The Nightmare
1285 Words
The capital was still drowning in fear after the sudden destruction of the Watson family.
No one knew who had poisoned them.
No one knew why.
And most importantly, no one knew who would be next.
Inside the royal palace, Prince Robert David, the third son of King David, sat quietly in his chamber. Unlike his brothers, Robert rarely involved himself in court affairs. His weak health had kept him away from most political matters, but that did not mean he was unaware of what was happening around him.
A servant entered the room and bowed.
“Your Highness, we have received an update regarding the Watson family.”
Robert slowly raised his eyes.
“Have they discovered the murderer?”
The servant shook his head.
“Not yet, Your Highness. The investigation has not revealed who poisoned them. However, the investigators have found something suspicious.”
Robert's expression changed slightly.
“What is it?”
“They suspect Robin Watson, the younger brother of the late Martin Watson.”
Robert remained silent.
“Robin Watson has been taken into custody for questioning,” the servant continued. “The investigators believe he may know something about what happened.”
Robert leaned back in his chair.
“Do they have proof?”
“No, Your Highness. Nothing conclusive yet.”
For a moment, the room fell silent.
Robert looked toward the window, where the lights of the capital flickered in the distance.
The Watson family had been one of the most respected families in Veronica.
Their sudden destruction could not be ignored.
After a long silence, Robert finally spoke.
“Something is going to change in the capital.”
The servant looked at him with confusion.
“Your Highness?”
Robert's gaze remained fixed on the distant capital.
“I don't know what it is yet…”
He paused.
“But I can feel it.”
“The death of the Watson family may be the beginning of something much bigger.”
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The temple stood halfway between the village and the capital, a magnificent ancient sanctuary visited by travelers, nobles, and villagers alike. At its heart served Father Grey, one of the most respected priests in Veronica.
That night, while Eva rested inside the temple, Ruby and Tina were quietly talking in the corridor.
“Do you think Miss Eva is feeling any better?” Tina whispered.
“I hope so,” Ruby replied. “She has already suffered too much.”
Suddenly—
A terrible scream echoed through the temple.
Ruby and Tina froze.
“What was that?”
They immediately rushed toward the sound.
A crowd had gathered near the main prayer hall. People stood frozen in shock, staring at something on the floor.
Father Grey.
The beloved priest was lying motionless.
He was dead.
“Oh my God…” Tina whispered.
Before anyone could react, Eva came running toward them.
“What happened?” she cried. “Why is everyone gathered here?”
Her eyes fell upon Father Grey.
She stopped breathing.
“Father Grey…”
She covered her mouth, trembling.
“Who did this?”
Her voice broke.
“Why is this happening? First my family… and now Father Grey?”
Eva's eyes filled with tears.
“Was someone following me? Is someone coming after me?”
Ruby quickly held her.
“Miss Eva, please calm down.”
But Eva couldn't stop shaking.
Father Grey had been known throughout Veronica for his kindness. He had helped the poor, supported struggling families, and even arranged marriages for young girls who had no one to care for them.
He had no known enemies.
So why had someone murdered him?
Soon, royal officers arrived and sealed the temple.
They searched every corner, questioned witnesses, and examined the scene.
But they found almost nothing.
No clear evidence. No obvious suspect. No answer.
The investigation continued for nearly twenty days.
During those days, Eva barely spoke.
She cried for her father.
She cried for Ethan.
And now she cried for Father Grey.
“Miss, please rest,” Ruby whispered one evening. “You've suffered too many shocks already.”
Tina gently placed a hand on Eva's shoulder.
“You don't have to carry everything alone.”
Eva slowly wiped her tears.
For once, she said nothing.
She simply stared into the darkness outside the window.
Her heart was exhausted.
But somewhere deep inside her mind, one terrifying thought remained.
Someone was killing the people around her.
And Eva had no idea who would be next
_________________________________
“Eva…”
A familiar voice echoed through the darkness.
“Eva, my child…”
Eva turned around.
Her mother was standing in front of her.
Her face was pale, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Mother?”
Eva tried to run toward her, but suddenly everything around them began turning red.
The walls.
The floor.
Her mother's dress.
Everything was covered in blood.
“Eva… help me…”
Her mother's trembling voice echoed through the darkness.
“Mother!”
Eva screamed.
She suddenly opened her eyes.
She sat upright in bed, breathing heavily, her heart pounding against her chest.
It had only been a dream.
Another nightmare.
But it wasn't the first time.
For the past two years, Eva had been seeing the same terrifying dream again and again. Her mother calling her. The blood. The fear in her mother's eyes.
Every time she woke up, she felt as though she had truly lived through it.
Eva wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
“Why do I keep seeing this?”
A few moments later, Ruby entered the room.
“Miss Eva, are you alright?”
Eva looked at her anxiously.
“Did you find out anything about Father Grey's murder?”
Ruby hesitated.
“Not much, Miss. The investigators have arrested one suspect.”
“Who?”
“Father Grey's personal student. They believe he wanted to take Father Grey's position. Perhaps that was his motive.”
Eva's expression darkened.
“Where is he now?”
“They're taking him to the capital for further investigation.”
Eva immediately stood.
“Then we should leave too.”
Tina looked surprised.
“So soon?”
“Yes.”
Eva glanced toward the window.
“The sooner we reach the capital, the safer we'll be.”
The carriage departed shortly afterward.
By the time they reached the capital gates, the atmosphere was completely different from the city Eva remembered.
Silence hung over the streets.
The Watson estate was covered in white cloth.
Everywhere she looked, there were signs of mourning.
Eva stepped inside.
The sight of her family's bodies broke whatever strength she had left.
“Father…”
She rushed forward, tears streaming down her face.
“Who did this to you?”
Her voice cracked.
“Who could be so cruel? Who killed my father?”
Her legs suddenly gave way.
Eva collapsed.
“Miss Eva!”
Ruby and Tina caught her before she hit the floor.
They carried her to her bedroom.
Hours later, the door opened.
A young man stood there with tears in his eyes.
“Sister… what happened?”
It was Kevin.
Eva's seventeen-year-old younger brother.
He had spent most of his teenage years at the Imperial Academy and had rarely lived with the family. Because of that, his connection to the household was not as deep as Eva's.
But seeing his family destroyed before him was still enough to break him.
Kevin covered his face and began to cry.
Neither sibling knew it yet, but the tragedy had changed their lives forever.
And somewhere beneath the grief, Eva's nightmare was beginning to feel less like a dream and more like a warning.
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