CHAPTER FIVE:The hidden library

My heart wouldn't stop pounding.The words carved beneath the old painting refused to leave my mind.

For Princess Flavia of Lunaris.

I traced the letters one last time before pulling my hand away.

Who carved my name there?

Why did it feel like someone had been waiting for me?

"Miss Flavia?"

The maid's voice echoed through the hallway.

I quickly stepped back.

"Y-Yes?"

"Your room is ready."

I forced a smile.

"I'm coming."

But even as I followed her, I couldn't stop looking over my shoulder. Something inside this palace knew me and I was determined to find out what it is.

That night I couldn't  sleep.                  I tossed from one side to another. 

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the full moon and Caelan with his golden eyes and a painful smile on his face.

The way he looked at me as though he was afraid to come any closer.

I sat up with a sigh.

"This is ridiculous," I muttered.

"Why can't I stop thinking about him?" A soft knock came from my balcony window.

I walked closer and pulled the curtain aside.

Then I saw Caelan. He stood on the balcony, dressed in a dark cloak.His hair moved gently with the night breeze.

He looked exhausted.

The shadows beneath his eyes were darker than before.I quickly unlocked the glass door.

"What are you doing here?"

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

"I came to make sure you're safe."

I blinked.

"You should be resting."

"So should you."

A small smile appeared on his lips.

"I noticed you disappeared after dinner."

"I was worried about you" he said

I felt loved because nobody had ever looked for me before.

"I couldn't sleep," I admitted.

"There are too many questions."

He nodded.

"I know."

Silence settled between us.

He looked around my room before his eyes returned to me.

"Did anything happen today?"

I hesitated.

Then I rolled up my sleeve.

The silver mark on my wrist glowed faintly under the moonlight.

His expression changed immediately.

"It's getting brighter."

I know. And it burns sometimes.

He stepped closer.

"So does mine."

"What?"

Without saying a word, he unbuttoned the top of his shirt.

Just enough to reveal the royal crest on his chest.

The mark was glowing a golden colour.

I stared at it.

"They're reacting to each other."

"I've never seen this before," he whispered.

Neither had I.

Without thinking...

I reached for his hand.

The moment our fingers touched—

A bright flash exploded between us.

I gasped.

The room disappeared.

I was standing in a beautiful garden.

Moonflowers covered the ground like silver stars.

A little boy laughed as he chased a little girl around a fountain.

"Catch me!" the girl shouted.

"I'm faster than you!"

"I'll prove you wrong," the boy laughed.

He caught her hand.

They both fell into the grass.

Then...

The little boy slipped a tiny silver ring onto her finger.

"When we grow up..."

"I'm going to marry you."

The little girl giggled.

"I'll only marry you if you don't become annoying."

"I promise."

"I'll protect you forever."

The vision faded.

I opened my eyes with a sharp gasp.

I was back inside my room.

Caelan looked just as shocked.

"You saw it too?"

I nodded slowly.

"Those children..."

"They looked familiar."

His breathing became uneven.

"I know who they were."

My heart skipped.

"Who?"

He looked into my eyes.

"They were us."

I couldn't speak.

"No..."

"That's impossible."

"We've never met before."

"Have we?"

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Before either of us could say another word—

A loud crash echoed somewhere inside the palace.

Then came shouting.

"Search every room!"

"Find the intruder!"

Caelan's face hardened.

They've found something or someone . The entire palace was awake.

Guards rushed through the hallways carrying torches.

I carefully opened my bedroom door.

A maid hurried past.

"What happened?"

She stopped just long enough to answer.

"Someone broke into the royal archives."

My stomach dropped.

"The archives?"

She nodded.

"They stole an ancient scroll."

Before I could ask another question, she disappeared down the corridor.

Caelan stepped beside me.

"This isn't a coincidence."

"You think someone is looking for information about me?"

He didn't answer.

That silence was enough answer for me .

Just then...

Commander Garrick appeared.

His breathing was heavy.

"There you are."

He looked relieved to see us together.

"You both need to come with me."

"What happened?" I asked.

"They didn't just steal a scroll.They stole the Moon Prophecy.

"The Moon Prophecy?"

Garrick nodded.

"It contains the truth about the Lunar Curse And whoever has it...

He looked directly at me.

"...knows exactly who you are."

Before I could process his words—A palace servant came running.

"Commander!"

Garrick turned.

"What is it?"

"The king has ordered every gate sealed. No one leaves the palace.

"And..."

The servant swallowed hard. We found a body.A Royal Guard has been murdered.

My blood turned cold.

Someone had broken into the palace...Stolen the prophecy and killed a guard.

As everyone rushed toward the throne hall. None of us noticed the shadow watching from the balcony above.

Lord Malrec.

He smiled to himself.

Then murmured.

"Everything is happening exactly as planned."