exiled by the sea
The ocean had always been Lyra’s home. It was calm, bright, and full of life. Soft glowing corals lit up the palace, and colorful fish swam freely through the tall pillars. Everything felt peaceful, like a dream that would never end.
But today, that feeling was gone.
Lyra swam slowly along the edge of the coral palace, her fingers brushing lightly against the smooth walls. The water felt colder than usual, and the silence around her was strange. Even the small creatures that usually filled the area with movement were nowhere to be seen.
She frowned slightly.
Something was wrong.
She could not explain it, but she could feel it deep inside her chest. It was like a warning, quiet but strong, telling her that something bad was about to happen.
“Princess.”
The voice came softly from behind her.
Lyra turned and saw her sister, Serena, swimming toward her with a gentle smile. Her long silver tail shimmered in the light, and her hair floated around her like a crown.
“You should not be out here alone,” Serena said kindly. “Father has been looking for you.”
Lyra nodded slowly. “I just needed some space.”
Serena tilted her head, studying her. “You have been acting different lately.”
Lyra looked away. “I have just been thinking.”
“About what?”
Lyra hesitated.
How could she explain the strange dreams she had been having? Or the whispers she thought she heard when she swam too far from the palace? It all sounded too strange, even to her.
“About everything,” she said quietly.
Serena smiled again, but this time it did not reach her eyes. “You worry too much.”
Maybe.
Or maybe she was the only one who noticed the changes.
“Come,” Serena said, turning toward the palace. “Father is waiting. It is important.”
Lyra followed her, though the uneasy feeling did not leave.
As they entered the grand hall, Lyra immediately noticed the difference.
It was too quiet.
The glowing pearls that lined the walls seemed dimmer, and the guards stood stiffly in place, their expressions serious. The nobles whispered softly among themselves, but no one looked relaxed.
Lyra’s heart began to beat faster.
At the far end of the hall sat the king, her father. His posture was straight, his face hard, and his eyes cold in a way Lyra had never seen before.
“You called for me,” Lyra said, bowing her head respectfully.
The king did not respond right away.
Instead, he stared at her, as if trying to see something hidden beneath the surface.
Then he spoke.
“Lyra,” he said slowly, “do you know why you are here?”
Lyra blinked in confusion. “No, Father.”
A murmur spread across the hall.
Lyra’s fingers tightened slightly.
“I will ask again,” the king said, his voice sharper now. “Do you know why you are here?”
Lyra shook her head. “I do not.”
The king’s expression darkened.
“You have been accused of treason.”
The words hit her like a sudden wave.
“Treason?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
“That is not possible.”
The king leaned forward slightly. “Is it not?”
Lyra looked around the room, her heart racing. No one met her eyes. No one spoke for her.
“I have done nothing wrong,” she said, her voice shaking but firm. “You know me. I would never betray our kingdom.”
Silence filled the hall.
Then Serena moved forward.
Lyra’s breath caught.
“Sister,” Serena said softly, her voice trembling as if she were about to cry, “please tell the truth.”
Lyra stared at her in shock. “What are you saying?”
Serena lowered her gaze, her expression filled with sadness. “They found proof.”
“What proof?” Lyra demanded, panic rising in her chest.
A guard stepped forward, holding a glowing shell. Inside it, images moved like light trapped in water.
Lyra’s heart dropped.
“That is not mine,” she said quickly.
The guard opened the shell.
The image became clear.
Lyra saw herself standing near the border of the kingdom, speaking to dark figures from the deep sea. Creatures that were known enemies.
Her breath stopped.
“No,” she whispered. “That is not real.”
“It is a memory shell,” the king said coldly. “It cannot lie.”
Lyra shook her head, fear rising rapidly. “Someone is using magic. This is not me.”
Serena let out a soft sob. “Why would you do this?”
Lyra turned to her, disbelief filling her eyes. “I did not do anything. You have to believe me.”
But Serena did not look at her.
And no one else did either.
