Her Reality.

After Elrath left, Nira stepped out of the room. He had left it unlocked after a warning.

She wasn't to step outside the house. That wasn't a problem—she had no intention of doing so.

The hallways were dim, just as she expected. The walls, a deep shade of green, were adorned with intricate patterns that twisted like vines. Her fingers brushed against the cool surface as she walked. The ceilings stretched high above her, making the space feel grand yet empty.

A thought crept into her mind. Why him?

Virun had a prince. Surely, he was the one meant to take a wife for political peace. Why, then, had it been Elrath—a warrior, not a ruler?

She shook her head. There was no point dwelling on questions that had no answers.

As she passed through the living area, the emptiness of it struck her. The black faux-leather furniture gleamed under the faint light, untouched and lifeless. No one sat in those chairs. The marble floors reflected her silhouette, polished yet cold. The entire space felt abandoned, as if no one had ever truly lived there.

The kitchen was different. Warm, bright. A stark contrast to the rest of the house. But the moment she pushed open the door, three pairs of eyes snapped toward her.

Hostility radiated from them.

Nira barely had time to stammer an apology before shutting the door.

The daggers in their glares lingered even after she walked away.

She continued her quiet exploration, wandering through the corridors until she found the only place that felt remotely inviting.

The library.

The walls were lined with books—rows and rows of them, stacked from floor to ceiling. She felt a flicker of excitement, a brief respite from the suffocating weight pressing down on her. Her fingers traced over the spines, taking in the scent of old parchment and ink.

Here, at least, she could forget for a little while.

She settled into a corner, cracked open a book, and let herself disappear into its pages.

---

"Excuse me, milady," a soft voice called.

Nira glanced up. A girl stood before her, big brown eyes peering at her with careful curiosity. A smile played on her lips, hesitant but kind.

Nira straightened. "Oh, hi—I'm sorry if I'm not supposed to be—"

The girl shook her head quickly. "No, milady. Lord Elrath said you are free to go anywhere in his home."

Nira exhaled, the tension in her shoulders loosening. Her gaze dropped to the tray in the girl's hands.

"Are you here for me?"

A nod. The girl thrust the tray forward, placing it into Nira's hands with a quick, almost nervous motion.

Nira stared down at it. Food.

She looked back up and forced a smile. "Thank you."

The girl nodded but made no move to leave. There was a flicker of surprise in her eyes, as though she hadn't expected gratitude.

"What's your name?" Nira asked.

The girl hesitated before answering, "Beni."

And then, just as quickly as she had come, Beni was gone.

Nira placed the tray on the table. The food smelled enticing, and her stomach ached with hunger. But was it safe?

She stared at it, debating.

Then, an idea.

Grabbing the tray, she left the library, her footsteps steady as she made her way through the corridors. She had an idea of where Elrath's room was. If anyone could confirm whether the food was poisoned, it was him.

She climbed the stairs, stopping in front of an isolated door on the floor above hers. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand to knock—

"Go in," a rough voice said from behind her.

She tensed. Elrath.

He sounded tired, but there was still that edge to his tone. The sharpness that told her he was not a man to be disturbed.

Without a word, she pushed the door open.

And stopped, her breath catching.

The room was unlike any other in the house. It was vast, the ceilings soaring higher than she'd thought possible. The walls, a deeper shade of green than the hallways, gave the space a dark, enigmatic atmosphere. The bed—king-sized, adorned with intricate gold patterns—looked untouched. The floor was not marble, but something rougher, textured beneath her shoes.

For a man who lived in shadows, his chambers suited him well.

"What do you want, Nira?" Elrath's voice snapped her from her thoughts, his tone laced with irritation. He hissed her name as if it were a curse.

She hesitated before extending the tray toward him.

His gaze flicked to it, then back to her. His brow arched.

"I wanted you to check if it isn't poisoned," she admitted, her voice betraying the slightest tremor.

Silence. Then—

"You want me to taste it first?"

He laughed. A sharp, hollow sound that echoed through the room.

It was the first time she had heard him laugh, and it was not pleasant. It was the kind of laughter that mocked, that burned. He threw his head back, as if she had just said the most ridiculous thing in the world.

Nira shifted uncomfortably, gripping the tray tighter.

His laughter died as suddenly as it had begun. "Tell me," he said, his voice cold, "why should I?"

She swallowed.

Elrath leaned closer, his expression unreadable. "You are not royalty, Nira. A commoner should not care if they live or die." His words were sharp, deliberate. "I certainly don't care if you do."

The weight of his words settled over her, heavy and suffocating.

"Really?" she said, the irritation creeping into her voice despite the sting in her chest.

A scoff. "I will hide what you are to keep up appearances, but that is all I will do. Do not ask for more."

She nodded slowly.

The truth was clear now. She was utterly alone.

Pathetic.

Lowering her head, she turned and walked out. She didn't return to the library. Instead, she went straight to her room, shutting the door behind her.

Her stomach twisted painfully. The hunger gnawed at her insides, merciless and unrelenting.

It was either she ate the food and risked dying or she refused it and still died.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the spoon. Slowly, she took a bite.

The warmth spread through her, momentarily easing the ache. She ate in silence, ignoring the hollow feeling settling deep in her chest.

Afterward, she laid down, waiting.

One hour passed. Then two.

Nothing.

She got up to have her bath,relieved.

Relief barely had time to sink in before the dizziness hit.

Her vision blurred, the edges darkening. She tried to move, but her body felt sluggish, weak.

Then the room tilted.

She barely registered the impact as her head struck the bedstand.

Darkness swallowed her whole.