My eyes slowly fluttered open as there was a blinding light that shone down upon me. It seems like the electricity is back. Everything was still blurry as I could feel my head spinning. I gradually regained my consciousness, and the first thing that I saw was a radiant chandelier hanging on the ceiling. I felt a sharp pain stinging all over the inflicted cuts on my limbs which were surrounded by a swirl of blackened markings, indicating the existence of my dreadful curse. Then I noticed that I was laying on something... soft?

"AHHHH!" With a loud screech erupting from my lips, I felt my wounds ached even more. I mean, who wouldn't be surprised to find themselves laying on a mattress without knowing how in the world did they end up there.

However, I felt somewhat relieved that I was still wearing my plain nightgown. I lifted the blanket covering me and noticed I had a lot of small cuts inflicted by broken shards throughout my body, it wasn't that fatal, much to my relief.

I began observing my surroundings as I was inside a pretty decent bedchamber. The exterior architectural design of this house pales in comparison with the interior. To be honest, I thought that this place was run-down mansion from the outside, but everything that I've seen so far were equally elegant and attractive. It was such a shame that it had to be in greyscale. I could easily imagine how neat this room might be if I had a normal vision.

I don't know who brought me here and why they did it, but I know that I have to get out of this place before something even worse happens to me. I stood up in a hurry, neglecting the tingling sensation of my fresh wounds and twisted ankle. I saw my reflection on the mirror attached to a dresser as it has been awhile since I last saw myself.

"So horrible..." I mumbled under my breathe as I never noticed that the progression of the curse accelerated this fast. Well, a year has already passed since I was inflicted with it. Half of my face was covered with black markings and it looked like the curse was devouring me.

I pressed my hand against the shiny mirror while staring at the horrendous reflection in front of me. The reason why I lost my privilege to live in the House Ainsworth and was locked inside a tower in the middle of the forest, far away from home — is because they were afraid that my 'disease' was contagious. If I continued staying in the mansion, they fear that a pandemic might outbreak because of me.

"Am I... really... sick?" I don't know the logic behind this ancient markings that made me suffer for so long — I want nothing more but to be freed from it.

I lowered my gaze and found an unknown letter laying on the table of the bureau. "That's strange... It wasn't there earlier..." I picked up the piece of paper and unfolded it.

Come and find me.

That was all the message said. The one who wrote this letter has such a neat handwriting. I flipped the letter to see if the name of the sender was written on the back, but it was anonymous. There wasn't any given specific direction in this letter either, how am I supposed to find them without instructions?

"Ugh, I clearly have no time for this. I have to get out of here." I placed it down on the table and headed towards the door. I twisted an old squeeky antique doorknob with an elegant floral pattern, but it wouldn't open so easily than I expected. I don't think that it was locked though. Once again, I decided to exert enough pressure to turn the spindle while pushing the wooden door.

"Come on, open up!" I grunted loudly since this large door was too heavy to move. "Please, please, please!" There is probably something jamming the door from the outside, I'm not so sure what it was but it was not really helping my situation.

"SSSSSSS!"

I flinched as I heard an alarming hissing sound of a snake. My body suddenly froze. The rattling sounds became louder as my knees began to wobble. I'm not even brave enough to turn around.

But what if it was the exotic albino snake that I saw earlier? I wonder if it would be so kind enough to assist me again.

"SSSSSSSSSS!"

Ahhhh, who was I kidding? How could I convince myself to trust a snake when I have a phobia of it?

When will you stop being afraid?

I suddenly remembered the mysterious voice that spoke inside my head yesterday. It bothered me a lot. I know that the most effective way to overcome a phobia is by gradually and repeatedly exposing yourself to what you fear, but I'm not yet brave enough to brace it.

Are you going to live for the rest of your life holed up in your shell?

Is that the future you desire?

I'm not sure if that person was talking about my dream or my reality, but I know that deep down my heart — I don't want to spend my life cowering in fear! Will this be my first step towards that conviction?

I carefully turned around and it felt like I almost had an heart attack. Behind me was not the same small albino monocled cobra that I saw earlier...

It was a — humongous black mamba!

I know that it is one of the most deadliest snakes in the world and also the fastest land snake. Their venom is potentially lethal and it seemed like I walked into a trap that I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed. I noticed that I was able to identify the color scheme of the snake. Contrary to what its name would suggest, the black mamba is not entirely in clad-black. It was actually brownish in color, ranging from olive to greyish tones, and it had a pale belly.

It also had a pair of darkened olive green eyes as the pupils were surrounded with a yellowish tint. Just like the albino cobra from earlier, everything within my field of vision is still in black and white, except for the black mamba. I wonder if it was as kind as the snake from earlier, I hope it is. What if it actually turns out to be a predatorily snake that is waiting for the right opportunity to hunt its prey — which happens to be me?!

"...H-Hello, B-Blackey..." I didn't know what to call the exotic creature and since the breed of the reptile is an black mamba, I decided to call it with a dumb nickname that lacked effort and creativity. But who cares about that now? My life is in danger here!

