Chapter 4

Elara

I had been following him for what felt like thirty minutes now. Darkness swallowed everything around us except for the silver moonlight spilling through the trees. The full moon hung above like a silent watcher, bathing the forest in an eerie glow.

What surprised me most was the fact that my legs no longer hurt, not even a little. There was no numbness, no exhaustion clawing at my muscles after everything that had happened. And more importantly, I could see him clearly. How?

I was certain I had lost my glasses when I fell into the pond, yet his broad back remained perfectly visible ahead of me, every movement sharp beneath the moonlight.

There was no trail or no path. Only endless trees. My pulse quickened. Was he going to kill me? Or worse, is he going to continue whatever my boss has started? Oh God. Should I run? But where would I even go? He had followed me straight from the pond, hadn’t he? Was he even the same man? Or is he someone else?

My spiraling thoughts snapped apart when his deep voice suddenly cut through the silence.

“Here we are.”

I lifted my head.The clearing opened before me like something stolen from a dream. Warm amber lanterns hung from tall wooden poles and tree branches, swaying gently in the night breeze.

Colorful tents stood scattered across the clearing in elegant rows, their fabrics embroidered with silver thread that shimmered beneath the moonlight.

People wandered between them quietly, dressed in flowing garments I had never seen before. Somewhere in the distance, soft instrumental music drifted through the air, blending with the rustling trees.

The entire place smelled strange yet comforting like wildflowers, burning wood, and expensive incense. The entire place looked unreal, like something torn straight from a fantasy novel. It felt ancient.

The man led me toward one of the larger tents. My eyes followed the massive tent in front of me as the man pushed aside the heavy fabric entrance. Deep emerald and gold cloth cascaded from the top like royal drapes, tied back with braided cords.

I hesitated before stepping inside. The moment I stepped inside, I froze.

The interior was larger than my entire apartment back home. Soft rugs covered the wooden floor beneath my feet while glowing lanterns cast warm honey-colored light across the room.

Elegant furniture rested around a circular glass table decorated with fresh lilies inside a crystal vase. Thick cushions were scattered across velvet chairs, their fabrics so rich they looked untouched.

The air was warmer inside the tent, carrying the faint scent of jasmine and something sweet I couldn’t recognize.

Transparent curtains draped from the ceiling, gently moving with the breeze slipping through hidden openings. Beyond them sat an enormous bed layered with emerald satin sheets and dark velvet pillows embroidered in golden thread.

Everything shimmered softly beneath the lantern light. Nothing about this place belonged in the middle of a forest. It is like a princess’s chamber hidden inside the woods. For a terrifying moment, I wondered if I had finally lost my mind.

Before I could gather my thoughts, a girl suddenly rushed toward me and bowed deeply.

“I am sorry, Miss.”

I frowned in confusion. Why was she apologizing? The man’s expression darkened instantly.

“You stupid bitch,” he roared. “You had one job and you failed—”

“No!”

The word escaped me before I could think. Both of them looked at me.

“It’s not her fault,” I said quickly. “Please… leave her alone.”

For a moment, tension filled the tent.

Then he exhaled heavily.

“Fine.” His sharp eyes settled on me. “But do not wander into the forest again.”

Again? I didn’t understand what he meant, but I nodded anyway. Without another word, he walked out. The moment the tent flap closed behind him, I released a shaky breath. When I turned around, the girl was still standing there with her head lowered.

“He’s gone now,” I said gently. “You can relax.”

Suddenly, she dropped to her knees.

“Oh, I am so sorry, Miss!” she cried, clasping her hands together desperately. “I won’t do it again. I was assigned to you, but I couldn’t find your cottage and I got lost and—”

I don’t understand what she is talking about so I quickly knelt beside her and held her shoulders, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. Gently, I wiped away her tears.

“Hey… it’s okay,” I whispered softly. “I’m not blaming you for anything. Calm down, alright?”

She nodded rapidly, like her head might roll off her shoulders if she moved any faster. I helped her up before sitting down on one of the cushioned chairs. She immediately sat on the floor near my feet. I blinked at her.

“Why are you sitting there? Come sit beside me.”

She hesitated nervously before obeying.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“I am Nina.”

I smiled faintly and extended my hand toward her. She stared at it in utter confusion. Unable to stop myself, I laughed softly before taking her hand and shaking it gently.

“Nice to meet you, Nina. I’m Elara.”

A shy smile spread across her face.

“Your name is as beautiful as you are, Miss.”

A quiet chuckle escaped me. Beautiful? She was probably the first person to ever call me that.

“I promise I’ll take good care of you, Miss,” she said earnestly.

I frowned. “Why would you need to take care of me? It’s not like I’m a child.”

She looked at me strangely, as though I had said something absurd. She opened her mouth to answer but a loud bell echoed through the camp. Nina instantly shot to her feet.

“Miss, it’s time. We must get you ready.”

“Ready for what?”

