THE START OF A PLAN

Selthia shot up in bed, breath caught in her throat.

“What the… it wasn’t a dream?”

A soft fluttering sound answered her. Chuk, perched on the edge of the windowsill, fluffed his silver feathers and tilted his head.

Chuk: “No, it wasn’t.”

Selthia blinked at him, still groggy. It was the first time she’d seen a hawk this closely—especially one that could talk.

Selthia: “Right. Okay. Now would be a good time to explain what’s going on.”

Chuk gave an almost imperceptible nod, his glowing eyes fixed on her.

Chuk: “Since you don’t belong to this world, and the Great One cannot interfere with mortal affairs directly… you were chosen.”

Selthia: “Chosen. Sure. And I just happened to land in the body of a princess with my same face and name?”

Chuk: “It was… a coincidence.” He paused. “You and this girl—Selthia—shared more than just a name. You died at the same moment, and your souls resonated across the divide.”

Selthia narrowed her eyes. “So, I just… hijacked her body?”

Chuk: “Not quite. One of you died before your destined time. It created a tear. And because your lives mirrored each other in certain ways, your soul was pulled here.”

Selthia: “So I was pulled here just because we had the same name and died at the same time?”

Chuk tilted his head, eyes glowing faintly. “That was part of it. But not the whole truth.”

Selthia narrowed her eyes. “Then tell me the rest.”

“The one who belonged to this world—your body’s original owner—she died before her time. The threads of fate weren’t ready to be cut. That left a void. The world does not tolerate such imbalance.”

She blinked. “So it grabbed the closest thing it could find... me?”

“A soul nearby. Similar enough in name, shape, and sorrow. You died at the same moment, didn’t you?”

Selthia nodded slowly. “a car accident I was driving...."

Chuk: “That moment, your soul was lost between worlds. The gods cannot reach too far. But when the void opened here, it pulled you through. Not chance. Not fate. Balance"

Selthia : " okay okay.. Now tell me about those fragments, what are they.."

Chuk:" just stones more like diamonds "

Selthia: " what ??!!"

Chuk: " yup"

Selthia: " and where are they??"

Chuk: ' I can sense one ..its in the gallery of some count averin"

Selthia leaned back the corner of her lips curved

in a sly grin.

Selthia: "ohh.. I think I know now...How we are gonna get it "

Chuk: "How???"

Selthia smirked " we're going to steal that fragment "

suddenly someone knocked the door it was Anna

hearing her She told chuk to hide .

As Anna carefully combed through her hair, Selthia sat poised before the mirror, her expression calm—but beneath it, her mind was already spinning.

Selthia: “Anna, I need you to get me a few things.”

Anna paused. “Of course, Your Highness. What do you need?”

Selthia: “A map of Count Averin’s gallery. Floor plans if you can get them. And details about the exhibition—guest list, security, anything unusual.”

Anna blinked. “But… the royal family isn't attending, are they?”

Selthia smiled lightly. “No, but the Count still sent an invitation. Just because we’re not attending officially doesn’t mean I can’t be curious.”

Anna hesitated. “Is this… related to your newfound interest in art?”

Selthia laughed softly. “Let’s call it that. I’d rather not look like a complete fool if I ever do have to speak about it.”

Anna nodded slowly.

Selthia: “Perfect. One more thing—I’ll need a pair of thin black gloves. Not for the dress. Something discreet.”

Anna raised a brow but didn’t question it this time. “Understood.”

Selthia: " do it secretly make sure no one knows anything about this"

As the brushing resumed, Selthia’s eyes stayed fixed on her reflection. She had a week. A week to learn the layout, figure out the security, and find a way to slip in unseen.

She wasn’t invited.

And that was exactly what made it perfect.

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