Caspian stood in front of her mirror.
The faint shadow crown behind her reflection still hadn't disappeared since last night. Every time she moved, it felt like a silent reminder — the Queen was being watched… in both worlds now.
A cold presence formed behind her.
Invisible fingers brushed the back of her neck — right over the scratches left from the war and from the ghost's possessive touch. Her breath caught slightly.
"You didn't rest," the familiar whisper said near her ear.
"And you didn't leave," she replied quietly.
For a moment… silence.
Then the same unfinished word brushed past her lips again—
"Ve—"
She turned quickly. "Say it properly for once."
But the presence faded… leaving only a soft chill behind.
Later that morning, she walked into the dining room.
Her parents were already sitting at the table. The normal world felt strange after everything that had happened. She forced herself to smile and sit down.
Her mother noticed her hands immediately.
"What happened to your hands, Caspian?" she asked gently.
Caspian pulled her sleeves down. "Just small scratches… nothing serious."
But her father's eyes moved to her neck… where faint marks were barely hidden under her hair.
Before the silence could grow heavier, her phone vibrated on the table.
A voice message played automatically—
"Velora, pick up your phone! We need to talk—"
Caspian froze.
Her mother frowned. "Velora…? Who is that?"
She quickly grabbed her phone. "Just… a nickname my friends use."
At that exact moment, the television behind them switched to breaking news.
"The mysterious mafia queen — Velora — continues to dominate the underground city…"
Images flashed across the screen — dark streets, masked fighters… a shadowed female figure with the same posture Caspian carried without even realizing it.
Her parents slowly looked from the TV… to her scratched hands… to her silent face.
The same name.
The same injuries.
The same fear growing in their eyes.
Her father spoke quietly, "Why are your friends calling you the same name that's on the news?"
The room felt colder.
Behind her chair, she felt the ghost's presence again — tense, protective — like he was ready to step in if things broke apart.
Caspian swallowed hard. "It's just coincidence," she said softly.
But even she knew the lie sounded weak.
Her mother's voice trembled slightly. "You've been coming home late… hiding your phone… and now this…"
Caspian stood up slowly.
"I'm still me," she said gently. "I'm still your Caspian."
But as she walked away… the television kept repeating the name Velora again and again.
And from somewhere only she could hear… a quiet whisper followed her steps—
"They're starting to see the Queen now…"
Caspian didn't look back.
Because after last night's mark… and today's truth…
her two lives had finally begun to collide. 🖤