CHAPTER FIVE THE UNKNOWN TALE
The palace felt strange beneath Maya's feet, as though every polished marble step whispered of the impossible turn her life had taken. Only days ago she had been an orphan, a wanderer in a cursed forest. Now, by prophecy and peril, she was Queen of Altolem.
The Stone of Tears still hummed softly in her chambers, its power thrumming through her veins like moonlight made flesh. She could feel something new inside herself — something vast, something untamed — a quiet force she couldn't yet name.
Word spread quickly. Within two days the capital buzzed with fevered talk: a new queen was to be crowned. A coronation was set. The people of Altolem prepared to meet the girl their king had bowed to.
Pat had been sent for, along with Sam and the others' siblings, but Pat declined to come, and no one pressed her to explain.
Then came a voice Maya hadn't heard in what felt like forever.
"Maya!!"
"Simon!" she cried, spinning around — and running straight into her brother's arms.
He hugged her tight. "What took you so long? I missed you so much."
"Me too," she said softly.
"I thought something bad had happened," Simon admitted, his voice cracking with relief.
"I promised you I'd come back for you," Maya said, smiling as she pulled away to look at him.
"Thanks for coming back," Simon said, smiling through damp eyes. Then, glancing around the vast chamber, he frowned. "Why are we in a palace anyway? I heard some new queen is about to be crowned."
Clara grinned. "Your sister is the new queen."
Simon froze. "Tell me that's a joke."
"It's true, Simon," Maya said gently. "I'm your queen now — and you, my little prince." A maid approached and bowed low. "Your Majesty, you sent for me."
"Yes, Sofia," Maya said with regal calm that still felt like borrowed clothing. "Show my brother to his chambers, have him cleaned up. My sisters Abigail and Jenna as well — see they're treated to a fine meal."
"At once, Your Majesty."
Simon's chamber smelled faintly of lavender oil and polished wood. The maid bowed again. "Would you prefer a warm or cold bath, my lord?"
Simon blinked, awkward. "Uh... warm, ma'am." He bowed back without meaning to, earning a small smile from Sofia.
Soon Simon and the girls were dressed in fine silks and summoned for dinner. At the long table, Maya leaned forward, eyes bright. "Do you like the food?" Simon nodded vigorously, cheeks full. "Best thing I've ever eaten."
"Me too," Maya said with a soft chuckle.
"Where is everybody?" Simon asked, glancing around. "Probably out exploring Altolem," Maya said with a faint smile.
"You don't get to do that with them, do you?" he asked.
"I guess that's the price I pay for wearing this crown," she scoffed lightly.
Simon smiled. "Go to bed. You look like you need it."
"You see right through me," Maya teased as she stood. "I need my beauty sleep." "Good night," Simon said, waving at her while still chewing.
Maya giggled and turned to a waiting maid. "Clear the table when he's done." "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Byeee!" Simon called, and Maya left smiling.
The next morning, in the throne room, Maya greeted Clara and David with playful indignation. "Guys! You didn't come back last night. Left me all alone to enjoy this place, huh?"
"Sorry, Your Highness," David joked.
"We seemed to have forgotten you," Clara said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, you did," Maya said, smiling despite herself. "Where's Sam and the rest?" "On vacation," David laughed.
"Great! You all get vacations now?" Maya pouted. "That's unfair."
"Don't be silly," Clara said. "You've got a whole kingdom to yourself."
"Yeah," Maya muttered. "And it feels no different from a prison."
"You'll be fine," David said, smiling reassuringly.
"Wait," Maya said, frowning. "You're going too?"
"For just a short while," David winked.
Clara grinned. "We want to see what's outside Altolem. Adventures are fun, right?"
"Oh, right," Maya sighed. "A good day to be queen indeed. I'm going to miss all the fun stuff?"
"Don't worry," David chuckled. "We'll return with presents." "You'd better," Maya said, half smiling.
"Leaving me out of the conversation is bad," Simon piped up. "Don't I deserve presents too?"
"You're not left out, pretty boy," Clara said with a wink.
"You wouldn't even wait for my coronation?" Maya asked, pouting. David smirked. "If we show up, we waited. If we don't... we couldn't." "Very well," Maya said, shaking her head.
Two days later, Simon could hardly contain himself. "Maya, I can't believe this is really happening. Today you're going to be crowned queen!"
"I know," Maya said warmly. "And it's nice to have you by my side."
Soon they were called to the ballroom, where every noble, merchant, and villager of note waited to see the new sovereign. The crowd buzzed with excitement, a restless sea of silks and jewels.
Then the herald's voice rang out: "I present to you the Queen and Prince of Altolem!"
A hush swept the room as Maya entered, radiant, with Simon at her side. The hall filled
with standing applause as the ceremony began. In solemn splendor, they were crowned — queen and prince of a kingdom reborn.
By nightfall the palace quieted, its revelry spent. The next morning, birdsong broke through Maya's dreams.
She groaned. "Why do I have to listen to chirping birds? I'm exhausted from last night's coronation. Nooo, it's too early." A knock at the door.
"Your Majesty," Sofia's voice called gently, "it's time to wake up."
"Oh, seriously? Is this my life now?" Maya muttered, dragging herself upright. "Come in."
Sofia entered, bowing. "Your Majesty."
"Isn't it too early for all this?" Maya squinted.
Sofia smiled. "Breakfast is served, Your Majesty."
"Just what I needed to hear," Maya said, smiling faintly.
Sofia helped her freshen up and escorted her to the dining hall, where Simon was already devouring his meal.
"Oh, I see you came for breakfast without me," Maya teased.
"I knocked once," Simon said with a chuckle. "You didn't answer." "I know how much you love me now," she joked.
Simon laughed.
Sofia cleared her throat. "Your Majesties, the royal wizard will be coming to the palace today. It is our tradition that every new king or queen learns the secret of their unknown tale."
"Oh, I've heard about that," Maya said, nodding as she chewed.
"I hope he performs some magic tricks," Simon said, eyes bright. "It's my first time seeing a wizard — and a first-order wizard at that. I really want to see what they can do."
"I heard wizards of the first order never entertain anyone," Maya said with a chuckle. "Don't get your hopes up."
Simon sighed. "That's no fun. Can I skip the lesson?"
"I'm afraid not, Your Highness," Sofia said with a polite bow.
"What a shame," Simon said, chewing on his meat with exaggerated disappointment.