ia

ed by ten mounted guards, sped along th

h skin like a field of snow under the morning sun kept peering o

and other beautiful buildings were places she should visit. Roads that were neatly paved were what her soft

the Dark Forest. An invitation from the king required her mother to accompany her father to the palace as a form of respect. Addit

y the villagers if caught. Collaborating with a witch would tarnish

, most of Triana's thoughts were filled with questio

do all this? Was it her true self that peopl

ather and mother love you. Everyone loves you. They want you

sore and her head bump several times, she felt her

e have a

usly stuck her head out, only to meet a bla

sn't it?" She asked, tho

c Castle." Replied the head

hand in his. "Thank you, Grivin," sh

es. Even its front gate has been left open

" Triana replied, staring at the slightly small but towering castle building standing before t

ich was filled with thick cobwebs and flying bats. Two gu

opened the map that was sketched on a piece of paper by the witch. Then

prison," Griv

unding, and it only grew louder as they

open the door,"

ty iron scraping against each other echoed in the empt

her feet wanted to run away, Triana had n

t her hand to the side. One of the guards carr

he lantern hung in front of her body. The lantern

oor. Swallowing, she directed her lantern to follow the somewhat long cha

tight as she found that the owner of those feet was a m

d to shine in the darkness and were piercing as if t

a small leather pouch attached to her slim waist. She pulled out

as sharp, he seemed like a dying lion that had

ings you

Then she realized that the voice came from the living skele

rdon," Tria

n. I came here to ask you to drink this." She pulled something else from

ps. "You came to command me? What year is it now? It sti

eceived such a cruel insult from anyone. All her

days? Don't tell her that all this time, pe

This was the last night when the moon was full, which also forced

ing you this potion is a condition for me to save my futur

Triana's trembling, tiny hand in the air

should I drink th

t... this potion will... um... make