¡± The creature calmly said, helping Seraphina to her feet. ¡°Stupid girl, you are more powerful than you know, soon you will never fear anything or anyone ever again¡±. The flames still raging around her body, Seraphina held her head high, she felt a sudden surge of power within her, a power she had never felt before. The creature''s words gave her courage she didn''t know she possessed. ¡°My name is not Stupid Girl.¡± She laughed, wiping the tears from her face. The creature stepped back into the shadows, Seraphine could not see it any longer, but she could hear its voice whispering in her ear. ¡°I know My Phoenix, now Rise!¡± The flames exploded around her filling the entire void. She remained calm and closed her eyes, after a moment of darkness she was jolted awake. She quickly sat up in bed rubbing her eyes, then blinked a few times. ¡°My Phoenix?¡± She thought to herself, ¡°what does that mean¡±. Suddenly she felt a chill run down her spine as she realized where she was. This wasn¡¯t the void, nor was it the dungeon, she was back in her room at the convent. Seraphina quickly jumped out of bed tripping over her blanket, scrambling to the mirror in her room. She stripped off her nightgown as fast as she could, and stood there staring, her eyes lingered over every inch of her reflection. She ran her hands over her stomach feeling the curves of her body that were once so foreign to her. Her ribs no longer protruding because of starvation, instead she looked healthy, plump and sun kissed once again. Taking in every detail, she felt a profound sense of relief. Her curly, fiery red hair, cascaded around her bare shoulders and draped down her back slightly brushing the top of her behind. Seraphina collected her unruly curls in her hands, and slowly spun around to examine her back, but there was nothing, not a scratch, nor a scar. Was it all a dream? Her legs felt weak and she dropped to the floor, there was no way it was a dream. She really got a second chance at life. Tears filled her emerald eyes, all she was able to do at that moment was cry tears of joy, just as she lifted her hand to wipe away her tears, the door swung open. ¡°WAKE UP LAZY GIRL! ALWAYS SLEE¡­¡­¡±, It was Sister Agatha, one of the few nuns living at the convent. Seraphina would usually sleep in past the rooster crow and Sister Agatha would have to drag her out of bed in the morning so she could go to mass and start her chores. Before Sister Agatha could finish her sentence, she saw Seraphina crying on the floor. She grabbed the blanket Seraphina had tripped over earlier and wrapped it around her naked body. ¡°What happened child, what is wrong? Are you hurt? Are you sick? Sister Agatha pestered as she knelt down on the floor beside Seraphina. ¡°Can you speak?¡± Seraphina wrapped her arms around the nun, ¡°I am just happy to be alive sister!¡± She exclaimed. Sister Agatha¡¯s face scrunched up, ¡°You awful child! You gave me a fright!¡± She shouted as she stood up shaking her head, ¡°Get dressed so I can braid your hair, you have chores today¡±. Seraphina wiped away her tears, she jumped up, got dressed hastily, then sat on a stool that was tucked away in the corner. Seraphina¡¯s curly hair was wild, and beautiful. Golden highlights peaked through the red billow of curls like rays of sunlight through thick clouds. However, as beautiful as it was, it was not practical when doing chores so Sister Agatha braided it for her every morning. As Sister Agatha ran the comb through Seraphina¡¯s hair, she noticed how lost in thought the girl was. ¡°Are you sure nothing is wrong child, you aren¡¯t being quarrelsome like usual. Is there something bothering you? Do you want to pray with me?¡± She asked. Seraphina was still thinking about everything that had happened to her. It was definitely not a dream, it all really happened. Sister Agatha tugged on Seraphina¡¯s hair. ¡°Wake up girl! You¡¯ve been strange since this morning, get your head out of the clouds!¡±, she shouted, ¡°You will be 18 tomorrow, you need to grow up¡±. Seraphina quickly turned around to look at Sister Agatha, ¡°What did you just say!?¡± Her heart began to race and her palms grew sweaty. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten your birthday, Stupid girl¡±. Agatha hollered Seraphina¡¯s chest began to feel tight. ¡°stupid girl?!¡± She thought to herself, these simple words triggered something inside of her. Her breathing sped up, she felt as if she was gasping for air, and her body began to tremble. ¡°I didn¡¯t come back to the living world, I went back in time!¡­what if.. What if everything that happened, happens again?¡± Agatha felt Seraphina''s body trembling. ¡°Hurry get back in bed child, I fear you may be ill, hurry hurry let me fetch the priest!¡± Agatha rushed Seraphina back into bed, she sped out the door. Seraphina was now soaked with sweat, she was feverish, and her body would not stop shaking. She felt faint but was afraid if she closed her eyes she¡¯d be back in the void and the creature would tell her she failed, or worse back in the dungeon. The priest came rushing in followed by a nun carrying a bowl of water and Agatha. The Priest placed his hand on Seraphina¡¯s forehead. ¡°She¡¯s burning up, bring me the cold rag.¡± The nun who had followed him grabbed a rag out of the bowl, she squeezed the excess water from it and handed it to the priest. He placed it on Seraphina¡¯s head. ¡°Don¡¯t let me die, Father Timothy, I do not want to die again! Please help me.¡± Seraphina begged, grabbing the priest''s hand. Father Timothy held her hands in his own, ¡°You will not die my child, you are safe, now close your eyes and rest, I will pray for your speedy recovery.¡± Seraphina felt her eyelids getting heavy, she could not fight it any longer, everything around her was now a blur. She could hear Father Timothy questioning Agatha on how she ended up in the state she was in. ¡°It is not her fault,¡± she wanted to cry out, but she could not find the strength, and soon she drifted off to sleep. ¡°Hello again.