"I fell in love with someone I was never supposed to love. That love was forbidden, yet I believe, from that forbidden love, you were born, my child."
A soft sigh escaped her lips. She stared blankly at the flickering candlelight. Her heart was filled with questions. Who was this man? Did he have any connection to the great conflict between Auroria and Valoria? And more importantly, why had her mother never told her father anything about this?
Footsteps echoed outside the chamber. Seraphina quickly folded the letter and tucked it beneath her pillow. The door creaked open slightly, revealing Clara, the palace's senior maid, her face lined with worry.
"Seraphina, why are you still awake?" Clara whispered, her eyes scanning the room cautiously.
Seraphina shook her head slightly. "There's something I need to talk to you about, Clara."
Clara stepped inside, carefully shutting the door behind her. "What is it?"
Seraphina's gaze sharpened, her voice trembling between curiosity and fear. "Clara, do you know anything about my mother's connection to the Kingdom of Auroria?"
"Your mother? Why would you ask me that?" Clara replied cautiously.
"Clara, I know something about you… that you were my caretaker in our world, weren't you? Please, be honest with me," Seraphina suddenly realized Clara's true identity.
Clara stiffened, her eyes widening briefly before she regained her composure. "Why are you asking me this?"
"I found my mother's letter." Seraphina retrieved the letter from under her pillow and handed it to Clara. "She wrote that she was the Princess of Auroria and that I was born from a love that should never have existed."
Clara read the letter carefully, her face paling with every word. "I'm sorry, Seraphina. I kept this from you… but, Seraphina…"
"Please, Clara. I need to know the truth," Seraphina urged.
Clara sighed in defeat and sat at the edge of the bed. "Your mother was indeed from the Kingdom of Auroria. She was the heir to the throne, but everything changed when she fell in love with someone from Valoria. Their love was forbidden because the tension between the two kingdoms was already too great at that time. When your mother became pregnant, she knew her life was in danger. That's why she fled to this world."
Seraphina felt her entire world shift. "Who was the man? My father?"
Clara shook her head slowly. "That man was not Marcus. The man you've known as your father… is not your real father."
The words hit Seraphina like a hammer. Her breath caught, and her eyes burned with emotion. "Then, who is he?"
"I don't know who he is, but one thing is certain—their love triggered the war between Auroria and Valoria. A war that led to Auroria's downfall." Clara squeezed Seraphina's hand gently. "Your mother did all of this to protect you, Seraphina. She hoped you would never uncover this dark past."
Seraphina stared at the letter again, her mind racing. If her mother had tried to protect her, why did she now feel compelled to dig deeper?
Outside, the hoot of an owl echoed, sending a chill down her spine. Seraphina stood up, gazing out the window. In the distance, the full moon hung low in the night sky, watching her like an enigmatic guardian.
"I need to go to the Valorian Royal Library," she declared with newfound determination. "The next clue is there."
Clara looked at her with concern. "Be careful, my lady. If anyone learns of your intentions, it could be dangerous."
Seraphina nodded. "I know. But I can't stop now."
---
Seraphina stared at the mist-covered window. Her thoughts spun, overwhelmed by questions she had never imagined before. Her mother's letter was a key, but a key that opened a far greater mystery.
"Auroria. And my father isn't Marcus. The war between the two kingdoms."
The words repeated in her mind like an incantation she couldn't escape. If she remained silent, this secret would haunt her forever, suffocating her. She had to act—and she had to do it wisely.
Seraphina began formulating a plan. The first step was clear: she had to infiltrate the Valorian Royal Library. If the next clue lay there, she needed to find it before anyone else did.
A soft knock on the door startled her. Clara entered again, her expression more serious than before.
"My lady, I know you intend to uncover more, but that place isn't safe," Clara murmured.
"Clara, I have to do this." Seraphina met her gaze with unwavering determination. "If I don't, I will never know the truth about my mother. About who I really am."
