I settled into my favorite corner of the library, surrounded by dusty tomes and flickering candles. The silence was almost palpable, broken only by the soft rustle of pages as I searched for answers. My gaze drifted to the Charmmark tattoo on the back of my palm, its intricate design a reminder of the weighty legacy it carried.

As I delved into the ancient texts, I traced the symbol's curves, recalling the day it appeared – my fifteenth name-day, when the Highmount blood within me awakened. The words on the page blurred together, but one phrase stood out: 'Charmmark bearers wield the power of spellcraft.' I'd spent countless hours poring over dusty scrolls, practicing energy projection, shielding, and item summoning – the only spells I'd managed to master.

A shiver ran down my spine as I contemplated the tattoo's darker history. Few in our family had borne this mark, and even fewer had lived to tell the tale. I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand: uncovering the secrets hidden within these pages.

I closed the books after I was done, and carefully return them to their respective shelves. That's enough research for today.

 I walked to my chambers in silence, as I stepped in, my maids were already inside, holding towels "Did the princess have a pleasant read?" she asked. Anastasia Kyncaid is tall, slender and strikingly beautiful with raven black hair, skin white as ivory and icy blue eyes. Her beauty comes a sharp mind and fearful cunning, she knows the movements of almost everyone in this castle, save the king and a few others. I am glad she is in my service. She is a loyal friend.

 "She did, thank you, though I was not able to discover much about my abilities, and was no closer to learning a new spell"

"I am sure you will learn in time" she says as she helps me out of my dress, while Katheryne prepares the bath. Katheryne herself is a beauty, with striking ginger her and green eyes.

Anastasia's voice draws me back from my thoughts "You do know that other than the royal library, there are other two places that might have spells that might attune to your type of abilities" I have never thought of looking for spells in any other place save the royal library, but she might be on to something "Where?" I asked hopeful

"In the deep libraries of morbus hall, or in the royal archives in Mountcrest"

 I never expected her to say that, but she wasn't wrong, according to what I read in the past, morbus hall contained all sort of knowledge, and I wouldn't be surprised if they had one or two things about enchanted tattoos and spells.

"You could be right, but how would we get anything from morbus hall? it's not as though I could just walk in there and demand anything, and as for Mountcrest, it has been abandoned for years." I said, thinking there's nothing more to be done

 "I could have someone find you some books from morbus hall if you wish it" With renewed hope, I grinned, and before I could express my gratitude, Katheryne stepped in "Your bath is ready your highness" I gave her a quick nod and headed towards the bathing chamber.

"See to it" I commanded, she gave me a knowing smile and turned to my wardrobe to pick a dress. I don't know how she's going to do it, but she always has her way, she always seems to know the right people. I thought no more of it, and head to the bathing room, eager for a bath.

The bath was soon over, and my skin mourned the feeling of the hot water, and my nose the smell of the lavender liquid added to the tub.

 A knock came, and my guard, Ser Aldric followed, bowing curtly "Forgive the intrusion your highness, the princess Asterlayna just arrived." I felt excitement upon hearing those words, Layna is one of the few people I adore here at court, she hadn't been to Terranova in months, so I'm happy she's here at last "

Thank you Ser Aldric, see that she is welcomed appropriately, and have her wait for me at my courtyard" He sharply nodded and exited the room.

I practically skipped all the way to the courtyard, my excitement obvious to anyone who cared to notice. As I walked the cobblestone path that led through the archway to my usual spot, I saw my aunt, her velvet-colored dress with golden accents is noticed first, followed by her brown hair, she was still as beautiful as ever, The climate in Thalassia agrees with her. As I walked closer, I motioned for my guard to stop following. She rose from her seat when she finally took sight of me.

"Welcome Aunt Layna" a smile crept up, and I couldn't resist the urge to hug her. She was startled at first, but she finally melted into my embrace. "I can assure you, the city is made brighter by your presence"

"Is that what you say to everyone you've missed?" she said, stifling a laugh.

"If you know I've missed you then why do you stay away for so long? You know I always enjoy your company" she took my hand in hers, as a way of consoling me.

 "The same way I am away from Terranova, is the same way my lord husband stays away from Thalassia, he is always on some new adventure, unexplored lands and 'treasures beyond our imagination'" that last bit she said with a hint of sarcasm, and I chuckled. "So, I am left to rule in his stead with your cousins".

"If it comes to that, my uncle and the king share that in common, my father is currently in the east fighting some war, alongside his general" she gave me a look as if to say, 'I figured that much'. Speaking of my cousins, Roland and Meridia, I haven't seen them in a while, Roland should be nineteen now and Meridia should have just turned sixteen "How are my cousins? Do they also dread this place?" At that she barked a laugh, and when she finished, took a sip of her wine "Your cousins love you to bits, but swore they'd never set foot in this place unless it was absolutely necessary, and I'm guessing you know the reason why"

 Of course, I knew the reason why. Two simple words, Maeve Darktower, even the thought of her makes me want to fly her up to the highest cliff and drop her, watching all her bones shatter.

My mother Queen Seraphina Greystone died in childbirth while trying to conceive, the child died several days later, a boy my father named Uriel. After their deaths, I would like to believe my father was content with having me as his only child and heir. A year later, I was dressed up by the handmaids for a celebration I didn't even know was holding, my father was getting married.

 I still remembered that day, the beautiful white dress she wore, the golden embroidery, the beautiful crown placed on her head when the high priest crowned her Queen, and more importantly, I remember the polished smile she gave me as though marrying my father had been a victory for her, a challenge she had completed, I made nothing of it at the time, that is until she gave birth to her first son Eryx, she wouldn't let me anywhere near him, or him near me, same thing with my half-brother Leonard, and my half-sister Alyce.

 I still made nothing of all of that. Until whispers began flying that Leonard would be heir to the High throne, that created enmity between us, every time we would try to get along, their mother would interfere creating a conflict I never knew existed, and it drew us apart and I made my peace with that.

That is until she started attacking my family, my cousins, and turning those she could against me, that I would not stand for, so when I turned fifteen, my father asked me what I had wanted and had asked him for my own private wing in the castle, and he eagerly agreed, giving me the whole of the east wing. The castle was big and spacious anyway. I was also given a dozen men. She, I or her children barely cross paths and when we do, she never fails to show her disdain of me, mostly by her facial expressions.

"Should we say her name?" I asked, she raised a hand to stop me "I would rather you not, lest my mood be ruined" and honestly I felt same "Let us switch to another topic then" she nodded, taking another sip of wine.

 We spoke about different things, about how she would love for me to visit Thalassia again, and I asked her to try and convince my cousins to come over, telling her they can stay in the east wing, being that there's plenty of room.

Footsteps interrupted our conversation, several footsteps at that, but I refused to look back, when the footsteps finally come to a stop, I heard my guard greet "Your grace"

There are two people that answer that title, my father and her. I stood to my feet, and it was indeed her, flanked by at least five of her men. Her grace the queen wore a long sleeve floor length gown, her silver crown sat atop her dark-haired head, a dress fit for a queen.