Princess Nantosuelta and her trusty maid stood outside the princess's quarters, the door behind them closed on the familiar comfort of royal life and the tedious obligations that came with it. But tonight was different; Nantosuelta had a plan, and not just any plan—a risky, hair-raising scheme that involved an unbelievably rare amulet and a not-so-small chance of ending up as a puff of smoke.
Her maid had dutifully retrieved the priceless amulet, an object so rare that its price tag might as well read, "If you have to ask, you can't afford it." This wasn't just any amulet, either—it was specially crafted to weaken the formidable Line of Singularity, the magical barrier that separated the Kingdom of Ignis from Aquapolis. The thing was, most people who attempted to pass through that barrier ended up as the magical equivalent of vaporized leftovers.
Nantosuelta inspected the amulet, its sleek design reflecting the dim light of her quarters. The princess could feel the raw power emanating from it. She suppressed a shiver of excitement. Finally, she held in her hands the key to freedom—a freedom she'd longed for ever since her mother, Queen Isolde, shot down her dreams of becoming a mage faster than a fireball to a dry haystack.
Queen Isolde had always insisted that Nantosuelta focus on her duties as the crown princess. Apparently, being responsible for an entire kingdom's well-being was supposed to be more fulfilling than mastering magic. The queen probably imagined her daughter's magical abilities as a frivolous hobby rather than the life-changing, world-altering power Nantosuelta knew it could be. But tonight, she wasn't going to let her mother's overprotective tendencies stop her. She had fire, air, and earth magic coursing through her veins—a gift that begged to be explored.
But still, a pang of guilt tugged at her. She was the crown princess, after all. Abandoning her duties wasn't exactly the responsible choice. Yet, the lure of exploring her true potential, to become more than just a figurehead, was irresistible. And so, in a rare display of reckless determination, Nantosuelta made up her mind. This one risky venture was going to change her life forever.
"Are you certain this will work?" Nantosuelta asked, her voice quieter than usual.
The maid, who had seen her fair share of the princess's wild ideas, nodded earnestly. "I overheard the guards talking, Your Highness," she whispered. "This amulet is the key. It's rumored to have the power to weaken the barrier just enough for someone to pass through without, you know, turning into magic dust."
Nantosuelta smiled slightly. "Splendid," she said, her voice filled with a confidence that was as rare as the amulet itself. "I've packed my bags and my most valuable jewelry. I plan to leave the palace before dusk. The guards won't know what hit them."
The maid looked concerned but didn't try to talk her out of it. She knew better. "Are you sure about this, Your Highness?" she asked, her tone laced with worry. "Once you leave, there's no guarantee you'll be able to come back. And Aquapolis is... well, let's just say it's not exactly toasty."
Nantosuelta's eyes flickered with determination. "I'm sure," she replied. "If it gets too cold, I can warm myself with fire magic."
The maid nodded, understanding that when Nantosuelta made up her mind, it was like trying to extinguish a wildfire with a bucket of water—utterly pointless. "What shall I tell the queen if she asks about your whereabouts?"
Nantosuelta's expression softened, the mention of her mother bringing a fleeting wave of guilt. "Tell her... tell her you don't know anything," she whispered. "It's better that way."
With that, Nantosuelta quietly slipped out of her quarters, her heart pounding with anticipation. She moved stealthily through the palace, her senses on high alert. Every creak, every rustle of fabric made her freeze, her breath caught in her throat.
Finally, she reached a secluded part of the palace and found the secret passage that led to her escape. It was a hidden exit known only to a few, and tonight it would be her gateway to a new life.
Emerging into the cold night air, Nantosuelta found herself in a small, secluded garden. The darkness cloaked her, and she moved silently through the shadows, her eyes scanning for any sign of guards. The night was eerily still, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting to see if she would succeed.
She made her way through the city, her heart pounding as she left the palace—and her old life—behind. But the real test came as she stumbled into the woods, the shadows of the trees twisting into eerie shapes in the darkness.
As she took a few cautious steps forward, her ears picked up the sound of low growling. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly summoned a small fireball, its golden light illuminating the surrounding darkness.
And there it was—a hellhound, standing only a few feet away, its eyes glowing with a primal hunger. The beast growled, its lips pulling back to reveal rows of sharp teeth that glistened in the weak light.
The fireball flickered on her palm, casting flickering shadows around them. The hellhound took a few steps closer, its eyes locked on her as if she were a late-night snack.
Nantosuelta gripped the fireball tighter, realizing that in this moment, she was not the crown princess of Ignis—she was prey.