Inside her room, Airna stood before her mirror, staring at her reflection with a confused expression. She traced her fingers over the glass, her brows furrowed.
"The Crown Prince is boring? How can she say that?"
Her sister—who once clung to the prince, desperate for his love—had completely changed. Rosalena had always fought for his affection, always yearned for his attention.
"But now... she doesn't care at all?"
As she pondered this unsettling shift, the mirror darkened, and a shadowy figure emerged from within. The eerie, familiar voice of the witch filled the dimly lit room.
"How are you, my dear?" the witch cooed, her lips curling into a sinister smirk. "Did you miss me?"
Airna tensed, her fingernails digging into her palm before she quickly bit them, a nervous habit resurfacing.
The witch chuckled. "I heard everything, child. Your sister... she has changed, hasn't she?"
Airna's eyes darted to the mirror, her voice a mere whisper. "Yes… she's completely different. I don't understand why."
The witch placed a hand under her chin, feigning deep thought. "Hmm... she changed, did she? Interesting."
A slow, wicked smile spread across her lips before she turned her gaze back to Airna.
"But enough about that," the witch said smoothly. "Let's return to our contract. You give me your divine power, and in return, I will grant you the power you desire."
A dark mist swirled between them as the deal was made. Airna's lips curled into a sinister smile, her once innocent face now twisted with something far more dangerous.
The next day, Rosalena sat in the palace garden, enjoying a peaceful afternoon with her best friend over a small, private tea party.
Her friend reached out, gently grasping Rosalena's hand. "Rosalena, are you truly alright?" she asked, worry evident in her eyes. "You were asleep for an entire month… I was so scared for you."
Rosalena squeezed her friend's hand reassuringly, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm fine, truly. You don't need to worry about me—I'm stronger now."
Her best friend sighed in relief, her eyes glimmering with admiration. "I'm so happy your powers awakened. That night at the ball, when that brilliant light erupted from you… it was breathtaking! Everyone was in shock!"
They both shared a laugh, the tension easing into warm companionship.
After tea, Rosalena led her friend back to her room, where she eagerly pointed to a large, glistening egg resting on a silk cushion.
Her friend's eyes widened in surprise. "What is that?!"
Rosalena grinned, brushing her fingers over the smooth surface of the egg. "I found it in the pond."
Her friend gasped. "Wait, you mean the same pond you fell into before?"
"Yes," Rosalena confirmed with a nod.
Her friend leaned closer, examining the egg curiously. "When will it hatch?"
Rosalena sighed, resting her chin on her palm. "I don't know… but I'm waiting eagerly."
The two girls sat together, staring at the egg in anticipation, before Rosalena's friend eventually bid her farewell and headed home.
Yet, as Rosalena turned back to the egg, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that something—or someone—was watching her.