Ritual

The next day came and went in a haze. After a restless night, I woke to find Maidservant Tae bustling in with a tray of fruits—watermelon slices and a few other things she'd managed to scavenge for me. At least she remembered I couldn't stomach their food.

I ate in silence, my thoughts heavy, while Tae flitted around the room tidying up, her movements brisk and her words clipped. Something in the air felt different today, and I could feel her judgment without her saying a word.

"You're leaving today," her tone was matter-of-fact, but it hit me like a dull thud.

I should have felt elated—relieved even. I was finally going back to my world, to my family, to everything I knew. But instead, a sinking feeling sat in my chest, twisting my insides in a way I couldn't explain.

Why did it feel so awful?

I shouldn't feel this way. I had my own life, my world. Yet, the thought of leaving brought a lump to my throat.

I didn't have long to dwell on it before Ariel burst into the room like a whirlwind, her usual chatter filling the space. She had a way of ranting about her day in a stream of consciousness that required little participation on my part. Normally, I just nodded or murmured in response, but today, I pretended to be asleep.

She didn't seem to notice.

"Do you know what happened today, Mother?" she said, her tone as animated as ever. "Oh, I wish you'd wake up and pull me into an embrace. You know, like a mother would. Not that I ever had one to do that for me."

Her voice softened, and for a moment, the vulnerability in her words tugged at something deep inside me. I didn't want to admit it, but part of me wished I could pull her into an embrace—not because I pitied her, but because I understood the longing. My mother had always been so warm, and so loving, and hearing Ariel's quiet yearning made me wish I could give her just a fraction of that comfort.

Then something shifted. My body betrayed me.

It was a faint twitch—barely noticeable—but Ariel caught it instantly.

Her gasp was sharp. "Oh my God! You shook! Mum, you shook!"

Her voice rose in excitement, and she leaned over me, shaking me lightly. "You can hear me, can't you? You've been listening this whole time!"

I tried to stay still, forcing every ounce of control I had into my body, willing myself not to move again. But Ariel's excitement was contagious, and she started yelling for Tae.

"Maidservant Tae! She moved! She moved!"

Tae stormed into the room, her face a mask of disapproval as she cast a sharp look in my direction. "What is going on here?"

Ariel pointed at me, her eyes wide with excitement. "She shook, Tae! I saw it. She's awake. She's listening!"

Tae's glare could have cut through stone. "Your Majesty," she said sarcastically, her voice dripping with disdain, "is this true? Are you listening to us?"

I stayed still, holding my breath.

"She's not shaking now," Tae said flatly, turning back to Ariel. "It must have been your imagination."

"No, I saw it!" Ariel insisted, her voice rising. "She's awake. She's been faking all along!"

Tae waved her hands in the air, exasperated. "Enough of this nonsense. She's leaving today, thank the gods."

Her words stung more than I expected, and for a moment, I almost opened my eyes to respond. But what would I say? She was right. I was leaving today, wasn't I? That was a good thing… wasn't it?

Instead, I bit my tongue, staying silent. Tae huffed, her irritation palpable, and turned to Ariel.

"Go summon the guards and let them report this to the king or the generals. If they believe your story, then fine," she said with a dismissive wave.

Ariel hesitated, her gaze lingering on me for a moment before rushing out to do as she was told. Tae remained, her sharp eyes trained on me even as I feigned sleep.

"What was that?" she hissed under her breath, low enough that no one outside the room could hear. "You're not supposed to move. Now she thinks her mother's spirit is back."

I wanted to argue, to explain that it wasn't intentional, but I remained still my heart racing. Tae let out a frustrated sigh, throwing her hands up.

"I cannot keep doing this," she muttered. "Thank the gods you're leaving today."

Her tone was sharp, and while I was used to her treating me with the kind of politeness expected of a maidservant, there was no mistaking her annoyance now. For some reason, it stung more than it should have.

I didn't respond, didn't give her the satisfaction of knowing her words had gotten to me. Instead, I stayed as I was, silent and still, letting her frustration fill the room.

She was right, after all. I was leaving today.

That was a good thing.

Wasn't it?

As the rest of the day blurred into night, somehow really fast maybe because I was counting every second

Maidservant Tae, who had been unusually quiet since earlier, was now outside, her voice low as she spoke to someone. It was a man, his tone firm and commanding—a voice I recognized. My heart skipped.

It was him.

The same man scarred the man who was with Lucius and her when I first came in and who had followed Lucius and me during our disastrous journey the night before. His mere aura sent a shiver down my spine.

"Are you sure the guards have left this entire chamber?" he asked, his words clipped, almost impatient.

"Yes," Tae replied curtly. "Everything is clear. It's time to proceed."

"Good. Let's bring her out," he said.

I swallowed hard, the reality of the moment sinking in. My heart was pounding, but I didn't move from my place by the door. When they came back inside, their gazes landed on me. I stood there waiting, my shoulders squared even though my insides felt like they were crumbling.

"It's fine," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Let's go."

I took a deep breath, trying to steel myself. This was it. The moment I had been dreading and anticipating in equal measure. I was going back—back to wherever I came from, back to the life I left behind.

But was I ready?

I didn't know.