assembled kings and wise men. "We are here today to prepare for the arrival o

ledgment as the king spoke. Queen Ruth, King Richard's wife, stood gra

by throne flanked by two maids. Her eyes were cast downwar

quietly into the hall. Her gaze moved around the room with quiet caution and curiosity. Lucy was the daughter

yal family of Allen for a formal introduction between their prince and our princess, ahead of the main wedd

scanning the room to be sure everyo

ld her composure. Her eyes seemed fixed on someth

o years and believed she was better suited to be queen of Allen. After all, she knew Jovita was not loo

, the castle staff quickly di

easingly anxious. The thought of spending his life with someone he did not love tormented him. His heart belonged

ovita had a s

g air. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the castle garden. She si

ond. The water was still, and mirror-like. She sa

e felt s

. Subtle at first, but grew stronger. Her hear

out from the trees. Two of them were a

ta f

of running away, she wa

nvisible chains. The masked figures said nothing. Their silence was more terr

raised a gloved hand a

d into deep water. Her vision blurred. The garden shimmered, its colors

nt, she was no l

mirror reflected not her current self, but different versions of her: some smili

four masked figures reappeared. This

Jovita cried out. Her voice

d spoke with a voice that echoed in layers: m

not yours yet.

t ch

ty. One leads to the heart. The other

if I have to lose m

l away, Jovita glimpsed flashes of real places. A dark forest lit by fireflies, a battle in a snowstor

to see more, but the ground

voice whispered. "Befor

ely, and she was swallowed

rembling. The early morning light was barely seeping through her wind

n bed, pressing a

that?" she

am, s

It felt lik

soft knock

rised to see Lu

fast is being served. The queen says w

owly. "I'll be t

ng, unreadable loo

to herself, "I don't think

st time, she wa