Chapter 23: Chapter 23

KAMORA

Kamora sat in the kitchen, her mind consumed by the events of the day. She had lost track of time, sitting in the enveloping silence, her inability to sleep stemming from her fear of nightmares and the memories she was starting to remember.

The kitchen door creaked open, the sound slicing through the silence and snapping Kamora from her thoughts. Her hand flew to her chest, heart hammering, breath caught mid-air—until her eyes settled on the figure in the doorway.

“Petal,” she whispered, shoulders easing as the tension drained from her face.

Petal inched into the room on the balls of her feet, gently pulling the door shut behind her with a soft click. She turned—only to freeze at the sight of Kamora.

Her brows knit, head tilting slightly, as if trying to make sense of what she was seeing.

“Kamora?” she asked, going over to her. “What are you doing here?”

Kamora managed a weak smile. “I couldn’t sleep,” she said.

Petal brought over another stool and sat down, her face etched with concern.

“What are you doing here?” Kamora asked.

“I was thirsty. I came out to see if I could have a glass of water,” Petal replied.

“Oh,” Kamora exclaimed, nodding her head.

“So what’s going on?” Petal inquired.

Kamora sighed, struggling to find the right words. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Is it that bad? Are you not enjoying your work with the young lord?” Petal asked.

“No, not at all. The young lord is a sweet child. Not a day with him is ever boring,” Kamora said.

She sighed again. “But there’s something else…”

“What is it?” Petal asked.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever told you,” Kamora started after a long time had passed between them, “but I lost my memory.”

Petal stared at her, her mounting confusion evident on her face.

Kamora sighed again, then continued. “Eight years ago, I was found barely alive in the forest by some men. They took care of me, and when I woke up, I realized I knew nothing about myself except my name.”

Kamora glanced down at her fingers, stretching and clenching them. “For the past eight years, I just went on with my life, not bothering to discover my real identity.”

“Why?” Petal asked.

“Because I assumed that whatever life I left behind, the one that left me nearly dead in the forest, wasn’t worth going back to. It had to be dangerous, and I didn’t want to return to it.”

“So what happened?”

“Ever since I came to this manor, I have been having strange dreams. And every time—” She paused, trying to gather her thoughts.

“What happens every time?” Petal pressed.

Kamora faced her friend. The fear and confusion she had felt ever since leaked into her gaze. “I keep hearing Lord Maroke’s voice. I hear him calling out for me.”

Petal stared at her, her look inscrutable.

“I have been having dreams of someone calling my name before I even started working in this manor,” Kamora continued, “but then, it wasn’t as horrid as it is now, and the voice is still there, one that I now recognize belongs to Lord Maroke.”

“You think he’s somehow connected to your past, to your accident?”

“I fear he is,” Kamora replied, her voice quivering. “And I don’t know what to do. I can’t leave the young lord alone. I’ve grown too attached to him.”

The friends remained silent. The air around them was frigid.

“I had another dream this night,” Kamora suddenly said.

“What was it about?” Petal asked gently.

“I remembered something from my past. I made a deal with Lord Maroke. I don’t know the details, but I looked worn out and ragged. I’ve been to this mansion before, that is why it had always felt so familiar.”

“Wow,” Petal said, seemingly speechless. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk to him about this?”

“And say what? I’m not sure he remembers me. He hasn’t done anything to indicate that he does. Even if he did, I might be too insignificant for him to recall, and it was eight years ago.”

“But he made a deal with you, and it had to be a serious one if he agreed while you looked tattered. Why aren’t you trying to find out?”

Kamora sighed and ran her hand through her hair. “I don’t know. I’m so confused right now.”

“You should talk to him. If possible, speak with Claudia. She might know something.”

“But you told me Claudia dislikes me,” Kamora said.

“True.” Petal shrugged. “You can ask his personal assistant then. That handsome man who follows him almost everywhere.”

“Petal, he is far older than you.”

“That doesn’t make him any less handsome,” she said with a suggestive shake of her brows.

Kamora couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re right,” she said. “But the last time I tried to talk to him, he made an excuse and left.”

“Try again,” Petal pushed. “You have the opportunity.”

“I will,” Kamora replied meekly. “Thank you so much. It means a lot.”

“No problem.”

Petal stood up and walked over to the sink. She picked up a small wooden cup that lay next to it, rinsed the cup, and fetched water from a closed bowl beside her.

“Just remember me when he finally marries you.”

“Marries?” Kamora exclaimed, shocked. “What do you mean by that?”

Petal drained the cup and let out a satisfied sigh, then placed the cup back where she found it. She turned around to face Kamora with a smirk.

“Kamora dear, you’re the object of envy for every maid here. You’ve accomplished something even Claudia couldn’t.”

Kamora cringed. “Don’t you think Claudia is too old for that?”

“Exactly,” Petal grinned. “She’s been here for too long and hasn’t gotten as close to Lord Maroke as you have in just a few weeks.”

“Lord Maroke is clearly interested in you.”

Kamora laughed, though her heart was filled with anxiety. “I don’t think so. I’m not sure he’s capable of feeling anything. His features are always so stoic.”

“Perhaps he’s just good at hiding it.”

Kamora wasn’t convinced. “Still, there’s nothing going on between me and Lord Maroke. It can never happen. It’s nothing short of an imagination.”

“But something did happen between you two in the past. Fate has brought you back together.”