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    It was a moment I'm sure of that I'll never forget. The way Lady Catherine ran up to him in defense, threwing herself to his majestic bod and crying as if she just got victimized. It was something I am sure that they both share. They are betrothed to one another so I understand how he will not protect me once everything will come to light.  

“She tried to hurt me!” Lady Catherine told Lord Minir, crying like she’s losing her mind in front of him. 

“I’ll take care of this matter. For now, it is best for you to go back home, Lady Catherine.” 

Lady Catherine gasped, “What?!”

Lord Minir walked past her. His pace was slow but surely is coming towards me. He held my arm, checking possible bruises and injuries in them. Upon confirming that I wasn’t hurt that bad, he tilted his angle to Lady Catherine, concealing the glare through side-eyeing her. 

“Your carriage is ready outside. Mona, take her luggages and escort Lady Catherine to her carriage.” 

Lady Catherine shook her head, scoffing as if she can’t believed what she just heard. 

“What about our upcoming wedding? Our plans for the kingdom? We are bethroted, Lord Minir. I must stay in your mansion until the day of the wedding—” 

Lord Minir did not listened to her and caressed my jaw, “I’m sorry. It took me time to come back to you.” 

“Lord Minir, you can’t do this to me! You promised to marry me!” 

I nodded, letting him know that it was none of his fault.  

“Our wedding is off, Lady Catherine. Now, go back to your father or I will drag you out of this room.” As everyone stared at the scene, Lord Minir snapped at them, “Enough staring. And go back to work.” 

The servants began going back to their usual chores, the others started the clean the mess that was created, one of them escorted Lady Catherine out of the door while Gerber took me back to my chamber. We silently went back to my chamber. Gerber dramatically sobbed on our way, her tears didn’t stop pouring out of her almond eyes. There were soft murmurs from her but I didn’t listen. I felt like I was badly drained. 

I cried myself to sleep after Gerber left. I had no enery left to smile at Atlas when she came to my room and began preparing my clothes for dinner. She left me after knowing that I don’t want anything to do with her. 

She almost poisoned to death. It wasn’t new to this kind of world but at least, I trusted her to keep me safe. I shouldn’t have trusted anyone again. I shouldn’t have… done it. 

It was time for dinner so I decided to dress for myself by locking the door. I heard Gerber’s knock but I stayed silent, not wanting to hear anything from anyone. After I was satisfied with my dress, I faced the big old mirror and tried to show a smile to at least, cheer me up a little bit. 

But my eyebrows furrowed when I realized that my eyes looked a little different. My eyes were black, pitch black but now, those pitch black looked like the afternoon’s blue sky. How…is this possible? I shook my head. I must be hallucinating. Did I had blue eyes instead of black? 

I looked at the scratches on the side of my face only to find out that there was nothing in there anymore. Something’s really wrong with my appearance right now. What happened a while ago was something really serious. The way everyone was thrown out from their position…was it me? 

No, it can’t be me. It must be Lord Minir. I’m sure that wasn’t me. I can’t do things like that. What am I even thinking? 

I shook my head, dismissing the exaggerating thoughts in my head. I should just head to the dining room and eat. 

“I’m starving…” 

It was a very silent dinner. No one wanted to say something or even talk about what has happened a while ago. It seems like saying a word right now was a taboo. Lord Minir wasn’t even here at all. It seems like he’s busy with something. After I was finished with my food, I got up and carried my skirt .

“I’ll take you to your room,” Gerber smiled at me. 

I paused, listened to what she was going to say next. When I realized that she’s not saying anything anymore, I told her, 

“I can take care of myself. Thank you.” 

I left the dining area in silence. I was badly itching my back ever since the start of the dinner. Hurrying back to my chamber, I slipped off from my dress and hurried to the mirror. Oh, god, what is wrong with my body? 

I saw small lines forming on my back. Lines that form into something I can’t figure out. At least not yet. 

I woke up as weak as before. My health was good since my temperature was alright but something felt so wrong within me. I feel heavy from within. Like it was going to explode from inside if triggered. 

Locking the door of my chamber, I sulked on the corner of my room, trying to calm the aggressive energy from within me. I want to explode, to badly scream at everyone else. I want to get mad at this world. I want to destroy everything! 

The day ended and I decided to keep myself locked in my own room, entertained by my chain of thoughts. It felt calm for a little while but not until someone knocked on the door. I shivered, scared while staring at the reflection of my own image on the shattered glasses on the floor. 

"Sol, open the door." 

It was Atlas' voice. 

"I can't… " I whispered to myself, "Just leave the food outside. I'll eat with myself." 

After knowing that Lord Minir has sent Lady Catherine away from the mansion, he left again without saying goodbye. I had no idea when he will be back but as long as he's not back, I don't feel safer outside of my room. It's been a week and now, my hair was longer. It was even way more longer than before. It grows fast. 

My eyes were bluer, and deeper. My skin felt like porcelain, soft and clear like marble. I can't even fully recognize myself on the mirror. It was becoming… I was becoming different.  

It's been weeks. I lost count of the days since all I do is eat and sleep, wake up and read some books, and sleep again. It was nothing special at all. 

Not until one full moon…  

The moon peeked through the doors on my terrace, shining it's luminous light on me, warming me with the sun's reflection. The way the moon’s light lingered on my bare skin made me feel warmer than before. I feel belonged to its luminous light. 

I let out a long sigh, breathing through my nostril as the calmness of the surrounding made me feel elavated, floating on a sea of cloud. I was deeply engaged with my thoughts and dreams when a hand pulled me up, grabbing me out of the room. I opened my eyes and found a fire, raging in my chamber. The other servants hurried to put it out. 

“Are you alright, Sol?” Gerber asked me.

Confused, I looked back to my room. What is happening?

“Did you started a fire in your room— Sol—” 

Atlas interrupted her by checking me, “She looked different.” 

“W-What?” I asked, still drowsy. 

“She’s…different.” 

“I know…” I looked away, the sleepiness did not fade. 

“Gerber, call Count Vlad.”

“Why? The fire’s out and it’s in the middle of the night.” 

“Just call for his presence right away!”