¡± The voice was heard in the distance, echoing through the air When Seraphina opened her eyes she felt a wave of panic wash over her, there was nothing but darkness once again. She had returned to the void. "Did I die again?" She cried out, tears streaming down her face as she curled up into a ball, her body still trembling. ¡°No, you are just sleeping, you¡¯re too weak right now,¡± The voice sighed, it sounded sad, as if it pitied her. ¡°You need to rest, being reborn is not something easily done.¡± "I went back in time!" She wept, ¡±I can''t bear the thought of going through it all over again¡± There was panic in her voice, everything was so overwhelming. She had died, only to be reborn months prior, she could not wrap her head around this. ¡°You are safe here, do not panic.¡± The voice reassured her, ¡°You fell into a deep sleep, your energy has been depleted and you need your rest.¡± A small flicker of light appeared just like before fighting for its life, like a small candle being blown out. Seraphina could not get up. Although the voice reassured her, she could not help but obsess over the possibility of the past repeating itself. "What do I do?!" Her voice cracked as she shouted desperately for help. "I can''t live through that again!" She felt paralyzed, she was beginning to wonder if she should let the void consume her and just disappear. The sound of air rushing through feathers roared through the void like a gust of wind sweeping through the trees. Seraphina felt herself being lifted as the creature cradled her in its arms. She felt the warmth of its embrace, and a sense of peace and calm suddenly washed over her. She lifted her head, The creature''s yellow eyes met hers once again and almost instinctively she reached up hugging it tightly. The small flicker of light grew rapidly, illuminating the darkness of the Void. ¡°I¡¯ll be 18 again tomorrow,¡± Seraphina closed her eyes, her voice now calm and sleepy. ¡°Yes,¡± the creature whispered as it folded its wings creating a cocoon around the two of them and the flame, ¡°This time you¡¯ll be stronger and wiser, the false king will not be able to trick you again. Do not allow your memory of the pain paralyze you; instead, you must use that betrayal and change your destiny.¡± Seraphina drifted off to sleep. Chapter 3: The Encounter It was a cool spring morning, Seraphina had been anxiously waiting for today, she woke up and excitedly jumped out of bed, getting dressed before the rooster could even announce the morning sun. Today was her 18th birthday, and the nuns told Seraphina she could have the day to herself, she was free to go out and do as she pleased. The thought of exploring the world beyond the safe haven filled her with excitement and anticipation, as she had never stepped beyond the town''s borders. When Seraphina was only a few days old she was found on the church¡¯s steps by Sister Agatha. It was the first week of spring and as the nun stepped outside to tend to the chickens, she noticed a small basket with linens bundled inside of it; a faint raspy cry coming from within. At first she thought it was possibly a kitten but upon closer inspection, she discovered Seraphina''s tiny face peeking from beneath the linens. Agatha quickly picked the baby up and rushed her into the church, where she was raised by all of the nuns. Life at the convent was boring. Every day was essentially the same for her. In the mornings she would wake up to Agatha opening her window and shouting at her about still being in bed. After getting dressed and ready with Sister Agatha''s help, she would attend the morning mass, then help with breakfast and the other chores. In the evening she would run errands in town, which was Seraphina¡¯s favorite because it meant she could sneak off with the children to play. Once the sun set, she would join the sisters in prayer and meditation, reflecting on her day. Although these jobs were tedious and mundane she was grateful for the sense of community and security it provided. Today, however, was a special day and possibly her only chance to explore the outskirts of town. She had been drawn to the mysterious area since she was a child and felt as if something was always calling to her; she was determined to find out what it was. Seraphina rushed out the door, almost knocking over Sister Agatha who had been on her way to Seraphina¡¯s room to wake her up and check on her. Startled, Sister Agatha stepped back and watched as the girl ran down the hallway in a hurry. ¡°She knows how to wake up early when she has no chores, wicked girl. She must be feeling better, I wonder what she''s planned for her birthday.¡± Sister Agatha chuckled to herself and continued down the hall. Seraphina got to the main road and was met with the bustling noise of the busy town. The streets were filled with people rushing around, going about their day. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air and the sun shone brightly, creating a cheerful atmosphere that contrasted with the hurried commotion of the town. She greeted the townspeople with a warm smile. Most of them simply nodded in return. As she weaved through the crowds of people, heading towards the forest, she heard a small voice calling out behind her. She turned around to see a group of children running towards her waving their arms, she stopped and knelt down to greet them, their excited voices filling her with warmth and happiness. They begged her to play a game of hide and seek, and although she was in a rush she couldn''t resist and agreed to play one game with them. The children were delighted and quickly ran off in search of hiding places. Seraphina already knew all the places the children hid, so the game would only take a few minutes. Seraphina had been playing hide-and-seek with the children for years, she had become intimately familiar with their favorite hiding spots. In order to quickly find the children, Seraphina devised a clever strategy. Instead of searching every hiding spot, she would listen for their giggles and follow the sound, effortlessly revealing their hiding places in record time. When they were finished, Seraphina kissed each of them on their head and sent them on their way with a warm smile. Finally she made it to the forest, the trees looked as if they reached the heavens, but Seraphina could still