The secret library
398 Words
The old library had been abandoned for decades.
Few people even knew it existed.
Elara had discovered it by accident when she was sixteen, while exploring a forgotten corridor with her childhood friend.
Since then, it had become her refuge.
It was filled with ancient books, dusty maps, and records from previous reigns.
That night, Elara returned there.
She needed answers.
The mysterious letter had frightened her.
She searched through books about Valeria’s history, hoping to find something connected to the warning.
She had been reading for nearly an hour when she heard footsteps.
She froze.
Someone entered the room.
Adrian.
Elara exhaled.
“You frightened me.”
“I apologize.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was assigned to patrol this wing.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“At midnight?”
“The palace doesn’t sleep simply because you do.”
She smiled.
“Neither do you, apparently.”
He noticed the books spread across the table.
“What are you searching for?”
“I don’t know.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“That sounds difficult.”
Elara handed him the letter.
He read it.
His expression changed.
“Where did you get this?”
“My maid brought it.”
“Did she know who sent it?”
“No.”
Adrian examined the paper.
“The handwriting is disguised.”
“You can tell?”
“I spent years reading military reports.”
Elara looked at him.
“Does it mean something?”
“It means someone doesn’t want to be recognized.”
They searched the library together.
Eventually, Elara found an old book about royal succession.
A section described a princess from three centuries earlier.
Her name was Princess Amara.
She had married a soldier instead of the nobleman chosen by the royal council.
The marriage had caused a political crisis.
Elara read aloud:
“The union was declared an insult to the crown, and the kingdom divided between those who valued tradition and those who believed a sovereign should choose freely.”
She closed the book.
“What happened to them?”
Adrian searched the next page.
“The records are incomplete.”
Elara frowned.
“Why?”
“Perhaps someone wanted the rest forgotten.”
They looked at one another.
The same thought crossed both their minds.
Their story had happened before.
And history had not ended kindly.
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