Five years had passed since Eli's eventful thirteenth birthday. Now, on the morning of his seventeenth birthday, he awoke from the same haunting dream. The grand castle, the beautiful woman, the dark figure, and the monstrous creatures were as vivid as ever. The dream had become a constant companion, a nightly reminder of a past he didn't fully understand.
Eli sat up in his bed, the first rays of dawn casting long shadows in his room. He ran a hand through his hair, his mind filled with the images from his dream. Despite the years, the dream hadn't lost its intensity. If anything, it had become more vivid, more real.
He got out of bed and walked over to the small mirror hanging on the wall. The boy staring back at him was now a young man. His features were sharper, his eyes held a depth that spoke of the years gone by. The nightmares had left their mark, casting a shadow over his youthful features.
Downstairs, his adoptive parents were preparing for his birthday. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the sweet scent of his mother's special birthday cake. His father was outside, tending to the animals, a wide smile on his face as he planned the day's festivities.As Eli descended the stairs, the aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon wafted up to greet him. His mother was bustling around the kitchen, her hands moving with practiced ease. His father was setting the table, a wide smile on his face. The scene was familiar, comforting, a perfect start to his seventeenth birthday.
Just as he was about to take his seat, a knock sounded at the door. His mother, wiping her hands on her apron, moved to answer it. As the door swung open, a familiar face appeared.
"Lily!" Eli exclaimed, his face breaking into a wide smile. His childhood friend, her fiery red hair now longer and her freckled face matured, stood at the doorway. She was holding a small package, her green eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Happy birthday, Eli!" Lily greeted, stepping inside and enveloping him in a warm hug. She handed him the package, a mischievous grin on her face. "I hope you like it."
Eli thanked her, his heart filled with gratitude. Lily had been a constant in his life, a friend who had stood by him through thick and thin. Her presence on his birthday was the best gift he could have asked for.
Lily joined them for breakfast, her laughter and stories adding to the joyous atmosphere. They shared the delicious meal, their conversation filled with shared memories and future plans. Despite the years that had passed, their friendship remained as strong as ever.
As the morning wore on, Eli couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. His seventeenth birthday had started on a perfect note, surrounded by his family and his best friend. Yet, amidst the laughter and the shared memories, his mind kept drifting back to his recurring nightmare, to the woman who felt so familiar, to the castle that felt like home.
Unbeknownst to him, his birthday breakfast was not just a celebration. It was a reminder of the love and support he had, the strength he would need for the journey ahead. The young prince, unaware of his royal lineage, was on the brink of a journey that would change his life, and the fate of the kingdom, forever.As Eli and Lily enjoyed their breakfast, the conversation took a turn towards their school life. They spoke about their teachers, their classmates, and the upcoming school festival. Amidst the chatter, Lily hesitated, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Eli," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's something I want to tell you."
Eli looked at her, his curiosity piqued. He had known Lily long enough to recognize the seriousness in her tone. "What is it, Lily?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Lily took a deep breath, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. "I... I have a crush on someone at school," she confessed, her voice barely audible.
Eli was taken aback. He had known Lily for years, had shared countless secrets and dreams with her. Yet, this was a side of Lily he hadn't seen before. "Who is it, Lily?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Lily blushed, her eyes darting away from his. "It's... it's Thomas," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. Thomas was a fellow classmate, known for his kind heart and quick wit.
Eli smiled, a sense of relief washing over him. He was happy for Lily, happy that she had found someone who made her heart flutter. "That's great, Lily," he said, his voice sincere. "Thomas is a good guy."
As they continued their breakfast, the conversation flowing with ease, Eli couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. His seventeenth birthday was turning out to be a day of revelations and shared secrets. Yet, amidst the laughter and the shared memories, his mind kept drifting back to his recurring nightmare, to the woman who felt so familiar, to the castle that felt like home.
Once the breakfast dishes were cleared and the laughter had subsided, Eli's father rose from the table. With a hearty pat on Eli's back and a warm smile towards Lily, he announced, "I'm off to the fields. You two better head to school."
Eli and Lily nodded, their hearts filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. School was a place of learning and growth, a place where they had forged many friendships and memories. Yet, it was also a place of challenges and trials, a stepping stone towards their future.
As his father disappeared into the fields, his silhouette merging with the morning mist, Eli turned to Lily. "Shall we?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
Lily nodded, her face breaking into a wide smile. "Let's go," she replied, her voice filled with anticipation. They grabbed their school bags, said their goodbyes to Eli's mother, and stepped out into the crisp morning air.
