“Elara!”Evelyn’s voice echoed through the dark halls of the castle as she burst through the bedroom doors. Her chest tightened, her breath catching in her throat.Her daughter was lying in bed but it was nothing like peaceful sleep. Elara’s little body was shaking badly, her legs kicking, her small hands grabbing and scratching at the bedsheets like she was fighting something terrible.Her soft cheeks were wet with fresh tears. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her lips mumbling words that didn’t make any sense.“No… please… don’t… don’t let them… Mama… don’t let them take me…” Elara cried out in her nightmare, her voice weak and scared.Evelyn rushed forward, her knees hitting the floor beside the bed as she leaned in close. Her hands grabbed Elara gently, trying to calm her down. Her voice broke as she whispered, “Elara… baby… wake up, it’s me, Mama’s here. I’m right here, love. You’re safe.”But Elara kept shaking, her fingers curling into tight fists.Evelyn pressed a hand to her daug

“Who… who among us… betrayed the crown?”No one answered.The heavy door creaked open, and Adrian stood at the entrance of Leona’s chamber. The hallway behind him was dark, lit only by weak torches that did little to chase away the shadows. The storm outside raged on, rain crashing against the windows, thunder rumbling in the distance.But it wasn’t just the storm that drenched Adrian.His cloak was soaked, water dripping from the edges, his boots leaving wet footprints on the smooth floor. His shoulders were tense, muscles stiff like ropes pulled too tight.It wasn’t the rain that weighed him down.It was guilt.Adrian said nothing as he stepped inside. The quiet tap of his boots echoed in the large, cold room. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched at his sides. His dark eyes usually calm and controlled were full of something sharper… something heavier.Guilt… anger… and helplessness.He finally looked up and met Leona’s gaze. There was no fear in his eyes, only a storm held back by

The sound of war drums had finally faded in the distance, but inside Adrian’s head… they still pounded louder than ever.No matter how far he was from the battlefield, no matter how quiet the castle seemed tonight, his heart could not escape the rhythm of war. It echoed in his chest, in his bones, in every shallow breath he took.He stood alone in the high observatory, far above the rest of the castle, staring through the giant glass windows. Outside, the forest stretched endlessly, its tall trees shining silver under the pale moonlight. The stars blinked above him, countless and cold.Years ago, he would have felt comforted by such a sky. The stars used to make him feel grounded, like no matter what happened in the world below, the universe stayed steady, untouched. But tonight, the stars felt like watchers. Silent judges. Witnesses to his failure. Uncaring… and cruel.Somewhere in the tower beside him… his daughter lay fighting a curse that no healer could undo. His people whispered

The moon that night was thin and pale. It curved in the sky like a broken smile, hanging low over the castle. Dark clouds floated around it, swallowing its light little by little, leaving behind a cold, empty sky.Inside her chambers, Leona tossed and turned on her soft bed. Her breath was uneven, her body covered in a thin layer of sweat. Even though the night was cold, she felt hot, burning from inside. Her dreams were restless, filled with strange whispers that wrapped around her like snakes, tightening until she could barely breathe.In her dream, she stood in a long hallway made of mirrors. There was no end to it just wall after wall of glass, stretching forever. Each mirror showed a different version of herself. In one reflection, she wore a heavy red crown, sitting proudly on a tall throne. In another, she stood with empty arms, tears falling down her cheeks. In the third, she was drowning in deep black water, struggling to reach the surface but sinking faster.Then… a voice hi

One word hit Evelyn like a slap across the face.Mama.But the word wasn’t meant for her.Her legs moved before her mind could catch up. Evelyn pushed the door wide open and rushed inside the nursery, her heart beating fast like it wanted to break out of her chest.Her eyes went straight to the bed.“Elara!” Evelyn called, hope filling her chest.Elara turned her small head slowly. Her blue eyes blinked softly, looking up at Evelyn… but her little eyebrows frowned like she was staring at someone she didn’t know.Evelyn took a step forward, a happy cry ready to leave her mouth.Then Elara’s lips moved.Her voice came out weak, soft, but clear.“Don’t touch me!”Evelyn froze.Her hand was still reaching out toward her daughter, shaking in the air. She pulled it back quickly, as if she had been burned.“Elara… sweetheart… it’s me,” Evelyn whispered. Her voice broke into pieces.But Elara’s small body shook, her tiny hands grabbing Leona’s robe. She pushed herself deeper into Leona’s arms