freedom

Daphne gasped, drawing in a deep breath as she awoke. She blinked frantically trying to clear out the remnants of the dream. She felt exhausted from having multiple dreams since one night. She sighed, closing her eyes to compose herself. She could hear the distant sounds of the castle coming to life—servants bustling about, the clatter of dishes in the kitchen, the occasional bark of a guard's command.

She groaned and pushed herself up, her body aching from the restless night. She rubbed her eyes and glanced around the small, cramped space she called home. It was little more than a closet, really, but it was all she had. She sighed and swung her legs over the side of the bed, wincing as her feet touched the cold stone floor.

A sharp knock on the door made her jump. "Get up, lazybones!" a voice shouted from outside. "Did you forget about the preparations for the prince's visit today?"

Daphne's eyes widened in shock. The prince! Of course! How could she have forgotten? She hurried to her feet, fumbling with the laces of her uniform as she hurried to the door. She yanked it open to find the head of the staff standing there, hands on hips, glaring at her with disdain.

"Apologies, ma'am," Daphne stammered, bowing low. "I... I overslept. It won't happen again."

The woman huffed and brushed past her into the tiny room. "See that it doesn't," she snapped. "Now get moving. The kitchen is already behind schedule."

Daphne nodded quickly and hurried out of the room, her mind racing. She needed to focus. There was no time for distractions. She walked through the long halls of the castle, and her footsteps echoed off the stone walls. The air smelled of baking bread and roasting meat, and she could hear other servants chatting as they worked.

As she got closer to the kitchen, she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She turned and saw Seraphina, the princess, standing not far away. Her heart sank. She had never liked Seraphina, not since her father became king and Seraphina suddenly acted like she was too good to be friends with Daphne anymore.

Daphne tried to ignore her and continued walking, but Seraphina stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Well, well, if it isn't my old friend," she said, her tone mocking. "Did you not see me? Or did you simply forget your place?"

Daphne clenched her fists at her sides, fighting the urge to lash out. "Excuse me, Princess," she said through gritted teeth. "I have work to do."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "You will address me properly," she hissed. "Or do you think you are above such things now?"

Daphne rolled her eyes and tried to step around her, but Seraphina grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "Not so fast," she sneered. "You will bow before me like the servant you are."

Daphne jerked her arm free, her temper flaring. "I am not obligated to greet you just because you're royalty," she spat. "Now let me pass."

Seraphina's face twisted with anger. "How dare you speak to me like that!" she yelled, raising her hand as if to strike Daphne.

But Daphne was quicker. She caught Seraphina's wrist in mid-air, her grip firm. "Not today," she said coldly, then released her and walked away, leaving the princess seething behind her.

Daphne's hands shook as she made her way to the wine cellar. It wasn't her fault that she was born poor but everyone just made her feel like...

She reached the cellar door and opened it, stepping inside. The air was cool and damp, and she could smell the aged wine. She moved quickly, grabbed a bottle from a rack, and turned to leave. But when she tried to open the door, it wouldn't move.

Panic filled her as she struggled with the handle, pushing and pulling with all her strength. But the door stayed closed. Frustrated, she hit it with her fist, and to her surprise, the door swung open with a loud crash.

She stepped back, her heart racing. She had felt this strange power before, but it still scared her. She looked up and saw a group of people staring at her in shock. They were guards, and their weapons were drawn.

"Witch!" someone shouted, and suddenly she was surrounded. Hands grabbed her arms and pulled her forward. She struggled against them, feeling both scared and angry.

"Let go of me!" she screamed, but they only held on tighter.

As they dragged her through the castle, she saw Seraphina watching from a distance with a mean smile. Daphne felt sick with fear. She knew her powers could be dangerous, but she never thought it would come to this.

They threw her into a cold cell, slamming the door shut behind her. She fell onto the hard stone floor, tears streaming down her face. She had kept her secret for so long, scared of what would happen if people knew. And now look where it had led her.

Footsteps echoed outside the cell. She looked up and saw Seraphina standing there, looking very pleased with herself. "It was you, wasn't it?" Daphne whispered, her voice shaking. "You locked the door, knowing something like this would happen. You called the guards."

Seraphina laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "Smart pants," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But not smart enough, it seems."

"I thought we were friends," she said, her voice breaking. "What changed? Why did you turn on me?"

Seraphina shrugged. "It doesn't matter," she said. "You're nothing to me now."

"They're going to burn me alive," she whispered. "How does that not matter?"

Seraphina leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Because that's what I want," she hissed. "And nothing else matters."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Daphne alone in the darkness. Daphne's mind raced as she tried to think of a way out. She couldn't let this happen. She had to escape.

She stood and approached the cell door, her fingers brushing against the cold metal bars. She had never used her powers intentionally before, but she had no choice now. She closed her eyes and focused, imagining the door opening.

To her surprise, the lock clicked, and the door swung open. She stepped out, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. She had done it. She was free.