The torch flickered dimly in the chilling night. A stranger stepped forward, his voice low and trembling. "You are Seraphine Valeria, aren't you?"
I straightened my shoulders, masking my unease. "Who are you?"
He stopped a few paces away, his face hidden beneath a gray hood. "I'm just a messenger. My master wishes to speak."
Oren moved quickly, standing in front of me like a shield. "Who is your master? What business does he have with Lady Seraphine?"
The stranger smirked. "Our master knows you destroyed the altar of the curse. That… offends many, my lady."
---
I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean by 'many'?"
The stranger bowed his head respectfully. "The Valeria curse is more than a legacy. There are other families… they have their own interests."
My heart pounded. "Other families? Are they also bound by the curse?"
"Not just bound," he said softly. "They… created it."
---
I turned to Oren, my breath ragged. "Oren, did you know about this?"
Oren shook his head, his eyes dark. "I only knew the altar was the curse's source, but… other families? This is beyond my knowledge."
The stranger pulled something from within his cloak—a silver pendant, glimmering faintly in the torchlight. "This… is the symbol of the Astoria family. They wish to meet."
I stared at the pendant, feeling a strange chill creeping over my skin. "Astoria… I've heard that name. They're Valeria's allies, aren't they?"
---
"Allies… and rivals," he said. "Astoria wants peace. Or at least… an agreement."
I took a deep breath. "And what do they offer me?"
"An opportunity," he whispered. "A chance to break the curse forever—or strengthen it, if that's what you desire."
--
Oren gripped his sword tightly. "Don't listen to him, my lady! This could be a trap."
I looked the stranger straight in the eye. "If I refuse… what happens then?"
He smiled faintly. "The Astoria family doesn't like to be refused. And the curse… will never die."
Silence. The night wind carried the salty scent of the sea. I felt the weight of his words, as if my destiny was being rewritten before me.
--
I clenched my fists. "Tell Astoria… I will meet them. But not here."
The stranger bowed his head. "Very well. My master will arrange the time and place."
He turned, and in an instant, he vanished into the shadows of the ruins. His footsteps faded, leaving the two of us in a fearful silence.
---
Oren exhaled, his eyes still wary. "My lady, this is too dangerous. Astoria… they're known to be cunning. You know that."
I met his gaze, my voice low. "I know. But I have no choice. If they truly know how to end the curse… I must try."
Oren clenched his jaw. "And if this is just another way to imprison you?"
I held his arm. "If they want to trap me… I will fight back. I will not surrender again, Oren."
---
We slowly left the ruins of the altar. Above us, the night sky was dark, the stars like silent watchers.
In my head, the curse's voice still whispered. *"You will never be free… you are mine…"*
I ground my teeth. "I will prove… I can break free of you."
---
At the small campsite in the forest on the edge of the village, Oren lit a fire. "My lady, what will you do now?"
I sat across from him, staring into the embers. "I will meet Astoria. But not as their pawn. I will be a player."
Oren frowned. "You'll challenge the Astoria family alone?"
I shook my head. "Not alone. I have this curse. I'll use it… against them."
---
"And Lucian?" Oren asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I lowered my head, recalling Lucian's wild gaze at the altar. "Lucian won't stop. He will hunt us. But I will not falter."
Oren stared at me for a long moment. "Then… I'm with you, my lady. Until the end."
I took his hand, the warmth giving me courage. "Thank you, Oren."
---
The next morning, Astoria's messenger returned. He bowed, handing me a scroll. "My master wishes to meet you at the Old Astoria Palace. Three nights from now."
I read the scroll, feeling the weight of each word. "Very well. I will come."
---
That night, before I left, Oren looked at me in silence. "Are you sure you want to go alone, my lady? I could come."
I forced a smile. "No. I need you here. Make sure Lucian's forces don't find this place."
He looked at me, his dark eyes reflecting his loyalty. "Then… come back alive, my lady."
I met his gaze deeply. "I promise, Oren."
---
The journey to the Old Astoria Palace was silent and tense. I walked through the misty forest, every step echoing with the curse's shadow.
Before the palace gates, I stopped. The gray stone loomed above, ancient carvings on the doors hinting at dark secrets within.
---
In the cold, silent grand hall, I found them. A man with dark hair, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's. Beside him, a woman with a chilling smile.
"At last we meet, Seraphine Valeria," the man said. "I am Lord Armand Astoria. And this… is Lady Vivienne Astoria, my sister."
I stood tall, hiding my unease. "Tell me what you want."
Armand studied my face. "We seek an alliance. You carry Valeria's blood… the curse… and we hold the key to break it or to make it stronger."
---
Vivienne's thin smile curled. "But you must choose, Seraphine. We will help you… if you are willing to give us… something we desire."
I narrowed my eyes. "And what is that?"
Armand stepped closer. "Your loyalty. You will become part of the Astoria family. Or… an enemy we will destroy."
---
My heart pounded. "I will bow to no one. I came to break this curse… not to be anyone's puppet."
Armand sighed, his voice almost gentle. "Then, Seraphine… you will face the wrath of the Astoria family."
Vivienne drew a small blade, her smile icy. "You may choose: your blood… or your life."
---
I stood in the center of the old palace hall, surrounded by the shadows of enemies ready to consume everything. But I knew… this was my path.
"I will not be anyone's pawn," I said, my voice trembling but firm.
Armand's faint smile returned, his hand lifting slightly. "Then let me show you… what it means to defy the Astoria family."
And in an instant, the hall became a field of curses anew—sparks of red fire bursting in the air, waiting to consume anyone who dared.
---