Night cloaked the Valoria palace like a thick black veil. The air felt heavy, as if holding its breath in silence. Lucian moved silently through the back corridors of the palace, his footsteps barely making a sound against the stone floor. He wore a dark cloak that blended him into the surrounding shadows.
His goal was clear—to find the location of the enchanted sword that had long been a legend among ancient sorcerers. The sword was not just a symbol of power but also a key to unlocking an even greater force.
Lucian stopped in front of an old wooden door at the end of the hallway, its surface worn by time. He placed his hand gently on the wood, feeling the ancient energy that pulsed at his fingertips.
"The sword is hidden nearby," he murmured. "Just as it was mentioned in the Tale of Eldara."
That tale had always echoed in his mind: Beneath the forgotten earth, in a place where light never touches, the sword awaits its true master.
Lucian slowly pushed the door open. It creaked, revealing a stone staircase descending into darkness. A damp, dusty scent immediately filled the air.
The staircase seemed endless, each step echoing like a heartbeat in the silence. Lucian lit a small torch, its dim light flickering against the narrow stone walls.
After a while, he arrived at a circular chamber, its walls adorned with mysterious symbols.
"This is it," Lucian whispered, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "The altar marking the enchanted sword."
He approached the altar, his gaze scanning the symbols carved into its surface. His fingers traced the engraved lines, searching for further clues. In the corner of the altar, he found a symbol of the sun and moon intertwined—a mark he recognized from ancient texts.
"Just as I suspected," he muttered. "The sword is hidden near the lake outside the palace, beneath the roots of an old tree facing east."
Before he could proceed further, the sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase. Lucian quickly extinguished his torch, merging into the shadows of the room. He held his breath, his eyes fixed on the figure that appeared at the doorway.
"Who's there?" A deep voice of a palace guard broke the silence. The torch in the guard's hand illuminated the room, but not enough to reveal Lucian's presence.
The guard stood still for a moment, scanning the surroundings suspiciously, before finally turning back and ascending the stairs.
Lucian waited a few seconds before stepping out of his hiding spot. His face remained calm, though his heartbeat was still racing.
"It's time to leave," he murmured. "I have what I need."
He climbed the stairs cautiously, ensuring no one else was watching. Once he reached the upper corridor, he straightened his cloak and walked with a composed demeanor, as if nothing had happened.
But in the distance, Evelyn stood behind a large pillar, watching his every move with sharp eyes. A slow, knowing smile spread across her lips.
"Lucian," Evelyn whispered, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "I know you're hiding something. And I will find out what it is."
---
The golden twilight bathed the palace garden in soft light. Seraphina stood at the edge of the balcony, gazing at the peaceful scenery, though her mind was restless with curiosity. Adrian's change in demeanor had always been a puzzle to her, from the moment they met in the forest to their arrival at Valoria. Since the day she first set foot here, his cold gaze and rigid demeanor felt like a shield protecting old wounds.
"Have you heard about Prince Adrian?" a maid's voice echoed faintly in the distance but was clear enough. Seraphina stepped closer, hiding behind the wall, her ears keenly catching the ongoing conversation.
"How could I not? Everyone knows about that tragedy," another maid responded, her tone hushed. "Adrian used to be so different. He was a kind young man, always smiling at everyone. But that was before it happened."
Seraphina was startled. What event were they talking about?
"Everything changed after Princess Anya died," the first maid continued, her voice dropping lower as if even the walls could betray their secret.
"Princess Anya?" Seraphina whispered, repeating the name she had just heard.
The older maid, Clara, let out a deep sigh. "Princess Anya was Prince Adrian's first love. They grew up together. She wasn't just a princess from a neighboring kingdom, she was the only one who could truly make the prince laugh. The day she was killed… was the day our once cheerful prince died with her."
The younger maid looked shocked. "I heard she was killed by someone from the Kingdom of Auroria."
Clara glanced around nervously. "Don't speak carelessly! That could bring disaster."
Seraphina felt her body tense. Auroria, her mother's homeland.
"I'm only repeating what's already whispered among the servants, Clara. Besides, aren't you curious why the prince despises Auroria so much?"
Clara grabbed the younger maid's arm, her eyes filled with warning. "Prince Adrian has his own reasons, but it's not our business. Don't let your words get you into trouble."
Seraphina slowly stepped away, her mind filled with new questions. Who was Princess Anya truly? What was her connection to the tragedy and Adrian's hatred toward Auroria? To her, this felt exactly like what John, Seraphina's fiancé, had once experienced.
As she walked back to her chambers, the memory of Adrian's cold gaze began to make sense. Behind those eyes lay a sorrow buried so deep, a wound that may never truly heal.
Suddenly, a knock came at her door.
"Seraphina?" Adrian's voice sounded from the other side, calm yet heavy.
Seraphina stared at the door, hesitating. She wanted to ask, but did she dare?
---
The evening breeze drifted through the palace garden, carrying the delicate scent of fully bloomed roses. Seraphina walked slowly along the stone path, savoring the tranquility of the well-maintained hedges and vibrant flowers. But her eyes soon caught sight of Adrian, seated on a wooden bench beneath an old elm tree, his gaze empty as he stared at the small pond before him.
He looked different. There was no trace of arrogance in his demeanor, only a silence that felt like a heavy burden on his shoulders. The fading sunlight cast a golden hue over his light brown hair, but his eyes remained somber, as though lost in memories he wished to forget.
Seraphina approached carefully, making sure her steps wouldn't disturb the stillness. As she got closer, she heard Adrian let out a long sigh. He seemed to be battling his own thoughts, his eyes fixed on the water's surface, as if searching for answers in its gentle ripples.
