Damned by Him

Morning arrived quietly over the mountains.

A thin veil of mist blanketed the forest surrounding the mansion, while the first rays of sunlight filtered through the towering trees and spilled across the valleys below. Birds perched upon ancient branches welcomed the new day with soft melodies, and a cool breeze drifted through the open windows, carrying with it the fresh scent of pine and dew.

Inside the mansion, everything had already come to life.

Servants moved through the halls with practiced elegance, preparing breakfast, drawing curtains, and tending to the countless duties that accompanied another day in the Duke’s residence.

Rosaline slowly stirred awake.

The warmth beside her had long since disappeared.

She lazily reached toward the other side of the bed, only to find the sheets already cold.

"He left early..."

she murmured to herself as she sat upright and stretched her stiff muscles before glancing toward the large windows.

The morning sunlight poured into the room, illuminating the silver-white strands of her hair, and for a brief moment, she simply sat there.

Everything that had happened yesterday felt almost unreal.

The fragments of memories that she kept trying to hold on to.

Returning to the mansion.

And Lily...

A faint crease appeared between her brows.

Yesterday, Lily never came.

Xandros had said she was occupied with something, and because she had been too exhausted to think much about it, she had simply accepted his explanation.

But now...

It felt strange...Very strange.

Lily had never once failed to help her prepare for the day.

Rosaline shook the thoughts away.

"She’s probably still busy."

She climbed out of bed and walked toward the dressing table.

Usually, Lily would brush her hair, prepare her dress, and help with the ribbons she always struggled to tie neatly.

Today... she would have to manage alone.

It took considerably longer than usual.

After several failed attempts, Rosaline finally succeeded in fastening the back of her pale blue dress.

She smiled to herself.

"I’ll have to show Lily I can do it too."

Just as she finished adjusting the sleeves...

A knock sounded on the chamber door.

"Come in."

The door slowly opened and Xandros stepped inside.

Already dressed for the day, he wore a fitted black coat embroidered with dark silver threads, his hair neatly tied behind him.

His grey eyes immediately softened upon seeing Rosaline. "I thought you might still be asleep."

Rosaline smiled.

"I only woke up a little while ago." Her gaze wandered toward him. "...Is Lily still busy?"

For the briefest moment...

Xandros paused.

Only for a heartbeat. Then his expression returned to normal.

"There was a small accident yesterday." Rosaline’s smile faded. "...An accident?"

Xandros nodded.

"She slipped while carrying supplies."

"The physician examined her."

"Fortunately, nothing was broken."

Rosaline visibly relaxed.

"Thank goodness..."

"But..."

Xandros continued.

"She struck her head."

Rosaline’s expression changed immediately.

"Her head?"

"The physician said she may behave differently for a few weeks."

"Her memories are intact."

"But her personality..."

"It may seem... unusual."

He deliberately chose his words carefully.

"I didn’t tell you yesterday because you were already exhausted."

"You needed to rest."

Rosaline lowered her eyes.

"So that’s why..."

A pang of guilt settled in her chest.

While she had been sleeping peacefully... Lily had been injured.

"I should have gone to see her."

"You can." Xandros replied calmly.

"She’s awake now."

Rosaline nodded almost immediately.

"I want to."

******

Earlier that morning...

Long before Rosaline had awakened... Xandros stood inside Lily’s room.

Christophine sat casually on the edge of the bed, one leg crossed over the other, looking as though she owned the room.

Which she now did...

She slowly examined Lily’s slender fingers before letting out a dissatisfied sigh.

"What an awfully fragile body."

Xandros stood opposite her.

His expression revealed nothing.

"You remember our agreement."

Christophine rolled her eyes.

"Yes."

"I pretend to be the little maid, I don’t expose myself and I don’t kill anyone."

"And most importantly..." A mischievous smile spread across her lips.

"I don’t tell your precious wife the truth."

Xandros didn’t react.

"You’ll cooperate."

"And if I don’t?"

"Our agreement ends." Xandros replied curtly making Christophine click her tongue.

"You’re always threatening people."

"Because it works."

She stared at him for several long seconds before throwing both hands into the air dramatically.

"Fine."

"I’ll play the obedient maid." She stood and brushed invisible dust from her dress.

"But don’t expect me to smile sweetly every second."

"You don’t have to."

Xandros replied calmly.

"I’ve already prepared an explanation."

