Chereads / Eden of Rothania / Chapter 7 - The secret chamber

Chapter 7 - The secret chamber

At the edge of the forest, a towering castle comes into view, perched atop a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape. The castle's spires gleam in the sunlight, and you can see flickers of light emanating from the windows. This is the famed school of magic, known throughout the realm for its unparalleled teachings in the art of sorcery.

As you make your way up the winding path leading to the castle gates, you are greeted by a pair of massive stone gargoyles. Each is perched on either side of the entrance. Their eyes glow a deep red, and you can't help but feel a shiver run down your spine as you approach. With a booming voice, the gargoyles ask for your name and purpose, and after satisfying their queries, they creakily swing open the gates, allowing you entrance.

The interior of the castle is even more impressive than the exterior. The halls are lined with intricate tapestries and glittering chandeliers that cast a warm, inviting glow. The air is thick with the scent of old books and arcane artefacts. You can hear the murmurs of students and professors alike as they proceed with their studies.

As you make your way to the main hall, you catch glimpses of students practising their spells and incantations. Sparks fly from their wands and their hands as they hone their craft. The professors here are some of the most respected and knowledgeable in the land, and you can see the care and dedication they put into teaching their students.

The main hall itself is a sight to behold. At its centre stands a massive statue of the school's founder, a legendary wizard who established the school centuries ago. Surrounding the figure are various classrooms and lecture halls, each packed with eager students thirsting for knowledge.

As you explore the school further, you will discover hidden passageways and secret chambers, each filled with magical treasures and ancient artifacts. There's even a room dedicated to studying magical creatures, where you can observe everything from dragons to unicorns in their natural habitats.

But perhaps the most magical thing about this school is the sense of community it fosters. Students from all walks of life come together here to learn and grow, forging lifelong friendships and creating a network of support that extends far beyond the castle walls.

"Shh," he said while keeping his finger on her mouth, "Don't say anything. I know a secret passage."

He grabbed her hand and entered the giant door and ran toward the end of the hall.

"Hey, you two where are you heading?" a professor called them from his office.

"That's Professor Arch" she gasped. "We are so done."

He looked at her and then looked at the professor and chuckled, "Do you think he actually saw our faces through all that beard on his face?"

They chuckled as he pulled her and ran off to the place he wanted to show it to her.

"Where are you taking me?"

He smiled, "You will know soon, it's my gift for our graduation, my lady."

As they ran through the dark and winding secret passage of the magic school, they could feel excitement and anticipation building inside them. He had heard rumours of a hidden place that only a few students knew about and he was determined to find it and show it to her.

Their footsteps echo off the stone walls as they race more profoundly into the passageway. The air grows cooler and damper as they near their destination, and they can hear the sound of running water in the distance.

Finally, they come to the end of the passage and find themselves in a small chamber. In the centre of the room, there is a small pool of crystal clear water, surrounded by shimmering crystals that seem to glow with their own inner light.

They pause for a moment, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the hidden place. The water in the pool is so clear that they can see the pebbles at the bottom, and small fish dart in and out of the rocks.

As they approach the pool, they notice that there is a small waterfall at one end, the water cascading down from a hidden source high above. The rushing water sounds soothing, and they can feel their tension melting away as they gaze at the serene scene.

The walls of the chamber are covered in intricate carvings and symbols, hinting at the magical nature of the hidden place. The air is infused with a faint scent of flowers, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

They take a deep breath and dip their toes into the cool water, feeling the magic of the place wash over them.

"Wow, this place seems so unreal," she said while looking at their reflection in the water

"You like it?"

She shakes her head, "I love it."

"Hahaha, we can come here whenever we have to run away from everything."

"Okay," She looks at him, "Can I just say something crazy?"

"I love crazy!" He said, looking at her adorably.

She starts to hum a melody and as she jumps on the water splashing it everywhere.

"I wonder if it ever crossed your mind?

