I stood in the grand foyer of the Valentine estate, feeling the weight of the massive chandelier above me. The light that filtered through the intricate crystal design reminded me of the descriptions I'd written so many times before—how it cast a warm, almost ethereal glow over everything beneath it. But being here, seeing it with my own eyes, was something else entirely.It was so incredibly strange.
I could feel the stares of the servants, their gazes full of curiosity and something else... perhaps fear. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of anxiety and something deeper—like an echo of emotions that didn't quite feel like mine. I knew that in the book, the servants had always kept their distance from Lura, wary of the curse and the tragic fate of her mother. Now, those same eyes followed me, and for a moment, I almost believed I was truly the cursed villainess.
I shook the thought away. This was just a story, a story where I had somehow become the villainess herself. But that didn't make any of this less real—or terrifying.
"Lura."
The deep, familiar voice brought me back to reality. I turned, heart thumping, and saw him standing at the top of the grand staircase—Duke Zacharius Valentine. My father, yet not my father. He was exactly as I'd written him—tall, with soft pink hair that shimmered like rose petals under the light, and those piercing red eyes that seemed to see right through me. My breath hitched in my throat. How many times had I described that regal presence, that aura of quiet authority? And now, here he was, looking at me with an unreadable expression.
"Father," I whispered, the word tasting foreign on my tongue. The Duke's gaze softened ever so slightly, but there was a distance in his eyes—a distance I knew all too well from my writing. He loved Lura, yes, but her resemblance to her mother was a constant reminder of his loss. He was surprised tho, perhaps even relieved, to see me here. According to the story, he had prepared for the worst after hearing that I had been removed as crown princess. I remembered writing how he had readied his men, sword at his hip, prepared to defend his daughter from any who would dare imprison her.
But I had changed the story. Instead of lashing out in anger, as Lura had in the book, I had thanked the king for his leniency and returned home, escaping the fate of imprisonment. The Duke had been ready to fight, yet here I stood, unharmed.
"You're home," he said, descending the stairs slowly. His movements were graceful, practiced, as if even his steps were dictated by some unseen choreography. "I was surprised to hear you've returned so suddenly."
"Yes," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I've come to ask for your permission to leave the empire." Although seemingly from out of thin air, i remembered writing in the book that the academy was a place for everyone no title would be heard there and you could attend for four years and leaving with a degree from there would be great for governing land. and if eventually i wasnt sure when i was to take over the Dukedom for my father i wanted to govern that land hands on and on my own.
The Duke's brows furrowed in confusion. "Leave the empire? What do you mean, Lura?"
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "I've decided to attend Palifica Academy in Falheighed (fal-guh-hide). I need to get away from the capital, I want to prepare for the future and learn more about this power our family was granted."
He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, trying to piece together this sudden change. In the book, Lura had never sought escape; she had fought, resisted, and ultimately been broken by the system that controlled her. But this was different. I was different.
"Are you certain?" he finally asked, his voice laced with concern. "This is a sudden decision, and Falheighed is far from here. It's not a choice to be made lightly. If you like i can abandon my post here and return to the dukedom its not as far from the academy and oyu could come see me for holidays...."
"I'm sure, and i wouldnt want the king to take you leaving as a threat please don't" I said, meeting his gaze. "I need to start over, to find a place where I can breathe again." I knew the Duke loved Lura, but he had always been distant, burdened by the memories of his late wife and the curse that haunted their family. Now, he was faced with a daughter who was breaking away from the path he had expected her to follow.
He sighed, a long, weary breath. "If that's what you want… I won't stop you. I'll make the arrangements, and the tuition will be sent immediately. Soon for holidays ill visit the dukedom that way we can meet eachother halfway. "
"Thank you, Father," I said, feeling a surge of relief. I hadn't been sure how he would react, but his willingness to support me, even in this, gave me hope. Perhaps, in this new story I was writing for myself -or for Lura, there was a chance for something different—something better.
But there was still something I needed to do before I left. "Father, may I visit Mother's study?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
The Duke hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Of course. Take your time."
I watched the duke head down the closest corridor to what i assumed was his offices. he looked so tired, if this were the book he'd have lost his only child this very day and inable to hold even a funeral for her. my heart panged and immense guilt twisted in me but i pushed it away. I would attone for that by living and when i could id be there for him so he could still have Lura.
I made my way through the familiar corridors, my steps echoing in the silence. Every turn, every piece of furniture, was exactly as I had described it in my book. It was surreal, like walking through a dream—or a nightmare. But the most daunting part was yet to come.
When I reached the study, I hesitated, my hand hovering over the door handle. I had written this scene countless times, had imagined what it would be like to stand before the portrait of Catherine Valentine—the woman who had given Lura life and then left her to navigate this cursed world alone.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was exactly as I had described: warm, inviting, yet tinged with an air of melancholy. And there, above the grand desk, hung the portrait of my mother—or rather, Lura's mother. The woman in the painting had brown hair and green eyes, just like in my book. But the resemblance between us was uncanny, almost as if she were an older version of myself.
I approached the portrait, my heart heavy with emotions I couldn't fully understand. Was it Lura's grief I was feeling, or my own? The lines between us were blurring more with each passing moment. A tear slid down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away, not wanting to acknowledge the depth of the pain that seemed to settle in my chest.
"Mother…" I whispered, the word slipping out before I could stop it. I didn't know if it was the real Lura's feelings or mine, but it didn't matter. The past was gone, and I needed to focus on the future—on escaping the story that had pulled me into this world.
I turned away from the portrait and focused on the desk. There were files scattered across it, containing the details of Lura's identity—information I needed if I was going to navigate this world and create a new path for myself. I quickly gathered the papers, my hands trembling slightly. I wasn't just reading a book anymore; this was real.
With the files in hand, I made my way back to my room to pack. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the floor. I packed light—just a few simple dresses, some riding pants, shoes, and shirts. Two suitcases and a handbag, that was all I would take with me to the Academy.
As I closed the last suitcase, there was a knock at the door. I turned to see my father standing in the doorway, his expression softer now, tinged with sadness.
"Are you sure you don't want to wait a few more days?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
I shook my head. "No, I'm ready for a change. I need to do this."
He nodded slowly, then stepped into the room, his presence filling the space. "I'll send the tuition immediately," he said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. His touch was gentle, and for a moment, I saw the father I had written about—the man who loved his daughter but was haunted by loss.
"Thank you," I whispered, feeling a mix of emotions I couldn't fully understand. He didn't know that I wasn't really his daughter… or maybe I was. The lines were so blurred now, it was hard to tell.
"Your mother would be proud of you," he repeated, his voice thick with emotion. I gave him a hug, feeling a surge of determination. I would live for Lura, the character who had struggled so much in this world. I would make sure she prevailed, no matter what.
We made our way out of the mansion and down the front staircase to the cobbled road a carriage waiting for me.
Before leaving, I turned to my father, a question lingering on my mind. "Why haven't you said anything about my sudden change?" I asked, curious if he had noticed the difference in me.
He pondered for a moment, then shrugged slightly. "I'm just happy to see the weight of being crown princess lifted off your shoulders. For the first time in a long while, I saw you without a frown. I didn't want to question it, in case it made you unhappy again."
His words struck a chord deep within me, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I gave him one final hug, vowing silently to live right—for the Lura who had struggled in the empire, and for myself who had died with out being able to live. I would prevail in this new country. I would escape the fate I had written for her and create a fate for myself.