Clara sighed. "The Valorian Royal Library is heavily guarded, especially at night. Many believe something is hidden there, even the royal family refuses to speak of it."
Seraphina stepped closer, gripping Clara's hands firmly. "I understand the risks. But I can't turn back. I need your help."
Clara hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. "Alright. I will help you. But we must be cautious."
That night, Seraphina and Clara sat together, carefully crafting their plan. They studied the palace layout, counting steps from the gates to the library entrance.
"The best way in is through the northern corridor," Clara pointed to a rough sketch she had drawn on a piece of parchment. "The guards there tend to be more relaxed after the shift change."
"What about the library doors? Are they locked?"
Clara nodded. "Always. But I can get a duplicate key. Someone in the kitchen owes me a favor, and they might be able to help."
Seraphina smiled slightly. "Clara, you are my savior."
The night felt longer than usual. Thoughts of what she might uncover in the library kept Seraphina from sleeping. She paced her room, trying to calm the unease creeping over her.
"Mother. What are you hiding there?"
The night breeze carried the faint scent of roses from the palace gardens. Seraphina walked to the window, gazing at the moon that shone brightly like a lantern guiding her through the darkness.
A childhood story Clara had once told her flashed through her mind. A tale about a queen from a distant kingdom who had to leave everything behind to protect her child from a great threat. Back then, Seraphina thought it was just a bedtime story. But now, she realized it might be more than that.
"Could that story have been about my mother?" she thought, a shiver running down her spine.
Clara knocked again, this time with a more serious expression. "I got the key. We can do this tomorrow night, when the guards are relaxed after their shift change."
Seraphina took the key, gripping it tightly. "Thank you, Clara. I owe you everything."
"No need to thank me. I'm doing this because I believe you deserve to know the truth. But, my lady, if anything goes wrong, leave immediately. Don't take unnecessary risks."
"I understand."
**
The night grew deeper, and the cold air pierced to the bone. Seraphina sat in the corner of her room, staring at the old letter in her hands. Every word written seemed to guide her deeper into the long-buried secrets of the past.
Before she could finish the last line, her door suddenly opened without a knock. Evelyn appeared, a sly smile gracing her lips. Her steps were graceful, yet her gaze was filled with suspicion.
"Seraphina. You're still awake?" Evelyn stepped inside as if the room belonged to her. "It's quite late, and here you are, sitting alone, looking rather busy."
Quickly, Seraphina folded the letter and tucked it into the folds of her gown. "I just couldn't sleep," she replied calmly, though her heartbeat pounded like a war drum.
"Is that so?" Evelyn approached, her eyes scanning every corner of the room. "I could swear I saw something in your hands just now, something interesting."
"I don't know what you mean," Seraphina replied, her voice striving to sound light.
Evelyn stood near the table, picking up an old book. She flipped through it carelessly, as if searching for something hidden within. "Seraphina, you know, sometimes little secrets can lead to big trouble." She closed the book slowly and stared at Seraphina intently. "Are you keeping secrets from all of us?"
"If I had a secret," Seraphina said, her gaze sharp and unwavering, "perhaps it's better than lying to oneself, isn't it?"
Evelyn's smile slowly faded, replaced by a cold stare. She stepped even closer, only inches away from Seraphina. "Be careful with your words, Seraphina. This palace is full of people who love to spread rumors. Sometimes, those rumors can destroy you if you're not careful."
"Thank you for the warning," Seraphina replied, resisting the urge to step back. "But I'm not afraid of rumors. They're just nonsense, like so many other things in this palace."
Evelyn smirked again, this time colder. "You're a brave girl. I like that." She leaned in slightly, her voice a whisper. "But remember, bravery can sometimes be a double-edged sword."
Seraphina met Evelyn's gaze without blinking. "And that sword can wound anyone, including those who wield it too often."
Silence hung between them. The tension in the room was like a string ready to snap at any moment. Evelyn let out a small chuckle before turning toward the door.