All these series of door-going dues,

Two hearts beating in the blind,

And guess what, I found whose~"

He giggled and jumped on the water to hold her hand and join her in the melody.

"I was thinking the same thing, 'Cause like,

I've been searching my whole life for a light.

Wandering down the paths unknown,

With nothing but the winds to guide me to you!"

They came out of the water and jumped onto the floor. Their hands stretched together.

"But with you," she sang.

"Yes! With you!" He continued. "I found my place,"

"I see your face,"

They tapped their feet as they sang in unison, "It's nothing like, I've ever known before~"

"Our love is a secret door!"

The couple spun and dipped, gliding across the floor like a well-oiled machine.

"We have finally found our home!"

Each turn and twirl was executed with precision as if the two were moving as one. Their humming softened, "You and I were just meant to be"

The couple slowed their movements, their bodies coming together in a tender embrace.

"Love is an open door."

Life can be so much more!"

Their eyes met, and they shared a knowing smile.

"Can I say something crazy, Ysabel?" He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said, "Will you marry me?"

She gasped, "Can I say something even crazier? Yes!"

They know that they will never forget this moment and that this secret passage has led them to something truly extraordinary.

The sun was setting over the sprawling castle grounds as Ysabel made her way back from her studies at the royal academy. During this special day, her heart was filled with anticipation and excitement. She had something special to show her mother, the queen.

As she entered the grand hall, she could hear the sound of laughter and chatter echoing through the cavernous space. She quickened her pace, eager to see her mother and show her what she had. And then she saw her, standing in the centre of the room, a smile on her face as she was talking with her secretary and her personal designer.

Ysabel ran towards her, her heart bursting with joy. "Mother!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around the queen in a tight embrace.

The queen turned to her daughter, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "My dear, what have you been so excited about?"

The princess pulled away and showed her ring finger. "Mother, look at this!" She chuckled as she blushed a bit.

The queen's eyes widened in amazement as she held her hand, an intricate piece of ring. "My goodness, my dear," she exclaimed. "This is absolutely stunning. Who is that gentleman? Which stole my precious daughter's heart."

The princess beams with pride, her heart filled with joy at her mother's reaction."Augustus gave it to me. The prince of the Azure Kingdom."

As the words left her mouth, the queen's expression turned from one of mild interest to one of pure shock. Her eyes narrowed, her lips set in a thin line, and her brow furrowed in anger. The secretary trembled under her gaze, not daring to say anything to save the princess from her rage.

The queen turned around from Ysabel, her long flowing gown trailing behind her as she made her way towards her chamber. Her voice was cold and sharp as she spoke. "She dares to bring me such news?" she hissed. "HUGO!" she yelled out Ivor's name, her adviser.

As the queen's most trusted advisor, the dwarf stood tall despite his short stature. His bright eyes glinted with intelligence, and his quick wit was known throughout the kingdom. His long beard, braided with gold, lent him an air of authority, and his deep voice commanded respect. He knocked on the door and made his way into the chamber.

The queen turned towards him and raged in anger. "My daughter, the princess of Rothania, is in love with the prince of Azure? This cannot be."

Ivor pondered it for a moment, but the queen was not interested in hearing any of his explanations to save the princess either. Her thoughts were swirling with anger and betrayal. She had always planned for her daughter to marry someone she loves but not the enemy kingdom of theirs. This union with the prince of Azure was not part of her plan.

The queen's expression darkened further as she considered the implications of this news. Would her daughter defy her wishes and pursue this prince? Would she risk the stability of their kingdom for a love affair? The queen could not allow this to happen.

Her eyes flashed with anger as she turned to Hugo. "You will ensure that my daughter never sees this prince again. Is that clear?" she commanded.

Hugo nodded in hesitation. His face paled with fear. "Your majesty, I am afraid this won't end well."

The queen swept out of the room without paying attention to what Hugo had said, her mind racing with plans to prevent this union from happening. She would not allow her daughter's foolish love to put their kingdom at risk, "She's forbidden to go to that school from tomorrow onwards."