The words from Seraphina's journal burned in Sophie's mind long after she left the abandoned chambers. Trust no one—not even the King.
She hadn't told Eira what she'd read. Not yet. The truth felt too heavy to speak aloud. Instead, she carried the journal back to her own room, slipping it beneath the cushions of her bed before anyone could see.
That night, sleep refused to come. The flicker of the candle beside her cast restless shadows on the walls, and the palace seemed alive with whispers and footsteps in the dark. She thought of home—her warm apartment, the hum of traffic, the comfort of knowing who she was and where she belonged.
But here, in this world of swords and secrets, she was a stranger draped in someone else's crown.
The knock came just past midnight. Gentle, cautious. Sophie froze before crossing the room and opening the door a crack.
Eira stood there, clutching a lantern. Her wide eyes darted nervously down the hallway. "My lady, come quickly. Before the guards change their patrol."
Sophie blinked. "Where are we going?"
Eira hesitated only a moment. "To the archives. If Seraphina left any trace behind, it will be there."
Sophie's heart leapt. She grabbed her cloak and followed.
The corridors were silent but suffocating. Torches burned low, casting the stone walls in amber light. Sophie tried to walk quietly, but every step seemed too loud.
Eira led her through passageways Sophie hadn't seen before—narrow stairwells and servants' corridors hidden behind heavy drapes.
Finally, they slipped through a narrow wooden door into a vast chamber beneath the palace. Rows upon rows of shelves stretched into the shadows, stacked with scrolls and books. The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of parchment.
"The Royal Archives," Eira whispered, setting the lantern down. "Every decree, every treaty, every record of this kingdom is stored here. If Seraphina knew something, it might be hidden within these walls."
Sophie stared around in awe. "It's like a medieval library. Indiana Jones would love this."
Eira tilted her head in confusion. Sophie waved it off. "Never mind. Let's just… look."
They began searching. Sophie moved along the shelves, scanning spines, brushing away cobwebs. Most records were dry and political—grain shipments, tax decrees, court hearings. Nothing about a missing queen.
But then Eira called softly. "My lady. Here."
Sophie hurried over. Eira held a thin volume, its leather cover marked with the royal seal. Inside were transcripts of court meetings from the final year of Seraphina's reign.
Most entries were dull, but one made Sophie's skin prickle.
"Her Majesty raised concern about shadows beyond the Black Gate. Reports of figures moving at night, whispers of a forgotten order. His Majesty dismissed the claims as superstition. Her Majesty insisted further investigation was needed."
Sophie frowned. "Shadows? Forgotten order? What does that even mean?"
Eira's face was pale. "The Black Gate leads into the Wildwood. Few who enter return. If Seraphina sought answers there…"
"…that's where she disappeared," Sophie finished.
They exchanged a glance.
Before Sophie could say more, the sound of footsteps echoed through the archives. Heavy boots. Torchlight flickered against the stone walls.
Eira's eyes widened. "We must hide!"
They darted behind one of the tall shelves, pressing close to the wood as the footsteps drew nearer. Sophie held her breath, her heart pounding so loudly she feared it would give them away.
Two guards entered, speaking in low voices.
"…orders from Lord Draven. The archives must remain locked. Too many eyes searching where they shouldn't."
"Does he suspect the Queen?" the other asked.
A pause. Then a dark chuckle. "He suspects everyone."
Their torches moved deeper into the chamber, and Sophie's blood ran cold. Draven was already watching her.
When the guards finally left, Eira pulled Sophie from the shadows, her hand trembling. "You see now, my lady? This is dangerous. Whatever Seraphina uncovered, it frightened them. Perhaps it even cost her life."
Sophie tightened her grip on the transcript. "Then we need to know more. If she trusted no one—not even the King—then who can we trust? We have to keep digging."
Eira gave a fearful glance toward the doors. "Then we must be clever. If Draven catches us…"
"I know," Sophie whispered. "But if Seraphina vanished because of what she discovered, maybe finding the truth is the only way I survive."
The two slipped back into the night, the weight of secrets pressing heavier than crowns.