Chapter Eleven:The Garden That Never Slept
577 Words
Darkness covered the Imperial Palace.
The hunt had begun.
No one knew who was real anymore.
The palace gates remained sealed.
Every servant, guard, and noble was ordered to stay inside until the traitor was found.
Fear spread through every hallway.
Some people whispered.
Some prayed.
Others watched each other with suspicious eyes.
Nysera sat alone beside her window.
She could not sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the broken mirror...
...and the smiling servant holding a dagger.
A soft knock came at her door.
She stood slowly.
"Who is it?"
"It's me."
She recognized the voice.
Prince Zepharion.
She opened the door.
He stood outside wearing a long black cloak instead of his royal armor.
For the first time, he looked tired.
"You shouldn't be here," Nysera whispered.
"Neither should you."
She gave a small smile.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Neither could I."
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Then Zepharion held out his hand.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"Somewhere safe."
Nysera hesitated...
Then she placed her hand in his.
His hand was warm.
Strangely comforting.
He led her through quiet hallways until they reached a hidden wooden gate covered with climbing roses.
Zepharion pushed it open.
Beyond it was a beautiful garden.
Silver flowers glowed beneath the moonlight.
A crystal pond reflected thousands of stars.
The air smelled of jasmine and rain.
Nysera smiled in wonder.
"It's beautiful."
"This place has a name," Zepharion said softly.
"The Garden That Never Slept."
"No one comes here."
"Except me."
She looked at him.
"You brought me to your secret place?"
He nodded once.
"I don't trust many people."
"But I trust you."
Nysera felt her cheeks grow warm.
Before she could answer...
A white butterfly landed on her shoulder.
Then another.
Then dozens more.
The butterflies circled around her as if they already knew her.
Zepharion watched in silence.
"So..."
"It is true."
Nysera looked at him.
"What is?"
"The palace remembers you."
She frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Instead of answering, he walked toward the crystal pond.
Its water was perfectly still.
"Look."
Nysera knelt beside him.
She looked into the water.
At first...
She saw only her reflection.
Then the water changed.
She saw a little girl laughing as she ran through this same garden.
The little girl was wearing a tiny silver crown.
Beside her stood a woman with long golden hair.
The woman hugged the child tightly.
"My little star," she whispered.
"No matter what happens..."
"Never fear the darkness."
"Because the stars shine brightest there."
The vision disappeared.
Nysera reached toward the water.
"No..."
"Who was she?"
Zepharion closed his eyes.
"I was hoping you wouldn't remember."
"You knew her?"
Before he could answer—
A scream echoed through the garden.
The butterflies flew into the sky all at once.
Kaelor came running through the gate.
His clothes were stained with blood.
He could barely breathe.
"Zepharion!"
"They've found the traitor!"
Zepharion stood immediately.
"Who is it?"
Kaelor looked at Nysera.
His face was pale.
"It..."
"It was never one person."
Silence.
"What do you mean?"
Kaelor swallowed hard.
"There are thirteen traitors."
Before anyone could speak again...
The ground beneath the garden cracked open.
A cold wind burst from below.
An ancient voice echoed through the night.
"The Thirteen have awakened."
Then...
One by one...
Thirteen dark figures climbed out of the earth.
Each wore an identical silver mask.
And every one of them turned toward Nysera.
- Writer
