"Fine, you're Alon from now on."
Astraea laughed, collapsing onto the ground, her back resting against the cool earth as she stared up at the sky. "Even though I told you to stay with me, this isn't my home." She grinned at Alon, who looked at her in surprise. "I'm sure she won't mind, and you can use David's spot."
"David?"
Astraea avoided his curious gaze, choosing to ignore the name's significance. "All right, let's get started." Pushing herself upright, she headed toward the cabin, the trail's details clear in her mind. She recalled the scents of various trees and the direction of the wind, confident she could navigate this section of the woods blindfolded.
When the newly named Alon saw that Astraea wouldn't accept his refusal, he followed her with a slight smile, wondering, What could possibly go wrong?
Little did he know the dangers he faced, as nearly everyone who came into contact with Astraea met a tragic fate. Would he be any different?
Astraea never considered that bringing him along might do more harm than good. Despite her shifting demeanor, she remained dedicated to helping those in need. However, the shackles around her non-beating heart tightened as the demon within her began to stir, especially after the kind woman she met the previous day had died because of her. Astraea was blissfully unaware of the darker forces at play, oblivious to the fact that reclaiming the kingdom from her brother would soon pale in comparison to her real challenges.
The modest yet enchanting cabin stood before them, its true beauty revealed only by the night sky, though it still captivated Alon in the daylight. He gasped, eyes wide, as he took in the view. Even Astraea, used to the cabin's charm, paused for a moment longer to appreciate it.
Realizing Alon might spend the entire day mesmerized by the cabin, Astraea pulled him inside. Ophelia was already there, as if she had anticipated their arrival. She surveyed Alon from head to toe, a sly smile creeping onto her lips. *He'll do perfectly. Now, I need at least one more.*
Before Astraea could voice her question, Ophelia interrupted, "You can stay here." She blocked Astraea's path as she attempted to lead Alon to David's room.
"He'll be following me, and your training will begin tomorrow for both of you." With that, Ophelia left, leaving Astraea to ponder her next steps.
"What did she mean by 'both'?"
---
Ophelia led Alon toward the back of the cabin, revealing its surprising size despite its unassuming exterior. "What do you mean by training?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
Ophelia giggled, sending a chill down Alon's spine. "Did you think you could stay here for free?"
Alon froze, a flood of thoughts racing through his mind about what the striking woman wanted from him, but none were correct. He was stunned when she laid out her terms.
"Don't you already know Astraea isn't just a commoner?" Alon nodded, having recognized her noble bearing. "Well, she's the princess of the world's second-largest kingdom."
Alon's eyes widened in disbelief. He had assumed she was a lady of high standing, but a royal? He never imagined he'd meet someone of such status.
"To keep it brief, her brother is a cruel scoundrel, and she intends to reclaim the kingdom from him. This won't be easy, so she needs someone loyal to her and her alone. She plans to marry the king of this country, which is perilous in itself. She'll need someone to protect her from assassination attempts and to aid her in the struggle."
"Am I that person?"
"Not yet. I will put you through rigorous training that will make you wish you were dead. You can refuse, but here's a hint: if you stick with Astraea and follow her path, you'll eventually meet the person you most wish to see."
---
Feeling grimy after a run, Astraea headed to the bathroom to prepare for a bath. Just as she was about to step into the tub, a searing pain shot through her back, causing her to collapse to the ground.
Gripping her back in agony, she crawled toward the mirror. With all her strength, she turned to see a large, glowing butterfly emblazoned on her skin, its radiant golden color illuminating her reflection.
Astraea gritted her teeth, trying to endure the pain, but it was futile. Fortunately, the discomfort faded, leaving her with a sense of eerie calm. When she looked again, the butterfly had turned black. Beautiful, she thought, but the memory of the pain lingered.
Unsure of what the mark meant, she considered who could provide answers. Ophelia was her best option. Quickly, she washed off and dressed before hurrying to Ophelia's quarters, which she had never visited.
Upon reaching the corridor lined with countless doors, Astraea felt despondent. Just then, one door opened, and Ophelia stepped out as if summoned by fate. She turned, startled to see Astraea standing there.
"Why are you here?" Ophelia asked, her tone more curious than accusatory.
"What is this on my back?" Astraea began to describe the butterfly, and Ophelia's face lit up with realization.
"Oh, it showed up? This is something I was hoping wouldn't happen."
"What is it? Is it bad?"
"It can be both beneficial and destructive. It's known as the Butterfly of Fate. Most people don't understand that butterflies are the keepers of fate and destiny."
Astraea nodded, piecing together the significance. "How come it's on me? Did I alter my fate?"
"Please, let me finish. That butterfly has come to life and is now watching you. It was always observing your moves while it wasn't on your back. No one can escape fate, but you've consciously altered yours, and now you're on a clock. The butterfly has merged with you, and every time it burns you, it reminds you to fulfill your destiny. It will glow again. The more frequently it appears, the more intense the pain will become."
Astraea didn't want to dwell on that thought; the prospect of more pain terrified her. "Is there any way to slow it down?"
"If you hadn't transformed into a vampire, it would have appeared much sooner. You need to become a witch and marry the king as soon as possible to keep it at bay."
Astraea nodded, but a worry flickered in her mind. "Will it go away if I fulfill my destiny?"
Ophelia shook her head, disappointment evident. "It's never happened before, but if you fulfill your destiny, the butterfly will deem you worthy and become your companion. Butterfly guardians are powerful, so if you receive one as a familiar, consider yourself lucky."
With that, Ophelia turned and returned to her previous task, leaving Astraea to ponder the heavy weight of her fate.