Sandra exhaled as she found herself waking up once again in another world.
This time, she was in a room that felt completely unfamiliar. It was not like the palace she had seen in her previous dreams. This place was magnificent and beautiful, but it radiated a mysterious and eerie aura.
The wooden door looked strong and solid, and the windows were carved with intricate patterns from an ancient dynasty. The ceiling was made of beautifully arranged wooden beams, and the scent of incense filled the air.
In the middle of her confusion, Sandra saw a child arguing with several royal guards.
"Please let me go. I did not steal anything" the child cried miserably.
"Stop lying you ungrateful brat. So you are the one who stole the diamonds from the palace. You have caused a huge loss" one of the guards shouted.
"But I only took fruit and bread. I needed food for my sick mother" the boy pleaded as he knelt before them.
But even with his desperate begging, the guards had no sympathy.
Sandra felt a deep ache in her chest. Why was she now in an even older era? She did not recognize anyone here.
"What is your name again? Thomas? That is too noble a name for a filthy thief" a guard sneered, striking the child's arm.
"I am not a thief. Prince Lukas invited me. He gave me food. Ask him" the boy cried in despair.
"As if Prince Lukas would be friends with someone like you. Liar. You will be executed today" another guard barked.
"Prince Lukas. Prince, please save me. Tell them I am your friend. I do not want to die. What will happen to my mother if I disappear?" the boy shouted, struggling.
No one listened. Annoyed by his cries, the guards struck him again.
Sandra's eyes widened when she heard the boy's name.
Thomas.
Could it be the same Thomas? Did he die full of hatred and injustice? Is this how he became the demon? Is this how he crossed paths with Lukas in another lifetime?
Sandra shook her head. She had to stop this. Maybe if she could prevent Thomas from being executed, the future could change. Maybe Thomas would never become a demon. Maybe she and Lukas would be safe.
She started running through the palace, searching for the younger version of Lukas. After wandering through countless rooms, she finally reached the last chamber. She opened the door and found young Lukas sleeping peacefully.
"Lukas" Sandra called, gently shaking him awake.
"Thomas is about to be executed. Please help him."
"Who are you?" the boy asked, eyes wide.
"Please. Save Thomas. He is your friend. They think he stole diamonds. You have to stop them."
Without hesitation, Lukas got out of bed and ran to the courtyard. As he arrived, a guard was placing the noose around Thomas's neck.
"Stop. Do not hurt my friend" Lukas yelled.
"He is a thief, Your Highness. He sneaked in and stole the prince's diamonds."
"He did not steal them. I gave him food" Lukas shouted again.
"Return to your room, young prince."
"I saw you take the diamonds from my father's treasury. Why are you blaming Thomas?" Lukas cried.
The guards fell silent. One of them clenched his fists.
"You are just a guard. I am the prince. You must listen to me."
"So you saw everything" the guard said, darkly.
He signaled to the other disloyal guards. "Tie them up. We will finish this tonight. No one will find out."
"But what if the king finds out?"
"He will not. Unless you want to be blamed for all the stolen diamonds."
As the guards prepared to kill the two boys, Sandra acted. She set fire to a pile of incense, creating thick smoke that filled the air and made it hard to breathe.
As the guards coughed and panicked, Sandra dragged the boys to safety. They ran into the gardens and hid behind the bushes.
Coughing, the boys tried to breathe. Thomas collapsed, bruised and weak.
"Thomas, what is wrong?" Lukas cried.
"I am sorry for causing you trouble, Your Highness" Thomas whispered.
"I will call for help."
"Pardon me, but if I die… can you give my mother bread every day?"
"Why are you saying that? You will get better. We can go together like always."
"It hurts too much."
"Thomas…"
"You were so kind to me. I swear, in another life, I will repay your kindness. I will give my life to protect yours. That is my promise."
Sandra woke up in the hospital with swollen eyes. Lukas was sitting beside her, holding her hand tightly.
"You are awake?" Lukas cried as he pressed the emergency button.
"What happened?"
"You have been in a coma for a week" Lukas sobbed. "Please do not ever leave me like that again."
"Our baby?"
"You are both safe. I promise I will protect you, no matter what. I do not care if I die. What matters is that you and our baby survive." Lukas kissed her forehead.
The doctors arrived to check her condition, cutting their conversation short.
Sandra cried quietly. Had what she seen meant nothing? Would Thomas still attack her despite the past being changed? Or was it just a dream?
"The patient has passed the critical stage. Now we will proceed with her recovery."
"And my baby?" Sandra asked anxiously.
"The baby is healthy and strong" the doctor smiled.
"Thank you, doctor" Lukas said, shaking the doctor's hand.
Sandra hugged Lukas tightly. He didn't let go.
"I cannot live without you. That week was unbearable. If you left me, I would never recover."
"What happened during that week?"
"You collapsed after we escaped. I think it was a side effect of your diamond soul. But forget that now. I have decided to let fate take its course."
"Lukas…"
"You and our baby must live. That is final."
"My family is sorry they could not be here. Grandma had to be taken to Singapore. She wants to be buried near Grandpa when her time comes."
"Is she that sick?"
Lukas nodded.
"I am sorry. Because of me you—"
"You are just as important to me. Do not talk like you are someone else" Lukas whispered, cupping her face.
"You are my home, Sandra."