The journey to school was a familiar one, a path they had walked countless times before. They passed by the fields, the town's marketplace, and the river where they had spent countless afternoons. With each step, they moved closer to their school, closer to another day of learning and growth.As Eli and Lily made their way to school, the morning sun casting long shadows on the path, a familiar figure appeared. The mysterious woman from Eli's seventeenth birthday, her silver hair glinting in the sunlight, stood before them. Her blue eyes held a depth of wisdom and a hint of sadness.
"Eli," she began, her voice as soothing as a lullaby. "It's time you knew the truth."
Eli and Lily exchanged a glance, their hearts pounding in their chests. The woman's words hung in the air, a promise of revelations and truths.
"You are not just a farmer's son, Eli," the woman continued, her gaze steady. "You are a prince, the rightful heir to the kingdom. I am your mother, the former queen."
Eli stood frozen, his mind struggling to comprehend her words. He was a prince? His nightmares, the castle, the woman, they were all real?
Lily, however, was quick to react. "That's impossible," she retorted, her voice filled with disbelief. "Eli is not a prince. He's... he's just Eli."
The woman, the former queen, looked at Lily, her gaze softening. "I understand your disbelief, Lily," she said, her voice gentle. "But it's the truth. Eli is my son, the prince of our kingdom."
As the woman's words sank in, Eli felt a strange sense of relief. His nightmares, his sense of not belonging, they all made sense now. He was a prince, a part of a kingdom he had only seen in his dreams.Eli stood rooted to the spot, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The woman's words echoed in his ears, her revelation turning his world upside down. He was a prince, the rightful heir to a kingdom he had only seen in his dreams. It was a lot to take in.
The woman, his mother, watched him, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and apprehension. "Our lineage is one of bravery and honor, Eli," she said, her voice filled with pride. "You are a part of that lineage, a part of our kingdom's history."
Lily, however, was not convinced. "You're crazy," she retorted, her voice shaking with anger. "Eli is not a prince. He's my friend, a farmer's son. You're just trying to confuse him."
The woman looked at Lily, her gaze steady. "I understand your disbelief, Lily," she said, her voice calm. "But I am not lying. Eli is my son, the prince of our kingdom."
Eli felt a tug at his arm, and he turned to see Lily, her green eyes filled with concern. "Come on, Eli," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Let's go to school."
As they walked away, the woman's words hung in the air, a promise of a destiny Eli was yet to understand. He was a prince, a part of a kingdom he had only seen in his dreams. It was a truth he was yet to accept, a truth that would change his life forever.As Eli and Lily continued their journey to school, the morning sun casting long shadows on the path, Lily broke the silence. "Eli," she began, her voice filled with concern. "You can't believe what that woman said. She's... she's crazy."
Eli looked at her, his mind still reeling from the woman's revelation. "But what if she's telling the truth, Lily?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Lily shook her head, her fiery red hair dancing in the morning light. "It's impossible, Eli," she said, her voice firm. "The queen and the prince died alongside the king long ago. Everyone knows that."
Eli felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard the stories, the tales of the lost royals. The king, the queen, and the prince had died in a tragic accident, their kingdom left without a ruler. It was a tale that had been passed down through generations, a tale that had become a part of their kingdom's history.
"But what if they didn't die, Lily?" Eli asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. "What if they survived?"
Lily looked at him, her green eyes filled with a mix of concern and disbelief. "Eli," she said, her voice gentle. "You're not a prince. You're my friend, a farmer's son. Don't let that woman confuse you."
As they continued their journey to school, their path now filled with confusion and uncertainty, Eli couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The woman's words echoed in his mind, her revelation turning his world upside down. He was a prince, a part of a kingdom he had only seen in his dreams. It was a truth he was yet to accept, a truth that would change his life forever. Upon reaching the school, Lily's eyes immediately found Thomas. He was standing with a group of friends, his laughter echoing across the schoolyard. Lily's cheeks flushed a rosy pink, her heart fluttering at the sight of her crush.
"Eli," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "I'll see you at lunch, okay?" Without waiting for his response, she hurried off towards her first period class, leaving Eli standing alone.
Eli watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips. He was happy for Lily, happy that she had found someone who made her heart flutter. Yet, his mind was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by the woman's revelation.
With a determined look on his face, Eli made his way to the school library. He skipped his first class, his mind set on finding out the truth. He needed to know about the recent history of the kingdom, about the lost royals.
The library was a quiet sanctuary, its shelves filled with books on every subject imaginable. Eli made his way to the history section, his eyes scanning the titles. He pulled out a book on the kingdom's history, its pages filled with tales of brave knights, powerful wizards, and lost royals.
