I opened my eyes at the sound of someone calling me. "Huh? What is it? It's still the middle of the night..." I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.
But then—Boom. My surroundings shifted like reality cracked, and suddenly, I wasn't in the forest anymore.
That realm again. The one where I first met him.
He was there standing under that ghostly blue sky, shadows dancing around him like whispers. With that same stupidly calm smile. "You look cute while sleeping," he said.
"Shut up," I muttered, cheeks heating up instantly because of embarrassment
I crossed my arms. "Why am I here again?"
His smile faded."To help you," he said.
"In what?"
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low whisper that echoed unnaturally.
"Don't believe what you see."
My heart skipped."What?" I blinked, confused.
"The truth isn't what you think it is."
"Stop being cryptic and say it. If you know something, just tell me! It'll save us all the trouble—"
He stared at me for a long moment. His eyes weren't kind anymore.They were haunted.
"I can't. There are… restrictions."
"Restrictions from who?"
He didn't answer. Instead, the shadows around him deepened.
"Just don't trust anyone. Not what they say. Not what they show you. Especially not the one who smiles too easily."
His body began fading into black mist, like ash blowing in the wind.
"Wait! Just tell me what's going on!"
But he was already gone.
My eyes flew open.Morning sunlight poured through the trees. Birds chirped.
But my heart was racing like I'd seen a ghost.
I stepped out of the tent, stretching slightly. The early morning breeze carried the crisp scent of forest dew. Kael was already back, laying down the small game he'd hunted for breakfast, while Liora crouched by a fire, stirring something in a pot.
Both of them glanced up when they noticed me.
"My lady, you're awake," Liora said, straightening.
"Mhm," I murmured, still a little hazy from everything that happened in the Realm.
"My lady," she continued softly, brushing her hands on her apron, "I found a good place nearby where you can freshen up. I'll lead the way."
I nodded, appreciating the thought. She really had prepared everything.
We moved through the trees, until she stopped by a quiet spot near a small stream. It was tucked away behind a cluster of rocks and thick foliage—a perfect little sanctuary. She'd already strung up a large cloth between two trees to serve as a makeshift screen.
Behind it, a basin of water sat neatly on a flat rock. Steam curled gently from the surface.
"You warmed it?" I asked, a little surprised.
"I thought cold water would be unpleasant this early," she smiled. "Also…" she handed me a small glass vial, "a bit of rosewater
There was something oddly comforting about it all. She wasn't just doing her duty—she was seeing me.
I dipped a soft cloth into the warm water and dabbed it across my face, neck, and hands. Liora waited patiently before coming closer, a small comb in hand.
"May I?" she asked.
I nodded.
She brushed through my tangled hair gently, then twisted it into a simple braid to keep it neat. She even helped adjust my dress, flicking away a few dry leaves and refastening some clasps on my sleeves.
"There. You're all set, my lady." She stepped back with a satisfied nod.
"Thank you, Liora."
"No problem, my lady. It's my duty."
I smiled. No—it was more than duty. It was loyalty. And for the first time in a while, I felt like she was not scared of me anymore.
"Let's go, my lady. You might be hungry," Liora said with a warm smile as she led me back toward camp.
But that smile—gods, that smile—reminded me of what the pendant had told me.
"Just don't trust anyone. Not what they say. Not what they show you. Especially not the one who smiles too easily"
A seed of doubt sprouted in my chest. Was this all her plan? Was Liora playing a part too? Was she with the Empress? Her sweet tone, her careful hands, that innocent look in her eyes… it all seemed too perfect.
But it felt real. Her concern, her kindness—it didn't feel like an act. And that was the worst part. I didn't know who to believe anymore.
My mind screamed at me to keep my guard up. But my heart? That foolish, naive thing… it wanted to believe her. To trust her.
And like a true human fool, I listened.
I placed my trust in her.
But if she breaks it…
If she dares shatter this fragile thread I've given her—
Then I don't know what I'll do.
And honestly? I don't think I want to know.
I followed Liora back to camp.
Althea was already there, sitting near the fire, staring into the flames like they held some ancient secret. Her body was still, too still—like a doll propped up and forgotten.
I didn't say anything at first. Just sat across from her, trying not to acknowledge the chill crawling down my spine.
But then her eyes shifted.
They landed on me, sharp and unreadable. For a second—no, longer than that—she just stared. Not blinking. Not breathing.
It was unsettling.
Trying to break the silence, I said casually, "You might want to freshen up before breakfast."
She blinked. Slowly. And then smiled.
