Chapter 1: The First Cry
The scream tore through the palace.
Not just pain—but fear.
Servants rushed through the corridors, nearly colliding with one another. Bowls of water spilled. Cloths dropped. No one stopped.
Inside the royal chamber, the Queen was dying.
"Push, Your Majesty!" the midwife cried.
"I… can't…" the Queen gasped, her fingers clawing into the sheets.
Outside, the King stood frozen.
He had faced wars.
He had seen blood.
But this—
This was something else.
Another scream echoed.
Then suddenly—
Silence.
The King's breath hitched.
The doors opened slowly.
A midwife stepped out, her hands stained, her expression unreadable.
"My King…" she said.
A pause.
Too long.
"Speak!" he snapped.
She swallowed.
"The Queen lives."
Relief hit him—but it didn't last.
"And the child?"
Another pause.
"Children," she corrected softly. "Twin daughters."
The King blinked.
Twins.
Without waiting, he pushed past her and entered the chamber.
The Queen lay pale, barely conscious.
Beside her, two infants.
One cried loudly, her tiny fists flailing, demanding to be heard.
The other…
Was silent.
Too silent.
The King frowned, stepping closer.
"Why isn't this one crying?" he asked.
The midwife hesitated. "She is breathing, Your Majesty… just… calm."
The Queen weakly turned her head, her eyes falling—not on the crying child—
But the quiet one.
Slowly, she reached out and touched her cheek.
And smiled.
"This one…" she whispered. "She feels… different."
The King picked her up.
The baby opened her eyes.
Dark. Still. Watching.
And for reasons he could not explain—
His grip tightened.
"This one," he said quietly, "will be extraordinary."
Behind him—
The first child's cries grew louder.
But no one moved to carry her.
That night, the palace celebrated.
Two princesses had been born.
But only one…
Was seen.
Chapter 2: The Unheld Child
Morning came softly.
But not for everyone.
Golden light slipped through the palace windows, touching silk curtains and polished floors. The kingdom had begun celebrating—the birth of twin princesses was already spreading like wildfire.
Laughter filled the halls.
But inside the nursery—
It was quiet.
Too quiet.
Two cradles stood side by side.
One was surrounded.
Maids whispered in admiration, smiling as they leaned closer.
"She's beautiful…"
"Look at her eyes…"
"The King hasn't left her side since dawn…"
The second princess lay peacefully, wrapped in soft gold cloth, her tiny fingers curled as she slept. Even in silence, she drew attention.
She didn't cry.
She didn't need to.
Across the room—
The first cradle stood alone.
The first princess had cried herself weak.
Her small face was flushed, her breaths uneven as soft whimpers escaped her lips. No one rushed to her this time.
No one came.
The door opened.
The King entered.
Instantly, the room shifted.
"Your Majesty," the maids bowed.
He didn't answer.
His eyes went straight to the second child.
"Has she woken?" he asked quietly.
"Not yet, Your Majesty," a maid replied. "She has been calm all morning."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Good."
He moved closer, gently lifting her into his arms as if she were made of glass.
Behind him—
A weak cry sounded.
Small.
Fragile.
Easy to ignore.
But it lingered.
The King paused.
For a moment…
Just a moment—
He turned slightly.
His gaze fell on the first cradle.
The child's tiny hand reached into the air, trembling.
Waiting.
The room held its breath.
Would he go to her?
Would he carry her too?
The silence stretched.
Then—
He turned away.
"Prepare the royal seal," he said calmly. "An announcement will be made."
And just like that—
The moment passed.
A maid hesitated, glancing between both cradles.
"Your Majesty… what of the other princess?"
The King didn't look back.
"She is well, isn't she?"
"Yes, but—"
"Then that is enough."
The door closed behind him.
The sound echoed.
Final.
The first princess's cries rose again—
Louder this time.
But still…
No one came.
By evening, the kingdom celebrated two daughters.
But within the palace—
Only one name was spoken.
And in the quiet corner of the nursery—
The forgotten child opened her eyes.
Dark.
Burning.
Watching.