The Hollow Crown Book Novels & Stories

Corvin said. Elowen did not answer. Motive was easy to find in Valdris. The crown sat on a thousand enemies and called them loyal. Corvin turned down the left path without hesitation. The tunnel sloped downward, then curved into a passage so narrow Elowen’s shoulders brushed the stone. The air chilled further. The sound of the palace above faded, replaced by the quiet drip of underground water and the soft scrape of their boots. After several minutes, a faint draft touched Elowen’s face.

All I hear is, "By the power vested upon me, you will become the queen of Evergreen, from today until forever!" A maid removes my crown and my father stands up. He walks next to the high priest. The priest takes a few steps back and my father takes the queen's crown. Gently, he crowns me with it and says, "I am so proud of you!" I force a smile and curtsy as father nods and goes back into his place. I face the crowd once and for all. The high priest announces, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Children, world-- help me welcome the new Queen of Evergreen, Aurora Wintershade!"

Kai cleaned the stool with his palm and made Anna sit on it. "You need to rest your legs." Anna nodded and Kai stood upright. He walked to the old shelf and took out the book. He dusted the front and read the title out loud, "The tormented." "Huh?" "That's the title of the book." Kai put the book back and went to the bed. The bedsheet was very dirty. This still doesn't feel real to Kai. Does anyone else know that this place exists in the palace? No, he doubts it. He looked up and he saw an old clock. It was still ticking and he could tell it was telling the correct time.

“Take whatever time you require.” I turned away, my steps slow and deliberate until I rounded the corner, out of their watchful gazes. The moment I was alone, the carefully constructed mask shattered. My fingers flew to the crown, ripping it free from my scalp. It clattered to the floor, a cascade of jewels scattering like fallen stars. The cool stone walls of the corridor enclosed around me, and I pressed my back against them, fingers fumbling with the ties of my corset. My vision swam as I tried to loosen the laces, my ribs aching from the unrelenting pressure.

The great doors close with a sound like breaking bones, leaving me alone with the ache of this cursed crown and the weight of a kingdom built on graves. The crown itself pulses against my temples, its once-brilliant gold now tarnished to the color of old blood. It used to shine like captured sunlight, a beacon of hope and righteous rule. Now it hums with an endless network of hairline cracks, each fracture a spider's thread of corruption spreading deeper into the metal and into me. Each break is a reminder that nothing in this world remains unbroken: not thrones built on noble intentions, not bloodlines stretching back to heroes of legend, not oaths sworn under starlight with hearts full of

This empire. The underworld. I ran my thumb over the Abraha insignia. A golden emblazoned crow in mid-flight and twisted the ring so it lay against my palm. I hated the sight of it. The weight. The feel of it was even worse. Suddenly, a thought crossed my head at the resemblance of the black seal and my ring. A symbol that I failed to recognize but hazily suspected. The eerie eyes of an owl. Of course, she chose that over anything else. Sabrina, you cunning piece of shit.

Lila tiptoed just to clip the veil on Emery's braided, black hair to secure it because the soon-to-be crowned queen was rather taller than the average height. She, then, whispered, “Your Highness, a lady must learn to be patient.” The soon-to-be queen rolled her eyes at her statement. When the horn was blown, Emery walked with careful steps on the aisle that led to the king's side. She minded every step she made because her burning red robes reached the floor and if she stepped on it, she will surely become the laughing stock of the palace. At the end of the aisle was the throne made of gold. Its sides were carved with wolves—the predators that best represent the current king.

Her body began to glow, and color returned to her pale cheeks. "Continue!" the crone shouted. "Don't stop!" I pushed the dagger deeper. More light streamed from my body. I felt myself emptying out, becoming a hollow shell. But it was worth it. If she could live, it was all worth it. The silver blade sank completely into my heart. The altar exploded with a blinding light, illuminating the entire hall like daylight. And then, everything went dark.

“Finally, Astrid! You took forever!” Lena, one of Astrid’s overly dramatic friends, grabbed her arm the second they stepped inside. Her eyes already scanning Astrid’s dress with approval. “You missed so much! Come on! Prince Mark is about to choose his future bride!” Astrid gasped like she had just been told she missed a royal coronation. “Are you serious? Oh, I cannot miss this!” Just like that, the two of them rushed off, leaving me standing alone.

"Yes, bankrupt and liquidate the Cobb family's enterprise. What about the media? If any outlet dares publish a single negative word, make the newspaper disappear." After hanging up, he walked over and gently ruffled my hair. The military greatcoat draped over my shoulders still carried the warmth of his body. "Let's go home," he said. "The whole kingdom is waiting for your coronation." I glanced out the window. Professor Doyle had gone mad. He was now crouched by a roadside trash can, fighting stray dogs for scraps of food. He was still muttering to himself, "I am a noble. I am a professor. The g-genetic theory…"