Chapter 5: the false heir
537 Words
By the next night, only four remained—Aria, Dr. Fen, the noblewoman, and the silent hooded man who had spoken almost nothing since they arrived.
The air grew heavier as the palace settled into silence. Somewhere deep within, a clock chimed seven slow times. Seven bells—seven souls, perhaps.
They gathered in the library, a vast hall of rotting books and broken chandeliers. Candlelight flickered over maps, portraits, and royal decrees.
Dr. Fen read aloud from a journal he had found buried beneath the ashes of the hearth. “‘The curse was born of deceit, bound by blood and betrayal.’” He glanced up. “It speaks of a royal impostor… someone who pretended to be of the king’s blood.”
The noblewoman stiffened. “That’s nonsense.”
Aria narrowed her eyes. “You’ve known more about this palace than any of us since the start. You said your family had ties here.”
“My family served the crown,” she said coldly. “I’m Lady Seraphine D’Mar. My ancestors built this palace.”
Dr. Fen turned another page. “Interesting. The journal names a Seraphine—but it says she was not of royal blood. She was a court servant who forged her lineage to claim inheritance.”
The color drained from the woman’s face. “You’re twisting it.”
Aria stood. “You lied. You said your family owned lands here. You’re the impostor—the one who doesn’t belong.”
The hooded man finally spoke, his voice a low rasp. “The palace knows truth. It will decide.”
Before anyone could react, the candles flickered violently. Wind howled through the broken windows. The books lifted from the shelves, pages spinning in a storm around them.
Seraphine screamed. “No! I did what I had to! The crown stole everything from us!”
The fire in the hearth blazed high, forming a shape—the ghostly image of King Alden IV. His eyes glowed like embers.
“Lies built this palace,” the spirit said. “Lies keep it alive.”
Seraphine stumbled back, weeping. “Please—don’t—”
The floor beneath her cracked open. From the fissure rose hands of black smoke, gripping her ankles. She clawed at the air as the others reached for her.
Aria lunged forward, but Dr. Fen pulled her back. “You can’t save her!”
Seraphine’s eyes met Aria’s for a split second—full of terror and regret—before the shadows dragged her down into the floor, her scream fading into silence.
The ground sealed shut.
The fire dimmed.
The palace exhaled, as if satisfied.
Only three remained.
Dr. Fen sank into a chair, his voice shaking. “The palace is testing us. One lie, one secret—it claims you.”
Aria looked toward the hooded man. “Then who are you? You’ve said nothing since we arrived.”
The man raised his head slowly, revealing half a scarred face. “My name doesn’t matter. Only the truth does. And the truth is—we’re running out of time.”
Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the clock began to chime again.
Three souls left. Three nights remain.
- Writer
