Damned by Him

Rosaline staggered back a single step, instinctively placing a hand against the edge of the dressing table to steady herself.

Her breathing became uneven.

"W-What..."

she whispered, staring down at her trembling hand.

The silver glow had already disappeared.

There wasn’t even the slightest trace that it had ever been there.

Rosaline blinked several times before quickly rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

"...I must be imagining things."

She gently shook her head, almost as though trying to scatter the strange vision lingering inside her mind.

Perhaps she still hadn’t fully recovered from yesterday.

Perhaps she was simply tired.

That had to be it.

Taking one last look at her now perfectly ordinary hand, Rosaline folded the handkerchief neatly into her palm before leaving the room.

She quietly dismissed the incident from her thoughts.

Or at least...

She tried to.

The dining hall was already prepared by the time she arrived.

A long table stretched across the elegant room, adorned with polished silverware, crystal glasses, and freshly prepared dishes whose rich aroma filled the air. Morning light filtered through the tall windows, reflecting beautifully against the marble floor and making the entire hall feel warm despite the cool mountain breeze outside.

Xandros was already seated at the head of the table.

Dressed in the same dark attire he had worn earlier, he appeared to have been waiting for her.

The moment she entered, his grey eyes lifted from the documents before him.

"You took longer than I expected."

Rosaline offered him an apologetic smile as she took the seat beside him.

"I forgot my handkerchief in the room."

Xandros gave a small nod, accepting the explanation without another question.

Before either of them could speak again, the great doors of the dining hall opened.

The butler entered with his usual composed expression, a silver tray resting neatly upon one hand. After offering both of them a respectful bow, he stepped toward Xandros and presented a sealed letter.

"My Lord."

"It arrived only a few moments ago."

Xandros accepted the envelope and broke the royal seal without hesitation.

His eyes moved steadily across the contents.

Rosaline quietly watched him, noticing the subtle change in his expression.

Not concern.

Not surprise.

Only quiet understanding.

He folded the letter and placed it back on the table.

"It seems I’ll have to visit the Royal House today."

Rosaline blinked.

"The Golden House?"

Xandros nodded.

"I’ve been summoned."

She remained silent for a brief moment before an idea suddenly crossed her mind.

Looking at him with quiet curiosity, she asked,

"...May I come with you?"

Xandros’ hand paused just above the letter. His grey eyes slowly lifted to meet hers.

*******"

The excitement stayed with Rosaline from the moment breakfast ended.

It had been a long time since she had left the mansion, and the thought of visiting the House filled her with quiet anticipation. It was where Royals meet when the matter isn’t brought to the palace.

Although she tried to remain composed, the small smile that lingered on her lips betrayed her excitement.

After the servants helped prepare everything for the journey, Rosaline returned to her chamber to retrieve a light shawl. Before making her way downstairs, however, she paused outside another familiar room.

Lily’s.

"I should check on her once more," she murmured to herself.

She raised her hand and knocked gently.

"Lily?"

No reply came.

Thinking the other woman had perhaps fallen asleep, Rosaline carefully pushed the door open.

The curtains had been drawn halfway, allowing soft morning light to spill across the room.

Lily lay peacefully upon the bed with the blanket pulled neatly over her shoulders. Her breathing was slow and even, and she appeared to be sleeping soundly.

Rosaline smiled faintly.

"She really must still be tired."

Not wanting to wake her, she quietly closed the door again.

The soft click echoed through the room.

The very moment Rosaline’s footsteps faded down the corridor...

Christophine slowly opened her eyes.

She had not been asleep.

She pushed herself upright and sat against the headboard, folding her arms across her chest.

"...That girl worries far too much."

A strange feeling settled inside her chest once again.

Annoying.

Unfamiliar.

She disliked it.

Yet...

She couldn’t seem to ignore it either.

Letting out an irritated sigh, she leaned back against the pillows and closed her eyes once more, pretending to sleep in case anyone else came looking.

Outside, Rosaline made her way toward the entrance of the mansion, where Xandros was already waiting.

A magnificent black carriage stood before the grand staircase, its polished surface reflecting the morning sunlight. Four powerful black horses stamped impatiently against the stone courtyard while servants secured the last pieces of luggage.

Xandros turned the moment he heard approaching footsteps.

His grey eyes immediately found Rosaline.

"You look excited."

Rosaline tried to suppress her smile.

"...Is it that obvious?"

"It is."

She laughed softly.

"I’ve never been to the royal House before."

"I’ve only heard stories about it."

"Then today you’ll see it yourself."

Xandros offered her his hand.

Rosaline accepted it without hesitation.

He helped her into the carriage before taking the seat opposite her.

A moment later, the coachman cracked the reins.

The carriage rolled forward.

The mansion slowly disappeared behind them as they descended the mountain road.

For the next several hours, Rosaline hardly remained still.

Sometimes she admired the endless forests stretching beyond the windows.

Other times she asked Xandros questions about the villages they passed or pointed excitedly toward distant waterfalls and mountain peaks.

