Chapter 22: A Spell in Disguise.
Lilia's eyes fluttered open, the faint light filtering through the curtains casting soft streaks across the room. A long yawn escaped her lips as she stretched, her body unusually rested, as though she hadn't slept this peacefully in years.
For a fleeting moment, her mind was calm—a blissful reprieve from the chaos of her daily life.
Then, like a floodgate opening, the memories surged back.
Her breath hitched. She bolted upright, her eyes wide with panic.
"Oh no!" she muttered, hitting her forehead repeatedly with the palm of her hand, as if punishing herself could undo the events of the last day.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and her stomach churned with the weight of realization. The engagement ceremony. The one thing she couldn't afford to mess up. She had ruined everything.
"What have I done?" she whispered harshly, her voice trembling as guilt crashed over her like a wave. Her hands clutched at the sheets, her knuckles whitening under the pressure. How could she have let this happen?
Frantically, she grabbed her phone from the bed, the cold metal sharp against her fingertips. The screen flickered on, displaying the time. It was already evening.
A bitter smile twisted her lips as her shoulders sagged. "Of course," she murmured, her voice heavy with disbelief. "Of course, this would happen." She stared at the device as though willing it to rewind the hours she had lost.
She set the phone aside and looked at the bed accusingly. It mocked her, standing there in its plush, pristine glory. "What kind of spell is this?" she grumbled, swinging her bare feet onto the floor and kicking the mattress with a swift jab. Pain shot up her toes, sharp and immediate, but she barely winced. The sting was nothing compared to the frustration boiling inside her.
Her tantrum was interrupted by a soft knock at the door, followed by a voice.