"A-Are you... here t-to help... me?" I've read in books that black mambas can become aggressive if they were threatened. I will try my best not to make it agitated. "C-Can you... p-please open t-the door?" I couldn't help but to stutter. It wasn't really that easy to overcome phobias after all.

I was startled when it suddenly pounced all over me as my back hit against the wooden door. I tried my best not to shriek and held back my instincts to hit or kick it since I know that it will make my situation even worse.

My heartbeat began thumping loudly as a bullet of cold sweats trickled down my neck. My entire body was cowering in fear as the huge reptile wrapped around its slithery body around me. I feel like I'm about to faint any moment now.

"P-Please... I have to... g-get out!" I tried raising my voice a little bit as tears began cascading down my cheeks. I don't want to live in fear anymore. I'm tired of being afraid!

The tingling sensation of its scales gliding around my body was horrifying as I started hyperventilating. I have to calm my breathings... If I don't, I might die from a shock in here. I wasn't sure if my death would physically affect me in my waking world... but I wasn't brave enough to test that theory.

"There is no need to be so afraid. I know you can do it!"

I suddenly recalled a fond memory that happened in the distant past as it was the time when I climbed a tree to save a cat that was stuck in a branch. Set aside my fear of snakes, I also had an Acrophobia. I kept dwelling on the pain that might happen to me if I fell from such a high place. I didn't want to go home with a dislocated limb or a severe injury.

Until His Imperial Highness, Prince William encouraged me to jump down as he reassured me that he would catch me in his arms. At first, I was hesitant. I don't want to place such a huge burden on him if things went south. My parents also strictly instructed me to treat him well and do my duty as his future spouse. I told him to get a servant that would help me climb down, but he refused my offer and he stubbornly stood there, waiting for me to jump down. He used his authority to forbid the palace servants to help me as he wanted me to have faith on him.

I didn't had any choice but to believe in him as I closed my eyes shut and jumped. Just like that, he caught me like he said he will. It was at that moment I was able to overcome my fear of heights.

This time is no different either. I can do this!

"P-Please hear me out!" I screamed as loud as I could and I felt the huge slithery reptile roaming around my body flinched. The snake was really long and heavy as it can easily strangle my scrawny body if it wants.

"I do not know how you could understand me, but it does not matter anymore! Help me open this door — now!"

I don't know where I got that reckless bravery coming from as I managed to express my words without stuttering and held an eye contact with the terrifying snake in front of me.

"SSSSSSSSS!!!!"

The black mamba hissed loudly at me as I haven't forgotten that it is the most aggressive and dangerous snake in the world. I'm not sure if I'm courageous or acting stupid.

I flinched when the snake suddenly opened its mouth, and this is the main reason why it is called as a Black Mamba. They are named for the coloration of the inside of their mouths, which is a deep, inky black. The shape of its lithe head reminded me of a coffin-like structure. Is this the foreshadowing of my death? I could see the thick lining of poison dripping from its sharp teeth. If I was grazed with its venom, I will surely die in a heartbeat.

Before I could react, the snake rapidly passed my shoulder as it pushed straight forward the heavy door that prevented me to leave this suffocating bedchamber. I heard the sound of air rushing through as the tightly-sealed door finally opens.

"Ssssssss..." The hissing sound of the snake softened as it finally released me from its tight grip.

"T-Thank you so much!" I genuinely expressed my gratitude to the black mamba as I turned around and saw it nodding peacefully. I finally understood that everything happening in my dream is out of ordinary. I walked out of the room as the long reptile began gliding its brownish scales against the floor tiles.

"Well done."

It was the same mysterious voice that suddenly spoke into my head yesterday. My head started throbbing in pain once again as my ears were ringing loudly, throwing my senses into an disarray.

"You successfully passed the first trial. You've displayed a courageous feat despite being weak."

I leaned against the wall as I tried my best not to faint. My head was spinning, and it was strange that I could still hear the deep, masculine voice of the anonymous person.

"W-Who are you...?" I grunted lowly. I spotted the black mamba gliding towards me, but I was too lightheaded to be afraid of it.

"I will reveal myself after you completed the trials. You must be surprised, but you have no time to contemplate. The second trial will now commence."

"...T-Trial...? Wha-What do you m-mean?" I could feel my consciousness drifting away. How am I supposed to continue the 'trials' that this mysterious person was talking about?!

"Good luck."

Those were his final words before my headache subsided. I think that whenever he would speak to me through my mind, it will give me a tremendous headache as my ears would also start ringing loudly.

Then I noticed that the black mamba was blankly staring at me as I try my best to mask my fears with a bright smile on my face.

"We belong to the honorable, distinguished, Ainsworth Family. You must overcome your fears because if you don't, someone will exploit your weakness and they will use it against you!"

"Hide your emotions. Hide your intentions. You may smile a little, but never show your fears more than twice!"

I knew that I cannot continue running away from my fears. At some point in my life, I will have to build up the courage to overcome them.

This will be my starting point. I could use this in my advantage to become stronger and wiser.

I placed my hands behind my back as I showed my best smile to the snake and confidently stood in my ground. "Can you help me proceed to the next round?"