VEILED LIFE

Chapter One My lady, it’s time to wash your face.” Viliana frowned as the morning sun filtered through the curtains, its golden rays settling gently across her face. She had returned to the Mark Estate only yesterday after thirteen long years away, and the unfamiliar comfort of the room had allowed her to sleep more deeply than she had in years. She buried her face deeper into the pillow. “Come back later,” she murmured. “I’ll send for you when I’m ready.” “My lady?” “You heard me.” The maids exchanged uncertain glances before bowing and quietly leaving the room. Silence settled around her. Viliana slowly sat up and let her gaze wander across the room. Very little had changed. The carved wardrobe still stood beside the window. The shelves remained lined with books she had once loved as a child. Even the embroidered curtains were the same pale blue she remembered. It felt as though time had stood still while she had been forced to move on. A faint smile touched her lips before fading just as quickly. Home. She had dreamed of returning countless times, yet now that she was here, the estate no longer felt like home. Every familiar corner carried memories she would rather forget. Her eyes drifted toward the dressing table. Something thin and smoking rested there. She climbed out of bed. “Incense?” A sweet fragrance lingered in the air. Her curiosity deepened as she looked around. More incense burned quietly in every corner of the room. Why would anyone place so much incense here? “That incense is meant to suppress unclean spirits.” Viliana turned sharply. Maya leaned casually against the doorway, a playful smile spreading across her face. “What unclean spirits are you talking about?” “Oh, don’t pretend with me, big sister.” Maya stepped into the room, her eyes roaming over the burning incense. “No one else is here. You don’t have to act.” “You entered my room without permission just to say something so ridiculous?” “I only find it amusing.” Maya folded her arms. “I wonder how many unclean spirits you’ve dealt with over the years.” Viliana’s jaw tightened. She met Maya’s gaze but remained silent. “And don’t look at me as though you’re about to perform an exorcism.” The silence between them stretched. For a moment, Viliana almost answered. Instead, she looked away. Some arguments were simply not worth having. Maya shrugged. “I’ll leave you to prepare yourself. After all…” A knowing smile crossed her lips. “…today should be very interesting.” She turned and disappeared down the corridor. Viliana released a slow breath. She still couldn’t understand why her father had suddenly sent for her after all these years. He had left her behind once. Why bring her back now? Whatever his reason was, she doubted she would remain in this estate for long. A short while later, the maids returned and helped her into a flowing cream-colored gown embroidered with delicate silver thread. Just as they finished, a knock sounded at the door. Lord Mark entered. He paused just inside the doorway. For several moments, he simply looked at his daughter. Time had changed them both. Viliana noticed the silver beginning to appear at his temples, the deep lines that had settled across his face, and the weariness hidden behind his eyes. He looked older than she remembered. Older… and burdened. “Leave us,” he said quietly. The maids bowed before slipping out of the room. Another silence followed. Neither father nor daughter knew where to begin. At last, Lord Mark reached into the sleeve of his robe and carefully placed a folded white silk scarf on the table between them. “Wear this instead,” he said. His voice was gentle. “Use it to cover your hair.” Viliana lowered her eyes to the scarf. Its white silk shimmered softly beneath the morning light. Then he added, “You’re coming with me to the palace.” She wasn’t surprised. No one summoned an abandoned daughter home without a purpose. “I know…” Lord Mark began before stopping himself. He drew in a slow breath. “I know you’re still angry with me.” His eyes never met hers. “But everything I did…” His voice almost broke. “…I did to protect you.” Viliana wanted to ask him from what. She wanted to ask why protecting her had meant abandoning her. Why he had never once come to see her. Why thirteen years had passed without an explanation. Yet none of those questions left her lips. She simply stood there. Silent. Lord Mark gave a faint nod, as though he had expected nothing else. “I’ll wait outside.” He turned and left. The door closed softly behind him. Almost immediately, the tears she had held back filled her eyes. She wanted to hate him. She had every reason to. Yet seeing the guilt on his face had stirred something she had spent years trying to bury. A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts. “My lady?” One of the maids stepped forward, reaching toward the scarf wrapped around Viliana’s head. “I’ll help you tie the new one.” Viliana gently caught her wrist. “I’ll finish dressing myself.” The maid immediately lowered her hand. “As you wish, my lady.” After the maids left, Viliana walked slowly toward the mirror. For several moments, she simply stared at her reflection. Then, with careful fingers, she untied the faded scarf she