Chapter 3.

Riya finished washing the last set of utensils and sat down to eat. She noticed her mother arranging the cutlery sets on the shelves and wiping the glasses neatly, and could tell she was exhausted. "Mother, can I help with those dishes?" she offered. Her mother replied, "It's okay, dear."

Riya was aware of her mother's tireless efforts to support their family. You have to hurry up and go home and check up on your dad and gets some rest for tomorrow,I will come late in the night, okay mother,Riya replied but started to get worried for her mother for her mother who was going to come home late.

"You have to hurry up and go home, check on your dad, and get some rest for tomorrow," Riya's mother instructed. "I'll come home late tonight, okay?"

Riya nodded, but a worried crease formed on her forehead. "Be careful, Mother. Why are you working so late?" she asked, concern etched in her voice.

Her mother smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, dear. I'll be fine. Just take care of your father and get some rest. We'll talk in the morning."

Riya hesitated, feeling a sense of unease. She didn't like the idea of her mother working late, especially when she seemed so tired and preoccupied lately.

As Riya gathered her things to leave, her mother handed her a small pack of chocolate. "Take this with you, dear,something small to munch on."

Riya the chocolate, feeling a surge of love and gratitude for her mother's concern. "I'll be careful, Mother. Don't worry about me."

With a final glance at her mother, Riya stepped out of the kitchen.

Within the castle's dank, dimly lit chamber, a woman stood shrouded in shadows. Her hands danced through intricate gestures, weaving a spell as she chanted ancient incantations. Symbols etched into the stone floor glowed with an eerie light, while flickering candles cast macabre silhouettes on the walls.

As she spoke the final words of the spell, her eyes turned an unearthly black. The air seemed to vibrate with anticipation, and then, in an instant, a spirit materialized before her.

"Why have you summoned me?" the spirit demanded, its voice like a mournful sigh. "Is there a problem?"

The woman stepped forward, her eyes burning with concern. "Yes, there is a problem. It's about my daughter. She seems uninterested in anyone, and I wonder who she's fated to marry. She's stubborn and strong-willed, and her destiny is in her own hands."

The spirit regarded her for a moment before responding, "Her path is indeed hers to choose, but be warned: she has a very dark ending." The spirit's voice trailed off, and it vanished into thin air, leaving the woman to ponder the ominous prophecy.

The woman stood frozen, her mind reeling with the spirit's ominous words. A dark ending? What could that possibly mean? She thought of her daughter, Erica, and her stubborn determination to forge her own path.

Just then, a faint noise echoed outside the chamber, breaking the spell of silence. The woman's eyes snapped back into focus, and she hastily extinguished the candles. She knew she had to be careful; the castle's corridors were treacherous, and rumors of her dealings with the spirit world could be disastrous.

As she made her way back to her quarters, the woman couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding. She knew she had to protect Erica, but from what, she wasn't quite sure.

Here's the reframed and corrected summary:

Riya arrived home safely, relieved to be back in the warmth and comfort of her home. Her father, sitting quietly by the fireplace, looked up and smiled as she approached.

"Good evening, Father," Riya said, greeting him with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Her father's eyes crinkled at the corners as he responded, "You're welcome, dear."

Riya held up the bundle of food she had brought with her. "Mother gave me this for dinner."

She headed to the small dining area and began to serve the meal, waiting for her father to join her. Once he had finished eating, Riya excused herself,she went to her room,took a refreshing shower before slipping into bed.

Riya's footsteps echoed through the castle's grand hallway, the soft rustle of her skirts the only accompaniment. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the stone walls, making her feel like she was walking through a labyrinth. She shivered, despite the warmth of the evening.

As she walked, the portraits of ancient kings and queens seemed to watch her, their eyes following her every step. Riya felt a shiver run down her spine. She had always loved the castle's history and grandeur, but tonight, it felt oppressive, as if the weight of centuries was bearing down on her.

She turned a corner, and the hallway narrowed, the ceiling disappearing into darkness. The air grew colder, and Riya could have sworn she heard the faint whisper of voices, the words indistinguishable. She quickened her pace, her heart beating faster.

Suddenly, a door creaked open ahead of her, and a sliver of light spilled into the hallway. Riya's breath caught in her throat as a figure stepped out of the shadows.

"Riya," the figure whispered, beckoning her closer.

Riya's heart skipped a beat. Who was this mysterious person, and what did they want from her.

Riya's instincts screamed at her to run, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. The figure took a step closer, its features still shrouded in darkness.

"Who are you?" Riya demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

The figure hesitated, then stepped forward, revealing a tall, lean man with piercing blue eyes. Riya's breath caught in her throat as he smiled, his lips curling up in a hint of mischief.

"I am Kael," he said, his voice low and husky. "And you, Riya, are in grave danger."

Riya's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked, her mind racing with possibilities.

Kael glanced around the hallway, as if ensuring they were alone. "You have something that belongs to me," he whispered, his eyes glinting with intensity. "Something that could change the course of your life forever."

Riya's confusion deepened. "I don't know what you're talking about," she protested.

Kael's smile grew wider. "Ah, but you will," he said, his voice dripping with promise. "You will."

Riya's eyes widened as Kael's words hung in the air. But before she could respond, the scene around her began to blur and distort, like a painting smeared by wet brush strokes.

She felt herself being pulled backward, her feet leaving the cold stone floor. The torches on the walls flickered wildly, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Kael's face was the last thing she saw, his eyes burning with an otherworldly intensity. And then, everything went black.

Riya's eyes flew open, her heart racing. She was lying in her own bed, the moon casting a silver glow through the window. It was just a dream, she told herself. But the memory of Kael's eyes lingered, haunting her.

She threw off the covers and got out of bed, her bare feet making barely a sound on the cold floor. She went to the window and looked out, the night air cool on her face.

Riya shivered, feeling a presence watching her from the shadows. She knew it was just her imagination, but she couldn't shake off the feeling.