Destined Across Time | LadaEarn

Chapter 3

It had been a week since Earn found herself in the royal palace, her life inexplicably thrown into the past. The initial shock had worn off, replaced by a strange acceptance of her new reality. Her days were filled with the rhythm of palace life, a far cry from the bustling modern world she knew. To her surprise, she had adapted rather well to the tasks assigned to her, largely thanks to Eclair’s guidance. The other maid was strict yet fair, her eyes sharp as she corrected Earn's mistakes, and her voice calm but firm as she gave instructions. It was clear Eclair took pride in training new maids, and she seemed determined to make sure Earn mastered her duties. Whether it was serving tea, tidying up the princess’s chambers, or running errands within the palace grounds, Earn managed to slay every task thrown her way.

The novelty of living in history had not yet worn off. She marveled at the elaborate architecture, the intricate carvings and decorations that adorned the palace walls, the fragrant gardens that seemed to bloom with a life and color unlike anything in the present. Even the sounds were different—footsteps echoing in long corridors, the rustle of silk garments as nobles passed by, the distant melodies of traditional music during the evening gatherings. Everything was a sensory overload of the past. 

But still, these oddities couldn’t completely distract her from the heaviness in her heart. At night, when the palace finally fell silent and the air turned cold, she found herself staring up at the moon, wondering what was happening in her real life—the present. It had been a week here, but what about back home? How was her mom coping without her around? Was her brother doing okay in school? She pictured him, sitting at the kitchen table, struggling with his math homework. Did her father, who worked so hard to support them, worry about where she had gone? Had they reported her missing? Did they think she was hurt... or worse?

Sometimes, in the dark of her small quarters, Earn’s breath would hitch in her throat as anxiety gripped her, and she would blink back tears, fighting the feeling of helplessness. Yet, every time she felt herself getting overwhelmed, she would remember her mother’s voice, telling her to be strong. She wasn’t ready to give up, and she certainly wasn’t ready to let despair take hold. There had to be a way back home. 

Earn’s thoughts often drifted to the lake where Princess Fahlada had found her, her mind returning to that shimmering, mysterious water as if it held the answer to everything. On one of her market runs with the other maids, she had seen the spot again, the water reflecting the sunlight like liquid glass, almost as though it was calling out to her. She wanted to dive back in, to feel the cold shock of the water against her skin, hoping it would somehow transport her back to the present. But sneaking away was more complicated than it seemed. Even on market days, they were always watched, and the risk of getting caught weighed heavily on her mind. Yet, she couldn't stop herself from thinking about it, planning different ways she might escape unnoticed. 

Despite these lingering worries, Earn found some unexpected comfort in the bond that was forming between her and the princess. Over the past week, she had grown closer to Fahlada, much to her own surprise. The princess, who had initially seemed so distant and proper, had warmed up to her, even appearing amused by Earn’s playful antics. It was almost as though the formality between them was dissolving bit by bit, revealing a side of Fahlada that Earn couldn’t help but find endearing. 

Fahlada was not what Earn had expected. At first, she seemed like the typical royal—poised, composed, her words always measured and proper. She followed the rules with unwavering diligence, her expression seldom revealing anything beyond polite interest. But every now and then, Earn would catch a glimpse of something else beneath that dignified exterior. There were moments when the princess’s eyes would light up with curiosity, when she would ask Earn questions about the most random thing in life. There was a quiet longing in Fahlada’s gaze, a yearning that seemed to reach out from behind the carefully constructed façade. It was subtle, but the more time they spent together, the more Earn saw it.