"Well done, Arnold," Sir Herold said with a firm nod.
"Thank you, sir," Arnold replied, returning to the crowd with quiet pride.
From the sidelines, Grace noticed the sour look on Ronan's face. She stepped closer to him.
"Are you alright, brother?" she asked gently.
Ronan scoffed, though the hurt in his eyes betrayed him. "I don't get it. I'm royalty. I should be the best."
"It's okay to fail sometimes," Grace said softly. "What matters is that you keep trying. I'm sure you'll get it next time."
He glanced at her, the tension easing just a little. "Thanks, sis… I mean—whatever."
She chuckled.
Sir Herold's voice cut through the murmurs. "Crystal. Would you care to demonstrate something for us?"
Grace blinked. "Me? Oh… alright."
She stepped forward, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She wasn't sure what to do, but she couldn't back down. Closing her eyes, she focused. A few small bubbles of water formed in the air, trembling weakly before drifting apart.
Snickers rose from the students.
"Is that it?"
"We knew she wasn't strong, but this is worse."
"The royal family? How disgraceful."
Their whispers pierced her heart like blades, but she clenched her fists and tried again.
Then suddenly—
A thin bolt of lightning sparked from her hand.
It lasted only a second, but it was real.
A sharp wave of memory crashed through her mind—flashes of water, thunder, and something ancient stirring within her blood. The world tilted.
She collapsed.
"Crystal!"
"Grace!"
Arnold, Maria, and Ronan rushed forward as shock rippled through the courtyard.
"Sister, are you alright?" Ronan asked urgently.
Her eyes fluttered open. She felt drained, hollow. "I'm fine… what just happened?"
Sir Herold's expression was unreadable. "You are not in harmony with yourself. What we witnessed felt unstable—like a chemical reaction rather than controlled magic. Crystal, you need to work on yourself. Go home for now."
"But sir, I—"
"Go," he ordered sharply. "This place is not a game. Return when you and your powers are one. I don't know what changed after your fall… but you've grown worse."
The words stung.
"I'm more than you think," she said, her voice trembling. "I'll show you. Just wait."
She turned and ran.
Arnold and Maria tried to follow, but Sir Herold stopped them. Only Renee slipped past.
"Your Majesty, wait!" Renee called.
But Grace didn't slow down. She ran until the training grounds vanished behind her, until her lungs burned and her thoughts blurred.
That was when she saw it.
Before her lay a small lake unlike anything she had ever seen. One half shimmered with cool, flowing water. The other burned with steady, living fire. The two elements touched—but never mixed.
Beyond the lake stood a forest both enchanting and ominous, its trees dark yet strangely beautiful.
"What is this place?" she whispered.
Curiosity overcame fear. She noticed a narrow bridge and crossed to the other side.
The moment her foot touched the forest ground, something inside her shifted. The air felt heavier, charged. Alive.
"Hello?" she called out. "Is anyone there?"
A swift movement echoed through the trees.
"Who's there? Show yourself. I mean no harm."
A calm yet sinister voice answered from the shadows.
"What is a blue dragon doing in the domain of the red dragon? Are you not afraid, princess?"
Her breath caught. "What are you talking about? Show yourself!"
Without warning, a wave of fire surged toward her.
Instinct took over.
Water spiraled from her hands, forming a shimmering shield that blocked the flames. Steam hissed into the air. The edge of her sleeve burned, but she remained standing.
When the smoke cleared, she saw him.
A man dressed in scarlet silk stood before her. His long black hair flowed down his back and over his chest, sleek as night. His skin was pale, his posture relaxed—but power radiated from him like heat from embers.
"Who are you?" she asked faintly.
"I won't miss this time," he replied coldly.
Before he could strike again, the sound of approaching guards broke the tension.
"Your Majesty!" Renee's voice rang out.
The man's gaze lingered on Grace for one unreadable moment before he vanished into the forest shadows.
Renee and the royal guards arrived just in time.
"Are you alright?" Renee asked urgently. "We must leave—now."
Grace was too weak to protest. With the guards' help, she was escorted back to the palace.
Later, fully rested, she was summoned to the throne room.
"That place is strictly forbidden," the King said sternly. "You crossed into enemy borders. You could have been killed."
"I'm sorry, Father," Grace said quietly. "I didn't know."
"No—you didn't remember," he corrected. "Which is precisely why you must never wander without Renee. Not ever."
She bowed her head. "It won't happen again."
The King's sternness softened. "I am only trying to protect you… and the kingdom."
"I know." She stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Father."
He sighed and rested a hand on her head. "Go and rest, my treasure."
Later that evening, Grace sat alone by the courtyard pond.
The water reflected the moonlight, calm and silent—unlike her thoughts.
Fragments of memory replayed in her mind. Thunder. Dragons. A power she couldn't fully grasp. And that man…
"Why am I remembering these things?" she murmured. "Who am I really?"
She groaned softly, burying her face in her hands.
"And who was that guy? He literally tried to kill me… but…"
Her cheeks warmed.
"He was unbelievably handsome—wait, what am I saying?" she muttered in frustration. "This is not the time for that!"
She stared at her reflection in the water.
"I don't know what's happening to me," she whispered. "But if this truly is my second chance at life… I will not waste it."