Not the kind of smile that says 'thanks for the reminder'.No. It was softer. Too soft. Too knowing.
"You care about me so much… just like you used to," she said, her voice almost dreamy. "When we were kids."
My heart gave a sharp twist.
I didn't remember any of that.
What did I remember? Her smiling like a fool while I was drowning in grief.The way she acted like nothing had happened. Like my mother hadn't just died.
She lived in her little fairytale.While I was trying not to fall apart.
And now she was smiling at me like we were sisters. Like we'd shared that pain.
I said nothing. But in my chest, something cold and bitter stirred.
I fake-smiled at Althea, trying not to let her words stick to my skin like oil. Then I turned to Liora.
"Liora, could you tell her the way to the stream?" I asked casually.
"Yes, my lady," she replied with a polite nod, already starting to explain when Althea interrupted.
"Oh well… I'm not really good at remembering directions," she said with a light laugh. "Liora, would you mind helping me? Just lead the way?"
She looked at Liora as if she were asking the most harmless favor in the world.
But I saw it.
That flicker in Liora's eyes. The tiniest shift in her expression.
Uncomfortable.
Distrusting.
She didn't want to go. She couldn't exactly say no—to decline a saintess would be… well, unheard of.
Before she could answer, I jumped in.
"If she goes with you, then who's going to cook for us?" I said, forcing a lightness into my tone. "Why don't I lead you there instead?"
Liora hesitated. "But my lady—" Her voice lowered slightly, and I caught the edge in it, a warning. She didn't trust Althea. She was worried she'd do something to me.
Althea laughed again, brushing off the tension like it didn't exist. "Oh come on, Liora," she said sweetly, tilting her head. "I'm not going to kill your lady... or am I?"
She winked at me, playful. Too playful.
My stomach turned a little.
I glanced at Liora, meeting her eyes. I gave her the slightest nod—the kind that says I've got this. It's fine.
Even though... I wasn't really sure it was.
Althea and I walked together in silence at first. The early morning forest was still misty, light filtering through the trees like whispers from another world.
Then, softly, she spoke.
"Do you remember that time we tried to run away from the palace?" Her voice was nostalgic, airy. "You tripped over your dress and cried for like, ten minutes straight."
I blinked. "No… I don't."
She let out a soft laugh, brushing a branch out of our path. "You were such a crybaby. But I remember… you held my hand so tightly, like you were scared I'd disappear."
My footsteps faltered just slightly.
Is she... really the one pendant told me not to trust?
The pendant's warning echoed in my mind.
"Don't trust anyone."
But then again, I don't remember much from that time. And the way she smiled at me, all soft and gentle—it didn't look fake.
But what if she's just good at lying?
What if that smile… was never meant for me, but for the version of me she wanted to manipulate?
My thoughts swirled like fog, thick and clinging, as we arrived at the small, quiet stream. Liora had picked well—it was hidden behind thick shrubs and trees, and the steady sound of running water was oddly calming.
Althea let out a relieved sigh. "This is perfect." Then she turned to me with that same sweet smile.
"Could you… stay close? Not too close," she laughed lightly, "but just… around? I don't want any monsters or animals creeping up while I'm washing."
I hesitated. But then nodded. "Sure."
She gave me a grateful look, then stepped behind the cloth Liora had strung up earlier.
I turned my back like any decent person would, but… I couldn't help it.
Something didn't feel right.
I glanced over my shoulder just once, when I heard the soft splash of water. And that's when I saw them.
Faint at first. But unmistakable.
Scars.
Dozens of them.
Some faded—old, pale lines crisscrossing her back like forgotten stories.
But others?
Fresh.
Still red. Some angry, welted. One even looked like it hadn't fully scabbed over.
Long slices, burns, dots like punctures—each mark told a story I didn't know, and wasn't sure I wanted to.
What the hell had she been through?
Or worse…
What is she still going through?
Why would a saintess—beloved, sacred, protected—carry a body marked like a prisoner of war?
My chest tightened. Not out of fear. Not yet. But out of confusion.
And somewhere deep inside…
A tiny whisper said:Maybe she's not what she seems.
But then she turned slightly, and her face peeked from behind the curtain of wet hair.
A soft smile. Calm. Unbothered.
"You okay, Elaris?" she asked lightly.
I quickly looked away, heart pounding in my ears.
"Y-Yeah. Just… watching out for monsters."
She chuckled. "That's sweet of you."
Sweet?
No. It wasn't that.
I was watching out for something else entirely.