see beams of light filtering through the leaves, illuminating a path that seemed to be beckoning her to follow it. The air was thick with the scent of earth and the gentle whispers of the wind rustling through the leaves created a sense of serenity and mystery. As she walked, the sun rays danced around her, warming her skin. A carpet of moss and fallen leaves underfoot. Nobody besides the hunters ever went into the forest and even they did not go too far. The area was forbidden, everyone said it was cursed. But Seraphina wasn''t sure she believed in curses. Driven by her curiosity, Seraphina couldn''t resist the allure of the forbidden forest. She yearned to uncover the truth behind the curse that had shrouded the woods in mystery for so long. With each step she took deeper into the forest, she couldn''t help but wonder if she would be the one to finally unravel its secrets. No one could tell her what the curse actually was, just that people sometimes left and never returned. ¡°That''s not a curse,¡± Seraphina thought to herself, willing to risk everything to uncover the truth, and defy the ominous reputation of the forbidden forest. "I know there is something amazing out here.¡± The forest air was filled with a symphony of chirps and songs, leaves rustled as animals moved among the trees. She was captivated by the beauty of the forest and the mysterious aura of the unknown. As she continued her journey, she started to feel a strange energy emanating from the forest''s edge, the hairs on her arms were standing on end. Once she stepped through the trees a meadow appeared before her, it looked as if it had never been touched by man. Seraphina was mesmerized, wild flowers of every color seemed to stretch for miles dancing in the wind making the meadow feel as if it were alive, and the sweet smell of the blooms filled the air. The gentle breeze was like a whisper, beckoning her to explore, as if she had found a secret that only she was fated to discover. Seraphina had been walking for hours, it felt like the meadow went on forever. Unbeknownst to her, the meadow was filled with a magic that had been dormant for centuries and she had woken it up. She suddenly stopped, her body felt strange, a tingle started at her toes and traveled through her entire body, it did not hurt, it felt satisfying. Seraphina could feel the tingling sensation grow, like it was building up inside of her and it needed to be released. Her hands began to feel hot, she opened and closed them a few times, and then cupped them in front of her face. Suddenly a small flame appeared in the palm of her hands, causing her to let out a small scream; the flame disappeared. ¡°Did I do that?¡± She thought to herself. Standing there surprised and puzzled, she slowly cupped her hands in front of her face again, but nothing happened. She did it a few more times, staring intensely at the palms of her hand not letting herself blink, but still nothing . ¡°I must¡¯ve imagined it,¡± she whispered to herself as she dropped her arms to her sides feeling disappointed. She fell back letting the meadow''s tall grass and flowers catch her and cushion the fall. She reached towards the sky as if trying to catch the sun in her hand. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back¡±, She sighed, ¡°Now that I¡¯ve found this place, the convent feels like a cage, but I have no place else to go.¡± While lowering her arm, Seraphina opened her hand as if to see if she had actually captured the sun, instead a tiny flame danced in her palm. She gasped while clumsily getting to her feet, never taking her eyes off the tiny flicker of light. The more she focused on the fire the bigger it grew. She was completely entranced by the fire she had conjured in her hand. Just then a gust of wind blew causing the flame to go out, leaves and flowers formed a small tornado all around her. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°False King.¡± a faint voice whispered, but she was too captivated by the tornado of flowers to pay it any mind. The wind stopped abruptly, Seraphina¡¯s tousled hair wrapped around her face, she moved it away and attempted to calm it with her hands. Suddenly she heard a stick snap in the distance and quickly turned around. Standing at the edge of the meadow by a tree was a man watching her. He had piercing blue eyes, a square jaw, and a top his head, wild golden blonde hair. He was tall and masculine, his gaze was intense and direct. When their eyes met, she felt a jolt of electricity that sent her heart racing. A devilish smile formed on the man''s face. ¡°I am sorry if I startled you,¡± The alluring man called out, slowly stepping closer to Seraphina, ¡°I was bewitched by your beauty, I have never seen someone as ravishing as you in all my life, I could not look away.¡± His words oozed with seduction. Seraphina felt her face flush, and stepped back. She could feel the intensity of his gaze as he looked at her. She knew that she should be wary of his advances, but she couldn''t deny the feeling of being admired that came over her; it almost felt like their encounter was destined to happen. ¡°Please tell me your name.¡± he said, continuing to approach her cautiously like a hunter approaching its prey. ¡°Ss-Seraphina,¡± She called out hesitantly. Her intuition was telling her to run but she could not look away from him. ¡°A beautiful name for a beautiful creature,¡± he was walking at a more steady pace now but was keeping an eye on the young girl''s reaction. ¡°I am Theoden, but you can call me Theo if you¡¯d like, I have never seen you before, are you from the Elberethion Kingdom?¡± ¡°Elberethion Kingdom?¡± She thought to herself, she had never heard of that Kingdom before which was strange because she hadn¡¯t traveled that far from her home, it was merely half a day''s walk. ¡°No, I am from a small town on the other side of that forest,¡± Seraphina pointed towards the horizon, but she gasped when she realized how far she was. It would be dark before she even reached the forest. Theo was right in front of her now, he slowly brushed a loose curl from her face, tucking it behind her ear, never taking his eyes off of her. Seraphina could feel her ears burning red, she nervously looked down at her feet, her heart was beating even faster. ¡°So you came from the other side of the forest?