Elara Aetheon stood at the entrance to the grand library where Rowan Eldric spent most of his days. Clutched in her arms were the journals she had risked so much to retrieve. The thrill of successfully navigating the restricted archives with Lady Astrid Valen still coursed through her veins. This was it—the missing pieces Rowan needed to complete his research, to finally uncover the lost history of Aethoria.
She stepped into the library and found Rowan seated at his usual desk, surrounded by books and scrolls. His focus was so intense that he didn't notice her approach.
"Rowan," Elara said softly, trying not to startle him.
He looked up, his eyes wide with surprise, but the expression quickly shifted to one of curiosity when he saw the bundle of journals in her arms. "Elara… is that what I think it is?"
Elara smiled and placed the journals on the table before him. "The missing pieces. I managed to retrieve them from the restricted section of the royal archives."
Rowan's hand trembled as he reached for the journals. "I don't know how you did it… but thank you. This could change everything."
[Quest Complete: Deliver the missing text to Rowan Eldric.]
[New Points Earned: 150.]
[Total Points: 600.]
Rowan wasted no time, immediately opening the first journal. His eyes scanned the pages with an intensity Elara had rarely seen. He mumbled to himself as he read, piecing together fragments of ancient knowledge. Elara watched him, knowing better than to interrupt.
After what felt like hours, Rowan finally looked up, his expression a mixture of excitement and awe. "Elara, this is it. These texts confirm the existence of a civilization that predates Aethoria by centuries. The kingdom's foundation wasn't just built on the ashes of war and conquest—it was built on something much older, something almost forgotten."
Elara's interest piqued. "What kind of civilization are we talking about?"
Rowan's voice was barely above a whisper, as if he was speaking a forbidden truth. "Aethoria wasn't the first kingdom to rise here. Before the royal family came to power, there was an ancient empire, a highly advanced society that mysteriously vanished. These texts hint at… magic, lost technologies, and knowledge that was deliberately erased from history."
Elara's eyes widened. "Why would anyone want to erase that kind of knowledge?"
Rowan shook his head. "I don't know. But if we can recover more of these texts, we might be able to understand why this empire fell—and what it could mean for Aethoria's future."
Elara's mind raced. The implications of Rowan's discovery were immense. If there was truly a lost empire beneath the foundation of Aethoria, it could reshape the kingdom's identity and her rule.
"I'll help you find the rest of these texts," Elara said, her voice resolute. "We need to know the full story."
Rowan nodded, his determination matching hers. "We'll start by mapping out where these documents may have been hidden. There could be clues in the ancient ruins scattered across the kingdom."
[New Quest Unlocked: Assist Rowan Eldric in recovering more lost texts from ancient ruins.]
[Reward: 400 points.]
[Hint: Begin by investigating the ruins in the eastern desert.]
As Elara prepared to leave Rowan to his research, she felt a familiar tug from the system. It was reminding her that she needed to focus on one quest at a time. She had just completed Rowan's immediate task, but another one now called for her attention. And with Rowan's next phase set, Elara knew which quest to prioritize.
Soren's Spring Festival performance had been a triumph, and Rowan's research was now progressing thanks to the texts. But there was still another dream waiting to be fulfilled.
Later that afternoon…
Elara made her way to the palace kitchen, where Darian Orys, her culinary-inclined husband, was busy preparing an elaborate feast. The smell of roasted meats, spices, and freshly baked bread filled the air. Darian's cooking was famous not just in the palace but throughout Aethoria, and he often received requests from foreign dignitaries for private banquets.
"Darian," Elara greeted as she entered.
Darian wiped his hands on his apron and smiled warmly when he saw her. "Elara! You're just in time. I'm preparing some dishes for tonight's banquet. Want a taste?"
Elara grinned. "Of course. But I'm here for more than just your delicious food."
Darian raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Oh? What's on your mind?"
Elara leaned against the counter, watching him as he stirred a pot of savory sauce. "I want to help you reach the next step in your culinary journey. You've talked about creating a signature dish that represents Aethoria—a dish that could put our kingdom on the map for its food, not just its politics."
Darian's face lit up at her words. "You remembered! Yes, I've been experimenting with different recipes, but I haven't found the right combination yet. There's so much pressure… but I think I'm getting close."
Elara nodded thoughtfully. "What if we took a trip? We could visit different regions of Aethoria, learn from the local cuisines, and gather ingredients. You've said before that inspiration comes from experience—maybe seeing the diverse flavors of the kingdom firsthand will help you create something extraordinary."
Darian's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That sounds perfect! I've always wanted to explore more of the kingdom's culinary traditions. We can visit the eastern desert, the northern forests… the possibilities are endless!"
[New Quest: Help Darian Orys create a signature dish by exploring Aethoria's diverse culinary traditions.]
[Reward: 350 points.]
[Hint: Begin your journey in the eastern desert, where unique spices and herbs grow in abundance.]
Elara smiled, pleased to see Darian so energized. "Let's start with the eastern desert. I hear they have spices that can't be found anywhere else in the kingdom."
Darian nodded eagerly. "I'll start packing right away! This is going to be an adventure."
As Elara left the kitchen, she felt a sense of purpose. Each of her husbands had their own dreams and passions, and she was committed to helping them achieve their goals, one step at a time. With Rowan's quest on hold for now, it was time to focus on Darian's journey—and she was ready for the challenge.