In the heart of a kingdom marked by glory and downfall, Count Valin stood as a figure of nobility tainted by corruption. Behind his esteemed title lay a dark secret: he engaged in the forbidden slave trade, selling to foreign lands despite the laws enacted by King Theodor, who had abolished slavery. Valin's greed blinded him to the consequences of his actions.
When the king discovered Valin's treachery, he condemned him for high treason, bringing shame upon his family.
In the dimly lit throne room, shadows clung to every corner like whispered secrets. Count Valin stood before the king, his voice steady but laced with trepidation. "Your Majesty," he began, bowing low, "my daughter Selinia possesses a voice like no other. It holds the power to break the curse that plagues you." The weight of his words hung in the air, binding Selinia to a destiny she had never sought.
Without further notice, the guards brought her before the king.
When summoned, King Theodor's gaze pierced through me, devoid of warmth. Clad in a simple, worn cloak, I felt painfully out of place, a stark contrast to the opulence surrounding us. Confusion and dread swirled in my mind as I knelt ( why am i here ? ) , the guards pressing down on me. The king's cold, detached voice cut through the silence, resting lazily on his hand. "Your father claims you possess a magical voice that can break the curse that plagues me," he said, his tone chillingly calm.
Fear gripped my heart ( did he say magical voice?? What a terrible lie!) , but I fought to maintain my composure. All eyes were fixed on me, expectant, but the most terrifying gaze was King Theodor's—sharp and predatory, like a lion ready to pounce.
My father spoke with reckless boldness, spinning lies without shame. "She has never been an ordinary child," he declared, his voice swelling with conviction. "Look at her—her black hair, her unwavering expression even in the presence of a king. It's as if magic itself has taken hold of her."
I struggled to comprehend his words. Each lie felt like a thorn, mercilessly thrust into my chest. ( How could he do this to me? I'm thrown to the fire with out mercy)
"Silence," King Theodor commanded, his voice icy.
My father froze, terror creeping up his spine. I, Selinia—the daughter he had never treated with warmth—was suddenly his only hope. I saw his arrogance fade, replaced by the fear of failure.
King Theodor's gaze shifted toward me, sharp and dissecting. I maintained an unreadable expression, but inside, my thoughts spun wildly( that's crazy old man! Why this happened when i was alomst getting my freedom it's just one day until i turn 21!) .
The king's voice snapped me back to the present, sending a chill down my spine. "As you heard, your father hasn't stopped praising you. He claims you possess a magical voice capable of breaking a centuries-old curse. Can you prove it?"
The air thickened, suffocating, as every eye in the room turned to me, awaiting my response. I felt the tempest raging inside, but I forced myself to speak, my voice steady. "Your Majesty, my father, like many fathers, praises his child beyond what is expected." Thinking in my head ( but in this time it's all a lie ! I can't even sing ! )
A sly, mocking tone crept into King Theodor's voice. "So, does that mean your traitorous father speaks falsehoods?"
Tension thickened the air, stifling my breath. My father fumbled for a defense, but I pressed on. "I did not say he lies, Your Majesty. I do possess a unique voice." Closing my eyes ( yeah i have really unique voice bad voice for singing)
The king's smile was cold, sending shivers down my spine. "Then prove it."
he demanded, his voice dripping with cruel amusement.
My hands clasped tightly together, an outward show of calmness while inside, my nerves were stretched taut. "It's… difficult…"
"Difficult?" he echoed, irritation lacing his tone, as if his patience was beginning to fray.
Sensing the tension crackling in the air, I hastily added, "Your Majesty, for my voice to be effective, I must use it on the night of a full moon." Thinking in my mind ( i should buy some time to sort this madness that's i didn't expect )
King Theodor tapped his finger on the armrest of his throne, a sign of his dwindling patience. "Hmm, are you trying to deceive me?" he asked, his voice now edged with menace.
I flinched for a less the a second and said regaining my calmness: "How could I dare, Your Majesty? I only said so because my powers awaken under the light of the full moon. This is also written in the magical texts, Your Majesty."
I looked calmly but inside my head ( please please let's him fall for it i don't want to die here without having lived my life as i wanted!) i prayed that's he will believe me
His gaze remained fixed on me, sharp and unyielding. Yet I stood tall, my confidence unwavering, with not a trace of fear or deceit visible on my face. A smile—eerily human—played on his lips. "Very well, I'll believe you… for now.
I felt happy but this happiness didn't last after hearing him continue speaking: "But know this—I'm looking forward to seeing your face on the night of the full moon Ironically, it is on the night of my twenty-fourth birthday that the full moon will rise. What a fitting occasion to test this supposed gift of yours. I'm really looking forward to see your face Will it be the face of someone prepared for the torture they'll endure for daring to deceive their king?"
His voice darkened, becoming more threatening. "If this is a trick, know that you will not die peacefully. You will beg for death, and I will make your life a living hell—along with anyone associated with you."
Though his words would have made anyone else tremble—my father's face turning pale—I remained surprisingly calm. "I understand, Your Majesty. But you must also know that breaking the curse isn't something that happens overnight. I ask for your understanding, but I assure you, little by little, I will weaken it, and you will begin to see the results."
Inwardly, I marveled at my own audacity. ( Who would believe I could speak such bold lies with such ease?) i thought that's to myself
King Theodor's eyes narrowed further, his voice cold. "Very well. We shall see in at the end of the week. And of course, your treacherous father will be in the dungeon until then."
As they dragged my father away, his face twisted in terror, I was left standing alone, the weight of the king's cold smile lingering in the air. "As for you," he said with an icy grin, "you will remain here… under my watchful eye."