Chapter 1 The Lost Princess of Aeternum

Eight-Year-Old Serena's POV

Eight-year-old Serena was being put to bed by her mother. As usual, she requested a bedtime story.

"Mommy, can you tell me a story?" she asked with a yawn.

"Of course, baby, you know I always will. Which one do you want to hear?" her mother asked.

"The one about the lost princess."

Her mother laughed softly. "Why do you love listening to that one so much?"

"I don't know, I just love it," Serena replied, her voice tired.

"Okay, let's get into it."

Once upon a time, in the Golden Palace of Aeternum, preparations for the birth of the newborn princess were in full swing. The king and queen wanted this celebration to be remembered as the grandest in history. Staff members hurried about, tying up last-minute preparations. Meanwhile, the beautiful princess cooed happily in her nursery, undisturbed by the hustle and bustle.

But the peace was short-lived. As the celebrations began and aristocratic families filled the great hall, all eager to catch a glimpse of the royal heir, disaster struck. The music slowed to signal the princess's grand entrance-but instead of the princess, her hysterical governess burst into the hall, her dress drenched in blood.

"Your Royal Highnesses, she's gone!" she wailed, collapsing to her knees, staining the marble floors with her bloody palms.

"What are you talking about?" the queen demanded, as guards rushed to restrain the trembling woman.

"The princess... she's gone," the governess choked out. "I stained my dress and went to change, leaving the other nurses in charge. When I returned, the princess was gone-and the maids were dead."

The king and queen paled visibly before racing from the hall, presumably toward the nursery. Murmurs erupted among the guests, but the queen's piercing screams silenced them all.

"Where is my baby? Where is my baby?" she cried over and over. In the background, the king barked rapid orders at the guards.

"Dispatch every available soldier! Lock down the castle! Search the forest! The princess must be found!"

The guards' hurried footsteps echoed throughout the palace as they moved into action. Meanwhile, the doors to the great hall were sealed, preventing anyone from leaving.

Hours later, the guests were finally released, but the princess remained missing. Though her parents clung to hope, the princess of Aeternum was never found.

Serena wiped at her watery eyes. "Mommy, I pray they find their baby."

Her mother leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Okay, baby. But remember, it's just a story. Time to sleep."

She turned off the light, leaving Serena to dream of lost princesses and broken hearts.

---

Twelve Years Later

"Argh," I groaned as the force of their blows connected again and again with my body. Sharp cracks echoed with every hit to my ribs, and the metallic tang of blood coated my mouth.

"This is my problem with you," a voice sneered, almost unrecognizable through my haze of pain. "You never beg. You're too proud. But I'll break you."

The hits kept coming, but I refused to utter a sound. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction. I refused to lose my self-respect by begging these vile, heartless humans.

Eventually, they tired of their cruelty and left. Summoning all the strength I had, I forced myself to my feet and staggered home.

Every step was brutal. The exhaustion clung to me like chains, and it was a miracle I even made it back. Once there, I slipped into the warm water of the bathtub. The stinging pain from my bruises was sharp, but the water's embrace felt almost like comfort.

I couldn't help but feel relieved. Thoughts of my impending move filled my mind.

"Haven College... you might really become my haven."

From childhood to adulthood in this godforsaken town, I had known nothing but bullying, pain, and abandonment. Finally, a door to escape had opened.

Food was the last thing on my mind; the pain was too overwhelming. Thankfully, my mother wouldn't be home tonight to see the sorry state I was in.

I remembered the day I almost ended it all. I'd filled the bathtub and tried to drown myself. But I couldn't do it. Some stubborn flicker inside refused to give up. That same night, when I emerged, shivering and defeated, I checked my phone-and there it was. A notification from Haven College: Scholarship Accepted.

It became my reason to hold on.

---

Departure Day

A few weeks later, after successfully avoiding everyone, the day I'd been waiting for finally arrived.

I carried my last box to the car, the bright, clear sky mirroring my emotions perfectly. I had never felt so much hope.

Pushing the box into the trunk, I moved to the porch to grab my bag. I turned once to stare at the miserable house that had been my prison for years.

"Good riddance."

"Serena, what are you waiting for?" my mother called.

"Nothing, Ma. Just grabbing my bag," I said, quickly moving towards the car.

We drove off with the radio cranked up. I couldn't help but wonder why I, Serena Stone-the girl cursed with misfortune-had been given a scholarship to one of the most prestigious schools in the country.

My mother assured me it was fate. She had even found a job at Haven College, paying far better than her last. Things, for once, were looking up.

I slowly drifted off into a dreamless sleep as Haven Town grew closer.

---

Arrival at Haven

A few hours later, we drove into Haven. My heart thudded with a mix of excitement and nerves.

When we passed the "Welcome to Haven Town" sign, I couldn't help but gape at everything.

"Honey, calm down," my mother laughed. "You'll have plenty of time to explore."

"I know, Mum. I just can't help it," I said.

"Well, we're nearing a diner. Why don't we stop for dinner?"

At the mention of food, my stomach loudly agreed.

We entered the diner and were immediately assaulted by the mouthwatering smell of food.

As Mum placed our order, I felt eyes boring into my back. I turned to find a group of teens my age staring at me.

My first thought wasn't annoyance or fear-it was: They're beautiful.

I turned back to my mum and asked, "Is the water in Haven different?"

She looked at me like I had lost my mind. "What are you talking about?"

"Look around you," I whispered. "Everyone here is ridiculously beautiful."

She finally looked and her eyes widened.

"Well," she said, smiling, "seems like the people of Haven have been blessed with both looks and money. Now stop staring and order your food."

I grinned and placed my order: chicken nuggets and fries.

We chose to wait for our food at the counter instead of sitting. Once it was ready, we paid and headed off to what would be our new home.

All thoughts of the unnaturally beautiful people faded as excitement for the life ahead consumed me.