Elsewhere in the eastern wing, Queen Lyra stood before the sealed archives, fingers brushing over the gold-etched lock. Her personal maid watched silently.
"Your Majesty... you're sure?"
Lyra nodded. "The Emperor must never know I broke this seal. But I need the truth."
With a whispered incantation, the door creaked open, revealing rows of scrolls, magical records, and the untouched history of royal bloodlines.
She walked straight to the section marked Arcane Lineage: Imperial Forbidden.
There, nestled beneath layers of dust and enchantment, was a scroll bearing a name she'd long tried to forget.
"Solis Nocturn — The Shadowborn Heir."
Her hands trembled as she unrolled it.
The writing shimmered faintly with suppressed magic, and the words pulsed in her hands.
*Born of twilight and royal flame.
Touched by shadow, bearer of the sealed flame.
Hidden in light, the third heir shall rise — and kingdoms will fall or rise with him.*
Lyra's heart thundered in her chest.
