The next day.
"Goodbye, Father. Goodbye, brothers."
I turned
and met Landon's eyes.
He stepped closer and rested a hand on my shoulder.
The moment he touched me.
memories flooded in.
Claude's brother, Danenel.
Swords clashing. Torn clothing. Bodies scattered across the ground, blood soaking into the earth.
Claude lay barely conscious.
A girl ran to him, her long white cloak stained red, tears streaming down her face as she cried his name.
Landon shoved Danenel aside and approached them.
The girl clutched Claude's hand desperately.
With what little strength he had left, Claude lifted his hand and gently cupped her face.
Then
Landon wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"No!" Claude screamed.
Danenel lunged.
His sword pierced straight through Landon
and through the girl as well.
I caught a glimpse of her.
…Is that me?
I gasped and snapped back to reality.
Landon was staring at me, eyes sharp, as if he had noticed something wrong.
"Be good," he said quietly. "As long as you behave, nothing will happen."
Emirates laughed lightly.
"And make sure you represent our family well at the ball tomorrow."
"Yes, Rihanna," Father added. "Don't embarrass us."
"Of course," I replied, smiling tightly.
"I would never want people to see our family… differently."
Inside, my hands trembled.
Surely that wasn't me.
It couldn't be.
"And goodbye to you as well."
I lifted my gaze to Landon.
"I hope you all have a pleasant trip. Goodbye, Father."
The carriage doors closed.
As they departed toward the Middle East, I caught sight of Landon through the window.
His lips moved.
Don't forget.
A chill ran down my spine.
I rushed back to my room, my thoughts spiraling.
Something was wrong.
I had touched Landon yesterday.
Nothing changed.
But now after touching him again.
his death was different.
Why had the future shifted?
Why was the world drowned in corruption?
And why… was I there?