¡± His curiosity piqued. ¡°Could you tell me how you did that?¡± His voice was smooth, and hypnotizing, as if he was trying to lure her into revealing her secrets. Seraphina began to nervously wring her dress in her hands. ¡°It''s my birthday so I uh¡­.¡± her answer was quickly cut off as Theo dropped to his knee in front of her. ¡°You¡¯re Birthday!¡± He gasped, trying to take a peek at Seraphina''s face, as she shyly avoided eye contact. ¡°Yy-yes, it¡¯s my 18th birthday¡±, she continued, stumbling over her words. ¡°And um, the nuns I live with, gave me permission to explore. So, um, I traveled through the forest at the edge of the little town I¡¯m from, and, um, I discovered this meadow when I got to the other side. I''ve been strolling through it all day, and I guess I lost track of time. I can¡¯t believe how beautiful it is.¡± She finally took a deep breath after nervously rattling on, her cheeks were burning and red. Seraphina turned her head staring off towards the forest, the sun was almost completely lost behind the trees. She was happy she played with the children before she left town, she had a feeling she would never see them or her little town again. Theoden was transfixed by the timid girl''s story. She had ventured through a treacherous forest full of bloodthirsty creatures unscathed, passed through a protection spell created by the most powerful mage in history, awoken an enchanted meadow, and was able to use magic, which had been lost to Elberethion for Centuries, and yet she spoke as if she had gone for a simple stroll. ¡°Stupid girl¡±, he chuckled to himself as a mischievous grin crept onto his face. He knew he had to find a way to take advantage of the situation, and he was determined to find a way to take the girl''s magic for himself. He thought that if he could control her, he could use her magic to take the throne from his uncle and become the rightful ruler. ¡°It''s getting dark Seraphina, and I can not leave you out here all alone, ¡± Theoden stood up, removed his cape and wrapped it over her shoulders, waking her from her trance. He reached out his hand ¡°It must be fate that I found you, it is dangerous at night. Why don¡¯t you come back with me to my castle, you can stay as my guest. We will find a way to get you back home in the morning ¡±. Seraphina stared at his hand, she had a strange feeling of D¨¦j¨¤ vu. Her heart was telling her to take his hand and never look back, but her body was telling her to run away. Theoden was beginning to get irritated but hid it behind a fake smile. ¡°I Vow to never leave your side Seraphina. I won''t let anything happen to you.¡± ¡°It must be fate, indeed Sir Theo,¡± She slowly placed her hand in his, finally looking up at his face. There was no other option, it was now nightfall and she had no place to go. The moonlight lit up the meadow making it look as if it were glowing. She could see the stars twinkling in his eyes, they felt familiar, they were beautiful but they frightened her. An uneasy feeling came over her, as Theo quickly led her to where his horse was, and her legs began to feel weak. ¡°Can we slow down, my legs feel a bit tired¡±. She tried to loosen her hand from his grip, it felt as if he would drag her if she didn''t keep up. He didn''t respond, and instead tightened his grip as he pulled her through the meadow. Seraphina began to panic, she tried to dig her heels into the ground and pull her arm away, but Theo just overpowered her. ¡°Let go!¡± She cried out, a small flame erupting from her hand burning Theoden. He let go and retracted his hand instantly, causing Seraphina to fall backwards onto the ground. ¡°How dare you!¡± He shouted, glaring down at the small girl trembling on the ground. The look of disgust on his face made her stomach turn. Why was his expression so familiar, why did it cause an aching pain in her chest. ¡°..Run!¡± She thought to herself, but her legs would not move. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I didn''t mean it.¡± she pleaded to him. Every bone in her body was telling her that her life was in danger. ¡°Stupid girl¡±, he scoffed, as he regained his composure, running his fingers through his blonde locks. ¡°I am trying to get us to safety, you mustn''t put up such a fight, I promise I will keep you safe.¡± But as he extended his hand once again, he noticed Seraphina''s face was drained of all its color, her eyes were wide and filled with terror, as if she had seen a monster. ¡°How could I forget¡­¡± All the horrors and betrayal came rushing back at once. The lies he spewed now a ringing in her ear. She was overwhelmed with emotions as she had flashbacks of him forcing himself onto her and calling it love, then killing her because she was no longer useful. This was no man, he was the Devil. Seraphina knew exactly what would happen if she took his hand. Everything started to get foggy in front of her. ¡°No, not again, not now.¡± She could see Theoden rushing over to her side, as she began to faint, ¡°No, don¡¯t touch me¡±, she thought to herself, she wanted to shout it, she wanted to push him away but her body betrayed her and she blacked out. ¡°Tsk, why is she making this so difficult?¡± His voice was low and menacing as he hovered above her, his eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger as he eyed her sleeping body. When he said he had never seen anyone as ravishing as her he wasn¡¯t lying. Theoden knew he had to possess her, he would never be satisfied until she was his. He wanted to own her like she was a mere object. If she wasn''t useful or if he got bored with her he would just throw her away. Lifting her up off the ground he hoisted her over his shoulder, and carried her over to his horse who had been impatiently waiting for him at the bottom of the hill. ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting girl,¡± His horse let out a frustrated whinny as he rubbed her on the nose. He draped Seraphina¡¯s body over the saddle of the horse, and took the reins. Clicking his tongue he led the horse towards the road back to the castle. Theoden looked up at the sky, the stars felt strangely familiar. ¡°It must be fated, Indeed¡±. Chapter 4: The False King Is Born Despite being next in the line of succession, Theoden''s father, Prince Caspian, chose to publicly renounce his claim to the throne when he turned 18, handing the title of heir over to his younger brother Prince Sebastian. At a very young age, Prince Caspian decided he wanted absolutely nothing to do with being a King. Sebastian was 2 years younger, however he was much smarter and more responsible than his older brother. He had displayed a knack for leadership and was much more suited for the role of King. Caspian on the other hand, was a free spirit, he cared about no one but himself and would much rather go on exciting adventures, and explore the world beyond the hidden Kingdom. His father King Bartholomew did not argue with his decision and allowed him to do as he pleased. He gave him his blessing to pursue his own path in life and see what else the world had to offer. So, with the consent of his father, Prince Caspian set out on his own journey. Five years had passed since Caspian set off on his adventure, he would visit the castle occasionally but usually only when he needed his father to get him out of trouble. He became known as a legendary explorer, uncovering hidden treasures and fighting beasts at the border, who were trying to break through the barrier. His reputation spread far and wide, as people marveled at his daring escapades, and while Caspian''s reputation as a legendary explorer grew, his brother Sebastian thrived as a wise and respected heir, steering the kingdom towards prosperity and ensuring the well-being of its people. Caspian received a letter informing him that his father was going to abdicate his position, and his brother would finally be crowned the new King. To celebrate, King Bartholomew was throwing a coronation ball and every Noble in the kingdom was invited. Caspian chuckled as he read it, he knew that this letter was not just an invitation, it was one last dictum from his father before he gave up the crown. Although the King let Caspian do whatever he wanted his entire life, he would not sway on his injunction that Caspian had to get married, and if he did not find someone the night of the coronation ball, a marriage would be arranged. Caspian never stayed in one place long enough to meet someone he felt any kind of fondness for, although an arranged marriage was unappealing, it was probably the easiest solution, he did not believe in love, and never had an interest in anyone. On the day of the coronation Caspian spent the majority of the ball attempting to hide from King Bartholomew and the noble women who had come to meet the bachelor Prince. As he was avoiding his father he found himself in the palace garden. The garden was filled with exotic flowers, and sculptures of gods and goddesses from long ago. He wandered into the hedge maze he used to play in as a child. The Hedgemaze was renowned for its confusing layout, groundsmen had to walk through it extensively at the end of each day to be sure no one was lost inside after there was an incident. Caspians mother Queen Meredith was startled on one of her morning strolls by a dehydrated woman who had been lost in the maze for 2 days. The Queen was distraught for a week because of the experience, King Bartholomew on the other hand, spit his wine all over himself in a fit of laughter when he was told what had happened. Caspian was intimately familiar with every twist and turn of the maze, He could remember every single shortcut he and his brother had discovered while playing tag as children. His favorite part was an extravagant fountain placed in the middle of all the twists and turns, he would often go there to hide from his studies, or to just think. At night the fountain glowed with an ethereal light, as if the stars themselves were shining from within its depths, creating a mesmerizing display. It was a breathtaking sight that he missed while he was away from the castle. When he turned the last corner to get to the fountain he froze, there was a beautiful woman sitting on the bench by the fountain crying; moonlight reflecting off her tears as they streamed down her face. He could feel the sadness radiating from her, yet the tears running down her cheeks made her look even more lovely, he was captivated by the sight. He felt guilty as he watched her knowing he should turn around and walk away, but his feet wouldn''t move, as if he was one of the sculptures in the garden, rooted to the spot. So instead he stood there and he watched, his heart heavy as he wished that he could do something to ease her pain. After a few minutes the woman looked in his direction. She jumped up from the bench she was sitting on and quickly wiped the tears from her face. ¡°M-my apologies,¡± she stuttered looking down at the ground now. ¡°I didn¡¯t think anyone else would be out here, I will take my leave¡±. When she turned to leave Caspian noticed her left cheek was as red as a beet. She tried to rush by him, but he stopped her, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back towards him. ¡°Have I done something wrong My Lord?¡± She asked nervously, still refusing to look at him. ¡°I apologize but I must return to My Lady, I¡¯ve been gone far longer than I anticipated and she will be very angry if I do not make haste.¡± ¡°Did she do that to your face? His voice was low and irritable. Caspian didn¡¯t know what came over him, he was usually impassive towards others and their troubles, but the moment he discovered her crying he felt like he needed to rescue her. ¡°It was my fault My Lord, it does not hurt any longer, please do not concern yourself with me.¡± She responded nervously, he could hear the fear in her voice. ¡°Stay here with me,¡± he demanded. ¡°I came to this place to escape the party and I would like someone to converse with.¡± He hesitantly released her wrist, praying she wouldn¡¯t instantly run away. ¡°I can not do that My Lord!