10. FOUNDED IN THE PAST

                                    

                                          
~ISSA
I glared at her with wide eyes as my wolf came alive inside of me—
Ready to be unleashed into the world at my very command. 
"What has gotten into you, Surya!" I yelled. 
It surprised me too that I had switched tones so suddenly. It was not like me but I could think about where this force came from some other time— for now, it seemed to be helping me. 
I saw the way Surya's chest began to rise and fall rapidly. She balled her hands into fists and I realised that she was fighting to control her emotions. 
"Those were my grandmother's dying words. . . They were all she ever cared about her entire life." Surya's tone darkened as she revealed this piece of information.
My heart skipped two beats and I struggled to act unfazed. 
How? How was this possible? How could this be connected to her dying grandmother? Why did I hear this from that strange person in the dark hallway?
I did not know it when tears filled up my eyes and my teeth began to tremble with an overwhelming emotion. Goosebumps scattered across my skin as I struggled to let out a word. 
"I don't understand. . ." Was all I was able to say as my wolf began to move in a dance of confusion.
"I should be the one confused. She was my grandmother. No one else knew about those lines because she kept it sacred in the family and made sure that my mother passed it down to me just like hers did to her." Surya paused and narrowed her eyes at me. "How do you know those exact words?" 
She was a maid in the castle and I was the supposed bride of the monster. The roles were supposed to be switched and I wasn't supposed to be shaken by her interrogation.
Yet I was. 
Was I to tell her the truth? That I heard someone whisper my real name? That I saw someone who defied the correct ways of the world? That I saw something that could only be classified as sorcery?
It made no sense to me and I did not expect it to make sense to her. 
Yet, I felt compelled to tell her the truth— to some extent. 
"Someone whispered it to me in the darkest part of the hallway. . . Apparently, it was a message I was supposed to understand. A message for me alone." I inhaled deeply and tried to turn the tables on her. "So if it was meant for me alone, why do you and your family claim to know about it?" 
She gasped as she widened her eyes as if something had suddenly clicked in her head. 
"No. . . No, it can't be true. . . So it was real all along?" She whispered more to herself than to me. 
"Wh— what was true?" 
She shook her head at me. "Are you Her?" 
I was taken aback by her question. "Her who? Wh— what do you mean? What are you talking about?" 
Surya released a shaky breath of realisation and began to nod her head continuously. She began to stare at me with teary eyes that also mirrored disbelief— like one would do if they came in contact with a legend. 
"You are Her. . ." Then she instantly went down on her knees and bowed to me. "I am at your service. I am your loyal servant and I will do whatever you ask of me. Even if it means that I have to die for you." 
I staggered back in shock as my mouth came open in disbelief. 
What was going on here? What was happening? 
One moment she was hostile and now, she was being loyal. 
I released a shaky breath as everything felt too much for me to take in. My heart resumed hammering hard as I glared at her. 
"Give me your first command," Surya stated, still in her bowed position. 
I inhaled deeply before facing Surya with a new resolve. "Look, whoever you think I am, I believe you're mistaken. I'm just a simple country girl—" 
I froze as I realised that I was about to sell my true identity to her again. Yes, she claimed to be loyal to me but I could not let my guard down and show her who I truly was. 
"I'm just Yulia and I want you to treat me like you would normally treat. . . A wolf princess." 
Surya rose to her feet and smiled at me. "I'm glad that I get to serve you. It's a great honor. Now I know why it was you who survived the first night with the King. You will save us all." 
I had heard this from Beta Miles and I was hearing it from Surya again. Why did they think I was going to save them? All I could think about was saving myself and getting back to my brother!
"I will prepare you a bath and cater to your every need," she bowed again before going into the washroom.
I sighed heavily and sank back into my bed. First I had a strange dream about drowning— which felt vividly real, by the way— and now, I had to face a strange maid who probably thought I was some legend from the past. 
Surya came back outside and gestured at the washroom. I rose from the bed and allowed her to dress me as she pleased. 
Today, I was given an emerald green dress. She went ahead to ornament my hair with a crescent moon jade. 
"You need to always look as physically appealing as ever. He seems drawn to your features, which is a good thing. It reduces your chance of dying. . ." Surya's voice was low as she dropped the tips. 
She stopped and admired her work on me. 
"Always remember to do unexpected things to him. He is moved by surprises as that is not something he gets every time. It could save you when you need it the most." 
She stepped aside and gestured at the way out. "I will now take you to have your breakfast in the main hall."
I nodded in response and she led me out of the room. 
My mind was filled with questions but I did not know how to start asking them, which was why I remained silent. 
We were just making it out of the wing of my bedroom when a maid suddenly appeared before us. She bowed to me immediately as a sign of respect before facing Surya. 
"We need your help," she cried.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE
I know, I've been inconsistent. It's really hard juggling my outside life with my Wattpad life but I must tell this story... it is very important that the world knows it, hehehehe!
After all, Silver can't keep tormenting my dreams alone! He must torment yours too!💀 hehehehe!