"I'll be going now. I hope you sleep well, Seraphina." She glanced back briefly before closing the door. "We'll meet again—perhaps under more interesting circumstances."
The door shut softly, but her words left a sharp sting. Seraphina remained where she was, trying to steady her erratic breathing.
Moments later, Clara rushed in, her face filled with panic. "I saw Evelyn leaving your room. What did she want?"
"She was trying to bait me. She knows I'm hiding something," Seraphina whispered.
Clara grasped her hand tightly. "This isn't good, Lady Seraphina. Evelyn is dangerous. If she finds out about the letter, she'll do anything to stop you."
Seraphina looked at the letter in her hands, her resolve hardening. "I know. But I won't stop. I'm going to the library tomorrow night, no matter the risk."
Clara hesitated but finally nodded. "Alright. We'll do it. But be careful. Evelyn won't sit idly by."
—
The air felt colder than usual as Seraphina slipped out of her room. Her steps were light, nearly soundless, as she moved through the silent palace corridors. The flickering candlelight on the walls cast long shadows, as if conspiring in her plan.
The royal library loomed at the end of the hallway, its heavy oak doors standing like a gateway to another world. Seraphina paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before slowly pushing the door open.
The room was dark, illuminated only by a sliver of moonlight filtering through the large eastern window. Towering shelves filled with ancient books stood like giant shadows, holding countless secrets. The scent of aged paper and dust filled the air, bringing with it an eerie yet familiar feeling.
She stepped inside, her eyes searching for the shelf mentioned in her mother's letter. A large bookcase in the corner looked different from the rest—slightly more prominent, as if hiding something behind it.
"This is it…" Seraphina whispered. She ran her fingers along the side of the shelf, searching for a gap or hidden mechanism. Her hand brushed against a small engraving, and the bookshelf slowly shifted, revealing a narrow, dark passage behind it.
But before she could step inside, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the doorway. Seraphina turned sharply, her chest tightening with fear.
Prince Adrian stood at the threshold, his shadow stretching long under the dim light from the window. His gaze was cold, unreadable—like the night itself.
"Seraphina?" Adrian's voice was deep.
Seraphina swallowed, trying to steady herself. "Prince Adrian! I didn't know Your Highness was here at this hour."
Adrian stepped closer, his eyes scanning the room before settling back on Seraphina. He didn't ask why she was in the library at such a late hour, though there were certainly many questions to be asked.
"I often come here when I want to think," he answered simply. "And you? What are you looking for?"
Seraphina scrambled for an excuse, her eyes flickering toward the slightly open bookshelf behind her. "I couldn't sleep, so I wanted to read something. This library always feels calming to me."
Adrian studied her in silence. There was something different in his gaze that night—a mix of curiosity and doubt.
"You know," Adrian finally said, "this library holds more than just books. Many secrets are buried here, waiting for the right time to be uncovered."
Seraphina felt his words weren't just casual remarks. They were a warning—subtle but real.
"Sometimes secrets are safer left hidden," Adrian continued. "Those who seek too much often find things they shouldn't."
Seraphina bit her lip, holding back the questions pressing at the edge of her mind. Did Adrian know something? Or was this just a coincidence?
"I'll remember that," Seraphina replied. "Thank you for your advice, Your Highness."
Adrian turned toward another bookshelf across the room. He picked up a book and opened it, seeming absorbed in its pages. But Seraphina was sure that cold gaze had not entirely left her.
Carefully, she pushed the bookshelf back into place and stepped away slowly. The unease gnawing at her made every step feel heavier.
Just as she was about to leave the room, Adrian's voice called out once more. "Seraphina."
She stopped, turning halfway.
"If you find something here, make sure you're ready to face whatever comes with it."
His words hung in the air like a shadow, filled with mystery and an unspoken threat. Seraphina met his gaze for a moment, then nodded slightly before disappearing behind the door.
For now, everything remained a mystery.