A Familiar Voice
A Familiar Voice
The sun cast golden streaks through the palace windows as Mai paced in front of the grand doors of the throne room. Her heart hammered against her ribs, her thoughts tangled in the storm of questions that had been tormenting her since her discovery.
"Two days. It's been two days since I found out the truth about the royal lineage."
Her grip on the parchment had loosened, but the weight of its meaning had not. She had spent the past nights unable to sleep, her mind spinning with possibilities and consequences.
"I have to ask him. I have to confront the King."
With a deep breath, she stopped pacing and clenched her fists. She couldn't let fear control her. Today was the day.
She stepped forward, reaching for the handle—
Then she heard it.
A woman's voice.
It was light, refined, and carried a sense of grace that was unlike the rough, commanding tones of the palace guards or the soft, uncertain voices of the maids. It was smooth, confident, and oddly… familiar.
Then came laughter. The King's deep chuckle intertwined with the woman's delicate amusement.
Mai's fingers twitched at the door handle. Her heartbeat quickened. Who was this woman?
Curiosity burned through her veins. Without thinking, she pushed the heavy doors open and stepped inside.
The grand throne room stretched before her, its golden chandeliers glistening overhead. King Eric sat lazily on his throne, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.
And standing beside him…
She was tall, elegant, and dressed in a flowing gown of deep burgundy, embroidered with golden patterns that shimmered under the candlelight. Her dark, silky hair was pulled into an intricate updo, with strands falling in a way that framed her sharp yet graceful features.
Mai's breath caught in her throat.
The moment her eyes met the woman's, her head began to spin.
A sudden, sharp pain shot through her skull, making her stagger. The air around her grew heavy, and strange images flickered at the edge of her mind—blurred memories, fragmented and incomplete.
Who… was she?
"Mai!"
King Eric's thunderous voice snapped her out of her daze.
The pain subsided slightly, but the disorientation remained. Mai blinked, her vision refocusing just in time to see the King's furious expression.
"How dare you barge into my throne room unannounced?" His voice boomed, shaking the very air. "Have you completely lost your manners?"
Mai, still breathless from the dizziness, forced herself to straighten.
"I—" she struggled to find words. "I wanted to speak with you."
King Eric narrowed his eyes. "And that justifies your complete lack of respect?"
Mai clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "Who is she?" she asked, her voice coming out firmer than she expected.
The woman's gaze remained on Mai, unreadable yet… strangely intrigued.
King Eric scoffed. "Since you seem so eager to make a fool of yourself, allow me to introduce you properly."
He gestured toward the woman.
"This is Her Grace, Lady Felicia. She has come to teach you courtesy and etiquette—something you clearly lack."
The name struck Mai like a bolt of lightning.
Her vision blurred again. A sudden wave of déjà vu washed over her.
Her Grace… Lady Felicia…
She had heard that name before.
Somewhere deep in her mind, buried beneath forgotten memories, the name echoed like a whisper from the past.
Her legs wobbled. The world tilted.
And before she could utter another word—
Everything went black.
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