¡± She exclaimed, and as soon as he let go of her wrist she began to once again rush away. For the first time in his life, Caspian was intrigued by another human and he began to fear he would never see her again. There was something about this woman that enticed him and he wanted to know more about her, no, he needed to know. ¡°That wasn¡¯t a request!¡±, he shouted out to her. ¡°Or do you make it a habit of disobeying The Prince.¡± The mystery woman abruptly stopped, almost losing her balance, she did not turn around. ¡°Pp-prince?¡± She asked, barely able to get the word out. ¡°Yes, I am Prince Caspian,¡± He half expected her to throw herself at him like all the other women he¡¯s encountered, but instead she stood there trembling. ¡°Will you not turn around and face your Prince?¡± The mystery woman stood only a few feet in front of him, but she seemed so far away. ¡°Must I really stay here, your Highness?¡± She sounded as if she was fighting back tears. Caspian was confused, he had always been reclusive, never wanting any kind of attention, but he was drawn to this woman who, even after finding out he was the Prince of, wanted nothing to do with him. ¡°If you do not wish to stay here with me, you are free to go.¡± He Sighed, ¡° Could you atleast grant me the honor of knowing your name?¡± ¡°Charlotte Valencia, your Highness¡± Answered Charlotte, her fists clenched at her sides. ¡°Was she afraid of him?¡± he wondered. ¡°Well Charlotte Valencia, although I wish you would stay by my side, I will not force you,¡± he professed. ¡°Why do you want me to stay your Highness? I am only a Lady in Waiting, I am nobody of importance.¡± Caspian could hear a sadness in her voice that caused him pain in his chest. This woman who proclaimed to be nobody of importance, had suddenly become the only thing that mattered to him. He had to save her, he had to have her. Nothing else mattered anymore. ¡°Do you know anything about me Charlotte?¡± Caspian began to slowly walk towards her, like a man trying to sneak up on a timid rabbit ¡°I am sure you¡¯ve heard rumors.¡± His voice was playful yet serene. ¡°Yes your Highness, I have heard a few.¡± Charlotte was beginning to feel less anxious, she hesitantly turned around finally looking at him. She was met with the sight of his lustrous blue eyes that were impossible to look away from. His chiseled jawline and high cheekbones only added to his magnetic appeal. She could not help but be mesmerized by the sight of him. ¡°Please, enlighten me about my exploits.¡± Caspian was an arms length away now, his lips were curved in a gentle smile that was both inviting and comforting. Charlotte did not respond at first, there was a silence that surrounded them, as if they were the only two people in the world. There was a calmness in the air that made her feel relaxed. ¡°Well, while I was buying bread at the market, I overheard two men say a bear attacked you in the woods. They also said you wrestled it to the ground but refused to kill it and now it stays in the castle as your pet¡±. A smile snuck onto Charlotte¡¯s face as she answered, she lifted her hand to attempt to hide her smile, but Caspian reached out and grabbed her hand stopping her. He was standing right in front of her now, fixated on her. ¡°His name is Oberon.¡± Caspian flirtatiously chuckled. ¡°Pardon?¡± She questioned with a puzzled look upon her face. ¡°The bear, his name is Oberon. He is in fact my pet, would you like to see him?¡± A sly smile appeared on his face. Charlotte began to blush, she felt her cheeks getting hot. ¡°The stories they tell about me are in fact all true. I have faced down wild beasts, raging storms, and even the darkest depths of despair and yet I felt no fear. I have personally met death himself and I laughed in his face, for I fear not even him.¡± He paused for a moment feeling a wave of emotion wash over him that he couldn''t quite put a name to. ¡°And yet, the instant you rejected me, I have been afraid I will never have the chance to see you again, and I do not know what to do.¡± Caspian took her hands in his own. ¡°Please, don¡¯t leave.¡± Charlotte looked up at him with tears in her eyes. ¡°Your Highness, I am not worthy of your affection, I¡¯m no longer a noble, my family is disgraced, we have no money or power to help the crown, I am nothing more than a humble servant.¡± Before she could say another word Caspian pulled her into his chest. She felt the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat against her ear and the tears flowed freely. Caspian held her tightly, she felt safe in his embrace and the warmth of his body slowly calmed her. "That is not true," he said firmly as he wiped the tears from her eyes. "You are no less worthy of my love than anyone else. I want you regardless of your station in life. I do not care about titles or power, all I want is for you to give me your heart freely.¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Charlotte could see the longing in Caspian¡¯s eyes, his confession was sincere. She wanted to scream my heart is yours as loud as she could, and tell him to save her from the miserable life she had been living. Steal her away and live happily together. But before she could open her mouth she heard a shrill voice screaming her name. ¡°CHARLOTTE!!! Good for nothing wench! Where are you!¡± It was coming from over the hedge, Charlotte lightly pushed Prince Caspian away just as a plump woman turned the corner, her corset tied so tightly that her cleavage spilled out of the top of her gaudy ball gown. Charlotte came from a prestigious family. Her father, Duke Charles Valencia, was a very influential man in high society, however after her mother passed away her father took to drinking and he gambled away all of the family¡¯s fortune. Once the debt collectors started showing up, Duke Valencia tried to sell Charlotte off to a handsy old man, who was willing to give him a small fortune for Charlotte¡¯s hand in marriage, but she refused telling her father she would kill herself before she married the old pervert. Even after her father beat her and locked her away in her room for months, she would not waver. Then one day her father gave her an ultimatum, either she married the old man, or she became Marchioness Margaret Bryon¡¯s Lady in waiting. Charlotte quickly chose to be a Lady in waiting, unaware of how cruel Lady Margaret could be. Charlotte was a beautiful girl, her soft features often complemented her gentle personality, which was evident in her warm and inviting smile. She did her job well so everyone at the Byron manor was fond of her, which made Lady Margaret extremely jealous. Lady Margaret''s jealousy towards Charlotte grew with each passing day. She couldn''t stand the attention and admiration that Charlotte received from both the staff and the residents of Byron manor. It ate away at her, fueling her resentment and driving her to scheme and plot against Charlotte. ¡°Lady Margaret, I am so sorry, please let me explain,¡± Charlotte called out as she quickly walked towards the noble woman.