CHAPTER FOUR

“This way, my lady. The road to your room,” a gentle voice said beside me.

I turned to find a new girl walking next to me, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

“Almost forgot,” I murmured, trying to steady my mind.

“Should I send the girls away?” she asked.

“Which girls?” I frowned.

“These ones,” she gestured to the group of maids following behind us.

“Oh. Sure. Finally.” I exhaled, relieved. “Someone I can actually talk to.”

The others curtsied and quietly disappeared down the hallway. My new companion lingered, her steps light but graceful.

“I’ve heard of these ladies,” I said, glancing back. “Aren’t they sworn to secrecy or something?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” she replied. “And we did everything possible to conceal the news of your accident. Don’t worry, the king has no idea about what happened.”

I stopped walking.

“What?”

She turned, bowing her head. “I’m deeply sorry, my queen. I should’ve been there. You fell from your horse this morning after sending a letter to Sire Rowland for the meet up”

“Sire who?” I asked, my chest tightening.

“Sire Rowland,” she said softly. “His Majesty’s closest friend. You were supposed to meet him later today, but you tripped before you reached there.”

“I see…she tripped and I got transported here”

My brain froze.

Wait… Rowland? Alaric’s best friend? The same man from the history books?

“You mean… the same Rowland that-”

“Yes, my lady.” She bit her lip. “You were in quite a hurry to see him. It was urgent.”

I didn’t even realize I’d stopped breathing until I let out a bitter laugh.

Of course. Of course this was happening.

The queen whose body I was trapped in wasn’t just any royal wife,vshe was the infamous woman who cheated on the Raven King.

“For heaven’s sake,” I muttered, dragging my hand through my hair. “I defended her in class, and now I’m paying for her mess.”

The lady looked startled but didn’t dare speak.

We finally entered a large chamber. Golden curtains, white marble floors, a tall mirror that looked like it belonged in a museum. I sank into a nearby chair, exhausted.

She stood beside me quietly.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

Her eyes widened, almost like I’d spoken in another language. “Valerie, my lady.”

“Well, Valerie,” I sighed, “you can relax. I’m not going to kill you or whatever it is you people think I do.”

She hesitated, unsure if she should smile. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I shouldn’t have left you alone earlier.”

“I’m not your queen,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “My name is Liana. I’m from the year 2025. I don’t know what I’m doing here, but I need to go back.”

Valerie blinked at me like I’d lost my mind.

“I’ll… call the royal physician,” she stammered.

“I said I’m fine!” I snapped. “Just take me to the relic before I lose it.”

“The relic?” she echoed. “There’s no relic, my queen.”

“What do you mean there’s no relic? That’s literally how I got here!”

She looked terrified. “Your Majesty, please, you must rest. You’ve had a head injury…”

“No,” I interrupted. “I demand to see the king.”

Her face went pale. “Your Majesty?”

“Yes. The king. I need to tell him everything.”

“No,” she whispered urgently, gripping my sleeve. “You can’t. If His Majesty finds out about your… about Sire Rowland, he’ll have you executed.”

I froze.

Executed.

That word alone sent chills down my spine.

“I’m responsible for your life,” Valerie continued, her voice breaking. “If you die, I die too. Please, don’t do anything foolish.”

I sank deeper into the chair, pressing my fingers against my temples. This was worse than I thought. If Alaric even suspected anything, both of us were done for.

“Okay, fine,” I said after a long pause. “I just need to think.”

But my mind was spinning.

If the relic brought me here, maybe another object could take me back. Something tied to Queen Elara’s spirit.

“Is there any painting of me around here?” I asked suddenly. “Something drawn by… Monk Alphonso.”

Her expression changed instantly. “No, my lady. You hate him. You never allowed him to draw you.”

“Why?”

“You said he was cursed. That he always painted what the soul hides.”

I swallowed hard. “Perfect,” I muttered under my breath.

Monk Alphonso. The only man who recorded Alaric’s story. Maybe he was the key to all this.

I stood up abruptly. “Where does His Majesty sleep?”

Valerie blinked rapidly. “His chambers, my lady.”

“I want to see him tonight.”

Her mouth fell open. “What? No, absolutely not.”

“Why not? We’re married, aren’t we?”

“Well… yes, but…”

“But what?”

She hesitated, twisting her fingers. “You and His Majesty… you’re not exactly… happily married.”

I frowned. “Meaning?”

“You despise him, Your Highness. You refuse to share his chambers. You barely speak unless it’s necessary. If you suddenly appear there tonight, everyone will think something’s wrong.”

“Something is wrong,” I said under my breath.

“My lady, please, let me call the royal physician. Perhaps your memories”

“Valerie.” I looked up sharply, channeling whatever authority I had left. “I said no.”

She dropped to her knees immediately. “Forgive me, Your Majesty.”

I sighed. I hated this power,this fake fear people showed me,but I had no choice.

“I need to be dressed,” I said finally. “If I’m going to survive here, I have to start acting like a queen.”

She nodded quickly and went to fetch the garments.

As she left, I walked toward the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, the face of a woman whose life was tangled in betrayal and secrets. The infamous queen.

I traced my fingers along the edge of the glass. “Why me, Elara?” I whispered. “Why pull me into your story?”

The reflection didn’t answer, but something deep in my gut told me this was only the beginning.

If I wanted to return home, I needed Monk Alphonso’s help.

If I wanted to survive, I needed to win Alaric’s trust.

But the question that haunted me most was simple

Was I here to save him… or to finish what Elara started?