An hour later, they arrived at the castle gate.
Both of them stepped out of the sleek, black car, the engine's low rumble fading into the distance as they approached the massive, iron-clad gate. The castle loomed ahead, its towering spires piercing the cloudy evening sky. The gate was an imposing structure, adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and ancient symbols that spoke of the castle's storied history.
Several guards, their uniforms crisp and polished, stood sentinel in front of the gate. Each guard was armed with a menacing rifle, their faces obscured by the harsh, flickering light of the torches that lined the entrance. Their eyes were cold and calculating, scanning each individual who approached with a predatory intensity that seemed to pierce through the dark.
The guards exhibited a demeanor that was both detached and clinical. Their scrutiny extended beyond mere physical inspection; it felt as though they were assessing every hidden thought and intention, their gaze a chilling reminder of their authority and control. They moved with an unsettling precision, their movements synchronized like a well-oiled machine.
This coldness created an atmosphere thick with intimidation. The air was heavy, almost suffocating, as if the guards were not merely protecting the castle but also maintaining an aura of fear and dominance.
Hara shivered at the sight of them. Her legs felt weak and unsteady, as though they might collapse beneath her at any moment. The castle's grandeur seemed to loom over her, casting a shadow of foreboding. Her imagination ran wild with images of the enigmatic and possibly dangerous individuals who must be inside the castle, further fueling her anxiety.
As they approached the gate, one of the guards stepped forward, his presence commanding and unyielding. He extended a gloved hand, his eyes locked onto Hara with an unwavering focus.
"Excuse me?" she said, her voice trembling with confusion and fear.
The guard and his companion exchanged a swift, wordless glance. Within seconds, their hands moved to the grips of their guns, drawing them with a practiced ease. The cold metal gleamed under the torchlight as they aimed the weapons at Hara and Bella.
Hara's heart pounded violently in her chest, each beat resonating like a war drum. Her hands shook uncontrollably, her throat felt like it was constricting, and she struggled to draw a breath. Her mouth went dry, and her face lost all color as she froze in place, her mind racing with the horrifying possibility that this could be the end. Cold sweat trickled down her face and neck, mingling with the chill in the air.
The guard extended his hand again, his eyes narrowing with a steely resolve. Hara's confusion deepened as she looked at Bella, who mirrored her panic with wide, pleading eyes. Bella's gaze briefly flickered towards Hara's purse before returning to her face, as if trying to convey a silent message.
Hara's heart raced as she tried to interpret the unspoken hint, but the overwhelming fear clouded her thoughts. She felt as though she had forgotten something crucial, something that might be the key to their survival.
'What exactly does this guard want from us?'
'Why can't he just ask nicely?'
Without receiving any response, the guards' fingers tightened around the triggers, and the safeties clicked off with a menacingly final sound. The sharp, metallic noise made Hara flinch and let out a whimper of terror.
Closing her eyes tightly, she braced herself for the anticipated impact of a bullet, her thoughts flashing to her family.
'Mom, Dad, goodbye...'
Just then, a commanding voice echoed from behind them.
"What do you think you're doing?!" the familiar voice demanded, its authority cutting through the tense atmosphere.
The guards immediately lowered their guns and bowed deeply in deference to Aryan. The shift in their demeanor was palpable, their rigid postures softening as they addressed him with a newfound respect.
"Apologies, sire. We thought they were uninvited strangers," one of the guards said, his voice now courteous and deferential.
Hara's eyes widened in shock and anger.
'They're just two girls in dresses! What harm could they possibly do?'
"Apologies for the misunderstanding," Aryan said, his voice soothing but firm.
Hara turned around and gasped when she saw him standing behind her, his presence both reassuring and startling. Shocked, she stumbled backward, but Aryan's quick reflexes ensured she didn't fall. He steadied her with a gentle but firm grip, helping her regain her balance.
Hara looked up at him, their faces mere inches apart. She felt a flush of warmth spread across her cheeks, her heart pounding erratically. She worried that he might hear the frantic beat of her heart.
"T-thank you," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Aryan released her and smiled, a warm and genuine expression that only made her heart race faster. She quickly took a step back, suddenly self-conscious of their close proximity.
"You're welcome."
In a swift and unexpected movement, Arabella grabbed Aryan's arm and pulled him into a kiss. To Hara's astonishment, Aryan did not pull away, his demeanor relaxed and affectionate.
Hara stared in disbelief, her mouth falling open as she watched the intimate exchange. Her heart shattered into pieces, a sharp, painful sensation settling in her chest. She felt as though her whole world had crumbled in an instant.
Her body went numb, and a dull ache spread through her. Clutching her dress tightly, she fought to keep her tears from spilling over.
"You..." she managed to utter, her voice trembling with a mix of hurt and confusion.
Her words interrupted the kiss, drawing both Aryan's and Bella's attention. Before she could say anything more, she felt a stinging pain across her right cheek.
Hara touched her burning cheek in shock, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at Arabella. The expression on Bella's face was a mix of scorn and satisfaction.
"You know what? I've been waiting for this moment," Bella said, her tone dripping with venomous satisfaction.