¡°I was at the fountain washing off the wine you threw at me and this gentleman and I started talking, I lost track of time and¡­¡± Before she could finish talking Lady Margaret''s heavy hand came crashing across Charlotte''s face causing her to fall over. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your excuses, you worthless cow! AHHHHHH!¡± Lady Margaret screamed as she was suddenly pulled back by her hair and thrown to the ground.¡± Caspian rushed to Charlotte''s side, he knelt down as he checked her for injuries. After he was reassured she was not hurt he placed his hand on her swollen cheek. Charlotte closed her eyes, ¡°My heart is yours, Your Highness¡± she whispered and she leaned into his hand. Caspian smiled gently as he caressed her cheek. ¡°No one will ever lay a finger on you again.¡± He calmly said as he leaned forward kissing her forehead, his lips were soft and warm, he lingered for a moment before pulling away. Their romantic moment was interrupted by the shrieking woman. Lady Margaret was cursing the couple as she attempted to get herself off the ground, however her corset was tied so tightly she was unable to bend and rolled around like a turtle trapped on its back. A crowd of guests began to flock to the fountain following the loud commotion through the maze. ¡°Lady Margaret, let me help you!¡± a nobleman from the crowd yelled out as he rushed to the vulgar woman''s side, he struggled to lift her on his own and two more gentlemen ran over to help. Once she got to her feet she shoved the men away and marched angrily towards Caspian and Charlotte, her fat finger pointed at them. ¡°DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM! I AM MARCHIONESS MARGARET BRYON! I WILL HAVE YOU EXECUTED FOR WHAT YOU JUST DID!! BUT NOT BEFORE YOU WATCH YOUR WHORE AND HER FAMILY BE KILLED FOR BOTH OF YOUR IMPUDENCE. In one swift elegant motion Prince Caspian stood up and pulled out his sword, pointing it at Lady Margaret. The tip of the sword was delicately pressed against her throat, a droplet of blood trickled down. ¡°How dare you threaten Charlotte, I should slice off your head where you stand!¡± Caspian was filled with a fury he had never felt before, he wanted to kill her. The crowd of nobles were silent as all eyes were on Lady Margaret who stood shaking at the end of Caspian¡¯s sword. Suddenly a booming voice roared causing the crowd to scramble and kneel. ¡°What is the meaning of this!¡± King Bartholomew and a small group of guards turned the corner. He saw Caspian holding the sword to the noblewoman''s throat. Her eyes were begging the King to save her. ¡°Caspian! Have you lost your mind, drop your sword at once!¡± He cried out to his son. Caspian hesitantly lowered his sword and Lady Margaret dropped to her knees sobbing. ¡°This cow threatened me your Majesty, she said she would make me watch as she murdered my future wife before having me executed¡± Caspian¡¯s eyes were filled with hate as he stared at the woman wailing on the ground. ¡°Your Majesty there has been a terrible mistake.¡± Lady Margeret dramatically called out to the king . ¡°That woman is my Lady in waiting. I was concerned when she went missing so I left the party to go look for her, but when I found her she was trying to seduce this man. I disciplined her, and then this barbarian pulled me to the ground!¡± The King''s eyes widened as he began to rush towards them. A sinister smile formed on Lady Margaret''s face, thinking the king was coming to her aid, but as she reached up for assistance the King rushed past her knocking her over and instead wrapped his arms around Caspian hugging him tightly, and after helping Charlotte to her feet he hugged her as well. ¡°Future bride?! My son, why didn¡¯t you tell me! The King¡¯s deep voice echoed through the maze. The crowd of nobles huddled by the entrance to the fountain all gasped at once and whispers began filling the night air. ¡°Did the King just say ¡®my son¡¯?¡± ¡°That must be Prince Caspian.¡± ¡°He¡¯s just as handsome as the rumors say.¡± ¡°He said future bride, that means Lady Margaret slapped the future Princess!¡± ¡°Gasp! Lady Margaret threatened the Prince!¡± ¡°That''s treason!¡± ¡°Treason¡­.¡± Lady Margarete''s heart raced. A wave of nausea swept over her as the whispers grew louder and the stares intensified. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I didn¡¯t know!¡± she wept, but the whispers drowned out her cries. ¡°Spare my life! Please, Your Grace!¡± She screamed over the whispers. Everyone got quiet. King Bartholomew sighed, ¡°Guards take her to the dungeons until I can speak with her husband, we will see how much his wife¡¯s life is worth to him.¡± The guards quickly lifted Lady Margaret up by her arms and dragged her away kicking and screaming through the maze. Charlotte watched as they disappeared behind the hedge. ¡°I¡¯m free.¡± She whispered to herself, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. As the adrenaline slowly left her body, she stumbled back. Almost instantaneously Caspian wrapped his arm around her waist catching her, when Charlotte looked up, she saw that he was staring at her. She felt her cheeks get hot as she noticed the intimacy of his gaze. ¡°Thank you, Your Highness,¡± She swiftly looked away, trying to hide her flushed cheeks. Caspian chuckled, finding her bashfulness endearing. ¡°I will always protect you.