The days in the castle seemed to stretch endlessly, each hour blurring into the next. The guest chamber, once a place of curiosity and hope, now felt like a gilded cell. The stone walls, adorned with faded tapestries and high, narrow windows, pressed in on Sheenah and Leah, making the air feel heavy and stale.
Sheenah sat on the edge of the bed, the midnight-blue book resting in her lap like a weight she couldn't set down. She turned it over in her hands, tracing the embossed patterns on the cover, searching for any sign of the words that had once filled its pages. But the book remained stubbornly blank, its secrets vanished as if they had never existed.
Leah paced the length of the room, her footsteps echoing in the silence. She stopped by the window, staring out at the snow-covered courtyard below, then turned back to Sheenah with worry etched across her face.
"Sheenah? What will happen to us? Can we still go back home?" Leah's voice was small, almost childlike, and it made Sheenah's heart ache.
Sheenah shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know, Leah. I wish I did." She hesitated, then asked, "Why were you in my apartment that night?"
Leah sighed, rubbing her arms as if to ward off a chill. "I forgot to give you your salary. I ran into our boss on my way home, and he told me to deliver it to you—advance payment, he said. Your door wasn't locked, so I just let myself in. I saw you… being swallowed by that portal. I was so scared, Sheenah. I didn't know what to do, so I just ran after you. I couldn't let you go alone."
Sheenah managed a weak smile. "Thank you for coming after me, even if it means we're both stuck here."
Leah fished an envelope from her pocket and handed it over. "Here. I've been keeping this safe, just in case." Sheenah took the envelope, her fingers trembling as she tucked it away.
"Sheenah, I'm scared. I don't want to die here," Leah whispered, tears glimmering in her eyes.
"We won't," Sheenah said, trying to sound braver than she felt. "We'll find a way. We have to."
She stood up and crossed to the window, staring out at the unfamiliar world beyond. Her mind spun with memories of the book—the Duke's loneliness, his icy curse, the way his sacrifices had gone unseen until it was too late. She had pitied him as a character, but now, knowing he was real and that she was caught in his world, the story felt heavier, more dangerous.
A sudden clang jolted them both. The door swung open, and two guards entered, their faces as impassive as ever. "His Grace will see you now," one announced.
Sheenah and Leah exchanged a nervous glance, then followed the guards through the winding corridors. The castle was a maze of stone and shadow, and every turn seemed colder than the last. At last, they entered the grand chamber, where Duke Theodore waited, his posture rigid, his eyes sharp with suspicion.
He wasted no time. "Sit," he commanded, gesturing to the chairs before him. The girls obeyed, their hearts pounding.
The Duke's gaze was relentless. "I have given you time to consider your story. Now, you will answer my questions—truthfully, or face the consequences. Who are you? Where did you come from? How did you come in here?"
Sheenah took a deep breath, clutching the book. "My name is Sheenah, and my friend's name is Leah. I told you before, Your Grace—we're not from this world. We're from Earth. I got this book from an old man in a shop back home. He said it was special, and when I finished reading it, something strange happened. I heard a voice, and then… we were here."
The Duke's jaw tightened. "And you expect me to believe you simply appeared in my realm, carrying a book that tells my life's secrets? Earth? There is no place in this world called Earth."
Sheenah nodded, desperation sharpening her voice. "I know it sounds impossible, but it's the truth. The book—your curse—it's all in there. Your heart turning to ice, the pain, the loneliness. I read it all."
He extended a gloved hand. "Give me the book."
Sheenah hesitated, then handed it over. The Duke took it, his eyes narrowing at the intricate cover. He opened to the first page—and froze. The pages were blank. He flipped through, faster and faster, his movements growing more agitated. Every page was empty. Not a single word remained.
He snapped the book shut and glared at Sheenah, fury simmering in his voice. "Ha! Do you take me for a fool? Is this some new magic, some trick to gain my trust? You claim to know my story, yet you present me with an empty book!"
Sheenah's heart dropped. "No! I swear, the words were there. I read them, every night. I don't know why they're gone—"
The Duke slammed the book onto the table, his voice icy. "Enough. I have no patience for liars or spies. Until I discover the truth, you will remain under guard. If you are working for my enemies, you will regret ever setting foot in this castle."
Leah reached for Sheenah's hand, her own trembling. "Please, Your Grace, we're telling the truth. We don't know how this happened."
But the Duke had already turned away, his back rigid with anger and suspicion. "Take them back. Double the watch." He stopped and threw the book at them. It landed at Sheenah's feet with a dull thud.
As the guards led them out, Sheenah's mind reeled. The book had brought her here—she was certain of it. She picked it up, flipping through the pages, but they remained stubbornly blank. With the Duke's trust shattered, she wondered if she would ever find her way home… or if she and Leah were trapped in a story that no longer wanted to be told.
Back in their chamber, Leah collapsed onto the bed, covering her face with her hands. "Sheenah," she said in a scared, shaky voice, "what are we going to do?"
Sheenah handed the book to Leah, who flipped through the pages just as the Duke had. "Sheenah, h-how? Why is it empty? This was our only hope to go home." Sheenah just lowered her head, unable to answer.
"Does this mean we're stuck here?" Leah's voice was barely a whisper.
Sheenah sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her friend's shoulders. "I don't know. But I'm not giving up. There has to be a reason we're here. Maybe the book is waiting for something… or someone."
Leah sniffled, wiping her eyes. "What if the Duke never believes us? What if he decides we're a threat?"
Sheenah shook her head. "I don't know. But I remember something from the story—the Duke was always searching for answers, even when everyone doubted him. Maybe if we can help him with his curse, he'll start to trust us."
Leah looked doubtful. "How? We don't have magic. We don't even know how this world works."
Sheenah glanced at the book, determination flickering in her eyes. "We have to try. If the book brought us here, maybe it's not done with us yet. Maybe there's something we're supposed to do."
A knock sounded at the door, softer than before. A young maid entered, carrying a tray of bread and soup. She set it down, her eyes darting nervously between the girls and the book.
"His Grace says you are not to leave this room," she whispered, voice trembling. "But… if you need anything, I can try to help. My name is Maya."
Sheenah managed a grateful smile. "Thank you, Maya. Can you tell us anything about the Duke's curse?"
Maya hesitated, glancing at the door. "People say his heart is turning to ice. He used to be kinder, but now… he's cold to everyone. Some think it's a punishment from the gods. Others say it's dark magic. But no one knows for sure."
Sheenah nodded, filing away the information. "Thank you. That helps."
Maya gave a quick, nervous curtsy and slipped out, leaving the girls alone once more.
As night fell, Sheenah sat by the window, the blank book open in her lap. She traced the empty pages, whispering a silent plea to whatever magic had brought her here.
If you can hear me… if there's still a story left to tell… show me the way.
The blue moon rose high over the castle, casting its pale light through the window. For a moment, Sheenah thought she saw the faintest shimmer on the page—a glimmer of hope in a world of shadows.
She closed her eyes, holding onto that hope. Tomorrow, she promised herself, she would find a way to change their fate. For Leah. For herself. And maybe, just maybe, for the Duke whose story was not yet finished.