"Bella? What are you doing?" Hara asked, her voice wavering and disbelieving.
"What do you think? I'm dumping you! What else?" Bella said with a cruel smirk.
Hara felt a wave of pain wash over her, the intensity of Bella's words and actions overwhelming. Her eyes grew misty, and she bit her lip to suppress her sobs.
Taking a few deep breaths to steady herself, Hara looked back at Bella, trying to muster some semblance of composure.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she asked, her voice a strained whisper.
Bella's eyes twisted with a mocking cruelty. "You know why."
"That slap was for having a crush on my boyfriend," Bella said, crossing her arms defiantly, her smirk widening.
Bella's words cut deeply, each syllable like a dagger to Hara's heart.
"I don't have a crush on him!" Hara protested, her face flushing with embarrassment and hurt.
"Yes, you do! Do you think I'm blind? I know you like him!" Bella snapped, her voice rising with anger. "Just give up, Chihara Hagard!"
Hara's anger flared up, but the pain was still sharp. Aryan had been nothing more than a fleeting crush, but the betrayal hurt deeply.
She had planned to confess her feelings to Aryan after graduation, but now it seemed that her chance had slipped away.
Bella's boyfriend. So that was the connection.
"You never told me."
"Do you think you have the right to know about our relationship? We're in a higher position than you!" Bella's tone was haughty and disdainful. "If my parents weren't friends with yours, I'd ignore you completely!"
"You don't know how much I hated studying with you. Because of you, I lost my freedom! Your house is disgusting! I can't stand living in that small house with you! I hated being compared to you!"
Tears welled up in Hara's eyes once more, the weight of Bella's words too much to bear.
"You're the reason my parents didn't give me what I wanted! I'm embarrassed when other teens of my status ignore me because of you! I'm ashamed to be friends with someone like you!"
When someone close to you turns their back on you, mocks you, and insults you, who wouldn't be heartbroken?
Hara struggled to hold back her tears, but they streamed down her face, hot and relentless. She tried to control her breathing, but her lips quivered uncontrollably as she fought to suppress her sobs.
After years of friendship, Hara couldn't fathom that Bella harbored such deep-seated hatred.
What had gone so terribly wrong?
"Aww... I didn't realize you were such a crybaby. Does it hurt, honey? To know the truth?" Bella said, her voice dripping with feigned sympathy and cruel delight.
Yes, it hurt!
Yes, the truth was excruciating!
Hara remained silent, her heart aching from Bella's harsh words.
Instead, she lowered her head, taking a trembling breath as she tried to hold back her tears as much as possible.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she looked back at Bella. "Thank you for everything you've done for me, and I'm sorry for having a crush on your boyfriend."
Hara recalled her mother's words: "Chihara, you must never forget this. Forgive even when it hurts. It's hard, but you must do it!"
"Haha... You're so funny," Bella laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "Do you think a simple apology will be enough? Do you think I'll let this go so easily?"
Hara's gaze flickered from Bella's eyes, filled with a toxic mix of hatred and satisfaction, to Aryan, who stood in silence, his hand resting on his forehead.
Suddenly, Aryan seemed unfamiliar to her. Did he truly enjoy the company of someone like Bella?
While Hara was lost in her thoughts, Arabella noticed her gaze.
"What? Expecting him to help you?"
Hara swallowed hard, her exhaustion palpable. She felt an overwhelming urge to scream, to escape from the suffocating tension.
She closed her eyes, drawing in a deep, shuddering breath.
When she opened them, Bella's face was unnervingly close.
The corridor of the castle felt even colder, the dim light from the flickering torches casting eerie, elongated shadows on the ancient stone walls. The oppressive weight of the castle seemed to close in around them, the air heavy with the musty scent of old stone and dampness, adding to the grim atmosphere.
Hara stood frozen, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and confusion. The sudden, malevolent shift in Bella's demeanor sent a chill down her spine. Bella's eyes, once warm and friendly, were now cold and devoid of empathy, their steely gaze locked onto Hara with a predatory intensity.
With a swift, calculated motion, Bella grabbed Hara's arm with a grip like iron. The pressure was cold and unyielding, sending a shiver of dread through Hara. Her eyes widened in terror as Bella's face contorted into a mask of cruel determination.
Without any further warning, Bella's hand shoved Hara with a sudden, violent force. Hara's body lurched backward uncontrollably. Time seemed to stretch agonizingly as she lost her balance, her arms flailing in a futile attempt to grasp onto something solid. The stone floor loomed closer, an unforgiving surface that promised nothing but pain.
As she fell, Hara's mind raced with a frantic clarity, each moment stretching into an agonizing eternity. Her legs, weakened by shock and fear, gave way entirely, and she was propelled backward through the chilling air. The fall seemed endless, a nightmarish journey that culminated in a bone-shattering impact.
The collision with the floor was brutal and immediate. Hara's body hit the stone with a jarring force that sent a violent tremor through her entire frame. The sickening crack of her head striking the ground reverberated through the cold night, leaving her dazed and disoriented.