"Damn, I should stop dwelling on the past," I murmured, wiping away the few tears that had gathered in the corners of my eyes. Night was falling, and it was time to head back. If I was late, the little princess would surely get mad.
With a sigh, I made my way to the castle. I never would have imagined living in a world like The Witcher. At first, I'd had this crazy idea: go to Kaer Morhen and become a witcher. But that dream had quickly faded. The journey would be long, dangerous, and far too expensive. Traveling alone without knowing how to defend myself? Suicide.
And then, there was the princess. My fate, as an orphan sold to the royal family of Cintra, was now tied to hers. Climbing the steps toward her room, I was distracted by the soldiers training in the courtyard. They wielded their swords with ease, each movement precise and practiced.
I found myself daydreaming about learning to fight, to know how to protect myself in this world where every mistake could be fatal. Since my death, I'd developed a fear of disappearing again. This second chance—I wanted to make the most of it.
"AIDEN! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Ciri's shout snapped me out of my thoughts. Reluctantly, I tore my gaze from the training yard and hurried toward the princess's room. Standing before her door, I took a deep breath and knocked.
Footsteps echoed, then the door flew open, revealing a small girl with white hair, her arms crossed and an annoyed expression on her face.
"Aiden! You're late again!" Ciri exclaimed, stomping her foot.
I gave her a small, apologetic smile, softening my gaze to calm her anger.
"Sorry, princess. I… I was looking at the stars."
"The stars? Again? Why are you always looking at them? You should stay with me!" she protested with a pout.
"Princess, I can't always be by your side," I replied gently. "I'm just a servant, and it wouldn't look right if I spent too much time with you. And… you are engaged, after all."
She grimaced, her disgust evident.
"Engaged? To that pig? Ugh, he's awful."
"Shh, princess. That's not something to say out loud," I murmured, glancing down the hallway.
She shrugged, letting out a sigh as if she bore an invisible burden. "I don't care. Anyway, I called you to tell me a story, like always."
She jumped onto her bed, her face lighting up with the excitement of a child. My heart clenched. More than ever, I felt the urge to protect her from anything that could hurt or sadden her.
"Alright, princess. What story would you like to hear tonight?" I asked, sitting beside her.
"Tell me the one about Peter Pan!" she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
I nodded and began the story
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At the end of the story, Ciri let out a yawn, a tired smile on her lips.
"There you go, princess. It's time to sleep now."
I got up to leave the room, but before I reached the door, she called out to me.
"Aiden?"
I turned back. "Yes, princess?"
She hesitated for a moment, her gaze growing serious, almost vulnerable.
"You… you'll always be there for me, right?"
The question caught me off guard. I walked back to her, gently placed my hand on her head, and smiled, hoping my smile would be enough to ease her worries.
"I don't know, princess. Our fates might lead us down different paths… or circumstances could tear us apart."
She lowered her eyes, a hint of sadness passing through her gaze. My heart tightened. I couldn't promise her I'd always be there, but in that moment, all I wanted was to protect her.
"But… I don't want that," she murmured. "Grandmother is mean for wanting me to marry that… pig. I would have preferred… you. At least you care about me."
I couldn't help but smile, touched by her innocence.
"In other words, you want to be spoiled, princess?" I teased to lighten the mood.
"Of course! I'm the princess!" she replied, lifting her chin proudly. "And when I'm queen, I'll make you marry me!"
I shook my head, amused.
"Princess, our fates are very different. You're destined for great things, and me… I'm just a servant. But no matter what, I'll do everything I can to look after you."
I headed toward the door, turning back one last time.
"Good night, princess. Sweet dreams."
---------
As I watched him leave, I curled up under my blankets, my heart feeling tight. The moon was high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the rooftops. The stars sparkled as if they could hear my thoughts.
"Why can't Aiden and I be together?" I whispered, a tear rolling down my cheek. "I want him to stay with me forever."
As I continued to cry, a shooting star crossed the sky. Remembering what Aiden had told me, I clasped my hands together and closed my eyes.
"Please, if there's any magic, any hidden power in these stars… let Aiden and I stay together. Let our lives be bound so that no fate can tear us apart."
I looked up at the stars one last time, then snuggled into my bed. Slowly, sleep carried me away, a fragile hope nestled deep in my heart.
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They say destiny is hard to change, but the wish of a young girl wove an invisible thread between two souls. Where once their lives were like two separate strands, a bond was formed, entwining their fates… for eternity.