---
Suddenly, the mask came off, and I was hoping to see Eve, but it wasn't Eve I saw. Instead, it was a young lady, about the same age as I am.
"Hey, princess, it's nice to see you," the lady said with a mysterious smile. Her appearance immediately sent an alarming signal through me. She looked like someone from the dark carven. Her eyes were wine-colored, matching her hair, and there was a dark aura around her, just like Jarel's.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"I know there are a lot of questions in your head right now. Relax. I don't want to be here any more than you want me to be, but I have to follow my master's command. All I need from you is to stay put. Doing that would make my job a lot easier. Can you do that?"
"No!" I said, running away. But suddenly, long, dark shadows appeared out of nowhere and wrapped around my body, tying me up.
"Let go of me! Help! Help..." I screamed as a wave of drowsiness washed over me.
"What did you do to me?" I managed to ask weakly.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't cooperate. You're lucky my master said I should bring you unharmed. I really wanted to have a little fun with you," she said, before I finally passed out.
---
Meanwhile, back at the party, everyone was celebrating. Jarel had passed the test, and it was almost time for the marriage ceremony. Erica's aunt ordered the mansion's staff to find Erica and bring her to change her dress. A short while later, a staff member reported that Miss Erica was nowhere to be found. Eliza didn't believe it until a staff member presented the gemlock that had been placed around Erica's neck.
"Make sure nobody finds out that the bride is missing," she ordered, before dismissing them.
"Sorry to disturb you, Eliza, but I can't find Erica," Eve said, approaching Erica's aunt. Eliza looked at Eve, irritated, before responding.
"What makes you think she's with me? If you don't mind, I have important things to do. Excuse me?" Eliza said, pushing Eve aside as she passed. Eve, with troubling thoughts, decided to meet Christopher, who was busy talking to Jarel. He noticed Eve approaching and turned to her with a smile.
"My dear Eve, come and join us. Why the troubled look?" he asked.
Eve glanced at Jarel and gave him an unfriendly expression.
"Uncle, something is wrong, and I would like to talk to you about it in private," she said.
"Okay, dear. If you say so."
A butler holding a tray passed by, and Christopher called him over to drop off his drink. He excused himself and followed Eve out of the hall. Once they were sure they were alone, Eve turned to Christopher with a worried look.
"My dear, what is the matter? Why the troubled look?"
"I can't find Erica."
"What? Does Eliza know about this?"
"I think so, but she doesn't care."
"I'll have a word with her. Make sure nobody hears of this," Christopher whispered, before Eve nodded in response.
"I will do so," she said, walking out. Christopher stood there for a moment, a single thought on his mind.
"Eliza, what are you up to?" he muttered to himself before leaving.
---
When the room was finally empty, a dark shadow, man-shaped, crawled out of the darkness.
"The bride is missing. That sounds interesting," the shadow said, laughing to itself.
Back at the party, everyone was still celebrating the event, none of them knowing the bride was missing. Christopher walked over to Eliza, who was entertaining her guests. Though he tried to hide his anger, it was clear something was amiss.
"Eliza! May I have a word with you?" he asked, his voice firm.
Eliza, already knowing what he would ask, excused herself from her guests and followed Christopher into an empty guest room where Eve was waiting for them.
"I see she's told you," Eliza said quickly.
"I am not wrong with my decision. Where is she?" Eve demanded.
"I have no clue what you're talking about," Eliza replied coldly.
"Why pretend? We know she's not here," Eve pressed.
"Enough with the false accusations, Eve. Just because she's not here doesn't mean anything."
"Then where is my niece, Eliza?" Christopher asked, anger starting to rise.
"Don't tell me you'll believe her lies over me!" Eliza cried defensively.
"Enough with the jokes, Eliza. Where is my niece?" Christopher shouted, making Eliza tremble.
Suddenly, a golden medallion with an emerald-green gem fell out of Eliza's dress. Eve quickly seized the opportunity and grabbed it before Eliza could react.
"This is Erica's!" Eve said, worry evident in her voice.
Christopher turned to Eliza. His calm composure vanished, and the flames in the room flared brighter in response to his anger. Fear was clearly visible on Eliza's face as she fell to her knees, crying and pleading.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize it earlier, and by the time I found out, it was already too late. I'm sorry!" she begged.
