Luciana was surrounded by darkness, a stillness so complete that it felt as though the world had ceased to exist. There was no sound, no movement—only the faint drip of water in the distance. Her body felt weightless, as if suspended in air. She wondered if she was dead, afraid to open her eyes to confirm her fate.
"It's so dark," she murmured softly, her voice echoing in the silence. She focused on the sound of the water droplets, allowing them to distract her from the dread creeping into her thoughts.
Then, a soft, delicate touch grazed her cheek. She shuddered at the sensation, a familiar voice breaking through the quiet.
"Lucia... Lucia..."
The voice was gentle, comforting, like a long-lost treasure suddenly rediscovered. She recognized it immediately. Slowly, she opened her eyes, not wanting to wake from what felt like a dream, yet afraid that it was.
"Oh, finally. You're awake," the voice continued.
Before her stood a woman—a mirror image of herself, with hair white as pearl, skin as fair as freshly fallen snow, and silver eyes that gleamed like the moon. Luciana trembled, tears welling up as she threw herself into the woman's arms.
"Mother!" she cried, her voice breaking as she sobbed uncontrollably. "Where have you been? How is this possible? For years... For so many years..." Her words tumbled out between gasps of sorrow.
"Hush, my child," her mother whispered, stroking Luciana's hair as she had when Luciana was a child. "Everything is alright."
Luciana clung to her, weeping until the tears finally slowed. She sniffled, wiping her face with trembling hands. "Mother... Please don't tell me this is just a dream."
Her mother's expression softened. "Lucia, I know this is hard to accept."
She gently pulled Luciana away, urging her to look around. The darkness faded, revealing a breathtaking landscape—a garden filled with jewel-like flowers, a crystal-clear lake reflecting a shimmering waterfall, and a sky lit by a soft, golden light.
"This... Where are we?" Luciana asked, breathless with wonder.
"This is the world of the dead," her mother replied with a serene smile.
Luciana froze, her heart pounding in her chest. "Am I... dead?" she whispered, biting her lower lip. Strangely, she felt calm. The fear that had gripped her moments ago seemed distant now, as though she had narrowly escaped a fate worse than this.
"No," her mother said, her voice soft but firm. "This is my final resting place. You, however, are still among the living."
Luciana blinked, her emotions in turmoil. "Then why are you here? Why now?"
"I've come to warn you, Lucia, of the harsh reality that awaits you."
"Please, Mother, this can't be real," Luciana pleaded, desperate for reassurance. But her mother simply shook her head.
"Your fate was sealed the day you were born. You were chosen by the heavens, my dear. I've watched over you, and though it pained me to leave you so early, know that you have been blessed. There is a reward awaiting you, greater than anything you could imagine."
Tears streamed down Luciana's face again. "Why, Mother? Why me?" she asked in a broken voice.
Her mother hugged her tightly, her own eyes wet with unshed tears. "You've sacrificed so much, my sweet daughter. You gave up your own happiness to raise your sisters, to protect them. I've seen your struggles, and I've always been with you, even when you couldn't see me."
She kissed Luciana's forehead, holding her close one last time. "This is not goodbye, Lucia," she whispered, as the beautiful world around them began to fade.
Luciana felt warmth lingering, even as the golden light disappeared.
"Mm~" she moaned softly in her sleep, her consciousness slowly returning.
"She's fine, my lord. It seems she passed out from the shock," a deep voice said nearby. Luciana's mind stirred, though she was too afraid to open her eyes. She could hear the conversation between two men.
"How long will it take for her to wake up?" one of them asked.
"She should wake soon, young lord," the other replied.
Luciana heard a deep sigh, followed by the sound of the door closing. She cautiously opened her eyes, but the room was enveloped in darkness. There were no windows, no source of light. Panic set in. Where was she?
Her first thought was to summon the holy light within her by singing, but when she opened her mouth, no sound came out. Horrified, she touched her throat. Her voice was gone. Breaking into a cold sweat, she scrambled out of bed, blindly searching for anything familiar. In her haste, she bumped into something hard—metal bars.
She groaned in pain, rubbing her head as her fingers traced the cold, iron bars. Dread filled her as she realized where she was. She was trapped in a cage.
Trembling, she stumbled around the small space, trying to make sense of it. The room felt like a tower, the ceiling high above her. Desperation clawed at her chest as she ran from corner to corner, her hands finding more iron bars.
"This can't be happening," she choked out, covering her mouth in fear.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the room. Before she could hide, the heavy iron door creaked open, and a tall figure holding a torch stepped inside. Luciana covered her face, trembling in terror.
"Don't come any closer!" her mind screamed.
The man approached, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. He grabbed her wrist roughly, forcing her to face him. "So, the madman was right," he muttered, studying her intently. She cried out in pain as his grip tightened.
"I don't recall you being mute," he said, his voice low and filled with suspicion.
Luciana stared at him, recognizing the black, slit-pupiled eyes—demonic eyes, just as she had seen before she was knocked unconscious. Fear engulfed her as she remembered everything.
He loosened his grip, noticing how she trembled. "Too fragile," he muttered, narrowing his eyes. He looked her over, noting her pale hair and silver, pupil-less eyes.
"That prince described his bride as having golden hair and eyes. You're the exact opposite."
Kneeling in front of her, he said coldly, "Listen. I despise your race, but I have no choice. I must interrogate you."
Her legs nearly gave out because of the overwhelming fear.
Without warning, he scooped her into his arms. Too terrified to resist, Luciana remained silent, fearing what he might do if she protested.
"Oh, dear God," she prayed silently, "please save me."