The celebration in Wrenford had been short but sweet. As the evening drew on, the villagers slowly returned to their homes, content with the joy they'd shared, and the weight that had been lifted from their hearts. Caelia, surrounded by the warmth of their love, had felt something stir within her—a sense of belonging she hadn't known she'd missed so much.
When the last of the villagers had gone, Mira bid Caelia goodbye, promising to see her again in the morning. "Don't overdo it, Caelia," she teased as she waved, a playful glint in her eyes. "Rest. You've earned it."
Caelia smiled softly, nodding. She had every intention of resting—but when night fell, she found herself unable to sleep. Her mind raced with possibilities, with thoughts of the future, of what had brought her here. The gods had given her a second chance, and she was determined not to waste it.
The next morning, Caelia was already up before the sun had fully risen, her mind still churning with the thoughts of what she could do. She quietly dressed, preparing herself for the day ahead. She couldn't afford to waste any more time.
As soon as she arrived at Mira's cottage, she was greeted by Mira's mother, who looked her over with a stern expression. "Caelia Rynn," she scolded, her hands on her hips. "You've just gotten better! You should be resting, not running about like this." Her voice softened, though, when she saw the concern in Caelia's eyes. "I know you're eager to get back to work, but you have to take it slow. Your body needs time to heal."
Caelia smiled sheepishly, not wanting to upset Mira's mother. "I'm fine, truly. I just wanted to check in on Mira. I'll take it easy today, I promise."
Mira's mother seemed unconvinced but relented, leading Caelia inside where breakfast awaited. The two friends ate together, catching up as Mira's mother chided them gently for talking too much over their meal. The simple breakfast was a comforting reminder of the life Caelia had once known—a life of peace, of community.
After breakfast, Mira suggested they head to her father's farm to help with the morning chores. It was a small farm, but it provided enough for their family, and Mira had always taken pride in helping out. Caelia was happy to go along, still feeling the effects of the good food and the energy that Mira seemed to radiate. The farm smelled fresh, the air thick with the earthy scent of the land. Caelia could hear Mira humming a tune, content in her work, as they gathered the morning's harvest.
It was while they were working that Mira suddenly stopped, her gaze catching something in the distance. The sound of voices reached her ears, and she walked over, subtly listening in on a conversation between two of the farmhands.
"I heard the royal palace is looking for new maids," one of the men said. "A lot of them have quit, and they're in need of more hands."
The other man nodded. "Aye. They say the King's advisors are searching for young women from the villages to come to the palace and serve. They'll take anyone with the right skills, from what I hear. They even say it's a good way to get a better life if you can work your way up."
Mira stood frozen, her heart racing. She turned to look at her father, who had overheard the conversation as well. She was about to ask him about the rumor when her father, seeing her wide-eyed expression, nodded gravely. "It's true, Mira. The palace has been looking for maids for a while now. They've been sending word to all the villages."
Mira blinked in surprise. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," he said with a heavy sigh. "They need people. It's not just for the palace, either. It's for the court, the nobility, and anyone who's connected to the royal family."
Mira felt a knot form in her stomach. The royal palace. The very thought of it felt both distant and close. She had never imagined being in such a world—let alone sending her best friend there. But as the reality of the opportunity settled in, Mira couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with worry.
Later that afternoon, Mira returned to Caelia's cottage, her face a mix of confusion and intrigue. "Caelia," she said, her voice a little shaky. "I heard something today... Something that might change everything."
Caelia looked up, the moment of anticipation hanging in the air. "What happened?"
Mira explained everything she had overheard, her words coming out in a rush. "They say the royal palace is looking for maids. Not just any maids—women who might have skills, who might even work their way up to something more. They're taking women from villages, Caelia."
Caelia's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. She had been reborn with one goal in mind: to change her fate. She couldn't stay in Wrenford forever. She couldn't risk falling into the same fate she had before. She had to do something different, something bold. And here, right in front of her, was an opportunity.
Without a second thought, Caelia stood, her decision made. "I'm going to the palace, Mira," she said, her voice steady and determined.
Mira's face went pale with concern. "Caelia... are you sure? It's the palace. You could—"
"I have to go," Caelia interrupted softly. "I can't stay here, not if I want to change what happened before. If this is my chance... I have to take it."
Mira hesitated, biting her lip. "But it's dangerous. What if it's not what they say? What if it's all a trap? You don't know what life is really like in the palace."
Caelia looked at her, her expression firm. "I know it's risky, but I don't have a choice, Mira. This is my only chance to change everything. I won't let it slip away."
Mira hesitated a moment longer, her protective instincts kicking in. But seeing the determination in her friend's eyes, she knew there was no changing her mind.
"I'll support you," Mira said softly, her voice full of concern. "But you have to be careful, Caelia. Promise me you'll be careful."
Caelia smiled, her heart full of gratitude. "I promise. And thank you, Mira. I couldn't do this without you."
With that, Caelia knew what she had to do. She had taken the first step toward her new future—away from the past, away from the life that had led to her death. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: she was ready for whatever it brought.