Christopher, growing more irritated, used his foot to push her away. Eve stood by, enjoying every moment of the scene.
"You've done your worst. Eve, tell the butler to announce the news. I'll arrange a search party for my niece," Christopher ordered.
"Can I come?" Eve asked.
"Meet me downstairs when the announcement is made," Christopher said, leaving the room with Eve. Eliza remained on the floor, weeping.
---
Soon, the news was announced, and everyone went home. The magistrate, along with the highest-ranking warriors, searched all night for Erica. After hours of searching, and with no sign of her, everyone returned home except for Christopher and Eve, who stood in front of the large golden gates.
"Eve, thank you for your help, but we'll take it from here," Christopher said.
"Don't send me away. I can still help," Eve replied, her voice pleading.
"I know you can, but you need to return. Your kingdom needs you. Erica is our problem; let us deal with it. I don't want to see you here until this issue is resolved. Do you understand?" Christopher ordered.
"She is my friend!" Eve said firmly.
"Do you understand, Eve?" Christopher's voice was stern.
"Yes, uncle," she answered quietly.
"Good. It's time you returned home."
The large golden gates opened, revealing a bright, shining light beyond.
"Go home, Eve!" Christopher ordered.
Eve, with disappointment all over her face, sighed deeply and said, "Take me to Earth."
Suddenly, the light faded, revealing valleys, mountains, kingdoms, birds in the sky, animals on land, rivers, streams, seas, and oceans. She turned to Christopher, but he stood unmoving.
"Bye," she whispered before walking through the gates, the light vanishing with her, and the gates closing behind her. Christopher turned and climbed his horse, casting one last glance at the gates before riding off.
---
When the place was empty, white mist began to gather in front of the gates. Destiny appeared from the mist, facing the gates.
"The task ahead is not going to be easy, but I trust you will prevail," she said, turning toward the direction Christopher had gone. A heavy breeze blew, and she disappeared into the wind.
---
I heard voices. Remembering what happened before I passed out, I woke up to find an old lady washing the feet of the lady who had kidnapped me.
"Oh, great, you're awake," the lady said when she noticed me sitting up. She then excused the old lady.
"Where am I?" I asked, my heart racing.
"Welcome to Earth, Erica."
I quickly jumped off the bed, panic rising in me.
"How did you know my name?"
She burst into laughter.
"Sweetheart, I was told you were smart. Why the stupid question? Anyway, my master informed me about everything I need to know concerning you," she said, laughing again as she walked out of the room. The old lady who had been tending to her walked over, bowed, and said,
"My lady, may I get you something to eat? You haven't eaten since you arrived."
"I'm fine!" I said, trying to regain control of myself.
"Are you sure, my lady?"
"I'm fine."
"If my lady needs anything, she is free to ring the bell," the old lady said, turning to leave.
"Wait!" I called out.
"Do my lady need anything?" she asked.
"Yes! I need answers."
"If I am able to answer, I will. If I cannot, it's for you to find out."
---
I appeared in my court, where the staff were already awaiting my arrival. They all bowed, their faces fixed to the ground.
"All rise!" I commanded shortly before walking off.
The staff stood, and two male servants followed me.
"Where is Miss Grump?" I asked as I walked.
"She is attending to your guest, my lord," one of them replied.
"Lead me there!" I said. The servants walked in front of me and led the way.
They stopped in front of a door and stood by the side. I walked in to find Erica talking with Miss Grump. As soon as Miss Grump saw me, she quickly rose and bowed. Erica's face was filled with surprise.
"Welcome back, master!" Miss Grump said.
"Rise. Has she eaten?" I asked.
"No, master."
"Tell a maid to bring her some food and bring me my favorite tea," I ordered.
"Yes, master," Miss Grump said before heading to leave.
"One more thing, Miss Grump," I added.
"What is it, master?"
"I need you to take a rest. It's a command."
"But master…"
"No buts. It's an order."
"Yes, master," she replied, leaving the room.
As soon as she left, I walked over to where Erica was lying and gave her a huge hug.
"I'm happy to see you here, safe and sound."
"Eve! I'm confused. Where am I?"
"It's a long story, but in short, you're safe."
"You must tell me about it."
"Okay, we have all the time. Welcome to Earth, Erica."
Just then, the doors opened, and a maid walked in with a tray of food.
"Master, your request is here."
---