Chapter Three

I quickly headed to my room and dressed appropriately for the ball. I wore a delicate turquoise dress with see through puff sleeves that suited my red hair perfectly. My hair is tied up by Charlotte in braids.

“Lovely.” Charlotte smiled and said, “I can’t believe you’re turning 18 soon.”

Right, that would also mean I’m nearing death so I was not as excited as I should be. I shook my head and reminded myself that I could change my fate. I have to. No matter what, I will take back my fate and continue to live. Be it as the cursed princess, I will still continue to live.

I glanced at my graceful appearance at the mirror with my unsightly red hair and green eyes, then averted my gaze at Charlotte, as much as I try to be hopeful, if all fails, this might as well be the last time I get to smile and laugh with Charlotte, so I said, “Charlotte, you have been my only friend and that, I am forever thankful.”

“I am more grateful, my lady, if it wasn’t for you, I would have been beheaded a long time ago. I owe my life to you.”

Right. Charlotte was a slave who was held captive by some royal werewolves and was meant to be a comfort woman to them. I bought her to save her. These memories are not mine nor what I wrote but it feels all too real. These are the real Erin Lockheart’s memories.

I didn’t immediately realize it but my memories from my world and Erin’s are mixed together, which explains why I can feel her pain and suffering all those years for being cursed and outcast, even by her own family.

We share the burden of being alive but for some reason, I still don’t understand why I’m brought to her world but perhaps, it was because we share the same desire to keep on living. It was desperation.

I smiled at her, “Shall we?”

“I’m sure you’ll be the prettiest at the ball, unfortunately, as a mere servant, I am not allowed to such occasion.” Charlotte worried, “You have to go on this one your own. Will you be okay?”

I nodded, “Stop worrying so much, Charlotte, I shall be fine on my own and I shall bring you delicacies from the ball. Macarons?”

She snickered, “People might tease you for stealing their food.”

“I’m not stealing; I’m merely taking some foods home.”

“That is stealing.”

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes and laughed, “Everyone would be too busy celebrating Emperor Cadmus’ return to notice a few macarons missing. Everyone would be busy transforming into werewolves and enjoying their hunt and all. Trust me.”

“Just be careful, okay?”

I knew what she meant. The gathering would be packed with werewolves and royals, as someone who's basically mortal, it's like a prey being sent to a room filled with predators. On top of that, they all hate me.

Still, I didn't want her to worry too much so I fought the urge to frown and nodded as I was finally entering the grand ballroom. Everyone there was dressed elegantly from head to toe. Their body were draped with gold and fine jewelries. Anyone who was anyone was there mingling with their political and power schemes.

The room was very grand with white and gold tapestries, blinding chandeliers, and exquisite designs all over. The servants were those who have served our kinds for generations, from one father to another, bound to serve forever.

It looked magical and the classical music swells befitting such atmosphere.

Even my parents were there along with the favorite daughter, Princess Eunice Lockheart. She’s the realm’s delight for after a cursed daughter, she was the golden child. She is able to transform and she got the family’s signature golden brown fur coat, it is closer to white among any other.

In this realm, the closer the fur was to white, the higher the status and family lineage. We have the same green eyes and looks strikingly similar. The only difference was my red cursed hair. I got used to it so it didn’t matter as much.

I avoided them as much as I could. I shouldn’t lose sight of my goal here. I need to find Luna Woolf and let her and Cadmus meet. From what I remember, Luna is a human, or at least, that’s what everyone thought at the beginning, who secretly enjoyed going to the garden to sell flowers to make a living.

With that in mind, she’s probably by the garden.

So, while everyone was busy, I snuck out to the garden and tried to look for her at the giant maze there. The moonlight was really dazzling but looking at it hurts because while everyone else who basked in it could turn into a strong and powerful werewolf befitting of their royal lineage, I remained human.

I have always loved looking at the moon and its enigmatic beauty but the moon, to me, was a constant reminder of my limitations. Do they even have any idea how cruel that is? To have a piece of your identity denied forever as if I was bound to never be whole.

I shook my head. No. I have to find Luna, everything else could wait. As long as I kept on living, I would have another tomorrow to try again.

Surely enough in the midst of my thoughts, I found Luna. She was standing near the red roses and picking some. She has that main character vibe with that long and wavy pastel pink hair and aqua blue eyes.

She looks so beautiful under the moonlight with her delicate features and white dress. It made me slightly envious. This was Luna. Now, I just have to find a way to get Cadmus here too, I turned around to go back to the ball room but just then, a group of girls threw a red wine at my face.

I gasped from the surprise but they were all giggling. It was my sister, Eunice, with her friends. Eunice smirked, “Well, red really does suit you best, Erin. Even mother and father named you that horrible name that meant death. Do you know why?”

"I'm sure you have interesting things to say but," I stood up and continued, “I have some matters to attend to, I’ll be going on first—“ I said trying to avoid even more trouble but trouble seems to take its liking on me because Eunice didn’t even let me finish and had her girls grab my arms.

I couldn't move past them.

“Who said you could leave easily? I haven’t had my fun yet.” Eunice grabbed a pair of scissors and started to cut my hair. She cuts off my fringe and continued to laugh, “You were named after death, Erin, because from the first place, you should have just died. Mother and father were just too soft to finish the job.”

Eventually, everyone came out to enjoy the spectacle. I could feel their glares at me and didn’t even bother to stop them from bullying me. My parents stood them and looked at me as if I deserved it simply because I was born.

None of them bats an eye as Eunice and her friends continued on picking on me. I felt my stomach turn upside down, not from their violent assaults but from the way that everyone else just stood there, looking at me.

No, I reminded myself, I will never give them the satisfaction of my pain. I was trying my best to hold it all in and keep it together. I said nothing but deep down, I was shaking and I wanted to hide or run away. I wanted it all to disappear.

“I told you, you should just die, sister.” Eunice grinned devilishly, “No one here wants you alive.”

I didn't know for sure if this was Erin's emotions or mine or both but it all felt... too much. It felt like dying. I shut my eyes and bit my tongue so hard that I could taste my blood. Make it stop. I want it all to stop.