Breathe. Breathe.
She chants in her mind. The world seemed to muffle around her the corners of her vision began to blacken. Had she heard him correctly? She was almost certain he said...
No! Stop it, Ana. You are safe. This isn't real.
Unable to calm her frayed nerves and the pounding resounding in her ears she collapses violently. Controlling her breathing was near impossible as it left her body in strangled gasps. She had finally reached the point where her body could no longer continue. The sudden news pushed her to the brink of what seemed like death. Ana Sofia felt the cold stone of the balcony against her cheek as she gasped for air, her mind still reeling. She can hear the distant sound of the child's cries, but they seem muffled and far away. The sound snapped her to focus on the task in front of her.
Please. Let me die but let me save the child.
She pleads desperately to the sky above her but, it is no use her body and mind can no longer hold back the numbness reaching the edges of her fingers and toes. Next Ana Sofia's consciousness begins to fade it takes extreme willpower to keep her eyes open but she tries to push herself one final time as she glances at Ignacio. She could see the child wailing and Ignacio walking to the edge readying to release the child from his clutches.
I'm too late.
One final breath before her world turns dark. A flash of light and the sound of metal clashing.
*************************
Her eyes snap open as she gasps loudly feeling the sensation of air filling her lungs. She takes in her surroundings and finds herself back in the forest. Ana Sofia shoots up to her feet searching wildly for Ignacio when it strikes her that she's back in her own body. She closes her eyes to try to erase the entire ordeal from her mind but instead, her arms tremble and sobs leave her body
I was too late. I was too late.
She cried quietly the forest was eerily quiet as Ana Sofia stood there, her body shivering against the dropping temperatures in the night. She can still hear the faint cries of the child in her mind, and she can't help but feel a sense of guilt and failure. She had promised to protect him, and yet she had failed.
"I'm so sorry" she pleaded to the gods above "Don't be." Startled by the voice she swings around to see Natalia emerging from the shadows of the forest. "You did everything you could," Natalia says, approaching Ana Sofia with a gentle stride. "You saved the child's life. That's all that matters."
Ana Sofia wipes her tears away, trying to compose herself. "But Ignacio," she starts, her voice shaking.
"Ignacio is no longer a concern," Natalia assures her, placing a comforting hand on Ana Sofia's shoulder. "He has been taken care of. You don't need to worry about him anymore."
Ana Sofia takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"What do you mean?" Natalia's face contorted in a small frown, "I Killed him." Natalia's words hang heavy in the air, and Ana Sofia is shocked there were so many pieces to the puzzle it seemed she was still missing.
"You killed him?" she repeats.
Natalia nods solemnly. Confusion etched her features, and the puzzle expanded in her mind, "But you loved him and Rosalia put you behind bars...why?"
Natalia sighs, her gaze drifting off into the distance. As if recalling a memory too painful to put into words, "Ana, there are things you didn't know about Ignacio. He was not the man you thought he was. He had become consumed by darkness and was plotting to overthrow the kingdom. I had to make a difficult decision to protect the innocent. I was once an ambitious and idealistic young woman like you. I did my best to uphold the morals I believed in. That included doing good by others even if they did me wrong. "
Natalia continued, "But, that doesn't mean I wasn't.....angry. After, I risked my life and saved your father Rosalia banished me into this forest using powerful magic. I had spent so many decades trapped in here." She paused before continuing.
"I kept going back in my mind wishing I could hurt both of them. I swore that if any royal blood were to step foot on these grounds. I would...well."
Ana Sofia struggles to find her next words, but she knows she can't just leave things as they are. She has the power to make things right once again. "I am so sorry Natalia. I know there's nothing I could ever say to make up for my family's mistakes."
Natalia's expression softens as she looks at Ana Sofia. "You don't have to apologize for the actions of your family. I know you didn't have a choice in the matter. And I don't want you to feel guilty about what happened with Ignacio."
Ana Sofia approached her, "What if I could get you out of this forest? I have some powerful court mages maybe they could undo what was done? I just can't walk away without doing something...anything"
Natalia's eyes light up at the question she posed, "Do you think it's possible?" she asks a trill of excitement in her voice. "I would do anything to leave this place and be reunited with the world beyond these woods."
Ana Sofia smiled gently, "Well. I have to try my absolute hardest for a friend."
**************************
When Wesleynard found Ana Sofia unharmed he couldn't contain himself from embracing her and pulling her into a suffocatingly tight hug. He had gone almost mad with worry that he was tempted to burn down the entire forest. Seeing her well after the screams he heard was the outcome he pleaded with the Gods for. Squeezing tighter he vowed to never let her go. Ana Sofia grimaced at the sudden affection he was giving her but, she couldn't deny the amazing feeling of warmth that permeated her body. A small sigh escapes her lips as she feels the warmth of his body against hers, soaking in the comfort he offers. When he releases her he cups her face gently while exploring her body in a concerning manner,
"You shouldn't have left without letting me know." He said in a stern manner.
