The moon hung low over the kingdom of Eryndor, casting its pale light over the ancient stone walls of the royal palace. Beneath its cold glow, Elysia stood at the edge of the balcony, her eyes scanning the vast city below. The distant hum of the streets was a reminder of how different the world felt, how distant her life had become from the bustling city she had once known.
She wasn't supposed to be here. The palace was no place for someone like her—no matter her noble blood. She had always felt like an outsider, a shadow in a world of bright, shining faces. Her father's legacy, once a proud and powerful name, had faded with time, leaving only whispers of their former glory. The court didn't care about her lineage anymore. Not when Queen Lysandra had ruled for centuries, her immortality sustained by the dark magic of the Veil of Eternity.
Elysia closed her eyes, taking in a breath of cool air. She didn't want to think about the queen. But her thoughts always found a way to circle back to the one person she couldn't ignore, the one person who held the kingdom in her grasp.
The queen's reign had stretched for over a hundred years, each passing decade marked by whispers of a forbidden magic that granted her immortality. No one truly knew the truth behind the Veil of Eternity, but it was said that the queen had stolen the life force of countless people to keep herself young. And though the palace was grand and the city beneath it flourished, the price of the queen's rule was far too high.
Elysia had spent years watching, waiting, learning. She had overheard the murmurs of the palace servants, the hushed conversations in the dark halls, all hinting at the same thing: the queen's magic was failing. The power that had kept her alive for so long was beginning to crumble, and Elysia knew it would only be a matter of time before the queen turned to something—or someone—else to maintain her grip on the throne.
But what if the queen's reign didn't have to last? What if someone could end it?
Elysia shook her head, pushing the thought aside. She had no power, no allies in the palace. She was alone.
Footsteps echoed behind her. Elysia tensed, but when she turned, she saw only Dante, the captain of the queen's guards. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause. There was something dangerous in his gaze, something she couldn't quite place.
"Princess," he said softly, stepping closer, "You shouldn't be out here alone at this hour."
"I like the quiet," Elysia replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. "The palace is never quiet."
Dante watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "The queen wouldn't be pleased if she knew you were out here."
"She wouldn't be pleased if she knew half the things I've done," Elysia murmured, more to herself than to him.
Dante's lips twitched in a half-smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "The queen doesn't tolerate rebellion."
"I'm not rebelling," she said sharply. "I'm simply… thinking."
"About what?" Dante asked, taking another step forward. His presence seemed to fill the space, his dark cloak rustling softly with the movement.
Elysia hesitated. The truth was, she had been thinking about the queen—about her power, her immortality, and what it meant for the future of the kingdom. But she couldn't share those thoughts with Dante. He was loyal to the queen, and in this place, loyalty meant more than truth.
"About the city," she said finally. "How it thrives beneath the queen's shadow. How much longer can it last?"
Dante studied her for a long moment before he spoke. "The queen is eternal. Her reign will last as long as she chooses."
Elysia's eyes narrowed. "What if she chooses wrong?"
Dante's gaze softened, and for the briefest of moments, Elysia saw a flicker of something—sympathy, perhaps? But it was gone almost immediately, replaced by his usual impassive expression.
"You should rest," Dante said, his voice low and firm. "Tomorrow will be a long day."
He turned to leave, but before he did, he paused and glanced back at her.
"Be careful, Elysia," he warned, his tone unexpectedly soft. "The palace holds more secrets than you know."
As he walked away, Elysia felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn't know if his warning was one of concern or a veiled threat, but either way, it was clear that the game in the palace was far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.