– Miss – Suna called Celine upon entering, and they both approached the counter.
Ah, so she is really her servant... perhaps a lady-in-waiting? The attendant thought again. Smiling, he said – Welcome. Are you looking for accommodation, or have you come for a meal?
– Two rooms, please – Suna placed some silver coins on the counter.
The silver seemed to make the attendant even more cheerful – You're in luck. These are the last available rooms, the house is full these days.
– I noticed. This inn seems quite popular – Suna took the keys and led Celine away from the counter.
The attendant didn't seem to mind their haste – Thank you, Miss. Don't hesitate to ask the kitchen if you're hungry – we can prepare anything.
Suna nodded and led Celine to the bedroom. The room was simple but, very clean and well-kept. Suna walked to the bed and checked the sheets before deciding to change them, just in case.
Celine didn't know if she should do anything. She simply stood by as Suna organized everything for the night. Once she was done, she called Celine over to change clothes.
– Aren't these clothes too tight? Come here – Celine stepped closer and let Suna untie her robes.
Sending Celine behind a screen, Suna handed her much more comfortable clothes – We're heading south. Wasn't it a little hot in the carriage?
– Yes, it was. It got quite warm after we left Celestia – Celine replied while looking at the small bedroom window.
Suna followed her gaze for a moment, then frowned and looked at Celine again. The princess's mind often wandered. Suna wasn't sure if she should ask what was troubling her. She sighed.
Seeing that Celine had finished changing, Suna tidied up a few more things in the room and left. Before closing the door, she said – Good night. Don't read too much tonight—just sleep. The journey will be long, so you'd better be well-rested.
Celine smiled and returned the goodnight. Lying on her bed, she stared at the ceiling. She was afraid of seeing that dream again. Her body seemed to resist sleep, as if it feared experiencing that heavy feeling in her chest once more. And as if to prove it, she wasn't sleepy at all.
Sitting up, she saw the bag beside the bed. There was still light in the room, thanks to a small luminescent lamp on the table. Celine took the lamp and placed it on the dresser beside her bed. Pulling a book from her bag, she lay down and began reading to fall asleep.
After a few pages, she noticed something was wrong. Closing the book again, she looked at the title—"The Nine Kingdoms"—and the subtitle beneath it—"All Races"
A doubtful expression crossed her face. She had never seen this book before. It wasn't hers. How had it ended up in her bag?
Just as she was about to put it back, those eyes suddenly flashed in her mind. Her hand froze. Carefully adjusting her posture, she opened the book, using her knees for support.
Flipping through the pages to the Shapeshifter section, she diligently read each word, noting the illustrations sketched on each page.
A short excerpt caught her attention: — Their true eyes may appear during a transformation issue or by the individual's choice. Most prefer to hide their real form.
Celine sighed. That wasn't it. There was an illustration of a shapeshifter's eyes that originally belonged to a snake and another of a lizard. They felt different. There was some distinction.
Thinking for a while, she recalled the symbol she had drawn in class... a lizard with wings. What race would that be?
Celine flipped through the pages, searching. She finished the book completely, but there was nothing about it. That's impossible, she thought. There are lions with wings, people with wings, even fish with wings. Why wouldn't there be a lizard with wings too?
Giving up, Celine closed the book and put it back in her bag. Covering the lamp, she lay down and tried to sleep, taking a while before finally dozing off.
A soft light crossed her face. It was probably morning. Celine opened her eyes and stared at the clear sky above, not a single cloud in sight.
Her eyes widened as she sat up abruptly, looking around. Fear gripped her. Fear of that person. Fear of those eyes.
Looking around, she sighed in relief, thinking — At least I'm alone... But... where exactly am I?
Above her, an incredibly clear sky, beneath her bare feet, low grass. There was nothing but her in this place.
Taking a deep breath, she got up and started walking, though it didn't seem to lead anywhere. Looking around made her dizzy. From time to time, she felt numb, but whenever she was about to fall, her strength returned. This happened over and over again until Celine finally stopped, refusing to take another step.
With a slightly annoyed expression, she looked around and thought, What kind of ridiculous place is this? Taking and giving back a person's strength... why not just take it all and let me die here?
Her brows furrowed tightly until she heard something.
A voice hummed in the distance, and Celine momentarily lost herself in the melody.
It was gentle—the music calm and sweet, like a lullaby. Though it sounded like words were being sung, the language was unfamiliar to her. As she listened, her eyes grew heavier and heavier, until, at last, she fell asleep in that strange place.