chapter 1: The library of secrets
The stillness of the night was broken by a soft whisper. "Wake up."
She stirred under her blankets, her mind still heavy with sleep. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder, shaking her awake. The room was dark, shadows draped over every corner.
"Come," the voice said softly. "There's something you need to see."
Blinking away the haze of sleep, she sat up and squinted in the dim light. The figure standing by her bed was familiar, but something in their presence felt different tonight ... quieter, more urgent.
"Follow me," the voice continued, stepping toward the door.
Without a word, she slipped from the bed, her bare feet meeting the cold stone floor. The air was cool, carrying a weight of secrecy that tugged at her curiosity. As they walked through the darkened corridors of the palace, the flicker of distant torches threw strange shadows on the walls, casting fleeting glimpses of forgotten portraits and tapestries, their details lost in the gloom.
At last, they reached a door she had never noticed before, carved with delicate symbols that glimmered faintly in the moonlight. The figure placed a hand on the door, and it creaked open slowly, revealing a room unlike any other in the palace.
She stepped inside, eyes wide with wonder. The room was vast and dimly lit, its high shelves crammed with books and scrolls, all covered in dust. The air was thick with the scent of old paper and something else-something ancient, almost magical. At the center of the room stood a stone pedestal, and on it rested a single book.
It wasn't an ordinary book. Its cover shimmered in the faint light, untouched by dust or time. Without a word, the figure stepped aside, allowing her to approach. She felt a strange pull toward the book, as though it was calling out to her.
As she drew closer, the book began to lift from the pedestal, floating gently in the air. She gasped, stepping back instinctively, but the book hovered in place, suspended by some invisible force. Slowly, it drifted toward a large circular mechanism in the center of the room-something she hadn't noticed before. The book fit perfectly into the groove, and as it settled into place, a soft, golden glow filled the room.
She stared in awe, her heart pounding.
Then, from the air itself, a voice-calm, measured, and full of an ancient wisdom-began to speak.
Narrator: "Once, there was a story left unfinished. A tale of magic, of destiny, and of a battle yet to be fought."
The words seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, wrapping around her like a forgotten melody. The room seemed to shift around her, as if the very walls were breathing in the rhythm of the narration.
Narrator: "It is a story not yet written to its end, though its beginning is familiar. It is the tale of a young girl, her life intertwined with forces she has only begun to understand..."
The images began to form around her-faint at first, like wisps of dreams, but then sharper. A figure, a young girl, growing up in a world of secrets and power, her destiny waiting in the shadows.
Her breath caught as she realized: this was her story
Her heart raced as the images danced in the air around her, fragments of memories she hadn't realized were part of something larger. The narrator's voice faded, leaving a lingering silence, thick with meaning.
She turned toward her aunt, confusion and awe mingling in her gaze. "How do you know all of this?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "How do you know... about me?"
Her aunt, standing just a step away, smiled gently, though there was something unreadable in her eyes. "There are stories, my dear, that are too important to stay hidden," she said softly. "Yours is one of them."
"But why now?" She looked back at the glowing book, still floating effortlessly in the strange mechanism. "Why show me this tonight?"
Her aunt's expression grew more serious, the playful warmth replaced by something deeper, more urgent. "Because your story is not yet finished," she replied. "And you are the only one who can decide how it ends."
Sofia stared at the book, the weight of her aunt's words pressing down on her. She could feel it now-the truth behind them. The images had only shown her fragments, but they were real. She had lived them. And the future... that remained unwritten.
"But... what if I'm not ready?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her aunt stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "No one is ever truly ready for their destiny," she said, her tone kind but firm. "But you've been preparing for this your whole life, even if you didn't know it. And now, it's time."
The room was quiet again, the only sound the soft hum of magic in the air, as the book floated gently back to its resting place.
Sofia stared at the floating book, its pages still softly glowing. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of everything-the images, the voice, her aunt's words.
"But... the narrator didn't explain what I need to do," Sofia said, turning to her aunt. "Or what secrets I'm supposed to uncover. How am I supposed to finish the story if I don't even know where it's leading?"
Her aunt gave her a knowing look, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Not all stories reveal their secrets at once," she said gently. "The narrator can only show you the path you've walked and hint at the challenges ahead. The rest... well, that's for you to discover."
Sofia frowned. "But what if I don't know how? What if I fail?"
Her aunt took a deep breath, her eyes softening with understanding. "Every story holds unknowns, twists we can't foresee. That's what makes it worth telling." She placed her hand over Sofia's. "You won't be alone in this. The story is yours, but the magic that binds it... it's in you, too."