But before I could ask another question, she hurried behind the curtain. I sighed tiredly and leaned back into the chair, pressing my palms against my forehead. Everything felt wrong. Nothing made sense anymore. A few moments later, Nina returned carrying folded white fabric in her arms.

She smiled brightly.

“Alright, Miss. Let’s get you ready.”

Before I could protest, she gently pulled me to my feet and began helping me out of my clothes. She stopped once I was left in my innerwear. Her brows furrowed as she stared at me.

“What are you wearing, Miss?”

I blinked awkwardly. “Uh… underwear?”

She stepped closer and reached for it.

I immediately grabbed her wrist.

“Okay, hold on. Privacy exists for a reason.”

Nina simply shook her head as though the concept itself confused her.

Before I knew it, she had unclasped my bra. Heat rushed to my face, but strangely enough I didn’t feel as embarrassed as I should have which honestly scared me more. I quickly stepped out of my underwear myself before she could do it for me. Now I stood completely naked before a stranger. Yet somehow, shame barely touched me.

Nina wrapped the soft white fabric around my body with practiced hands. The material felt impossibly smooth against my skin, almost weightless. There are no undergarments or no layers, just the white cloth.

And somehow, when she finished, it looked like an elegant gown draped perfectly around my body. The fabric wrapped around my chest and hips beautifully while leaving parts of my stomach, shoulders, and arms exposed.

I stared at her in disbelief. How had she done that? Afterward, she guided me toward the chair and began brushing my hair gently. She braided sections loosely before weaving tiny flowers between the strands. Finally, she placed a delicate flower crown atop my head.

Then she led me toward a full-length mirror. I froze. The woman staring back at me didn’t feel real. My eyes seemed shimmer brighter purple somehow, glowing beneath the soft light. How? Where are my brown orbs?

My reddish hair fell around me in smooth waves, and my pale skin looked luminous. Even my freckles stood out beautifully instead of awkwardly. And my body, my curves looked fuller, Softer and more feminine. How was any of this possible? Was I dead? Had I somehow wandered into heaven?

“You look beautiful, Miss,” Nina whispered softly. “It’s time.”

Before I could respond, she lowered a thin veil over my face. Then she walked outside. I followed her silently still in daze. The moment I stepped out of the tent, I stopped dead in my tracks.

Women dressed exactly like me were emerging from every tent across the clearing. Each one wore flowing white fabric and flower crowns while attendants dressed like Nina guided them silently forward. My stomach twisted. What was this place? Who were these women? And why was I here?

“Miss,” Nina called gently. “Come.”

I forced myself forward. When we finally reached the edge of the forest, Nina stopped walking.

“All the best, Miss.”

Confusion flickered through me, but I understood one thing clearly. She wasn’t coming with me. Fantastic.

Hopefully this wasn’t some kind of mass sacrifice. The women in white began walking deeper into the forest along a trail illuminated by old lanterns. I followed silently.

After nearly ten minutes, we reached another clearing. A large pool rested at the center beneath the moonlight.

Women surrounded it in circles—smaller groups near the center and larger circles farther away. I ended up in the outermost ring beside nearly twenty others.

At least fifty women stood here tonight. Suddenly, the crowd shifted.

A woman descended from the stone steps ahead. She was stunning. Long black hair cascaded down her back, contrasting against her bronze skin. She was tall, graceful, and utterly unreal. And her eyes, they glowed red.

The crowd immediately parted for her. Without hesitation, she stepped directly into the pool. I was too short to see what was happening clearly from where I stood, but slowly the circles began moving forward.

Something was happening in the center.

My feet throbbed painfully despite the soft flats Nina had given me. One by one, women from my circle stepped ahead until eventually I was waiting alone near the front. I still had no idea what any of this meant. Suddenly, someone nudged my shoulder. I looked up to find another woman gesturing impatiently toward the pool.

Guess it was my turn. Swallowing nervously, I stepped forward. The dark liquid rippled strangely as I entered the pool. The same mysterious woman stood waiting for me in the center. The moment my feet touched the liquid, my body stiffened.

It felt thick, warm and wrong. My stomach churned uneasily. Slowly, I moved closer.

Then my fingers brushed the surface.

Red. The liquid stained my skin crimson. Oh God! It wasn’t water. It was blood. Horror slammed into me so violently that dizziness blurred my vision.

How many people have died for this?

The woman extended both bloody hands toward me. When I hesitated, irritation flashed across her face. She grabbed my wrists harshly and hissed,

“Repeat after me.”

Fear closed around my throat.

I nodded weakly.

“I will try to become the Bride of the Century… or die trying.”

Bride? For who? And what kind of twisted ceremony was this? Tears burned behind my eyes, but I forced the words out anyway.

“I will try to become the Bride of the Century… or die trying.”

A cruel smirk curved her lips.

“I’m certain you won’t even survive the first test.”

My blood ran cold. First test?

So death wasn’t the worst thing waiting for me here. Is it?