Four hundred years had passed. Much had changed with the flow of time, yet Seraphina's immortality and her curse seemed unending. But the present was no longer like the past.
Life After Centuries
Seraphina was no longer the fiery, winged being she once was. Under Arias's dark magic, her blazing form had been subdued. She now lived like an ordinary human. The fire in her eyes had gone, replaced by a deep emptiness. She spent her days in a vast, ancient palace, where sunlight barely reached.
Arias's Neglect
The mysterious young man, Arias, was now the ruler of his vast kingdom. He spent day and night consumed by experiments with his powers and conquering lands. Seraphina, once the center of his obsession, was now no more than a decorative object in his eyes. He no longer whispered sweet words to her or pressed his lips to hers. Day after day, he paid her no attention; whether she was present in the palace or not seemed to matter little to him.
Seraphina's Solitude
Seraphina would sit by the window, gazing at the grey skies, and wonder silently—was this the freedom Arias had promised? She ate, slept, and endured her loneliness like an ordinary person. When Arias walked past, he didn't even glance at her. His focus was entirely on power.
Faint Memories
Sometimes, vague images from the distant past flickered in her subconscious: a pair of strong hands that had once protected her, grey eyes of a man, the familiar room filled with oil paintings. Unintentionally, she murmured a name she couldn't fully remember—Damian. Even now, she could not recall fully who he had been.
The Grand Celebration
After 400 years of monotony and neglect, a grand festival was organized in the palace. Arias, intoxicated with wine and pride, was surrounded by nobles. Music and laughter filled the halls, yet Seraphina felt profoundly alone amidst the crowd.
A Solitary Walk
Seraphina walked with her only trusted friend, Lily, through the palace's vast inner garden. Inside, the party raged on, while Arias and his companions laughed arrogantly, completely ignoring Seraphina's presence.
Lily's Whisper
Lily leaned close to her, whispering with a mix of excitement and amusement:
"Seraphina, I heard some amazing news. A new visitor has arrived in the kingdom. They say he's impossibly handsome and carries a presence unlike anyone before!"
Seraphina replied indifferently, "So what, Lily? Arias's court is full of handsome men, yet their hearts are as cold as stone."
Lily chuckled softly. "No, this one is different! They say he's a lost prince from another kingdom. His eyes are a strange, grey color, and even his walk exudes royal authority. Apparently, Arias seems somewhat wary of him too."
The words "grey eyes" made Seraphina's chest tighten. Somehow, she felt she had seen those eyes long ago. For the first time in four centuries, a faint spark of memory stirred.
The Mysterious Visitor
Lily guided Seraphina toward a corner of the hall, revealing a tall man standing among the crowd. His back faced them, yet his broad shoulders and regal stance made him stand out. Seraphina felt an inexplicable familiarity.
Curiosity and Recognition
She studied him closely. The way he moved, the gestures of his hands, all seemed oddly familiar. Her mind raced, yet she could not recall exactly who he was.
Suddenly, the handsome visitor finished speaking and slowly turned. In that instant, his grey eyes locked with Seraphina's. For a moment, the noise of the hall seemed to vanish. His gaze carried a strange depth, as though he had been searching for her for centuries.
Lily's Encouragement
Lily whispered excitedly, "Seraphina! Look! He's staring straight at you! I think he's captivated by your presence."
Seraphina felt a shiver run through her body. She did not yet recognize him, yet a strange sensation stirred deep within her. This was Damian—the man who had waited centuries, defying death itself, only to return to claim her once more.
Damian's Presence
Damian approached quietly and sat beside the empty space where Seraphina and Lily were seated. His posture exuded authority and elegance, and the crowd fell silent, captivated by him.
The Familiar Scent
As Seraphina sensed his presence beside her, a faint shiver ran through her. The scent of sandalwood emanating from him—the same scent that had driven her wild four hundred years ago—remained unchanged. To her, who had no memories, it felt like a vaguely familiar aroma.
Damian's Words
He did not look directly at her yet. In a calm, measured voice, he said:
"Even amidst a crowd, some people can feel profoundly alone, can't they?"
Seraphina, startled, looked at him. "Are you speaking to me?" she asked in a trembling voice.
Damian slowly turned his face toward her. His grey eyes, filled with centuries of longing, met hers. A soft smile touched his lips.
"Yes, to you. Your eyes hold many untold stories—some you may have even forgotten yourself."
Lily, sitting beside Seraphina, was completely enthralled by Damian's presence and whispered with a smile, "See? I told you—he is extraordinary. Such beautiful words!"
Arias's Entrance
At that moment, Arias's voice boomed from the upper level. He descended with his entourage. Damian's jaw tightened briefly, but he composed himself. He did not want Arias to notice him just yet.
Damian glanced at Seraphina again, speaking softly:
"Sometimes, the feelings of the present are more truthful than memories. Can you feel that?"
Seraphina tried to speak but her head felt light. The locket—now darkened—pulsed faintly. Damian's presence seemed to awaken the dormant fire within her.
Seraphina's Reaction
She laughed suddenly, a clear, carefree sound, devoid of old tension. There was only a curious lightness, a playful indifference to the present.
Turning to Damian, she tilted her head slightly and said, "You speak strangely! I don't even know myself or what stories lie in my eyes. And who are you? I don't even know you!"
She laughed again and stood, taking Lily's hand. "Come, Lily. The air here is far too serious. We need some fun!"
Damian's Helplessness
Damian sat silently, watching Seraphina laugh and vanish into the crowd. She did not glance back once. The moment he had waited four hundred years for ended without notice.
Broken Heart
Damian realized that Arias's magic had not only erased her memories but had turned her heart to stone.
A Determined Resolve
Clenching his glass tightly, he silently vowed, "Laugh, Seraphina. Laugh as long as you can. Your laughter is giving me strength to win you back."
Arias's Suspicion
From above, Arias watched everything. His eyes narrowed in suspicion. After seeing Seraphina speak to the new visitor, he sensed that her laughter had a new source, one that was beyond his control.
Lily whispered to Seraphina, "You just left him hanging in the middle! I think he's really upset."
Seraphina merely nodded, smiling faintly. "How strange! Why worry about someone I don't even know?"