had worn for years. The cloth slipped into her hands. She stood motionless. A mixture of sorrow and fear flickered across her face. No. Not even here. Not yet. She reached for the white silk scarf Lord Mark had given her. Slowly, she wrapped it around her hair, making certain every strand remained hidden beneath the smooth white fabric. Only after she was completely satisfied did she lower her hands. The girl staring back at her looked no different from before. And that was exactly how it had to remain. Thirteen years had passed since that dreadful day… Yet the secret hidden beneath the white silk scarf could never be allowed to come to light. The royal palace, once known for its music and lively court, had fallen into an uneasy silence. Even the servants walked with lighter steps, as though they feared making too much noise. Guards stood at every entrance with tense expressions, their hands never straying far from the hilts of their swords. The scent of burning herbs and sacred incense lingered throughout the corridors, masking neither the fear nor the uncertainty that hung over the palace. For weeks, whispers had replaced laughter. Everyone knew the crown prince was dying. Outside the prince’s chamber, royal physicians waited with lowered heads while attendants hurried in and out carrying bowls of steaming herbs, fresh bandages, and sacred talismans. None of it had made any difference. Inside the chamber, the air was unnaturally cold. The curtains billowed despite the closed windows. Candles flickered violently, casting restless shadows across the walls. The young prince lay restrained upon his bed. Dark veins crept across his neck and disappeared beneath his robes, pulsing as though something alive moved beneath his skin. His breathing came in uneven gasps. Suddenly his body arched. A deep growl escaped his throat. It wasn’t human. One of the younger attendants instinctively stepped backward, clutching the protective charm around her neck. The king stood beside his son’s bed, his face drawn with exhaustion. Sleepless nights had left dark circles beneath his eyes, yet he refused to leave his son’s side. “There must be something else we can do,” he said quietly. The High Priestess lowered her head respectfully. “Your Majesty, we have exhausted nearly every means known to us.” She glanced briefly at the prince before continuing. “Priests from every province have performed sacred rites. Priestesses have offered purification ceremonies day and night. Monks have spent days in prayer and fasting. Even shamans from the northern mountains were summoned.” She paused. “None has succeeded.” As if angered by her words, the prince let out another agonizing scream. The flames around the room bent sharply before settling again. Silence followed. The king’s fists tightened. “There must be someone.” The High Priestess hesitated. “There is… one final hope.” The king looked toward her immediately. “The Prophetess once spoke of a Divine Exorcist.” She spoke carefully, almost reverently. “A soul chosen by the heavens to stand against darkness when all others fail.” The king’s expression brightened for the first time in days. “Then send for this Divine Exorcist.” A shadow crossed the priestess’s face. “If only it were that simple.” She lowered her eyes. “The prophecy revealed no name… no family… no kingdom.” “It tells us only that the Divine Exorcist exists.” “For years, many have searched, but no one knows who this chosen person truly is.” The king looked back at his son. “If the prophecy speaks truth…” His voice was barely above a whisper. “…then we will continue searching until we find this person.” The High Priestess nodded. “It is our only hope.” A knock sounded at the chamber door. A eunuch entered and bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, Lord Mark has arrived with his daughter. They await your audience.” “Lord Mark…” the king repeated thoughtfully. “It has been many years.” He straightened. “Escort them to my private chamber. Tell them I shall receive them shortly.” “At once, Your Majesty.” The eunuch bowed and departed. The High Priestess also stepped back. “With your permission, Your Majesty.” The king nodded absently, his attention never leaving the prince. She quietly left the chamber. As she made her way through the corridor leading toward the royal audience chambers, hushed voices drifted from around the corner. Several palace maids had gathered near a row of carved pillars. “I pray they don’t assign me to the prince’s wing again tonight,” one whispered. Another maid shivered. “I couldn’t bear it. Yesterday, I heard His Highness laughing… then crying… and then speaking in a voice that wasn’t his own.” A third maid quickly made a protective sign over her chest. “They’ve brought everyone.” “Priests.” “Priestesses.” “Monks.” “Even shamans.” “And still nothing.” “I heard one priest fainted before he could even begin the ritual.” “That’s nothing,” another whispered. “One of the shamans left before sunrise and swore never to return to this palace again.” The women fell silent as two palace guards approached. One of the guards sighed. “You ladies should spend less time gossiping.” One maid lowered her voice. “But… is it true?” “The rumor about His Majesty?”