Thirty Three

Elena

The corridors of Mallory Palace stretched before me like a gilded labyrinth, bathed in sunlight streaming through high windows.

Intricate tapestries adorned the walls, each one telling stories of the kingdom’s history, its triumphs and tragedies. Ornate chandeliers hung overhead, their crystals catching the light and scattering rainbows across the polished marble floors.

It was a palace that spoke of power, history, and wealth... it was a far cry from the modest life I grew up in.

I walked slowly, taking in every detail, my steps measured and deliberate. I couldn’t afford to appear awed or out of place, even though my heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I had heard stories of this place from my mother, Estrella, but standing here in the flesh was something else entirely.

My mother had spoken of Mallory Palace with a mixture of longing and bitterness, her words often laced with secrets she refused to share fully. She would tell me about its grandeur, its po