CHAPTER FOUR: The palace of lies

The palace looked even bigger as we climbed the hill.

Its white stone walls stretched toward the sky, glowing under the morning sun. Tall towers stood  above the kingdom, and colorful banners danced in the wind.

I had seen drawings of the royal palace in history books.

None of them came close to the real thing.For some reason, my heart felt heavy.

I had never been here...

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.Yet every step felt strangely familiar.

"Keep your hood up," Garrick said quietly.

"Don't let anyone see your face."

I pulled the dark cloak lower over my head.

The closer we got, the more people filled the streets. Merchants shouted from their stalls. Children laughed as they chased one another through the market.

No one looked at me twice . I was just another traveler to them.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me.

Caelan walked beside me in silence.

His wounds had stopped bleeding, but he still looked weak. Every now and then, he clenched his fists as if he were fighting something inside himself.

"How are you feeling?" I asked softly.

He gave me a small smile.

"I've felt worse."

"Liar."

A quiet laugh escaped him.

"You're starting to know me too well."

For the first time since we met, I smiled back.

As we reached the palace gates, two royal guards crossed their spears.

"Halt."

Garrick stepped forward.

"I bring urgent news for the council."

The guards recognized him immediately and stepped aside.

"Welcome back, Commander."

Commander?

I looked at Garrick in surprise.

He noticed the questioning look on  my face

"I'll explain later."

We entered the palace. I couldn't believe what my eyes saw.The entrance hall was breathtaking.

Marble floors reflected the sunlight pouring through tall stained-glass windows. Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and enormous statues of past rulers lined the walls.

As I walked farther inside, strange memories flickered through my mind.

Tiny feet running across the marble floor.

Someone laughing and also a woman humming a lullaby and i stopped walking.

My head throbbed.

"Flavia?"

Caelan gently touched my shoulder.

I blinked.

The memories disappeared.

"I'm fine."

But I wasn't.

It felt like the palace remembered me...

Even if I couldn't remember it. footsteps echoed through the hall.

A young woman wearing a royal blue gown hurried toward us.

She couldn't have been much older than me.

Her long black hair was tied neatly behind her, and sharp green eyes studied every movement around her.

The moment she saw Caelan, relief filled her face.

"You're alive."

Without thinking, she threw her arms around him.

Caelan looked surprised but calmly returned the hug.

"I was worried about you," she said

"I'm fine, Lyra."

Something twisted my stomach. I didn't understand why.

Lyra finally noticed me and her smile faded.

"And who is she?"

For a second, no one answered.

"I'm Flavia," I said.

"Just a scholar."

Her eyes lingered on me then they dropped to my wrist.The edge of my sleeve had slipped back and the silver mark was showing.

She looked at me with disbelief.

"No..."

She took a slow step backward.

"That's impossible."

I was confused why she reacted that why immediately we heard a hoarse voice from the hallway.

"It seems our guest has finally arrived."

An older man descended the grand staircase.

He wore rich black robes trimmed with silver, and a jeweled ring sparkled on one finger.

His expression softened into a small smile.

"My name is Lord Malrec."

"Royal Adviser to the Crown."

He bowed slightly.

"Welcome to the palace, Miss Flavia"

His voice was warm.

But something about him made my skin crawl.

When our eyes met...

A strange pain shot through the mark on my wrist i flinched.

No one seemed to notice except him

For the shortest moment...

A sly smile played on his lips. As if he had been waiting for me to walk through those doors.

And somehow...

He already knew exactly who I was.

Lord Malrec's smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

"Commander Garrick," he said. "You've returned sooner than expected."

Garrick gave a short nod.

"Our mission changed."

"I can see that."

Lord Malrec's eyes drifted to me again.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

There was something cold behind his smile and the way he looks at me.Something that made me want to step back.

Instead, I lifted my chin.

"I'm sorry," I said. "Have we met before?"

His smile returned.

"I don't believe so."

"But I've heard a great deal about the kingdom's brightest young scholar."

I tilted my head, trying to make sense of his words.

"How would someone like you know who I am?"

"I make it my duty to know many things."

His reply sounded genuine . As we were still talking the palace door opened as we heard someone calling Caelan.

I looked up.

An older man dressed in royal robes approaching us.

His dark hair was streaked with silver, and deep lines marked his face.

The moment he reached Caelan, relief flooded his eyes.

"My son."

He gripped Caelan's shoulders.

"I thought I'd lost you."

Caelan lowered his head.

"I'm sorry, Father."

The king pulled him into a brief embrace.

"I don't care about apologies."

"You're home."

I watched quietly.

Something about the scene warmed my heart.

For a moment, they weren't a king and a prince.

They were simply a father and his son.

Then the king looked at me.His eyes rested on my face for much longer than they should have.

A haunted look flashed across his face.

"Who is this young woman?"

Before anyone else could answer, Garrick stepped forward.

"Her name is Flavia."

"She saved Prince Caelan's life."

The king walked closer to me. I lowered my head respectfully.

"It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead...

He gently lifted my chin Our eyes met.

His expression falteredit was filled with shock and Disbelief. Then an aching sorrow washed over his face.

His fingers trembled before he pulled his hand away.

"You have..."

He stopped speaking.

I waited.

"So familiar," 

"What?"

He blinked as if waking from a dream.

"Nothing."

He forced a smile.

"You are welcome in my palace."

Something told me he wasn't telling the truth.

Not because he wished me harm...

But because he recognized something he couldn't explain.

Lord Malrec cleared his throat.

"Your Majesty, perhaps the prince should see the royal physician."

The king nodded.

"Of course."

He looked at me again.

"And Miss Flavia..."

"You must be exhausted."

"I'll have a room prepared for you."

I hesitated.

"I couldn't possibly—"

"You are my son's guest."

His smile returned.

"And anyone who saved his life is welcome here."

Servants quickly led Caelan toward the eastern wing.

Before leaving, he glanced back at me.

Our eyes met for only a second.

It was enough.

A small smile appeared on his lips.

I smiled back before I even realized I was doing it.

Lyra noticed.

She didn't say anything.

But the way she looked at us made my stomach tighten.

I couldn't tell if she was worried...

Or jealous.

A young maid appeared beside me.

"This way, Miss Flavia."

She led me through long marble hallways lined with portraits of past rulers.

As I passed one painting, my footsteps slowed.

A queen dressed in silver stood beside a little girl.

The child's face had faded with age, making it impossible to see clearly.

Yet something about the painting pulled at my heart.

Without thinking, I reached out.

The moment my fingers touched the frame...

Another memory flashed before my eyes.

A woman's gentle laugh.

Small hands reaching toward the same painting.

A soft voice whispered...

"One day, this will all be yours."

I gasped and stumbled backward.

The maid hurried to my side.

"Miss Flavia?"

"I'm... I'm fine."

But I wasn't. Because beneath the painting Hidden beneath years of dust Were four words carved into the stone.

For Princess Flavia of Lunaris.

My blood ran cold.

I slowly looked around the empty hallway.

Someone...

Had expected me to come back.