Chapter 10
1076 Words
Serena
I sat in the corner of the grand library hall , beneath the weight of ancient stone arches , as if history itself pressed down on me . My fingers , trembling from exhaustion , flipped through the yellowed pages of reports and dispatches from twenty years ago . Time felt as if it had stopped . I came here every evening after my kitchen duties and stayed until the librarian snuffed out the candles .
Tonight , my eyes stumbled upon a familiar name . Kaldor Frostvale . Marshal of Elvenya . My father .
My heart began to pound . Nearby - was a military report , followed by a dispatch from .. I gripped the paper with shaking hands .
A traitor . A name listed beside my father’s
Not Toren . But his comrade .
I leaned closer :
“Captain Rion Deross , operating undercover , passed movement coordinates of Marshal Frostvale to enemy forces . Shortly after , Frostvale was killed . It was believed his closet ally had betrayed him , but later it was revealed ..”
It felt like cold water had been poured over me .
I lowered my forehead into my hands . Rion . My father had always spoken of him with warmth and respect . They were like brothers .
“How could you .” I whispered , not noticing the tear sliding down my cheek .
The killer wasn’t Toren . And all this time I ..had hated him .
That night , I tossed and turned , unable to sleep . Voices from the past echoed through my mind . Betrayal . Blood . A stolen childhood . Blurred faces . I remembered only my father . His voice . His protection .
Mother - like a shadow . Everything else was lost .
The next morning .
I was wiping down tables in the great hall when I heard Maretta’s voice behind me :
“.. I told him the Marshal wasn’t that much of a hero . My uncle says he might’ve even bribed people .”
I froze .
“That’s nonsense ,” Toren replied sharply .
“You defend him because you liked him . That doesn’t make him a saint ,” she insisted .
I couldn’t stay silent . I turned , not hiding my anger .
“You don’t know what are you talking about .”
Maretta scoffed .
“And you do ?”
I’ve read the records . Real ones . Not gossip .”
She lifted her chin .
“You’re just a servant . Why would you be digging through military archives ?”
“Because I respect the truth . Unlike some people who walk in here wearing a crown and an empty head .”
She paled .
“How dare you ?!”
I stepped closer , voice low and steady :
“Say what you want about me , but don’t you dare speak his name again . Understand ? “
Silence fell behind us .
Toren was starring at me with an unreadable expression . Like he wanted to say something - but didn’t dare .
An hour later , I was summoned to the court .
King
I sat by the window , watching sunlight slide across the marble floor . The servants passed silently . My heart felt heavy . Every night I saw her - my niece - in dreams . And every morning , I woke with emptiness . She was taken from me .. and disappeared .
“Your Grace , the servant Ella .. Serena has arrived .”
I turned .
The girl entered - shoulders straight , eyes steady .
“You argued with Maretta ?” I asked , voice calm .
“Yes ,” she replied plainly . “ And I don’t regret it .”
“Why ?”
“Because she insulted Marshal Frostvale . He didn’t deserve that .”
“His honor means that much to you ?”
“He was a good man .”
My fingers gripped the arms of the throne . She said it with such conviction ..
“You mentioned leaving the palace soon ? “
“Yes . My term of service is ending . I’m leaving at the end of the week .”
“And where you’ll go ?”
“Home . Wherever that is .”
I couldn’t look away . Her face .. familiar . Her voice .. I could’ve sworn I’d heard it in childhood .
I wanted to stop her .
Something deep inside me screamed , don’t le her go !
“ If I offered you to stay - would you ?”
“No . I’ve done what I came here to do .”
She bowed and left . And I remained , feeling something vital slipping through my fingers .
Toren
I’d heard their argument .
I approached too late .
Serena had defended the Marshal so fiercely .. And suddenly , everything made sense . Her stance . Her pride . Her bravery .
Could it be .. ?
No . It was impossible . But the name .. And long ago .. the Marshal had a child . A daughter . Hidden .
I couldn’t stay silent anymore .
The next day , I caught her near the kitchen exit .
“Serena .” I said softly .
“What ?” She answered coldly .
“I heard you’re leaving .”
“ Yes . Isn’t that for the best ?”
“No . Not for me .”
She turned away .
“After everything , you still dare say that ?”
“ I didn’t know .. I thought -“
“That I was a spy ? A liar ?” Her voice trembled . “Or maybe you thought the Marshal was a traitor too ? “
I froze .
“I .. I don’t know what I thought . But now .. I know I don’t want to lose you .”
Serena shook her head .
“It’s too late , Toren .”
And she walked away .
And I stood there , knowing that if I didn’t fight - I would lose her forever .
- Writer
