𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓻

IV

"A dream is only a dream, until you decide to make it real"
Harry Styles

It is with an unfamiliar feeling of comfort and slight dizziness that I regain consciousness. Not ready to open my eyes for yet again another repetitive day, I turn around in the sheets and am left surprised at the soft feeling. I must still be dreaming, I think with a smile. I sink deeper into the mattress adoring this fantastic dream.

I can't remember the last time I felt so good lying in bed feeling as if I had slept for an entire century. I don't think I ever want to move from here now. I don't even remember when I fell asleep yesterday, I must have been completely drained from my many sleepless nights.

As I feel myself drift away into sleep, a knock resounds in the room. I groan trying to cover my ears with the pillow. Back to reality, I guess. Any seconds now, the girls will start chattering and Miss Sullivan will come and make sure we are all awake, ready for the day which will be as boring as the last. I'll get ready, walk downstairs to eat oatmeal for breakfast and do my chores, then i'll probably wander into the tiny estate hoping to find a single corner that I haven't seen ye-

"Miss Alora, are you awake?"

I straighten from my lying position in panic as I hear the stranger's voice.
Oh god! That's not the dorm! I'm not in the dorm, not in my bed! Where am I? How did I get here? Did I get kidnapped? Am I going to die?!

My chest tightens and my breathing becomes jerky. I now feel like I'm suffocating, not able to find any logical explanation. My mind, terrified, starts forming all kinds of scenarios all more terrible than the previous one. Then, I hear the voice again sounding more...worried?

"Miss Alora?" It sounds like a woman. If I wasn't in this situation, I might've even thought the voice was comforting by its sweet tone.

Soon after that, I hear footsteps walking away, making me think the intruder is gone. My breathing is now less panting, although I still can't comprehend how I got here. Surely if I had been kidnapped I would've woken up right? Maybe they used some sort of sedative on me?

Now only a little calmer than before, I actually notice the room I am in and am blown away by its beauty. It is much bigger than the dorms at the orphanage and full of expensive-looking furniture. At the right of the wall in front of me is the door from where the voice came from. The bedroom walls are painted in a cream-white colour with gold details, and tall windows covered by curtains stand on one of them. The bed I am lying in is massive and has the softest white sheets. On both sides are bedside tables that seem to go with the colours of the room. There are two pillars in front of me on which thin transparent white curtains are placed to hide the bed when closed. Looking around, I see two more double doors. One on the left of the wall opposite me and the other on the wall to my right, facing the window wall.

It is a strange place to be kept captive. Without making any sounds, I slowly creep out of the bed and walk to the windows. On shaking legs, I pull at the curtains to see outside. There, I see the most magnificent garden I've ever laid my eyes on. With tall green hedges and millions of flowers scattered all over the place. Beautiful. Although, again, it is a weird place to be held captive.

I try to open the glass in vain. Frustrated, I then hurry towards the first double door. Opening them, I discover a bathroom probably bigger than the orphanage cafeteria. My eyes widen at the sight but I continue my search for an escape. Behind the second double door, I find a walk-in closet filled with gowns and shoes of all colours, jewelry and other accessories as shiny as a starry sky. No way out here either.

It looks like my only escape route is through the door the voice came from. Taking a deep breath, I slowly tiptoe to the wooden panels. Pulling them open, I peek in the small opening. Without surprise, the exterior is as sumptuous as all I've seen already. A large hallway lit by chandeliers stands in front of me. Still paying attention to my surroundings, I walk out of the room. Corridors after corridors, I try to avoid everyone I come across. My heart is still pounding as much as a drum and everyone I see is dressed in strange clothes, like the ones in the closet but less colourful and impressive.

Maybe I got involved in a cult? Well, that's not comforting.

I sneak around with the hope of finding an exit. Before every corner, I make sure no one will see me by peeking my head first.

As I'm walking, a sudden movement catches my eye. A door opens to my right and I freeze, like a deer caught in the middle of the road. A boy, probably around my age, gets out and meets my gaze. I must look completely stupid with my eyes wide open and my terrified face. The boy looks me up and down before raising a brow.

"You must be the princess."

"W-what? Who are you and where am I?" I ask, backing away.

"No need to be so scared Miss, I'm here to see the king" he responds.

I look around, trying to find something to defend myself if needed. I see a chandelier fixed to the wall. I inch towards it fast and grab the handle. I try to pull it off but the chandelier won't move.

"Were you planning on hitting me with that thing?" He says, looking at me in slight amusement.

"Where am I?!" I ask again with slight madness in my voice.The boy looks surprised but answers me nevertheless.

"I believe we are in the castle of Kallista, your castle Miss Auclair"

"How do you know my name and what are you talking about?!" I try hard not to stutter.

"Don't be modest Miss Auclair everybody knows your name."

As I'm about to speak, a woman dressed in a gray dress and white apron turns the corner and rushes to us. "There you are, Miss Auclair!" The lady says to me.

Scared, I back away as most as I can.
"Stay away from me, both of you!" I exclaim like a lunatic.

They both look at me, shocked at my outburst.

"Miss, are you feeling sick? I should get you back to your room." The woman says walking towards me with extended arms.

I only stumble back more and stumble into a cold surface. Turning around, I see I hit a tall knight statue. Without thinking, I take the sword from his hands and lift it towards the two people in front of me. The girl now looks on the edge of fainting, while on his side, the boy seems to find amusement in my distress.

"Oh! Miss what are you doing?!" She says, almost crying in panic.

"I want you to tell me where I am!" I am now screaming and absolutely sure I could be put in a psychiatric hospital for this show.

"Well, I see that the rumours about the princess being mental are true." The boy says with a sigh.

Then, before I know it, he lifts his hand and gives it a simple wave toward me. Dark green sparks seem to materialize before suddenly, I hit the floor with a loud thump. And just like that, the world goes black around me.

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With love, L

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