Some time had passed since the ball and since I had begun settling into the palace. My lessons with the prince—reading, writing, etiquette, and dance—had become part of my days, though not without struggle. My evenings were still quiet moments of relief, walking through the gardens or sitting in my room, reflecting on how strange and overwhelming this new life was.
Today, I wanted to see the girls again. June, July, and Skylar were in the maids' quarters, and I missed their laughter, the little jokes and chatter that reminded me of the life we had left behind in the streets. I was also thinking of Jakie, wondering how he fared in his training with the guards. I hoped he was managing well.
I set off through the palace, passing long corridors lined with tapestries and portraits of rulers long gone. My footsteps echoed on the polished floors as I searched for the prince, hoping he could accompany me to the barracks. As I walked, my curiosity and nerves collided. Would he say yes? Would the guards even let me through?
Eventually, I arrived outside his study. The door was slightly open. I paused, my heart skipping a beat. Voices carried through the crack—a calm, controlled voice I recognized as the prince's, and then a deep, commanding tone that could only belong to the king.
I froze. Part of me screamed to leave, but my curiosity rooted me to the spot. The conversation wasn't meant for me—but my name had already reached their lips.
"…Lady Elara is making more progress than I expected," the prince said. "She's learning to read and write steadily. She even discovered the mage tower some days ago and spent time there examining the texts."
I pressed my fingers to my lips. The mage tower… I hadn't imagined that my secret exploration would reach their ears.
"She's improving fast," the prince continued. "Her letters are neat, and her words make sense. She's focused, and she's determined to learn."
The king's voice darkened. "Determined, yes. That is dangerous. What will happen when she learns the truth? When she reads those books and understands the history of her bloodline, of the Fire Kingdom… what then? She will resent us. She will hold a grudge. And I—" His voice dropped, almost a growl. "I will not allow her to learn magic. Not now, not ever."
I pressed my back against the wall, uncertainty clawing at me. My stomach churned. Why was the king so afraid of me? What had he done fourteen years ago that would make him fear the last child of the Fire Kingdom?
"She is cautious, Father," the prince said quietly, measured. "She listens, she trusts, and she respects our guidance. She will not be reckless. But if you forbid her entirely, she may seek knowledge elsewhere. That could make her even more curious."
"Curious," the king said sharply, "is exactly what I fear. Fire does not burn quietly. She is the last trace of the Fire Kingdom, and when she realizes it… when she understands what was taken from her, she will demand answers. She will demand justice. And I cannot allow that. Not while she lives."
My heart hammered. Every word cut into my chest. Fire, the last trace… justice. Secrets long buried, and yet they had a name, a history, a reason. The king's fear was real, palpable, and it made me more anxious, more desperate to understand what I had stumbled into.
"She is growing every day, Father," the prince said softly, carefully. "Her mind is sharp, and her curiosity is natural. We cannot hide her away forever, but I will guide her. I will ensure she learns safely, and only what is necessary for her education. She will not be harmed, and she will not become a threat."
The king's voice dropped again, cold and commanding. "Watch her closely. She must not learn magic. I will not risk it. Not while she can read, not while she can think, not while she can uncover the truth. If she learns what was done… if she discovers my role… she will never forgive me. And she will not remain silent."
I felt my hands tremble, pressing them against the stone wall behind me. My mind raced, connecting threads of information I hadn't even realized I was seeking. The Fire Kingdom, my blood, the mage tower, the prince's lessons… they were all connected in a way that terrified me.
I debated whether to step back, to run, to pretend I hadn't heard. But part of me wanted to listen, to understand. I needed to know what I was up against, why the king feared me so deeply, and why the prince had so carefully guided me through lessons and dances.
"Be careful," the king said finally, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Even guidance cannot contain fire. Even control cannot contain a spirit like hers."
The conversation fell silent. I lingered a moment longer, heart pounding, the weight of their words pressing down on me. Then, quietly, I slipped away, stepping back into the corridor. I needed air, space, time to think. Questions swirled in my mind:
Why did the king fear me? What was hidden in the mage tower that made him tremble? And when I finally learned the truth of my past… what would I do?
The palace around me felt both familiar and alien. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, the distant echo of servants and guards mingling with my racing thoughts. I walked quickly, needing the grounding of the gardens, the comfort of the familiar chaos of the maids' quarters, the laughter of June, July, and Skylar.
I had learned long ago to survive by being careful, to hide when necessary, to watch and wait. And now, more than ever, I realized how much I would need that skill. I needed to understand the palace, the people in it, and the secrets they carried.
I took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill my lungs as I stepped into the gardens. The scents of flowers and herbs mingled with the warmth of the sun. The palace towers rose behind me, the stones gleaming in the light. I felt small, yet alive, surrounded by beauty and secrets alike.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, a spark of determination flared. They could whisper, they could fear, they could try to control me—but I would find my own path. I would learn, I would survive, and someday, I would understand everything.