Sofia looked at the book again, her heart still pounding. She wanted to ask more, to demand answers, but somehow she knew her aunt wouldn't give them. Not yet. There were things she would have to figure out on her own.
Her aunt's voice was quiet now, almost a whisper. "Trust the magic, Sofia. Trust yourself. The secrets will reveal themselves in time."
Sofia staring at the book, I need to go to bed aunt .
Her aunt smiles , sure you can go but don't tell anyone about this, Sofia confused, not even dad or mum, point to note he is your brother. Aunt Tilly smiles, ah Sofia you make me laugh I know he's my brother but he doesn't have to know about this, think of it as our little secret. Sofia stared at her then looked around, this is not a little secret it's a big secret but I promise you that I'll keep it as a secret but you also have to promise me something. Aunt Tilly looking skeptical, and what's that? Promise me that you'll be there for me when I need you. Aunt Tilly smiles then hugs her , awwn Sofia I'll be there for you no matter what she pecked her forehead, come on let's go to bed a new day awaits us.
Sofia thinking " a new day awaits me, is something good or bad going to happen, all I know is that I have to protect my family from whatever is going to happen ". Come on Sofia let's go
They left the library then went to bed
The warm morning sun poured through the palace windows, casting golden light over the long dining table. The clink of silverware and quiet conversation filled the room as everyone gathered for breakfast. The smell of fresh bread and honey wafted in the air, but there was one thing missing-Sofia.
The king, seated at the head of the table, scanned the room, his brow furrowing slightly. "Where's Sofia?" he asked, glancing at the empty seat beside her siblings.
Queen Miranda looked up from her plate, her smile faltering as she realized their daughter wasn't there. "She's probably still getting ready," she replied, though a note of concern crept into her voice.
James, already halfway through his meal, shrugged. "Maybe she overslept. She was acting a little weird last night," he said, his voice casual but curious.
"Did anyone check on her?" the king asked, his tone sharpening just a little. He wasn't one to worry unnecessarily, but something felt off.
Amber sighed, daintily setting down her spoon. "You know how Sofia is. She's probably lost in one of her daydreams or talking to a squirrel." Her voice was teasing, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of concern as well.
Just as the king was about to send someone to check, footsteps echoed down the corridor. All heads turned as Sofia appeared at the entrance to the dining hall, her hair slightly disheveled, and her eyes still clouded with sleep.
"Morning," she mumbled, sliding into her seat.
"Sofia," the king began, his gaze soft but questioning. "You're late. Is everything alright?"
Sofia blinked, her thoughts still tangled from the night before. She forced a smile, nodding quickly. "Yeah, sorry. I just didn't sleep well."
Her aunt, seated a few chairs away, gave her a knowing look but said nothing, keeping the secret they had shared in the quiet of the night.
After a hurried breakfast, Queen Miranda noticed Sofia's distracted state and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, sweetie. Let's get you ready for school." Her voice was soft, full of understanding.
Sofia nodded, still lost in thought, but followed her mother to her room. As Miranda helped Sofia with her uniform and tidied her hair, she couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure everything's alright, Sofia? You seem... distant this morning."
Sofia hesitated, the memory of the glowing book and the strange, floating voice flashing in her mind. But how could she explain it all without breaking her promise to Aunt Tilly? She forced a small smile. "I'm fine, Mom. Just... didn't get much sleep, that's all."
Miranda studied her for a moment, her eyes full of motherly concern, but she let it go. "Alright, but if anything's bothering you, you can always talk to me."
Sofia nodded, grateful for her mother's understanding but feeling the weight of the secret growing heavier. "Thanks, Mom."
Minutes later, they were heading out to the palace courtyard, where the royal flying carriage awaited. Its sleek, enchanted design gleamed in the sunlight, and the magical horses, their wings shimmering, stood ready for the journey.
Sofia climbed into the carriage beside her mother, the cool morning breeze brushing past as they took off into the sky. The familiar sights of the kingdom spread out below them, but Sofia's thoughts remained tangled with last night's events. What was the book trying to tell her? And how was she supposed to finish a story she didn't even understand?
Miranda glanced over at her daughter, noticing her far-off gaze. "Are you excited about today? You've always loved school."
Sofia snapped back to the present, giving her mom a soft smile. "Yeah, I am."
But deep down, she knew things were changing. The question was, would she be ready when the time comes