The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the opulent Hart manor. Maeng Haru, still grappling with the shock of her sudden transformation, sat in the grand library, surrounded by towering bookshelves and the scent of aged parchment.
She needed information. She needed to understand the true nature of the world she found herself in, a world that seemed both familiar and terrifyingly foreign.
The novel, "Love Me, Daddy," had provided a basic framework, but its narrative had been a carefully curated illusion. The real story, she suspected, lay hidden within the deeper currents of power and intrigue that the author had glossed over.
She picked up a leather-bound volume, its title embossed in gold: "A History of the Northern Kingdoms." She flipped through the pages, searching for clues, for any mention of the Necronomicona family, the Crown Prince, or the Emperor, Luke Valens.
Her eyes fell upon a passage detailing the history of the Necronomicona family, a lineage that had been intertwined with the Empire's fate for centuries.
"The Necronomicona family, ancient and powerful, has long held a unique and complex relationship with the Valens dynasty," the text stated. "They have been both allies and adversaries, their power resting on a combination of wealth, influence, and a mystical legacy that dates back to the founding of the Empire."
Maeng Haru skimmed further, her brow furrowing as she read about the ancient prophecies, the whispers of a curse that had plagued the Necronomicona line for generations. It spoke of a "Daughter of Shadows," a figure destined to bring darkness to the kingdom.
She recalled the Countess, her eyes like cold sapphires, and the way she had spoken of Sofia, a shadow of a smile playing on her lips.
Suddenly, a shadow fell across the page. Maeng Haru looked up, her heart leaping into her throat.
Standing in the doorway was Luis Hart, her second brother. He was tall and slender, with eyes the color of storm clouds and a mischievous smile that could light up a room. He was a powerful mage, his talents renowned throughout the kingdom.
"Reading history, I see," he said, his voice smooth and melodic, a stark contrast to his brother Chris's gruff demeanor.
"Just trying to catch up," Maeng Haru replied, a touch of nervousness creeping into her voice. She was still getting used to this world, to this family.
Luis sauntered into the room, his gaze sweeping over her with a keen, almost unnerving, intensity.
"The rumors you heard are true, Kyla," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Something is brewing, something dark. And it involves the Crown Prince and the Necronomicona family."
Maeng Haru felt a chill run down her spine. She had a feeling that this was only the beginning of a larger story, a story that was about to unravel in a way that would change the kingdom forever.
Luis continued, his voice a low hum in the quiet library. "The Crown Prince has been acting strangely, obsessed with a power that is beyond our understanding. And the Necronomicona family… they are playing a dangerous game."
He leaned closer, his eyes glinting. "The Emperor, Luke Valens, is a formidable adversary. But he's blind to the true threat. And the Crown Prince, driven by ambition, is eager to exploit the situation."
"What do you suggest we do?" Maeng Haru asked, her voice a mere whisper.
Luis' smile was a dangerous flicker of lightning. "We wait. We gather information. We play our hand carefully, Kyla. This game has just begun, and we have a role to play."Chapter 2: Family Ties