I couldn't believe my eyes.
I stood frozen, staring at him, Eric. His hair was longer now, a bit unkempt, and a thin scar was along his jaw. His clothes looked worn from travel, but those eyes… those same soft, steady eyes hadn't changed. He looked older and wearier, but it was him. It was him.
"Eric?" I whispered, not sure if I was still trapped in some cruel dream.
His eyes widened. "Aeris…?"
Before I could take another breath, the sharp sound of hooves shattered the silence.
Horses.
They were close, rushing over dried leaves and snapping twigs. My heart jumped into my throat, beating wildly.
"Come on!" Eric hissed.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the trees. We ran, branches scratching at our skin, our feet pounding against the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of moss and dirt. After a few seconds, Eric dropped low behind a thick patch of bushes, dragging me down with him.
We crouched, hidden by wide leaves and the dense green brush. I held my breath.
Then came the riders.
Five of them burst into the clearing. Their horses were large and dark, snorting as the riders tugged the reins. Each man wore a deep red cloak, and on their backs, I saw the silver crest, the new mark of Asdrel. A phoenix wrapped around a sword.
My chest tightened. That was his symbol. Carlos's empire… born of blood and betrayal.
"She couldn't have gotten far!" one rider barked. His voice was sharp and angry. "The maid escaped a few hours ago!"
"She's on foot," another replied. "Search every path. The Grand Duke gave strict orders."
My breath caught. Grand Duke… Landre?
I leaned forward just a little, careful not to make a sound.
"The Grand Duke won't be pleased if we return empty-handed," said the leader. "He said she must be caught, alive or dead."
They all nodded and split off, riding into the trees, their horses thundering away in different directions.
Silence returned, thick and heavy. Even the birds seemed to have gone quiet.
Eric didn't move. Neither did I.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he whispered, "They're gone."
I let out a shaky breath. "They're looking for me."
Eric turned to me, confusion and concern in his eyes. "You escaped the palace?"
I nodded slowly. "I was… a ghost, Eric. I didn't pass on. After Carlos killed me, I wandered the ruins. Alone. For years. I watched the palace crumble around me. Then, a few days ago… I woke up. In a new body. A maid's. She looks just like me."
He stared, stunned. "You were… dead?"
I nodded again, my throat tightening. "He stabbed me. Left me to bleed. And then he killed everyone else, my parents, my cousins, my whole family."
Eric dropped his gaze. "I thought you were gone. Forever."
His voice broke something inside me.
"I thought you were, too," I whispered.
There was a long pause. The kind that carries too much pain to fill with words.
Then I asked, "Did you hear what they said? Viscount Landre… he's the Grand Duke now?"
Eric's jaw tightened. "Yes. Two years ago, Carlos vanished. Some say he was poisoned. Others think he ran. Either way, Landre took over."
I frowned. "He was always so quiet. Always standing behind Carlos. I never thought he had power."
"He does now," Eric said bitterly. "And he's worse. He burned the noble houses. Took over cities. Forced people to kneel or vanish. He turned Carlos's nightmare into something darker."
I looked down at my hands. They were shaking. I clenched them tightly. "He finished what Carlos started."
"You're still here," Eric said softly. "That means something."
"He wants me dead because I'm the last of the royal blood."
"If people knew you were alive," he said, "they'd rise. Everything would change."
A breeze stirred the leaves above us. Light filtered through the canopy, painting golden patterns on the ground. For a moment, it almost felt peaceful.
"How did you survive?" I asked.
Eric sighed. "The night before our wedding… I was attacked. Carlos's men. They ambushed me. Killed my guards and threw me into a ravine. Thought I was dead."
My hand flew to my mouth. "Eric…"
"I got lucky. A farmer found me, I lost my memories, and he nursed me back. But by the time I recovered, it was too late. The palace was in ruins. Everyone said you were dead."
I felt tears sting my eyes, but I blinked them back. "I waited for so long," I said quietly. "Alone."
He reached for my hand and held it gently. His touch was warm, grounding.
"You're not alone now," he said.
I looked at him, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe.
But the moment didn't last.
"We can't stay here," Eric said. "They'll search this area again."
"Where can we go?"
"I know a place. There are still people who remember your family, their princess. People who would protect you with their lives."
I hesitated, glancing around, the quiet forest, the trail the horses had taken, and beyond that… the palace. My prison. My grave.
"They took everything," I whispered. "My home. My family. Even my name."
"But they didn't take your spirit," Eric said, holding my gaze.
I nodded. A fire lit somewhere deep in my chest. "Then I'll take back what's mine."
Eric stood and offered me his hand.
I took it.
We began walking through the forest, step by step. The trees swayed gently, the air warm and calm. Shadows danced on the path ahead, but I didn't fear them.
This time, I wasn't going to fade into the past.
This time, I was going to fight