Sofia climbed the castle stairs with quick steps, but her heart beat irregularly, like a frightened drummer. Each breath hit her throat, hot, heavy. The hallways seemed longer than ever, and the walls colder.
"Why did they call only me?
What do I know?
Did they find out something… did they see something…?"
When she entered the great hall, she saw everyone:
Mother…
Her father…
Miral…
And Nicolae, who immediately stood up when she saw her
Everyone looked at her as if she bore a huge wound on her soul that they could not touch.
Sofia understood in an instant:
This was not an ordinary conversation.
No reprimand.
No warning.
It was something much deeper.
The queen stretched out her hands towards her, but Sofia raised her palm:
— I want to talk to you in private… with the two of you… and with Miral.
Nicolae took a step forward.
— I'm coming too! I'm your brother! Don't leave me out!
Sofia knelt in front of him and stroked his head, gently, as always.
— Nico… I promise I'll talk to you right after. But now… I have to be alone with them. Okay?
The boy bit his lip, but gave in. He trusted her.
In the king's office, the door closed slowly. There was a dry click, which made Sofia's soul jump.
The king inhaled painfully, like a man about to tell a truth he didn't want to say.
— Sofia… I found out what happened in… the forest.
Sofia remained perfectly still.
— I found out that Miral was attacked. That the shadows are looking for him. And that involves you and Nico. We can't let you go into the forest alone anymore.
It was exactly the line she had anticipated… but it still hurt.
— I know," she said simply.
Regina put her hand to her mouth.
— How… do you mean you know?
Sofia looked up. There was no anger in her eyes, no fear. It was a decision.
— I know what happened. I know why you're afraid. And I know the shadows are looking for something that has to do with us.
Her father tried to protect her, instinctively:
— Sofia… you don't understand. The shadows are not a game. If you want something, if you have questions… come to us! But don't go into the forest alone anymore! Don't expose yourself anymore!
Sofia interrupted him calmly, but firmly:
— Father… if I, Dragoș, Vlad and Alexandra hadn't gone to the village today… how many people do you think would still be alive now?
Silence.
Her father pursed his lips. The queen began to cry softly.
Miral looked at everyone, but his eyes remained fixed on Sofia—as if he knew she was about to say something important, just for him.
Sofia continued, her voice sure, deep:
— This is how I will become queen. Not hidden in the castle. Not in the back. And not in silence. My people are dying. Children have been kidnapped. The shadows are growing. The evil doesn't stop.
He took a deep breath.
— I don't want to be a queen with a name. I don't want my people to hate me because I did nothing to protect them.
The king closed his eyes, painfully. It was the first time he had seen in his daughter's eyes not just courage… but the strength of a leader.
— I have to finish what my ancestor started, Sofia said, clearly. What the light started. What our story started… the whole story. Even if it hurts.
Miral raised her head slightly.
— Sofia… what do you mean?
She looked at him for a second.
She knew everything she knew about him.
She knew everything she shouldn't say now.
And especially she knew that the truth about Nicolae would tear her mother in two.
So she just said:
— Not now. That's not what's important. What's important is that the shadows want the children. And Dragoș, Vlad, and Alexandra are making the plan right now. And I have to get back to them.
After Sofia finishes talking to her parents and leaves the office, she finds Nico waiting for her in the corridor. He was restless, playing with the sleeves of his coat, but trying to look brave.
— Sofia…" he began, in a low voice. What's going on? Why do you seem so… different?
Sofia knelt down next to him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
— There's nothing to scare you, Nico. But I need you. I always have.
His eyes widened, excited.
— I… want to help. I want to do something.
Sofia smiled, but it was a sad smile.
— I know, little one. But what's next… is hard. The shadows have kidnapped children from the village. Dragoș, Vlad, and Alexandra are now making a plan to get them back.
Nicolae swallowed hard.
— Children? My age?
— Yes.
He inhaled sharply, but he stopped playing with his sleeves. His hands stopped. He was looking straight into her eyes.
— And… what do you want me to do?
Sofia stroked his hair, slowly.
— I want only one thing from you. To be safe. That helps me the most. If you're okay… I can fight without fear.
Nicolae shook his head, with a seriousness you rarely saw from him.
— But I can help too… in a different way. Not in the forest. Not with shadows. But I can talk to the people in the castle, I can get news, I can be your eyes here. I don't just want to be protected. I want to be useful.
Sofia looked at him for a long time. He was a child, but he spoke like someone who had seen too much.
— Okay, she said slowly. Then… you'll be our liaison. You tell us everything that's happening here, and we… save the children.
Nicolae finally smiled confidently.
— I promise I won't disappoint you, Sofia.
— I know that, Nico. You never did it.
And for the first time that day, Sofia felt the ground beneath her feet no longer tremble.