Christophine raised a brow.

"Oh?"

"If Rosaline notices you’ve changed..."

"I’ll tell her you fell yesterday and injured your head."

"I’ve already informed the servants that the physician diagnosed a head injury."

"So no one will question your behavior." Christophine stared at him for a long moment.

Then she laughed.

"You really did think this through."

"I had to."

"Interesting."

She smirked. "I almost pity you."

Without another word, Xandros turned and walked out of the room.

******

A few moments later...

Rosaline arrived outside Lily’s chamber.

She knocked gently.

"Lily?"

No answer, so she slowly pushed the door open.

Inside, Christophine stood before a mirror, pretending to tidy Lily’s brown hair.

She turned around upon hearing the door.

For the briefest moment...Rosaline thought Lily’s golden eyes looked unusually sharp.

Almost unfamiliar.

The strange feeling disappeared as quickly as it came, leaving her wondering if she had simply imagined it.

"Lily!"

Rosaline smiled brightly before walking over.

"I’m so glad you’re alright."

Christophine just stared at her but then remembered Xandros’ warning.

Act naturally.

"...I’m fine." Her answer came far more stiffly than Lily would normally speak.

Rosaline noticed it immediately.

She frowned with concern.

"Does your head still hurt?"

Christophine blinked. "...A little."

Rosaline gently took both of her hands into hers.

"I’m sorry."

"I heard what happened yesterday."

"You should rest."

"I’ll ask the servants not to give you too much work."

Christophine lowered her gaze to their joined hands.

No one...

Had held her hand like this for a very long time.

"You really worry too much."

She muttered quietly.

Rosaline smiled.

"Of course I do."

"You’re not just my maid, Lily."

"You’re like a sister to me."

Those simple words lingered in the room.

Christophine simply stared at her.

For the first time in years...

She didn’t have a sarcastic reply ready.

Instead, she quietly looked away.

"...You’re strange."

Rosaline giggled softly.

"Xandros warned me you’d be acting differently, He said you hit your head yesterday."

"The physician believes you’ll be a little out of character for a few weeks."

Christophine nearly smiled. "...I suppose that’s true."

Rosaline squeezed her hand gently.

"Don’t worry."

"I’ll take care of you until you’re completely better."

Christophine lowered her gaze once more.

She had possessed countless people over the centuries.

But never once...

Had someone promised to take care of her.

For reasons she refused to acknowledge...

Something inside her chest felt...

Strange.

Rosaline remained in Lily’s room for a little while longer, chatting with her about little things that neither of them truly paid much attention to. Most of the conversation came from Rosaline herself, while Christophine simply listened, replying only when necessary. Even then, Rosaline never seemed bothered by the unusually brief responses. She merely smiled, believing the physician’s words about Lily’s head injury.

After making sure Lily had everything she needed, Rosaline finally stood up.

"You should get some more rest," she said gently. "I’ll come and see you again later."

Christophine gave a small nod.

"I’ll be fine."

Rosaline smiled once more before quietly leaving the room.

The corridors of the mansion had grown livelier than they had been earlier that morning. Servants walked briskly from one end of the hall to the other, carrying trays, fresh flowers, and neatly folded linens as preparations for breakfast continued. Rosaline had almost reached the grand staircase when she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"My handkerchief..."

She softly patted the side of her dress before letting out a quiet sigh.

"I left it in my room."

Turning around, she retraced her steps, the hem of her pale blue dress swaying lightly with every movement. It did not take long before she reached her chamber once again.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside.

The room was exactly as she had left it.

Morning sunlight still streamed through the tall windows, bathing the furniture in a warm golden glow. The faint fragrance of lavender lingered in the air, making the room feel peaceful and familiar.

Her embroidered handkerchief rested neatly upon the dressing table.

"There you are."

Rosaline walked over with a small smile and reached out to pick it up.

The instant her fingers closed around the delicate fabric...

A brilliant silver shimmer suddenly spread beneath the skin of her hand.

Rosaline froze.

The strange light pulsed once.

Then again.

Before she could even react, an indescribable sensation washed over her entire body.

It felt...

As though something had been pulled from deep within her.

For the briefest moment, everything around her became distant.

Weightless.

Her vision blurred.

A strange ringing filled her ears.

It was almost as though her spirit had slipped away from her body, only to be forcefully pulled back the very next instant.