Chapter 4

I could hear neither the wind nor my own heartbeat. In that silence, the third fragment of my soul shattered. I felt as though I had already lost my life and been abandoned in my empty, silent quarters.

…

It was now the seventh day. I knew because I had counted my heartbeats to measure the passing days.

Today was the day of my death... and my supposed wedding.

My body had already become half-transparent. I touched my hand and felt the edges of my fingers beginning to blur. They were losing their solidity.

My breathing had grown so shallow that even I wondered whether I had stopped breathing altogether.

The door swung open.

I could not hear a thing, yet I somehow sensed his presence and recognized his scent. I smelled ambergris, musk, and every perfume he never usually wore. I knew he must have been dressed in his wedding attire.

He cupped my face in his hands. They felt almost searing against my skin. I could feel his fingers trembling.

He must have noticed my half-transparent skin or the pillow soaked with blood from my handkerchief.

If he felt any shock, however, he allowed himself only a single second to show it. He quickly yet gently lifted me from the bed, his movements careful but unwavering.

I felt him press his lips to my forehead. The touch burned.

Then he began dressing me in my wedding gown.

Layer by layer, he removed my clothes before draping the kirtle and brocade over me. He fastened the silver belt and secured every pearl button.

He was meticulous. He was also speaking to me. I could feel his lips moved, but I could not understand the words. I could only guess he was telling me everything would be better after today.

Then another presence appeared at the door. It was Giselle. She had put on her own bridal gown. I recognized her cloying powdery perfume long before she came close enough to see clearly. I could hear the familiar sound of metal colliding with each other.

It was my mother's silver pendant, the Rafail Charm. She had entrusted it to me before she passed away. She told me it was a sacred heirloom handed down through generations of Aubin's High Priestesses.

I had no idea how it had ended up in Giselle's possession. Maybe Emile had given it to her. Maybe she had stolen it.

It no longer mattered, and yet... my hand moved against my will and reached toward the pendant. Before my fingertips could even brush its surface, I felt the last of my strength leave me.

My knees slammed into the floor. Blood gurgled from my chest. Silvery light rippled across the crimson pool as the blood of my soul soaked into my wedding gown.

Emile rushed to help me up. I felt the heat of his palms against my back as he gathered me into his arms. The scents of ambergris and agarwood swirled together in a chaotic haze.

An imperial clerk's voice rang out from outside.

"Y-Your Highness! His Majesty is furious! Please report to the court immediately! Everyone is already waiting," the man babbled. "If you don't arrive soon..."

Emile's breathing hitched. He laid me back on the bed and carefully wiped the blood from the corner of my lips.

"Send word to the royal physician!" he ordered, his voice cracking into a hoarse croak despite the resolve behind it. "Wait for me, Undine. Once I finish this pointless court ceremony, I'll come back to you immediately!"

I knelt beside my bed in my once-again empty quarters. My wedding gown lay in disarray around me.

Using the blood on my fingertip as ink, I wrote a letter: [I've repaid my debt to you with my soul. I no longer have any reason to remain in this world. Farewell. May we never meet again.]

I felt my body beginning to shatter at my fingertips. Tiny fragments of light broke away and drifted into the air.

It did not hurt. For the first time in six years, I no longer had to endure any pain.

I closed the eyes that had long since lost their ability to see and let my spirit go wherever it wished.

Just before my consciousness faded completely, I sensed a heavy thud. Someone had kicked the door open.

It was too late, Emile. Your queen no longer existed.