Odi stood outside Princess Valerie's chambers, hesitating before knocking. She had never been personally summoned by the princess before, and it filled her with unease. The past few days had been overwhelming, her heart burdened with emotions she could not easily name. With a steadying breath, she rapped her knuckles against the carved wooden door.
"Enter," came the soft yet commanding voice from within.
Odi pushed open the door and stepped inside, instantly feeling the shift in the atmosphere. Unlike the rest of the palace, Valerie's chambers were dimly lit, the air cooler, carrying the faint scent of lavender and something ancient and very scary. It was chilly and made Odi shiver. The princess sat by the window, bathed in the silver glow of the moon filtering through the sheer curtains. Her striking features were illuminated just enough for Odi to see the exhaustion in her eyes.
"Your Highness," Odi said, lowering her head slightly in respect.
Princess Valerie turned, a small smile ghosting her lips. "Odi, thank you for coming."
The words were simple, yet Odi detected an underlying depth in them. She studied the princess, noticing the dark circles under her eyes, the slight tremor in her fingers as she smoothed the fabric of her gown. She hadn't been sleeping well.
"You look... tired, Your Highness," Odi said carefully. "I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I have noticed that you haven't been having proper rest."
Valerie exhaled a breath, her lips curving into a sad smile. "Perceptive, aren't you?"
"And I've been seeing you sleep walk at night" Odi said concerned.
Princess Valerie is shocked, she looked at Odi, "For real?"
Odi took a step forward. "I can help you if you need help... but not if you keep to yourself."
The words were spoken gently, but they struck something within Valerie. Her posture stiffened, and for a moment, she looked as though she might dismiss Odi right then and there. But something flickered in her gaze, uncertainty, vulnerability.
"I'm fine," Valerie said, voice quiet yet firm. "Thank you for your concern. You may leave."
Odi turned, preparing to walk away, but just as she reached the door, Valerie's voice stopped her.
"Odi… wait."
Odi turned back, her heart skipping a beat at the way the princess looked at her, uncertainty battling with the need for trust.
"Can I..." she sighs as she struggle to say the words. "I have no feminine figure in my life, I need someone to talk to. Can I trust you?" Valerie asked, her voice softer now, almost fragile.
Odi stepped closer, looking the princess in the eyes. "Yes, yes my lady, you can trust me"
It was a simple word, but it carried a promise. A promise that held no judgment, no betrayal, only loyalty.
Something inside Valerie broke. Her carefully constructed walls crumbled as a single tear slid down her cheek, followed by another. Before Odi could react, Valerie stood, wiping at her tears hastily, as if ashamed of them.
"I want to show you something," Valerie whispered, her voice barely audible.
She turned toward the small wooden table beside her, where a jug of water rested. With a deep inhale, she stretched out her hand, fingers trembling slightly.
Odi gasped as she watched the water inside the jug ripple, then still. The air in the room grew colder as frost crept along the edges of the jug. Within seconds, the water was no longer liquid, it was frozen solid.
Odi's eyes widened in shock, but before she could speak, Valerie turned toward the vase of flowers on the table. With a mere flick of her wrist, the vase shattered, petals scattering across the polished floor. A gust of wind whipped through the room as the heavy curtains of the chamber, which had been drawn shut, flew open on their own.
Moonlight flooded the chamber, illuminating both women in its silvery glow.
Odi stood frozen, staring at the princess, her heart pounding against her ribs. The realization of what she had just witnessed settled deep within her bones.
Princess Valerie… was a sorcerer.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air was thick with the weight of the secret now exposed between them.
Then, slowly, Odi moved. She lowered herself onto her knees, bowing her head deeply in reverence.
"What are you doing?" Valerie's voice was sharp with panic. "Stand up!"
Odi remained where she was. "No."
"Odi—"
"It is a taboo to have two sorcerers in the same kingdom, is it not?" Odi lifted her gaze, her expression unshaken. "Then one must be the true one. And I am certain that it is you, Your Highness."
Valerie's breath hitched. "You don't understand. If anyone knew—"
"Then they must not know," Odi said firmly. "You are the rightful sorcerer of this kingdom. And you must be protected."
Valerie stared at her, searching her expression for any sign of fear or betrayal. But there was none. Only unwavering loyalty.
A shuddering breath escaped the princess as she clutched her hands to her chest. "I have been hiding this part of me for a while now... If I were discovered…"
"You won't be," Odi vowed. "I promise to keep your secrets safe and you must be more careful henceforth. People may see you sleepwalking, and suspect. You haven't been sleeping well, you need to start sleeping well so you look good and well"
Silence stretched between them, but this time, it was not heavy with uncertainty. It was filled with understanding.
Valerie let out a choked laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "I don't sleep because have nightmares,"
"I have something that could help you with the nightmares, it helped me during the time I lost my mom, I kept seeing her being executed over and over again in my dream"
Valerie is surprised, "I don't know what to say, I am sorry? Thank you?
Odi smiled softly. "Perhaps both."
Princess Valerie felt something other than fear.
Hope.
She reached out, gripping Odi's hands tightly, as if grounding herself in the warmth of her trust. "Swear to me, Odi. Swear that you will never tell a soul."
Odi squeezed her hands in return. "I swear it, Your Highness."
The words were a promise, binding them in a secret that could change the fate of the kingdom forever.