Celina felt cold and miserable, the dangerous shortening of her temper that might get the maid into trouble. From the minute she had that dream, the maid found it challenging to pay attention to what she's doing or saying. There was a deep-rooted fear that she might also be getting snappy as the days went on, and that's never good for her work.         Somehow Celina managed to convince Beth that she needed to shop for personal items. No further questions were asked. The maid could no longer pretend that the secrets and silence weren't affecting her anymore. She felt like they were hiding something from her, something huge, and it caused her stomach to twist with uneasiness. After all, she wasn't good with being kept in the dark. That's why her parents betrayal stung a lot.  

When Celina woke up the next day, her assigned room was clanking with cold, teeth clattering the moment she sat up and the blanket fell off her chest. A cold puff of air left her lips as she got off the bed. She stretched her arms, reaching for the nearest coat before pulling it over.         The maid was no longer in the mood to go back and sleep, alert and ready to shuffle out. Standing up, her bones ached from the hard floor underneath. It almost made her regret for getting out.         Celina made her way out the room and down the narrow and lopsided staircase, past the long hallway. She used the door in the living room, which led to the cave. Once outside, the young woman rea

"I still don't think this is a good idea."    "Why not?"     The maid wanted to laugh at that, so she did briefly, even if it sounded joyless and harsh. "Isn't that obvious?" Celina kept her eyes moving, passing over everything but his face.     Prince Javier was quiet again as if pondering over her question. "I don't care," He settled on eventually, his voice solid and unwavering.     Celina twisted her mouth. "You should."     "But I don't."     And that's it right there. It's easy for the Prince, was the thing; the eighteen-year-old understood that. He's a Royal who had nothing to worry about, people cowering

Celina blinked as she glanced at the smoke up ahead. Was she hallucinating? The maid tried to pick up her speed, hobbling towards the smoke. Smoke meant a person, someone who could tell her how far she was away from the Palace and maybe help her out.   It seemed to take too long, but soon she spotted the cause of the smoke. It was a small cottage, somewhat familiar. She stumbled forward and knocked on the door, listening for any sounds of the inhabitants inside.  Silence. Almost too defeating for her.    Celina sniffled, blinking back the tears and knocked again.  

Celina was determined to go into the cave. No matter the consequences. Ever since she had that cursed dream, its been troubling her. The maid sneaked out of the living room, abandoning her cleaning duties. Sliding out into the cool floor, shivering as her toes pressed into the ground, she stumbled forward, crashing into Abel, who resembled a ghost, wide-eyed and pale.     "Abel", She breathed, steadying herself by gripping his arms.     Composing himself, he took a step back. "You seem in a hurry."      The eighteen-year-o