Chapter 3

The quiet gardens below were visible through the mirror, and the moon's glow clearly outlined their figures, their intimacy there for all to see.

Anna was standing on her toes as she wrapped her arms around Daniel's neck, and he was pressing his forehead against hers intimately.

She said something that made him laugh, and they kissed, their shadows even tangling as if inseparable.

They clearly couldn't help it as they started to loosen each other's collars, and Anna stopped him, taking his hand and leading him deeper into the palace.

Daniel glanced hesitantly at the direction of the banquet hall, but he ultimately allowed Anna to lead him forward, holding each other as they disappeared into the shadows to their usual place.

Having seen enough, I looked away and left the hallway.

I could feel the wolf fang locket weighing down against my skin, but all I found was irony from the warmth in the runes.

I returned to my chambers, changed out of my gown, and washed my face repeatedly with cold water.

Even my eyes were cool as I looked at my reflection in the mirror and moved to sit by the windowsill until past midnight.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Daniel rushed in.

He paused when he saw me, relaxing for a second before tensing up again.

"Susan? I was looking for you everywhere…"

He rushed to me, dropping to crouch and taking my freezing hands in his warm palms, genuine fear showing in his eyes.

"I'm just tired, so I came back," I rasped, withdrawing my hands.

Daniel studied my face, and once he was sure I suspected nothing, he relaxed.

"I'm sorry," he said, his tone guilty. "I won't leave you alone next time."

He stayed with me until daybreak and was going to leave when I called out to him.

"Daniel." I held out a small box to him. "This is a return gift from me. Open it in three days."

"Three days? Why?"

"It will be more meaningful that way." I smiled faintly.

Daniel's eyes lit up and he took the box with both hands formally. "Alright, I promise."

That was when Anna suddenly burst out in tears outside, crying shrilly, "Daniel! Help!"

Daniel's face dropped.

"I'll go check it out," he told me hastily and hurried outside.

He tried to close the door along the way but it was left ajar, and I could hear them through the gap despite them keeping it down.

"Who told you to wear it?!" Daniel was snapping in repressed rage.

"I-It just looked so pretty. I'm sorry…" Anna sniffled.

"Take it off right now!"

I could hear fabric tearing and a thud as something dropped on the floor, as Daniel kept ranting, "Don't you know what it is? It's my mother's family crest, and I'm supposed to give it to Susan during our Marking! How dare you—"

"Sorry, I'm just a little jealous… Argh!" Anna suddenly cried out in pain.

"What's wrong?" Daniel's rant abruptly stopped, a tinge of worry too faint to notice cracking his voice.

"M-My voice…" Anna's voice was cracking too. "Those black marks weren't there before… It really hurts."

There was a moment of silence, and Daniel soon exclaimed in shrill disbelief, "It's a Souleater Vine! Why would the bracelet be… Where did you touch it?!"

"I don't know… I just put it on…" Anna sobbed meekly in despair. "Doctor… I need a doctor… I feel so cold… They said there's no antidote, and it's fast-acting… Am I going to die?!"

"Stop it!" Daniel snapped, but his voice seemed doubtful. "I'll get you the best doctor! You're going to be fine!"

"It's alright… Just let me go, my beloved… I'm happy I can be with you in my last days…"

As Anna trailed off, her sniffles muffled, and there was soon silence…

No words were spoken, but there was labored breathing and bodies bumping against each other…

I quietly sat in the darkness beside the window, my fingers brushing against the wolf fang necklace unknowingly.

Souleater Vine? Wouldn't survive for three months?

There were way too many coincidences.

My eyes calm, even cold, I turned to look at the skies that were brightening outside.