𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 - 🌹

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑: 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬

After the encounter with Mary, I was back in my room, trying to distract myself with a book.

I was sitting on the cushioned seats situated against the big window, leaning my head against the pillow. The sunlight helped, giving me light to read.

After searching the idle shelves in my room, this book was probably the closest thing I could educate myself with about physical abnormalities since I felt uncomfortable trying to go to the library again. Though, it wasn't helping as I expected it would. Most of the information I was reading about had old topics that couldn't relate to my problem.

After skimming the chapters, I close the book and put it aside with a sigh.

I look out of the window, seeing birds fly by and start to think.

Maybe I'm exaggerating this. Maybe I just needed to calm down and not overthink. Maybe, my curse was really just appearance-wise and I managed to stress everything for no reason. Maybe passing out during the dinner was just simply out of what Ella had experienced and was all a big misunderstanding.

...But I couldn't tell Ella that yet. Or William. They were asleep.

Most of the coven was, actually. It made sense from all of the fiction that Layla told me about whenever I found her during her freetime reading. I wasn-t able to find any of them during my walk to the dining hall and back so that added more to my reason.

Now, my current problem-or later problem-was what I'm going to do once Ella wakes up. She'd probably have slept most of the stress away but sooner or later, I'd need to fulfill my role.

I weighed my options. Running away was definitely plausible. But I didn't know where to run to. The trip from the village to the castle was lengthy and I certainly had no clue on how to get back. And who's to say Ella won't try and find me? Or maybe send one of her coven to do it for her?

I felt goosebumps go up my arms after I remembered her past companion. They just... self-exited. What could have made them so terrified that they'd want the quick way out?

Ugh... here comes the headache.

I get off the cushioned seats and decide to try and make use of this free time instead of worrying over something I can think about later. Two headaches this early in the day was a no-go.

I close my bedroom door behind me and start remembering the tour.

Bottom floor, through the long corridors, across the hall, and...

The exit door.

I exhale a breath of relief. My memory didn't fail me yet.

"You are not allowed to leave the castle unless I forbid you to."

I look to the side. Guilt echoed in my mind but on the other hand, if Ella didn't want me to leave, she should've left me some kind of entertainment or even something to keep me busy during the times she can't be with me.

Placing my hands on the metal knobs of the door, I push down and the heavy wooden doors open just enough for me to squeeze through.

I close them behind me and turn to come face to face with the garden.

"Fresh air." I say to myself, starting my walk.

The hedgerows of shrubs and fresh flowers felt more welcoming than the countless halls and corridors of the castle. If only I had time to bask in this as soon as I came here.

I walk around the pathways of cobble and brush my hands along the flowers. It felt nice. Some of these flowers I recognized. Tulips, roses, lavender, sunflowers, and forget-me-nots. I wonder who kept this garden so well-maintained.