The Author's POV

"Where am I?"

A croaky and weak voice resounded across the small room as both Amanda and the queen froze on the spot where they were standing.

Blinking her eyes a couple of times, Natasha's eyes slowly adjusted to the light, and when she did, a familiar figure appeared in her vision. She was an otherworldly beauty with long silver hair.

"Maylin?"

Natasha called out. There was notable confusion in her voice as she stared at the figure looking at her from above.

Although she looked like Maylin, she also looked a little bit more mature compared to the last time she had seen her, and therefore was uncertain about whether the woman staring at her from above was really Maylin, her friend.

Extending her hand out the narrow gap of the capsule, Natasha asked.

"Maylin, is that really you?"

Upon hearing Natasha's voice, Maylin smiled. Reaching out to grasp her hand, she nodded her head.

"…It's me."

Her voice was filled with emotions as she was barely able to keep herself from leaking out her emotions.

However, given all of her experience in the past, she was able to keep her composure.

"I see."

Upon getting confirmation from Maylin that she was indeed her friend, a relieved smile appeared on Natasha's face as she muttered softly.

"You look quite different from the last time I saw you."

The more she looked at her, the more she was convinced that Maylinn had changed.

Compared to the last time she had seen her, she looked a lot older, and beautiful as well. If before she looked like a mature teenager, right now she looked like a fully grown adult.

Mayilin's smile hardened a little when she saw Natasha's confusion. Most likely, she was still unaware of the fact that a long time had passed since the incident.

"Huh? My curse?"

Natasha's startled voice echoed throughout the room as she slowly sat up and patted her body.

Snapping her head in Mailyn's direction she incredulously said. "The curse, it's gone! Did you manage to remove the curse from me?!"

Tears started gathering in the corner of her eyes as she looked at Maylin. However, contrary to her expectations, shaking her head Maylin pointed towards another spot in the room where a girl stood.

"Actually, I wasn't the one that managed to help you get rid of the curse. If you want to thank someone, thank her."

It was only after Maylin pointed it out to her that Natasha finally took notice of Amanda's presence, and once she turned her head to look at her, she was left stunned.

'How beautiful.'

She thought inside of her mind as she gazed at the young girl in front of her. She was simply stunning. With her glossy black hair gently cascading down her back, the young girl's face had this youthful innocent to it that made anyone that looked at her have an urge to protect her.

The more Natasha looked at her, the more she couldn't help but admire her beauty.

However, this didn't last for long as his brows soon knit into a frown. The reason for this was because the young girl looked quite familiar. But regardless of how much Natasha tried to think about it, she couldn't make heads or tails of where she had seen her before.

In the end, snapping out of her thoughts, Natasha lowered her head and thanked her.

I do not know who you are I wanted to thank

her beauty that she

girl for long she had this sense of familiarity with her that made her warm up to her

"Truly, I am grateful."

"…It's okay."

not recognized her yet. She was not disappointed by this. She understood exactly

who nodded her head and turned to look at Natasha. Raising her

you not recognize

at Amanda, Natasha's brows

but I'm positive that I've never seen her before

at Amanda,

haven't been able to recognize you, but have we

sense of familiarity increase. This became especially prominent

who was this girl? No matter how much she tried to think, she just

out a long sigh. She understood the crux

how long do you think you've been in a

"How long?"

hand underneath her chin, Natasha thought for a moment

year to

her lips. Lowering her head for a moment, she took a deep

"Longer."

"...Longer?"

head recoiled back as her

can't be any more than

made sure to check Maylin's reaction, and when she saw that she was still shaking her head, her heart

"...N..no, it can't be."

she had a difficult time trying to formulate a sentence. She was a strong woman, however. Closing her

Maylin,

been

strong

there is no need

Maylin had a difficult look on her face. Brushing her silver colored hair

years. Natasha, you've been in a

"...Ah."

escaped from Natasha's mouth as

fifteen years, their mind would

happening to Natasha as her mouth opened and closed repeatedly.

"F...fi..fifteen years?"

her face paled to the point where she looked exactly the same moments

"haa...haa..."

her to calm down, and when she did, the first thing she asked was, "My family...are they okay? Do you know

"Yes."

Then, with a smile on her face, she took a step to the side and pressed both of

right here

thundercalp, Maylin's words deeply reverberated across Natasha's head as he looked at Amanda who was standing in front

she felt when looking at her made more sense. Not only that, but it was also now that she took a closer look at her that she realized that she bore a striking resemblance to

she had just woken up and her mind was still foggy, but the more she looked at

a mouthful

"...Amanda?"

her words, Amanda smiled. With a weak nod, she softly

"Yes."

***

"Aaaarghh!"