Xandros answered whenever she asked, though more often than not, he simply watched her with quiet amusement.

By the time the towering walls of the royal House appeared in the distance...

The afternoon sun had already climbed high into the sky.

The House stood proudly at the heart of the capital, its golden towers reaching toward the heavens creating a golden illusion everywhere,while colorful banners fluttered from every wall.

As the carriage passed through the enormous gates, Rosaline couldn’t help staring through the window in wonder.

"It’s beautiful..."

she whispered.

The carriage finally came to a gentle stop inside the House courtyard.

Before the coachman could open the door...

A familiar voice called out.

"My Lady!"

Rosaline turned immediately.

"Seth!"

A bright smile lit up her face as she happily waved toward him.

Seth returned the gesture with a respectful bow before walking over to the carriage.

"It’s good to see you’re well, Your Grace."

"I’m doing much better."

She replied warmly.

Xandros stepped down from the carriage before helping Rosaline descend.

The moment her feet touched the ground, several palace servants bowed respectfully.

Xandros looked toward Rosaline.

"I’ll be occupied for a while."

"There are matters I need to attend to."

He glanced at Seth.

"Seth will stay with you."

"He’ll take you somewhere comfortable to wait until I’m finished."

Rosaline nodded obediently.

"Alright."

"I’ll come back as soon as I can."

"I know."

A faint smile crossed Xandros’ lips before he turned and walked toward the House entrance without another word.

Rosaline watched him disappear inside before turning back to Seth.

"So..."

she smiled.

"Lead the way."

Seth chuckled quietly.

"As you wish, Your grace."

He escorted her through several beautifully decorated corridors before stopping outside an elegant sitting room overlooking one of the palace gardens.

"This room is reserved for distinguished guests."

"You may wait here comfortably."

Rosaline stepped inside.

The room was spacious and elegantly furnished, with embroidered chairs, polished wooden tables, and tall windows overlooking colorful flower gardens.

"It’s beautiful."

Seth smiled.

"If you require anything, simply inform one of the servants."

Rosaline shook her head.

"I’ll be fine."

After making sure she was comfortable, Seth bowed politely.

"Then please excuse me."

Rosaline nodded.

The door quietly closed behind him.

For the first few minutes, she remained entertained by the scenery outside.

Then...

Silence settled over the room.

She wandered from one window to another before eventually returning to her chair.

"So boring..."

she sighed.

Just then...

That strange sensation returned, the same one she had experienced earlier inside her chamber.

A faint silver light shimmered beneath the skin of her hand.

Rosaline frowned.

"...Again?"

Before she could react— Everything around her suddenly became weightless.

The room blurred and her vision swayed.

An invisible force seemed to tug gently at her entire being.

The next instant...

She found herself standing.

"...Huh?"

Rosaline blinked in confusion.

Then slowly looked down.

Her breath caught.

She was...

Still sitting in the chair.

Her body remained exactly where she had been only moments ago.

Completely motionless.

Meanwhile...

She stood several steps away, staring at herself.

"W-What..."

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

She slowly lifted one hand.

The figure seated in the chair didn’t move.

She waved both arms excitedly.

Still nothing.

"...This is amazing."

The panic she’d felt only seconds earlier quickly gave way to curiosity.

She cautiously walked around her own body, studying it from every angle.

"So that’s what I look like when I’m sleeping..."

She giggled.

"That’s actually a little strange."

Remembering what had happened in her room that morning, she cautiously stepped toward her body again.

"I wonder..."

She leaned forward.

The instant she touched herself...A gentle pull drew her inward.

Her vision blurred and she opened her eyes.

She was sitting in the chair once again.

"It worked!"

Rosaline exclaimed happily and a grin spread across her face.

Instead of becoming frightened...

She became excited.

"I have to try again."

Closing her eyes, she concentrated.

Almost immediately...

That familiar sensation returned.

Once more, her spirit slipped free from her body.

This time, she remained perfectly calm.

She walked toward the door and slipped straight through it.

Outside, a palace maid carrying folded linens approached from the opposite corridor.

Rosaline hurriedly stepped into her path.

"Excuse me."

No response.

She waved both hands.

The maid continued walking as though no one stood before her.

"...She can’t see me."

Rosaline’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"So no one can?"

Her curiosity completely took over.

With no one noticing her presence, she happily wandered through the enormous palace, admiring rooms and corridors she would never have dared explore otherwise.

Eventually...

She reached an hallway, Rosaline slowed her steps.

"I’m sure Seth came from this direction earlier..."

She looked ahead thoughtfully.

"If Seth came from here..."

"...Then Xandros might be here too."

Smiling to herself, she continued down the corridor.

At the very end stood a pair of slightly open doors.

Voices drifted faintly from inside.

Rosaline stepped closer.

Curiosity getting the better of her, she peered through the narrow opening.

The smile on her face disappeared.

She froze where she stood.

A beautiful woman was pressed closely against Xandros.

Her hands rested upon his shoulders.

And from where Rosaline stood... Xandros face was directly on her face.

They were kissing!!