Night had passed, and dawn began to spread its light across the eastern horizon. Alena slowly awoke, consciousness slipping gently into her mind. She sat up, then turned toward the other side of the bed.
Dimas was no longer there.
The room was quiet, but not in a frightening way. A sheet of paper lay neatly on the small table beside the bed. Alena reached for it, and a faint smile touched her lips as she read the warm handwriting.
Sis, I have to go to the school for work. I asked Mrs. Sumi to prepare porridge and a warm drink for you when you wake up. Don’t worry about Maya. I’ll take care of her.
Dimas
Alena held the paper to her chest for a moment. “Is this what it feels like… to rely on someone?” she whispered, her heart warm and at ease.
She got up, ate the breakfast that had been prepared, and got ready to leave. It had been a long time since she’d set foot in her company. Ever since Maya’s troubles began, she’d left everything entirely in the hands of her assistant. But today, she felt ready to return.
When she called, her voice was firm but gentle. “I’m coming back. Please get everything ready.”
The reply on the other end sounded both enthusiastic and relieved. “Of course, boss! Everything’s ready. Welcome back.”
Alena ended the call and let out a long, strangely weightless sigh. The burden that had been crushing her all this time was slowly lifting.
Hopefully Milana doesn’t show up… or cause any trouble anytime soon, she thought.
Meanwhile, far away, in a place unknown to anyone…
Inside a cold, gloomy palace surrounded by shadows that never faded, Milana bowed low before a throne of dark purple and silver, magnificent and terrifying in equal measure. Her grandfather sat upon it, his authority so heavy it seemed to press her shoulders down. She didn’t dare lift her face or meet the gaze of eyes that could see into even the darkest soul.
“Milana… you took my words lightly, didn’t you?” His voice was low, yet echoed through every corner of the room, as if the walls themselves were whispering.
“That’s not it, Grandpa… I just…” Milana tried to explain, but her voice caught.
“I told you not to go near that woman again!” Her grandfather’s voice rose, trembling with fury. “Didn’t you hear me?”
“I know, Grandpa… forgive me.” Milana bowed even lower, her fingers twisting the edge of her robe.
“Good. I’m glad you understand.” A brief silence followed. Then his voice softened, somehow becoming even more frightening. “Because of your mistake, you will be punished. You are forbidden from leaving the palace for the next week.”
Milana’s face went pale. “Grandpa, please don’t… I…”
“You what?” her grandfather cut in abruptly. His eyes glowed red, radiating flames that seemed ready to burn anyone who dared defy him.
Milana swallowed. The words she’d been about to say dissolved at once. She knew there was no point arguing. Fighting that man was tantamount to seeking her own death. She lowered her head again, biting her lip until it stung, and finally fell silent.
“Fine… Grandpa,” she said softly, almost inaudibly. “I’ll obey.”
Fuming, she went to her room. The door shut firmly behind her, leaving Milana alone in a vast room that felt like a cage. A magical lock turned slowly outside, sealing off every way out. One week. Just seven days, but to her it felt like seven years, seven endless centuries.
She walked to the tall window overlooking the dense forest and stared into the distance, toward the place where that house stood. The place where Alena was, with Dimas protecting her as if she were the most precious jewel in the world.
Milana’s teeth clenched. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms until they stung.
Don’t go near her… don’t touch her… Her thoughts roared, her restrained anger slowly catching fire again. Why? Why was she the one who had to be protected? Why not me?
Her grandfather’s words hadn’t calmed her. They’d only rekindled the fire of resentment that had briefly gone out. Beneath her fear, beneath her dread of defying his orders, a desire grew stronger—a desire for revenge.
Grandpa forbade me from going there, she thought, her eyes glowing coldly. But who says I have to go there myself?
She slowly turned and walked toward the large mirror hanging on the stone wall. Its cloudy surface gradually reflected her image—a beautiful figure whose eyes were full of dark shadows.
I can’t get out, she thought, piecing together a plan in her mind. But they can. The people loyal to me, the ones who won’t let me suffer alone.
Her steps were light but determined as she sat at the writing desk and picked up a pen and a sheet of paper. The ink she used was dark red, as if mixed with something else. Her writing curled in sharp strokes, full of hatred she couldn’t conceal.
“Don’t wait for me to get out. Do it now, before Grandpa realizes there’s another way. Take everything from her—her peace, her protection, everything she has. Destroy what she loves most.”
She folded the letter neatly, then whispered an incantation. The paper slowly faded and vanished, turning into a thin wisp of smoke that slipped through a gap in the window and pierced the darkness on its way to its recipient.
Milana smiled faintly, more like a sneer.
Grandpa told me to stay quiet here, she thought, gazing toward the horizon again. Fine. I’ll stay quiet. But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop.
She leaned against the wall and wrapped her arms around herself, as if comforting herself while feeding her resolve.
Seven days… In that time, I’ll make sure she doesn’t have a moment’s peace. By the time I’m finally free, all that will be left is rubble.