The words echoed through the tower.
At last, my kingdom has returned.
Nobody moved.
Salvador stared at the floor beneath his feet.
Aleric's face had lost all color.
Aurelia slowly stepped toward him.
"You heard that too?"
Aleric nodded.
"Yes."
Marcus looked at the keeper.
"The first king."
She remained silent.
Salvador looked between them.
"Someone needs to explain."
The keeper descended the stairs slowly.
"The first king was not the first ruler of this kingdom."
Salvador frowned.
"What?"
"The kingdom existed before him."
"Then who was he?"
"The man who took it."
Aleric's expression hardened.
"His name?"
The keeper looked at him.
"King Malachor."
Aurelia inhaled sharply.
"That name was erased."
Marcus nodded.
"From every royal record."
Salvador looked at his father.
"Why?"
Aleric shook his head.
"Because I was told he was a myth."
The keeper stopped in front of them.
"He was never a myth."
She pointed toward the floor.