He folds a small lock of hair behind her ear and Ana Sofia struggles to shake her gaze away from him, but she finds herself completely dumbstruck, she knows how devoted he is to her but, seeing how sick with worry he was sending a spiral of blazing heat down her abdomen.
She pushed him away quickly, hoping her didn't notice the way her eyes relaxed at his touch, "I had too, Natalia was calling my name."
She motioned to the woman beside her prompting Wesleynard to notice the pale-haired woman. He offered her a gentle smile as he bowed deeply. Ana Sofia sent an encouraging nod to Natalia to signal to her that it was okay to proceed.
"Hello, my Lady My name Is Sir. Wesleynard."
Natalia, her eyes still carrying an air of uncertainty, turns to regard Wesleynard. She curtsies low, her worn and tattered dress pooling around her.
"I am Natalia, my lord," she says, her voice quivering slightly, "A servant of the queen's family, long lost and forgotten."
Ana Sofia takes her hand and offers it a gentle squeeze, "She is my newest friend. Wesleynard can you bring the camp to the edge of this clearing? There is much we need to discuss."
Wesleynard nods, without hesitation, he turns to his men and barks out orders, his voice carrying through the forest. The sound of crackling twigs and rustling leaves fills the air as the camp is quickly broken down and moved to the edge of the clearing. Ana Sofia wasted no time in assembling a meeting she gathered the high mages, Wesleynard, and Natalia in the royal tent. She glanced at her soiled nightgown as she felt a flush of embarrassment creep on her neck. She reminded herself that her vanity was the least of her concerns at the moment. She needed to help Natalia be undone by whatever curse her family had put on her and most importantly to get to the bottom of the new information she uncovered in her transmigration regarding Daeth. As the group shuffled quickly and gathered in the tent, the high mages sat in formation across from Ana Sofia while Wesleyard lurked in the corner like a hawk studying the new events that were unfolding before him.
"Ah. You are all here, let us begin." She motioned for the meeting to begin. "The first matter of business I would like to discuss is nullifying an ancient spell."
The high mages exchange worried glances, murmuring amongst themselves. Wesleynard crosses his arms, his expression creasing in a frown at what she just proposed.
"An ancient spell?" he repeats, his voice low. "Queen Ana Sofia, are you certain that's wise? Disturbing ancient magic can have unforeseen consequences."
She glares at the man but softens her boiling temper if she were to ask for their help she had to try a different method.
"I am certain. Natalia, please step forward so I may present your case," she called out.
Natalia hesitantly steps forward, from the dark corner of the tent that she was using for cover from any prying eyes. Ana Sofia takes a deep breath and begins to explain.
"Natalia has been trapped in this forest for nearly eighty years. She was banished by the previous Queen, and I seek to undo the curse that has riddled Natalia's life." She paused and surveyed the crowd in front of her before continuing, "The curse was cast by a powerful high mage, using ancient and dark magic. It was meant to punish Natalia for a crime she did not commit, and it has kept her trapped in this forest for far too long."
The high mages listen intently, their eyes wide with shock and intrigue. One of them, a slender man with a long white beard, steps forward.
"My Queen, I must caution you. Undoing a curse of this magnitude will not be easy. It will require great power and knowledge of the ancient arts."
Ana Sofia paused. Considering his words before, glancing at Natalia she couldn't erase the years of pain that Natalia had gone through but she could at least give her a second chance at life. Natalia's downcast expression still appeared serene regardless of the fear she may have felt in front of many strangers. Wesleynard, unable to contain his curiosity, steps forward.
"My queen," he begins, his voice steady and strong. "I may be able to assist in this matter. I have come across ancient texts in my travels that may hold the key to breaking this curse." The high mages murmur at the sudden proposition he made.
Ana Sofia's eyes widened at his suggestion she wasn't expecting to see him so readily to help. Wesleynard continues, "I have studied these texts extensively, and I believe I have an understanding of the ancient magic that was used to curse Natalia. With my knowledge and the combined power of the high mages, I believe we can break this curse and set Natalia free."
Ana Sofia nodded in agreement flashing him a quick look of something unknown as he took a step back.
"So? Have we come to a decision then?"
The high mages huddle together, whispering and discussing the proposal. After a moment, the bearded mage steps forward once again.
"We agree to your plan, Queen Ana Sofia. With your permission, we will begin our preparations immediately."
Ana Sofia nods, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Very well."
"Dismissed."
The high mages bow and begin to disperse, leaving Ana Sofia, Wesleynard, and Natalia alone in the throne room. Natalia looks up, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, my queen," she whispers. "I never thought I would see the light of day again."