William's POV
Lupesia Palace — Somewhere Beyond Darkness
Darkness.
That was all William could see.
Not sleep. Not peace. Just endless darkness.
William (thinking 😑): Am I dead?
Voice: "No. Unfortunately." 😈
William: "What kind of welcome is that?" 😤
A woman's laughter echoed through the darkness.
William slowly opened his eyes.
He found himself standing in a strange land filled with dry earth, broken trees, and a cracked sky. The wind carried dust across the barren ground, and the atmosphere felt heavier than any royal meeting he had ever attended.
William looked around.
William: "Wonderful. If this is a dream, it has terrible decoration." 😒
Voice: "You have an interesting attitude for someone standing between life and death."
William turned.
A woman dressed in black royal clothing stood some distance away.
Her long hair moved with the wind, and her sharp eyes seemed capable of cutting through anyone who dared to challenge her.
But as she approached, her expression suddenly softened.
William noticed the change.
William: "…Who are you?"
Woman: "The reason your family suffers." 😈
William stared at her.
William: "Huh. So you're from my family."
Woman: "…"
Woman: "Rude."
William: "Runs in the bloodline." 😎
The woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath, apparently reconsidering every decision that had brought her here.
Woman: "I am Elda."
William froze.
William: "Queen Elda? The cursed queen?"
Elda: "I prefer misunderstood legend." 😏
William: "I prefer shorter names."
Elda: "You are impossible."
William: "I've been told."
Elda folded her arms.
Elda: "You are dying, William Campbell."
William looked down at himself.
William: "Lovely news. Any better ones?"
Elda: "Yes. Someone is coming to save you."
William: "Who?"
Elda smiled mysteriously.
Elda: "A loud girl with anger issues."
William remained silent for several seconds.
William: "…That sounds terrifying."
Elda: "Believe me, she is."
William: "Can I choose death instead?"
Elda: "No."
William: "Unbelievable. Even death has terrible customer service."
Elda almost smiled.
Then the sky above them cracked with a deafening sound.
Her expression changed.
Elda: "We don't have much time. The curse is consuming your life force."
William: "Then tell me how to stop it."
Elda looked towards the distant horizon.
Elda: "The answer is standing much closer to you than you realize."
William: "That isn't an answer."
Elda: "Welcome to your family's history."
William: "I hate my family history."
---
Meanwhile… Campbell Palace
Royal Treatment Room
Several royal physicians surrounded William's unconscious body.
The King stood beside the bed, his expression grim.
Doctor: "Still no response, Your Majesty." 😓
King Richard clenched his fist.
Rowan and Leo stood near the wall, unusually quiet.
For once, neither brother had anything to say about lizards, treasure, or anything else.
Then—
BANG!
The treatment room doors flew open.
Kristen stormed inside like a natural disaster wearing human clothes. 😤
Guard: "Stop! You cannot enter!"
Kristen: "Watch me." 😎
She shoved past them.
King Richard turned sharply.
King Richard: "WHO IS THIS GIRL?!" 😱
Rowan immediately raised his hand.
Rowan: "She saved me from a lizard." ☺️
Leo slowly covered his face.
Leo: "That is not helping." 😑
King Richard: "WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?!"
Kristen ignored the entire royal family and walked straight towards William's bed.
She stopped beside him.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Even unconscious, William looked calm, handsome, and annoyingly elegant.
His perfectly arranged hair hadn't even surrendered to gravity.
Kristen: "…"
Kristen (thinking): He looks like the King. 😶
She glanced at Richard, then back at William.
Kristen: "Are all Campbell men born with the same face?"
Rowan: "I think so."
Leo: "Unfortunately, we also inherited the same family problems."
King Richard: "CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHO SHE IS?!"
Kristen leaned closer to William.
The pendant around her neck suddenly began glowing beneath her clothes.
THUMP.
William's fingers twitched.
Kristen's eyes widened.
For one brief moment, she heard a woman's whisper inside her mind.
Elda's voice: You've finally arrived.
Kristen stepped back.
Kristen: "…Wait."
She looked at William's wrist.
The dark crest had spread further across his skin.
Kristen's expression turned serious.
Kristen: "Your Majesty, everyone needs to leave this room."
King Richard: "EXCUSE ME?!"
Kristen raised her sword slightly.
Kristen: "Unless you want your eldest son to die, I suggest you listen."
The room fell silent.
And somewhere beyond consciousness, William heard a familiar voice calling his name.
Kristen: "William Campbell… wake up!"
For the first time, Queen Elda smiled.
Elda: "There she is." ✨
To be continued...