“He said that we should stay here for a while, and he will bring something,” Harton said, his face clouding over with a look of gloom.
That’s it? Their normal conversation? But they’ve been talking since I passed out. Should I ask him again?
“Zerah, do you want to be a guardian? Do you know what will happen to you if you become one?”
What is he talking about? What guardian? Maybe that’s why we’re here, maybe the deer told him.
“No, I don’t know what that means,” I said, confused.
“Zerah, if you become a guardian, the exchange is you will forget everything and no one will recognize you. You'll be staying here for the rest of your life, but you will gain the greatest power of a guardian."
“So that’s what he told you?”
“Yeah, Zerah. I don’t want to forget you. Please don’t accept this. We will live happily together. I want you to be by my side always.”
“Harton, I don’t want to forget you either. Come on, let’s leave this place and never come back.”
Harton and I left that place before the deer came back, but that day marked the beginning of my nightmare.
I had no idea that after leaving, the curse would follow me.
"Congratulations, my lady, you're engaged now! I can't believe it!" Mrs. Charlotte exclaimed.
On the way home, Harton had proposed to me, and Mrs. Charlotte had been the one to witness it.
"That's right, me too. Oh, Mrs. Charlotte, what's that mark on your neck?"
"Huh? What mark, my lady? I don't have one."
"Oh, HAHAHA, maybe I'm just tired. Anyway, I need to take a nap."
"Take your time, my lady."
The day of the ball arrived, the day I'd been waiting for, a culmination of anticipation and excitement.
"My lady? Hey, it's the day you've been waiting for! Let's go, we don't have time to waste. Get up, my lady." Mrs. Charlotte's voice, a mixture of enthusiasm and gentle urgency, broke through my slumber.
I rose from bed, a wave of nervous energy washing over me. The bath, usually a calming ritual, felt rushed, a prelude to the grand event that awaited.
"What color should I pick? No! What dress? Oh no, no, no, I can't decide." I paced my room, my reflection in the mirror reflecting my internal turmoil.
"Mrs. Charlotte, I need you here, please." I called out, my voice tinged with desperation.
"I'm coming, my lady." Her reassuring footsteps echoed down the hallway.
The time had come. The carriage must be here any minute. I'm so excited. It's my first time! Oh, oh, it's here.
The sound of horses' hooves on the cobblestones reached my ears, a symphony of anticipation.
"Have fun tonight, my lady!" Mrs. Charlotte's warm smile and encouraging words sent me out the door.
"Bye, Mrs. Charlotte. See you later." I gave her a quick hug, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
The carriage pulled up to the grand entrance of the palace, and as I stepped out, my eyes fell upon Harton.
He stood there, a vision of elegance in his dark suit, his brown hair perfectly styled, and his ocean blue eyes sparkling with anticipation. My breath caught in my throat. He looked so handsome.
"Good evening, Harton." I greeted him, my voice a little shaky with nerves.
"Oh, there you are. I was looking for you." He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Oh, sorry I'm late. Anyway, let's go inside." I offered him my arm, and we stepped into the ballroom, the sounds of laughter and music washing over us.
Harton and I danced to a sweet waltz, his hand resting gently on my waist. I loved this moment, the feeling of his warmth, the rhythm of the music, and the way our bodies moved in perfect harmony.
"Harton, you're a good dancer." I couldn't help but compliment him, a genuine smile spreading across my face.
"Well, it's nice to hear that, because I'm trying, you know?" He chuckled, a hint of shyness in his voice.
After the waltz and a few glasses of sparkling cider, we stepped out onto a balcony overlooking the moonlit gardens. The air was cool and crisp, a welcome respite from the warmth of the ballroom.
We talked for a while, our voices hushed, our conversation filled with the excitement of planning our wedding. When it would be, who we'd invite, what kind of cake we'd have every detail was a source of joy and anticipation. We were both content and delighted, lost in the bubble of our shared dream.