[Continue from Chapter 1 .....]
The alarm blared again—
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na… life is dynamite!
"Shut up!" I groaned, slapping the clock so hard it nearly fell off the table.
Silence.
I collapsed back onto the pillow, staring at the ceiling. My heart still hammered like I had actually fallen from that cliff.
But what was wrong with my fingers?
They still tingled… as if I had really touched him. As if his warmth still lingered where our hands had almost met.
"…Ugh." I covered my face with both hands.
"Why does my brain create men like that only in dreams?
And why do I fall off cliffs the second I get close to them?! "
"Stupid."
Dragging myself out of bed, my feet touched the cold floor.
The room was dim; only the faint early Paris light pressed against the curtains.
Today was supposed to be simple. Easy. Just a flight from France to Russia— a long-awaited reunion.
My childhood best friend, my dearest cousin's wedding.
"Wooo- wooo"
I pushed the curtain aside.
Foggy Paris streets.
A soft morning drizzle.
People rushing by with umbrellas, looking like little black mushrooms moving through the mist.
And for a moment—only a moment— I imagined him standing at the street corner.
Black suit. Black gloves. Hair scattered over his forehead. Those dark brown eyes watching me through the fog.
I cough.
Now what is this supposed to mean?
Am I really going to start seeing dream-ghosts—No—handsome ghosts—in real life now?
Just because I'm single
doesn't mean I'm going to start dating a boyfriend straight out of my dreams.
I stepped away, pulling my suitcase upright.
My phone vibrated.
One unread message— from last night.
From Advik:
"I know you must have seen Miss Rimjhik's post as well,
So please drop the idea of going there alone. As soon as I finish my work here, I'll come to pick you up.
Sir has given special instructions that you should take care of your safety."
I stared at the message longer than I should have. And if you're reading this, you'd feel I'm some spoiled princess.
Well… I am a princess. But spoiled? No. Just a princess who want love ,freedom.
I'm in Paris because I love art and painting so much that I rebelled against my uncle for the first time— and the result was four years of hostel-to-college and college-to-hostel life.
But today, I'm stepping out with a full-proof plan.
This time, Nora will live this journey on her own terms.
I pushed my suitcase toward the door.
Before stepping out, I paused.
My reflection stared back from the mirror— sleep-mussed hair, and somehow… a faint aroma still clinging to my skin.
A chill ran down my spine.
'Why… why did it still smell like that?'
"Arabian Jasmine."
I froze, breath growing soft and uneven.
"…This is crazy," I whispered. "It's just leftover perfume. Obviously."
My phone rang suddenly, making me jump.
The airport taxi was waiting downstairs.
I grabbed my bag.
One last look around the room— then wrapped my scarf around my face and put on my hat.
But there was still something my eyes hadn't noticed until now… white trumpet flowers lying in the corner of my bed.
Before leaving, I knocked on the room beside mine. The door opened, revealing Margaret, the pink-haired girl.
She gave me a pass, smiled warmly and said in French,
" « Bon voyage, ma chère. »"
("Have a nice trip, dear.")
Because of Margaret's pass, I was finally free from the hostel's restrictions, opened the metaphorical cage door… and flew out.
Zoom… The plane lifted off— higher, brighter— as if my wings were finally spreading across the sky.
"I'm coming, MOSCOW…"
"Nora is coming ..."
I set my blazer aside, slipped on my headphones, and leaned back in my seat.
Outside the window, clouds drifted like pale cotton fields. The music in my ears softened, spreading warmth through my chest.
My eyes grew heavy…
And the world around me dimmed—
By the time I blinked again, the plane was gone.
I was standing before the same waterfall from my last dreams.
Music?
But I was listening to music on the plane…
so what am I doing here now?
Oh —don't tell me that handsome ghost…
is he playing the music too?
From behind a waterfall of all places?
As soon as my fingertips brushed the falling water, it pulled me in— like a door swallowing me whole.
Darkness.
Cold.
A completely different world.
This place was nothing but icy air and endless night.
My breath turned white. My arms instinctively wrapped around myself.
It's so cold here.
Thank God I didn't remove my boots on the plane...
The music was clearer now, drifting from somewhere far ahead.
A faint glow shimmered in that direction.
I walked toward it, teeth almost chattering.
A massive iron gate appeared first— old, carved, half-lit by a single lamp hanging above.
"Hello? Is someone here…?"
No answer.
I touched the gate.
It swung open on its own. ("Creeeak…")
"…Automatic? Seriously? But it looks centuries old…"
As I stepped in, the door shut behind me with a loud thud.
"HUH!.. huuuu" (Scared EXHALE )
"What is this?"
"Like 90s horror movie— a horror scene is happening with romantic music playing in the background."
Suddenly—
every light in the palace yard flickered on.
A gasp escaped me.
As the lights blinked on, the darkness peeled back, revealing something I hadn't expected— not a haunted ruin, but a breathtaking, royal estate.
The eerie silence faded, replaced by a quiet, majestic glow that made my fear loosen its grip.
"Hello "
I walked across the yard, boots echoing on stone.
But then - I stop.
Above me, at a balcony window…
A shadow stood.
Tall. Still. Watching.
My heartbeat stuttered.
" Is this the same ghost?"
"Excuse me "
Shadow disappear.
"Weirdo!"
"Should I go back? But the door is already closed… and this place is—"
I paused, hugging myself.
"But it's freezing outside."
Before I could decide whether to move or run, the inner palace gate— far grander, carved with golden patterns— opened soundlessly.
To Be Continued… 🌙✨