Chapter 68
The castle felt different that morning. The air buzzed with excitement, even though Aurora didn’t understand why. She sat by the window, quiet, watching the maids rush around with extra energy. They whispered in small circles, their voices sharp and excited like chirping birds.
Aurora had lived in the castle for only two weeks, yet every day she still woke up feeling lost. The queen and king treated her with gentle care, like she was something precious, but her heart stayed numb. Her mind was empty, like someone wiped her memories clean with a heavy cloth. Sometimes she felt something tugging inside her chest, like a string tied to something far away—but when she reached for it, it slipped from her grasp.
She sighed quietly.
Across the room, two maids whispered again. Aurora tried to ignore them at first, but the name they spoke kept coming back.
“Seraphina… she is coming today.”
“Yes, Prince Kairo’s fiancée.”
“Finally. The perfect future queen.”
Aurora blinked. Fiancée? She looked at the maids, confused. She had no interest in Kairo, but she wondered why they were whispering so loudly about this person.
One maid noticed her looking and quickly bowed.
“Forgive us, Lady Aurora. We didn’t mean to disturb you.”
Aurora forced a small smile. “It’s fine. Who is Seraphina?”
The maids exchanged quick glances before one stepped forward.
“She is… well, she is from the Golden Fang Kingdom. A noble-born wolf. She has been promised to Prince Kairo since they were young. She is… beautiful. Powerful. Perfect.”
“Oh,” Aurora said softly.
She felt nothing. No jealousy, no hurt, no worry. Just… emptiness.
The maids went back to whispering the moment Aurora looked away.
“She will not like Aurora. I can feel it already.”
“Of course not. You know how noble wolves are.”
Aurora stared at her fingers. Why did that name—Seraphina—sound like something she should know? Not the person, but the feeling. It was like her chest tightened for a moment, then relaxed again.
But she still felt nothing strong enough to pull at her heart.
THE ROYAL THRONE HALL
The king and queen stood near the grand entrance, dressed in their finest royal robes. The queen looked calm but excited, her hands clasped together.
“Aurora, my dear, stay beside me,” the queen said gently.
Aurora nodded, walking to her side. The king smiled at her warmly.
“You look lovely today, Aurora. Remember, you are safe here.”
“I know,” she whispered, though she wasn’t sure she believed it.
Kairo arrived a moment later. He walked straight toward Aurora, his eyes softening in the way people look at something they want to protect. Aurora noticed, but once again, she felt nothing. Not even a flutter.
“Are you doing okay today?” he asked quietly.
“Yes,” she replied. “Just… tired.”
His jaw tightened with concern, but he didn’t push.
The horn sounded from outside.
“Seraphina of Golden Fang arrives!” the guard announced loudly.
The doors opened.
Seraphina stepped inside like she owned the entire kingdom. Tall, slim, wearing a golden dress that sparkled like sunlight. Her hair was long and straight, her steps sharp and elegant. Her eyes scanned the room with quiet confidence.
Until they locked onto Aurora.
For a second, Aurora felt something strange—like cold water running down her spine. Not fear. Not anger. Just something sharp and familiar but far away.
A déjà vu feeling, but dull and numb.
Seraphina approached the king and queen first, bowing gracefully.
“Your Majesties,” she said with a practiced smile.
Then she moved toward Kairo, placing a hand lightly on his arm.
“Kairo,” she said softly.
Aurora watched quietly. She felt nothing—not discomfort, not jealousy, nothing at all. Just a light emptiness, like she was watching a scene in someone else’s life.
Seraphina turned her eyes to Aurora.
“And this must be… the stray you brought home?” she asked sweetly, with poison behind the words.
The queen’s face hardened.
“Her name is Aurora, dear. And she is under the royal family’s protection.”
Aurora bowed politely. “Nice to meet you.”
Seraphina’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes. I’m sure.”
The room felt tense, but Aurora still felt nothing inside. Just the same blank stillness she’d felt since waking up in this castle. Something told her she should remember… something about this girl. Something about her tone. Her eyes. Her confidence.
But the memory refused to come.
Kairo stepped slightly in front of Aurora.
“Seraphina,” he said calmly, “there is no need for disrespect.”
Seraphina blinked at him in surprise.
“Oh? I didn’t think you cared,” she said lightly.
Aurora looked between them. “You don’t need to defend me,” she said quietly. “I’m not bothered.”
Seraphina laughed softly. “See? She doesn’t mind.”
But the feeling—the faint déjà vu—stayed in Aurora’s chest like a shadow she couldn’t catch.
DINNER THAT EVENING
The royal dining hall was warm with candlelight. Long golden curtains shimmered. The queen sat at the head of the table while the king spoke with his advisors. Aurora sat beside the queen as usual. Kairo sat across from her. Seraphina sat beside him, smiling with confidence.
The queen tried to lighten the mood.
“Seraphina, you must be tired from your journey.”
“Oh no, Your Majesty. I had to come immediately when I heard of Aurora’s… arrival.” She glanced at Aurora like she was something out of place.
Aurora lowered her eyes to her plate. Still numb. Still empty.
The queen changed the subject. “Aurora has been settling in very well. She is a gentle girl.”
Seraphina smirked. “Yes… I can see that.”
Kairo’s eyes stayed on Aurora almost the whole dinner, watching every small reaction.
But she had no reaction to give.
No jealousy.
No discomfort.
Just silence inside.
Seraphina finally leaned forward, voice sweet and sharp.
“Kairo and I have much to plan. Our wedding, our future, our duties together. I hope you don’t mind that things will be… different now.”
Aurora nodded blankly. “It’s your life,” she said softly.
Seraphina faltered for a moment, as if she expected Aurora to look hurt or confused.
But Aurora didn’t feel anything.
The queen watched Aurora carefully, worry in her eyes.
The king, too, looked thoughtful.
Aurora simply sat there, feeling like a puzzle piece that had been put in the wrong box.
Even though everyone treated her kindly…
Even though the queen had given her the name Aurora…
Even though the castle felt safe…
Something inside her whispered that something important was missing.
Something she had loved.
Something she had feared.
Someone she had lost.
A faint flash crossed her mind—a shadow, a voice, a hard grip on her wrist—but the memory slipped away before she could hold it.
Kairo noticed her distant look again.
“Aurora…?” he asked gently.
“I’m fine,” she whispered.