Episode 6
734 Words
Lyria stood motionless.
The voice outside the door had disappeared as suddenly as it came.
She slowly approached the door and pressed her ear against it.
Nothing.
No footsteps.
No breathing.
Only silence.
A chill crept down her spine.
Whoever had spoken knew she was in danger.
But how had they entered the heavily guarded hallway without being noticed?
She stepped back just as the door opened.
The captain of the Royal Guards entered with two soldiers behind him.
His eyes searched the room.
Did anyone come in here?
Lyria hesitated.
No
The captain studied her face carefully.
We heard someone speaking outside your chamber.
She forced herself to remain calm.
I did not hear anything
After a long moment, he nodded.
Remain inside. No one is permitted to leave this room until the King returns.
The guards closed the door once again.
Lyria released the breath she had been holding.
She was certain someone had been there.
Hours passed.
The palace grew quieter as night settled over the kingdom.
Lyria sat beside the window, unable to stop thinking about everything that had happened.
The prophecy.
The Moon Stone.
The Alpha King's confession.
Princess Selene's warning.
None of it made sense.
Suddenly, she heard soft scratching beneath the floor.
Her heart raced.
The sound came again.
She knelt and noticed one of the wooden floorboards had shifted.
Carefully, she lifted it.
A folded piece of parchment lay hidden beneath.
Her hands trembled as she opened them.
The message contained only one sentence.
Do not trust the princess. She poisoned the King.
Lyria's eyes widened.
Before she could read it again, the bedroom door flew open.
Princess Selene walked in with two palace maids.
She smiled as though they were old friends.
I hope I am not disturbing you.
Lyria quickly slipped the note into her sleeve.
What do you want?
Selene dismissed the maids with a wave of her hand.
Wait outside.
The maids bowed and left.
The princess slowly walked around the room, admiring the expensive furniture.
The King must find you very interesting.
Otherwise, you would already be dead.
Lyria remained silent.
Selene stopped in front of her.
Tell me something.
Did you meet the King during the Blood Moon?
Lyria's heartbeat quickened.
Why are you asking
Because I enjoy knowing the truth.
A faint smile crossed Selene's lips.
Unlike most people in this palace.
Lyria remembered the hidden message.
Do not trust the princess.
She decided to reveal nothing.
I have nothing to say.
Selene sighed.
That is disappointing.
She turned toward the window.
Do you know why the nobles want you dead?
Lyria frowned.
Because they believe I kidn*pped the King
Selene shook her head.
No.
They fear something much worse.
She slowly faced Lyria again.
They fear you might become their Queen.
The words struck Lyria like lightning.
That is impossible.
Is it
Selene stepped closer.
The Moon Goddess has strange ways of choosing her Luna.
Sometimes she chooses a servant instead of a princess.
Sometimes she destroys kingdoms with a single choice.
Lyria searched for Selene's face.
For the first time, she noticed something beneath the princess's calm expression.
Hatred.
Deep and burning hatred.
A loud knock interrupted them.
The Alpha King entered.
His sharp eyes immediately moved to Selene.
I ordered that no one should enter this room.
Selene smiled sweetly.
I only wished to welcome our guest.
The Alpha King's voice turned cold.
Leave.
For a brief second, Selene's smile disappeared.
Then she bowed gracefully.
As you wish, My King.
She walked toward the door but paused beside Lyria.
Very quietly, so only Lyria could hear, she whispered,
You should read the note hidden in your sleeve before someone else finds it.
Lyria froze.
How did she know?
Selene walked away without looking back.
The door closed.
The Alpha King looked at Lyria.
What did she say to you?
Lyria reached into her sleeve.
The folded parchment was gone.
She searched both sleeves.
Nothing.
Her face turned pale.
Someone had taken it.
At that moment, the palace alarm echoed through the halls.
A guard burst into the room, breathing heavily.
My King
The royal vault has been broken into.
The sacred prophecy has been stolen.
The Alpha King's expression hardened.
Who did it?
The guard swallowed.
They left behind only one clue.
He slowly turned toward Lyria.
Your name was written on the wall in blood.
- Writer