As he read, his mind filled with images of grand castles, beautiful queens, and brave princes. The tales were familiar, echoing the stories he had heard growing up. Yet, there was no mention of the queen and the prince surviving, no mention of a prince living as a farmer's son.
As Eli sat in the library, his mind filled with questions and doubts, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The woman's words echoed in his mind, her revelation turning his world upside down. He was a prince, a part of a kingdom he had only seen in his dreams. It was a truth he was yet to accept, a truth that would change his life forever.As Eli sat in the library, his eyes scanning the pages of the history book, he was so engrossed that he didn't notice the figure approaching him. It was only when a shadow fell over his book that he looked up, his eyes meeting those of a handsome boy.
The boy was tall, his hair a dark brown that contrasted sharply with his bright blue eyes. He had a strong jawline, a charming smile, and an air of confidence that was hard to ignore.
"Eli, right?" the boy asked, his voice smooth. "I've seen you around. I'm Alexander."
Eli blinked, taken aback by the sudden introduction. "Yes, I'm Eli," he replied, managing a small smile. "Nice to meet you, Alexander."
Alexander nodded, his gaze drifting to the book in front of Eli. "Studying the kingdom's history, huh?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Anything interesting?"
Eli hesitated, his mind filled with the woman's revelation. He was a prince, a part of a kingdom he had only seen in his dreams. It was a truth he was yet to accept, a truth that would change his life forever.
"Just trying to understand our past," Eli replied, deciding to keep his thoughts to himself. He didn't know Alexander well enough to share his secrets.
Alexander nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "Our past is what shapes our future, right?" he said, his voice filled with wisdom. "It's always good to know where we come from."
As Alexander walked away, leaving Eli alone with his thoughts, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The woman's words echoed in his mind, her revelation turning his world upside down. He was a prince, a part of a kingdom he had only seen in his dreams. It was a truth he was yet to accept, a truth that would change his life forever. As Eli navigated through his classes, his mind was elsewhere. The image of Alexander, his bright blue eyes and charming smile, was etched in his mind. He found himself drawn to the boy, his heart fluttering at the thought of him. Yet, he knew that his feelings were considered wrong in the kingdom. A boy liking another boy was not accepted, not understood.
Despite this, Eli couldn't help but feel a strange sense of excitement. He was experiencing something new, something he had never felt before. It was confusing, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once.
When lunch finally came, Eli found Lily waiting for him at their usual spot. She was chatting animatedly with her friends, her laughter echoing across the schoolyard. As he approached, she turned to him, her green eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Eli!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "How was your morning?"
Eli hesitated, his mind filled with thoughts of Alexander and the woman's revelation. He was a prince, a part of a kingdom he had only seen in his dreams. It was a truth he was yet to accept, a truth that would change his life forever.
"Lily," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I met someone today."
Lily's eyes widened, her interest piqued. "Who is it, Eli?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
Eli took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "His name is Alexander," he confessed, his voice barely audible. "And I think... I think I like him."
As Eli's words hung in the air, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He had shared his secret, his feelings for Alexander. It was a step towards accepting his feelings, a step towards understanding himself.Lily listened to Eli's confession, her heart filled with a mix of joy and concern. She was happy for Eli, happy that he had found someone who made his heart flutter. Yet, she was also aware of the dangers that came with his feelings.
"Eli," she began, her voice filled with concern. "That's really cute, and I'm happy for you. But you need to be careful."
Eli looked at her, his mind filled with confusion. "Why, Lily?" he asked, his voice filled with innocence.
Lily took a deep breath, her eyes filled with worry. "The dark wizard's law, Eli," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "If they find out about your... tendencies, they will kill you."
Eli felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard about the dark wizard's law, the cruel rule that forbade same-sex relationships. It was a law that was feared and hated, a law that had claimed many lives.
As Eli sat in silence, his mind filled with thoughts of Alexander and the woman's revelation, he couldn't help but feel a sense of fear. He was a prince, a part of a kingdom he had only seen in his dreams. It was a truth he was yet to accept, a truth that would change his life forever.
"Lily," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I need to understand everything. The woman, Alexander, the dark wizard's law. I need to know the truth."
Lily nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "We'll figure it out, Eli," she assured him, her voice steady. "But for now, let's meet later after school. We can go shopping for clothes and talk more."
As they parted ways, Eli couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He had shared his secret, his feelings for Alexander. It was a step towards accepting his feelings, a step towards understanding himself.
Unbeknownst to him, his confession was not just a revelation. It was a part of his journey, a step towards his destiny. The young prince, now aware of his royal lineage and his feelings for Alexander, was on the brink of a journey that would change his life, and the fate of the kingdom, forever.