Prologue
In the darkness of a moonless night, as the city slumbered in uneasy peace and the empty streets lay barely touched by flickering lantern light, he moved silently toward the palace. His face was cloaked, hidden from curious eyes. At the gates, he paused, glancing up at a window glowing faintly in the distance.
The queen stood there, unmoving, her gaze locked on him.
He scanned the surroundings once more, then slipped into the shadowed halls of the palace. He knew what he carried — and who awaited him — would surely mean his death. But he believed in her.
Keeping to the shadows, he moved swiftly down the corridors and stopped outside her chamber.
The queen stood at the window as though she had been waiting. A knock came, soft but firm. She turned to the door.
“Come in,” she said quietly.
A man stepped into the room, bowed, and straightened.
“My lady, he sent you this,” he said, handing her a letter.
She took it, unfolding the parchment with trembling hands. Her eyes moved quickly across the page before she tucked it into a drawer and turned to him.
“I’m going to meet him. Is the palace secure? Are the halls dark?”
The guard nodded silently and stepped aside. She reached for her cloak.
“Lady Thuna, are you sure this is wise?” he asked as they exited the room. The palace was wrapped in stillness, like the hush before a storm.
“I am,” she replied, though her voice betrayed her urgency. “Tell me—are my daughters asleep?”
Shadow looked at her, pain flickering across his face. She could never hide her worry from him.
“Yes. They’re sleeping. You’re always thinking about them. But you shouldn’t. It’s dangerous.”
“Don’t let the king catch you speaking to me like this. He won’t hesitate to kill you.” Her voice hardened. “And I must care for them. They’re the only reason I’ve survived this long. Lord Ren wouldn’t hesitate to harm them—he won’t care they’re his own blood. Shadow, I need you to protect White Lily. There’s something about her... something rare. Can I trust you?”
Shadow hesitated, then gave a small, solemn nod.
“You can trust me with everything, my lady.” He offered a faint, crooked smile, then looked away, his thoughts troubled.
Thuna… this will destroy you. You’re doing this for them, but at what cost? I can’t save you from everything. Just give them to me… let me protect them.
They descended the back stairs, moving soundlessly. When they reached the courtyard, Shadow halted.
His eyes widened. Something about this place stirred an old memory.
I’ve been here before… but when? What happened here? Why does it feel so familiar?
Before he could voice the thought, Thuna turned sharply, addressing the hooded figure who had stepped from the shadows.
“Well? What news?” she asked, her tone edged with impatience.
“My lady,” the man said, “I’ve found a child—white hair, crystal eyes. An orphan. Tomorrow, we’ll bring him to the palace and claim he’s the one who murdered the queen. That will draw suspicion away from your daughter. Do you agree?”
Thuna’s expression darkened. “You think the king will believe a child killed his own mother? What if the boy speaks out?”
The man smirked. “He won’t. You have my word. I’ll ensure your daughter is safe.”
He turned toward Shadow. “I must go. If I’m discovered here again, your life will be forfeit. Farewell.” With that, he climbed the wall and vanished into the night.
Thuna exhaled deeply and returned to Shadow.
“Come. Let’s go back,” she said, weary.
They reentered the palace together. That night, Shadow stood guard outside her room, ever watchful. Inside, Thuna lay awake, her mind in turmoil. Doubt gnawed at her heart.
Can I trust them? Will they really protect my daughters?
She tightened her grip on the sheets.
I must be strong. For them. I will protect my daughters to the end. Ren, you won’t take this palace. You are nothing but a greedy shadow, just like your mother.
The next morning, Thuna stood at the entrance of the throne room, her daughters at her side, summoned by royal command. She bowed low, her gaze fixed on the marble floor.
“My Lord,” she said softly, tension thick in her voice.
Her daughters, wide-eyed with wonder, gazed around the grand chamber. It was their first time here — the seat of power, where their father, King Ren, held court. The walls glittered with gold inlay, the high windows casting long shadows across the floor.
From atop his throne, King Ren stared at them with cold, merciless eyes.
“Come,” he barked, his voice sharp and devoid of warmth.
Thuna inhaled deeply, forced a smile, and stepped forward. Her daughters followed, silent and unsure. She seated herself beside the throne — a place of status, yet today it felt more like a stage. Her robes fanned around her, masking her trembling hands. Her daughters settled on the opposite side.
Moments later, the great doors creaked open. Several hooded figures entered, dragging a boy between them.
“Let me go! Please—let me go!” the boy cried, struggling against their grip.
White Lily’s eyes widened at the sight. She looked to her father, then to the boy. Her older sister, Blue Night, took her hand and gently shook her head.
“So, this is the boy?” Lord Ren asked, his voice heavy with disdain. His black, unkempt hair framed a face weathered by years of cruelty.
Thuna glanced at Shadow, who stood silently at the far end of the room, his face unreadable.
“Yes, my Lord,” one of the hooded men said. “He was hiding. For years.”
Ren nodded slowly, then turned to Thuna. “Do you truly believe it was him?”
Thuna closed her eyes, nodded once.
“Very well,” Ren muttered. He turned his gaze to the child. “Take him to the dungeon. Lock him away.”
The guards began dragging the boy from the room.
“Please—please! I didn’t do anything! Don’t kill me!” he shouted, his voice cracking with fear.
Suddenly, White Lily broke free and ran to him.
“You can’t!” she cried. “He’s done nothing!”
Blue Night chased after her, trying to pull her back. Red Rose, the youngest, remained frozen in horror. Thuna stood in shock. Ren rose, his fury instant and fierce.
“No one disobeys my orders!” he roared, drawing his sword as he stormed toward them.
Blue backed away, terrified. Thuna rushed forward, stepping between Lily and the king just as the blade came down.
“NO!” she screamed.
Ren stopped, his eyes ablaze. Without a word, he struck her hard across the face. Thuna stumbled, dazed. He seized her by the hair and dragged her across the floor toward the throne.
Thuna screamed, but the guards did nothing. No one moved. Her daughters watched in stunned silence.
White Lily screamed, “Mother!”
The hooded men hauled the boy out. Red Rose finally ran to her sisters. Shadow moved quickly, pulling the girls away, wrapping his arms around them.
“MOTHER!” White Lily cried out again, thrashing against Shadow’s grip, but he held her firm. From over his shoulder, she caught one last glimpse — her mother, weeping, being dragged by the king as the throne room doors slammed shut behind them.