¡± He promised as he pulled her close to him, kissing the top of her head. With him by her side, she felt an overwhelming sense of security and the courage to face any challenges that lay ahead. At the end of the Coronation ball, Lady Margaret was released from the Dungeon and banned from the castle, unable to attend all future events. Gossip about how she treated Charlotte and what was said in the maze spread quickly, and as a result, her reputation was tarnished. News of Prince Caspian''s affection for Charlotte spread like wildfire, fueling rumors of a fairytale romance that captured the hearts of the kingdom''s people. All the noble women who turned their back on Charlotte when her family went bankrupt, soon began bombarding her with invitations to tea parties, where the women gathered to network, gossip, and establish social connections. By extending their invitation, the noble women were trying to regain favor with Charlotte and restore their social standing by associating themselves with her newfound status as a prominent figure in society. Refusing to be their source of amusement, Charlotte gracefully declined their invitations, focusing instead on her life with Caspian and finding true happiness outside the confines of high society. Even her father tried to get in good graces with her but once Caspian heard how he treated her, he had him sent away to a temple against his will to ¡°cure¡± him of his addiction. He was ordered to stay and work there, keeping it clean for the rest of his life, and if he ever attempted to contact Charlotte or leave the temple he was to be executed for disobeying a royal order. Six months after the Coronation Ball Caspian And Charlotte had a small wedding in the castle garden with only his parents and brother in attendance. The intimate ceremony was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the Coronation Ball, but it held a special charm for Caspian and Charlotte, they were able to create meaningful memories and share heartfelt vows in a peaceful and personal setting. After the wedding the young couple decided it would be best to live in the castle. Sebastian was now king and asked Caspian to oversee specific aspects of the kingdom, such as the military or economic affairs, ensuring that Sebastian''s vision for the kingdom was effectively implemented. Despite Caspian''s initial reluctance, Charlotte managed to persuade him, assuring him that his knowledge and capabilities would greatly benefit Sebastian and the entire kingdom, ultimately leading to a prosperous and successful reign. Four years passed under the joint leadership of Sebastian and Caspian, their shared vision and complementary skills allowed them to effectively govern and maintain peace and stability in the kingdom and the people admired and respected both brothers. Charlotte, played a crucial role in maintaining the harmony and goodwill between the royal family and the citizens. Her genuine empathy, and dedication to the welfare of the kingdom earned her the admiration and respect of everyone around her, so when Charlotte discovered she was pregnant the entire Kingdom of Elberethion rejoiced. The citizens eagerly anticipated the birth of her child, believing that the royal family''s values of compassion and empathy would be passed down to the next generation, little did they know how wrong they were. During Charlotte''s seventh month of pregnancy, she felt a sudden pain in her stomach and collapsed in the hallway. The midwife was immediately called and Charlotte was rushed to her room once they noticed blood seeping through her dress. Screams echoed through the walls, as Charlotte pushed for hours. Tension hung heavy in the air as Caspian''s heart raced pacing outside the door listening to his wife''s screams, his mind was filled with worry and fear. Every agonizing cry made him want to burst through the door and offer his wife comfort. As the hours dragged on, Caspian couldn''t help but dread the possibility that something could be wrong, and then a sudden silence filled the air, as if the world held its breath. Caspian¡¯s heart sank, he knew something was amiss; he could feel it. The silence was deafening, and the wave of unease that washed over him was suffocating. Every second that ticked by without any sound or movement from the delivery room intensified his fear and deepened his sense of helplessness. It had become unbearable for him and he forced his way into Charlotte''s room. What he saw left him speechless. His wife''s lifeless body lying in a pool of blood, Caspian''s heart shattered as he stood frozen in the doorway, his mind unable to comprehend the devastating sight before him. ¡°Chhharlotte?¡± Caspian could barely speak, as he called out her name. He slowly made his way to her side, each step heavier than the last. "My love, please answer me." He cried out to her knowing there would be no response. Reality began sinking in as he reached out to touch her cheek, hoping for some sign of warmth or movement, his trembling fingers brushed against Charlotte''s icy skin, sending a wave of anguish through his entire being. ¡°Don¡¯t leave me, please, I can not do this without you.¡± Tears streamed down Caspian''s face as he sat on the bed next to Charlotte, lifting her into his arms, clinging to her desperately, unable to accept reality. Suddenly one of the maids walked up holding a bundle of blankets. "Eee-xcuse me Your Highness, I am so sorry for your loss, but would you like to hold your son?" Caspian''s eyes shifted from his wife''s lifeless body to the maid. In the nervous maid''s arms was a tiny infant sucking on his hand. "The Princess named him Theoden." The maid stepped closer, attempting to hand the baby to the grieving Prince. "Get that thing out of my face if you value your life," he growled, his voice filled with a mix of pain and rage. The maid recoiled, her eyes widening in fear, as Caspian turned away burying his face into his wife''s neck. The room fell into a somber and heavy silence. All the help cautiously retreated with the baby, leaving Caspian alone with his wife''s lifeless body. When the former King and Queen heard the news from the panicked maids, they rushed over to Charlotte''s room, but their son was already gone.