The sound of a slap rang through the grand hallway like thunder rolling across the sky.Everyone stopped moving.The guards froze in their places, too shocked to speak. The maids who had been walking with baskets stopped right where they stood, their eyes wide and mouths open. Every person in that hallway stayed perfectly still, as if time itself had stopped.Adrian stood there, his head turned from the force of Evelyn’s hand. His cheek was bright red, the mark of her fingers already showing. But Adrian didn’t lift a hand to defend himself. He didn’t shout or get angry. He didn’t even move. He just stood there, quietly, looking at her.His eyes, normally sharp and cold, were now filled with something else shame, regret, sadness. But most of all, there was something broken deep inside him. Something that had cracked and could not be easily fixed.Evelyn’s whole body was shaking with rage. Her hands curled into fists at her sides. Her voice came out hard, full of pain, full of anger tha

The royal hall was filled with bright colors of silver and gold.The walls were decorated with big banners, golden flowers, and shiny stones. Candles were everywhere, their flames flickering, making the hall look like it was glowing. The air smelled of sweet oils and fresh flowers, but underneath it… something felt wrong.The wide marble floor was lined with people on both sides. Important people stood there, their clothes rich and fancy. Some were nobles from the local lands, some were guests from faraway kingdoms, and some were men and women who had power over armies and gold. They all stood still, watching quietly, waiting for what was about to happen.It was called the Ceremony of Renewal a special day when the king would stand with his queen and show the whole kingdom who ruled beside him. A day to show strength, to show unity, to show hope.But… something was wrong.Because Queen Evelyn was not there.Trumpets blasted through the air, their loud sound bouncing off the tall ceili

The dungeon was cold, dark, and quiet.The stone walls were damp, and the air smelled old. Small torches burned along the walls, their flames making soft crackling sounds. Their light made strange shadows dance on the walls and floors.Leona sat on the hard ground, her back against the stone. Her skin looked pale, her face tired. Her eyes opened slowly as she woke up. Her arms were heavy. Thick iron chains wrapped around her wrists, glowing faintly with old magic. The chains were strong. They didn’t just hold her they stopped her magic too.Across from her stood Evelyn.She wore no crown. No fancy dresses. Just dark clothes, boots, and a long black coat. Her eyes burned with anger and strength.In her hand, Evelyn held a small glass vial. The liquid inside was two colors half gold like sunlight, half black like deep ink. It shimmered in the torchlight, looking dangerous and beautiful at the same time.Leona smiled, but it was the smile of someone who knew how to hide fear. Her voice w

The room was dark except for the flickering light of a single lamp. Adrian sat at the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor like it held the answers to all his troubles. His thoughts weren’t in the room. They were far, far back…...to the battlefield.The air was thick with smoke and blood that day. He remembered falling Damien’s sword slashing across his ribs, pain exploding like fire. He had thought it was the end. His hands trembled as he reached for a weapon he couldn’t find. Then a shadow moved. Fast. Sharp. Leona. Her blade pierced Damien’s side.“You owe me your life " she had whispered after pinning him down, her blade pressed to his throat, breathless and wild-eyed. “If you survive, I want what’s mine"And through the blur of pain, he had gasped out, “If I live... you’ll have anything you want"That promise.That reckless, desperate promise.Adrian clenched his fists now, the memor

The palace loomed like a ghost in the night,its towers wreathed in moonlight and shadow. Evelyn walked ahead of the royal guards,her fingers gently clasping Elara’s trembling hand. Every step echoed with a sorrow she couldn’t name. Her daughter’s silence was louder than screams.Behind them,Adrian followed quietly. He had tried to speak,to reach for Elara’s hand too but Evelyn had turned,eyes burning,and he had stopped. There was nothing he could say now that would matter more than the grief clutching her heart.Elara hadn’t said another word since whispering,“Mama… Leona?”Evelyn clenched her jaw and quickened her pace.Inside the palace,the royal healers assembled swiftly. They moved with solemn grace,bowing low before Evelyn but wasting no time. Elara lay on a cushioned couch,blinking at the gold-lined ceiling as if she didn’t belong in the room.“She is stable,” the elder healer said after his third examination. “No physical wounds,but… her soul is tangled. Torn between truths. Sh