Asher opened the old book; it seemed like a fairytale.

“Mind if I read this?”

Renee shook her head.

“Not at all! It’s a quick one—go ahead.”

Asher nodded and tucked into his wine before pouring Renee another glass.

Eternal Nightmare

The Tale of Antoinette Figoris

In the ancient city of Urs Iūpiter the echoes of history whispered through its cobblestone streets, there lived a spirited young woman named Antoinette Figoris. A vision of beauty, she was renowned throughout the city for her long, flowing black hair that shimmered with hints of blue in the sunlight.

Her striking blue eyes, bright and filled with determination, held an intensity that betrayed her deep longing for adventure beyond the palace walls.

As the beloved daughter of the king, she was destined to marry Cedric, the noble son of the Duke of Stellarum.

Yet Antoinette's heart yearned for something far grander—she aspired to become a royal knight, a protector of the realm, fighting for justice and honor alongside the esteemed warriors of the kingdom.

From a young age, Antoinette trained tirelessly in the art of combat and horsemanship, her spirit unyielding despite the restrictions of her royal upbringing.

She donned a simple tunic to practice, trading her princess gowns for the armor of a warrior, imagining herself galloping into battle, sword raised high.

Her laughter rang out as she practiced with her wooden sword, echoing through the palace grounds and inspiring the other children to join her games of valor.

However, her dreams were often met with disapproval from the court, who believed a princess should focus on matters of the heart rather than warfare.

Antoinette's desire to serve as a royal knight seemed foolish to them, yet her determination never wavered. Each day, she would sneak out of the palace to watch the knights train in the city's grand arena, her heart racing with excitement at the thought of one day earning her place among them.

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As she witnessed their skill and camaraderie, the fire within her grew stronger, compelling her to practice harder and dream bigger.

One fateful day, while wandering the ancient ruins that dotted the outskirts of the city to clear her mind, she encountered her art instructor, Florence Hesparee.

With fiery red hair and piercing grey eyes, Florence was known for his breathtaking paintings and captivating charm.

However, beneath his enchanting exterior lay dark ambitions. Coveting Cedric’s powerful cloak—a powerful relic of the Knights Stella—Florence plotted to eliminate him and claim its power for himself.

“What’s weighing on your mind, Antoinette?” he asked, his voice smooth like velvet as he observed Antoinette's furrowed brow.

“I just want it all to end. This nightmare feels like it’ll never stop,” Antoinette confessed, her heart heavy with despair.

“Are you sure about this, little one?” Florence probed, a glint of intrigue sparking in his eyes. “I can make it so, though you may not like the means.”

“Then so be it, Florence. I’ll do whatever it takes to break free from this engagement,” Antoinette replied, her resolve hardening as she clenched her fists, unaware of the dark path she was stepping onto.

In a cruel twist, Florence ensnared Antoinette in an enchanted ring, sealing her essence within its depths. From within the ring, a deep madness leached through its seal. Antoinette wasn't the only one trapped in the ring; unfortunately, her identity began to fade, and as time passed, she grew more and more corrupt until there was little left of her or her memories. The princess's identity was replaced by a convincing illusion crafted by Florence, who charmed Cedric while plotting his demise.

Trapped within the ring, Antoinette found herself in a realm of swirling mist and shadows, utterly powerless to affect reality outside of its confines. Her spirit lingered, watching helplessly as Florence manipulated those around her, leading Cedric into a deadly trap.

As she witnessed the unfolding betrayal, a deep sorrow settled over her heart. This was not the adventure she had longed for, but rather a haunting prison of her own making.

In his final act of treachery, Florence painted a grand portrait of Antoinette, depicting her wearing a black and white jester mask, surrounded by her family in celebratory dress.

The painting radiated false joy, a mockery of the life Antoinette could have led. Florence titled the work “A Simple Self Portrait,” masking the truth of her entrapment behind vibrant colors and smiles.

Each stroke of his brush felt like a dagger to Antoinette’s heart, reminding her of the life she had lost, the dreams unfulfilled, and the betrayal that now defined her existence.

With Cedric dead and the cloak in his possession, Florence reveled in his victory while Antoinette remained trapped within the ring, a silent witness to the treachery that consumed her city.

Her legacy faded into myth, but the courage she embodied lingered, waiting for the day when her story would be reclaimed and her spirit set free. The irony of her ambition and the betrayal she endured echoed through the halls of her mind, a testament to the perilous nature of unchecked desire.

The End.

Asher put down the book and glanced over at Renee, wondering if she might have known more than she let on. It was surely not a coincidence that she had given him a book so clearly depicting his ring.

It was fishy, at the very least, if not directly intended.

Unfortunately, he wasn't able to inquire at present because Renee was snoring softly with her head on the table.

...what am I supposed to do? Should I wake her?

She just said she didn't mind and that it was a short story!

As if on cue, the evening skies chose now to begin weeping softly.

As the first raindrops fell, Asher felt his choices slowly disappear.

He walked over to Renee and politely shook her shoulder.

As if that would work!

“Renee?”

She didn't stir at all. He tried several times to shake her or speak to her, yet no luck.

He quickly gave up and picked Renee up in a princess carry, placing her on his bed.

Renee seemingly stirred awake, gave him a suggestive look, and teased,

“Oh, are you trying to whisk me away already?”

Asher felt his face turn red; she had never been asleep! How did he believe her act? It was only a couple of minutes since he started reading.

“My lady, perish the thought! I was just making sure you stayed dry.”

Renee laughed loudly; she seemed to have finished her ruthless teasing.