**
Seraphina approached Prince Adrian. "Your Highness enjoys being alone here?"
Adrian flinched slightly, turning with an expression that was difficult to decipher—a mix of surprise and something deeper, more fragile. "It's a quiet place. Sometimes, silence is all that remains."
Seraphina sat at the edge of the bench, keeping a distance but close enough to feel the cold aura of emotions surrounding Adrian. "What are you thinking about, Your Highness?"
Adrian was silent for a long moment before answering. "Memories."
He lowered his gaze, his fingers gripping the edge of the wooden bench tightly, as if it could keep him from sinking into his past.
"Memories of someone important to you?" Seraphina asked carefully, recalling the whispers of the palace servants she had overheard.
Adrian looked at her for a moment, as if deciding whether to answer. "Princess Anya," he finally said, his voice hoarse. "She was someone who once meant everything to me."
Seraphina sensed a deep sorrow behind that name, something more than just ordinary loss. "You miss her a lot, don't you?"
Adrian gave a small smile, but it never reached his eyes. "Miss her? Yes, perhaps. But what hurts more is the fact that I can't change anything. I lost her because of someone else's mistake, and it destroyed everything."
Seraphina wanted to comfort him but didn't know what to say. She could feel the walls Adrian had built around himself—fragile yet lined with thorns, ready to wound anyone who tried to get too close.
"There's an old tale," Seraphina said, trying to shift the atmosphere. "About a king who lost his love by the riverbank. He kept returning to that place every day, hoping to see her reflection in the water again. But all he saw was his own aging, broken-hearted self."
Adrian gazed at her, as if trying to grasp the meaning behind her words. "And what happened to that king?"
"He realized that the only way to honor that love was to live. Not to drown in the shadows of the past."
For the first time, Seraphina saw a different emotion flicker in Adrian's eyes. Not sadness, but doubt. As if he was considering the possibility that his life could be different.
"Sometimes, the past is too dark to leave behind," he said softly. "And I'm not sure I'm strong enough to do it."
Before Seraphina could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the garden. A servant hurried towards them, his face pale. "Prince Adrian, His Majesty the King requests your presence. There's news from the Kingdom of Auroria."
Adrian stood up, his expression turning cold in an instant, like a mask slipping back into place. He glanced at Seraphina, his gaze unreadable once again.
"We'll talk later," he said shortly before walking away, leaving Seraphina with a whirlwind of unanswered questions.
In the distance, the chirping of sparrows filled the air among the branches, signaling an end. But for Seraphina, this was only the surface of a much deeper mystery.
---
The sky above Valoria's palace darkened, storm clouds gathering as if mirroring the atmosphere within the royal hall. Adrian stood rigid before Queen Helena, his gaze sharp but laden with a tension invisible to all except his mother. Across from him, Queen Helena watched him with an unreadable expression—a mixture of concern, determination, and a hint of frustration.
"Adrian, you cannot continue like this," Queen Helena's voice echoed in the chamber, firm, almost like a command. "Your father is growing more anxious. He cannot rule the kingdom alone forever. It is time for you to fully accept your responsibility."
Adrian struggled to contain the emotions boiling within him. He had heard these words countless times before, but today, they felt different—heavier, more demanding.
"I know what Father wants," Adrian replied coolly. "But I'm not ready."
Helena crossed her arms. "Not ready? How much longer will you hide behind that excuse? You are the heir to Valoria's throne. Your responsibility is not only to your father but also to the people who place their hopes in you."
Adrian turned towards the large window beside the room, gazing at the palace gardens that now looked dreary under the shadow of the clouds. "The people? They don't need a ruler who is broken."
Helena stepped closer. "You are not broken, my son. You are wounded. And wounds must be faced, not avoided."
Adrian flinched, turning sharply towards his mother. "Wounds like these don't heal with time or comforting words, Mother. I lost Princess Anya because of a betrayal from a kingdom that was supposed to be our ally. How can I forget that?"
Helena fell silent for a moment, studying her son's face, which appeared older than his years. She understood his pain—she had seen the same look in her husband's eyes during their first war with the Kingdom of Auroria. But if left unchecked, that pain would become a chain holding Adrian back from moving forward.
"You don't have to forget, my son. But you can choose not to let that pain define you." Helena took a deep breath before continuing. "Have you ever heard the old legend of King Aledon? He lost everything in a great war, yet he chose to lead his people with strength—not because he didn't feel pain, but because he knew that his wounds were part of his journey."
Adrian listened to her words with an unreadable expression. The story of King Aledon was one he had heard in childhood, but this time, it felt more personal.
"I am not King Aledon," Adrian said quietly.
"No," Helena's gaze bore into him. "You are Prince Adrian Alexandru Dragomir, heir to Valoria's throne. You are more than just a prince burdened by the past. You have the power to shape the future."
For a moment, the room was filled with silence. Adrian stood still, contemplating his mother's words. His eyes drifted to the marble floor as if searching for answers.
"Father wants me to marry soon, doesn't he?" Adrian finally spoke.
Helena gave a small smile, her eyes filled with wisdom that was hard to refute. "Marriage is part of your duty as heir. Not just for an heir of your own, but for the political stability of the kingdom."
Adrian simply nodded, though his mind raced. This marriage was not just about politics. Behind his father's insistence, there was something larger at play—a plan he had yet to fully understand.
"Tell Father, I'll think about it," Adrian said, then turned toward the door.
"Adrian," Helena called before he could leave. "Don't let the past hold you too long. You must let it go and start anew."
Adrian paused at the doorway, glancing back slightly. "We'll see, Mother," he replied before disappearing through the grand doors.