The cover of the journal was pitch black, as if waiting for someone to open it. Light entered the book, and the coldness on Lyra's back subsided. With a thumping heart, Lyra picked up the journal and went to her bed. She didn't want to alert Wren at this time, so instead of turning on the light, she picked up a lamp and placed it on the bed. Then she opened the first page of the journal.
She remembered clearly that most pages of the journal had been empty before, but now there was writing on them in an old cursive font, as if the writer wanted to conceal everything, meant only for Lyra to read and no one else.
It all began in the Valley of Rosewood, where the witches resided. As Lyra read, it felt as if she were being transported back to those times. The Valley of Rosewood was ruled by Queen Regina, the most powerful witch in the history of witches. No one knew the source of her power.
In the Valley of Roosewood,
Lived the witches, bound by sisterhood.
Among them blossomed friendship true,
They were happy, they were free, they knew.
Until the greedy queen arrived,
And from the valley, joy she deprived.
She snatched their happiness, left them cold,
A place once warm, now lifeless and old.
It was the coronation ceremony of Queen Regina, but not many people were happy about it. She was known for her arrogance, and many had wished for her younger sister, Princess Sophia, to take the throne instead. However, the Crystal of Destiny had chosen Regina, and there was nothing they could do about it.
Sophia, on the other hand, was happily cheering for her sister, truly glad for Regina. She knew in her heart that Regina had the strength and determination to lead the witches. Meanwhile, Regina stood proudly, gazing at the crowd. She looked dazzling in her red gown, a staff in her hand that held her power.
When the crown was placed upon her head, Regina's eyes swept over the audience until they landed on her sister, Sophia. She smiled warmly at her younger sibling, but her smile faltered when she noticed Wren, Sophia's friend, approaching her. For some reason, Regina had disliked Wren from the very first moment they met. Wren always gave her an uneasy feeling, one she couldn't shake.
Sophia was the favored princess, both by her parents and among her fellow witches. She was a little naïve but had a warmth that allowed her to connect with people easily. Regina, however, couldn't do that. From childhood, she was accustomed to people cowering in her presence. She liked power, and when the Crystal of Destiny chose her as the next queen, her happiness knew no bounds.
But that happiness turned into scorn when her mother, the former queen, told Sophia that she should have been queen because she was more attuned to the people. Those words ignited an even greater hostility in Regina's heart. She had never harmed her sister, but in that moment, she wanted to. Why would everyone accept Sophia and not her?
Trying to push the bitterness aside, she turned her gaze toward the crowd. As she looked out at the witches gathered before her, her heart calmed—if only a little.
But when Wren saw Sophia's upset expression, she softened her tone. "Alright, let's not talk about this. It's getting boring. Let's get out of here," she said with a small smile.
Sophia returned the smile, and the two left the ceremony hall, where the celebration had begun now that the crowning ceremony was over. Regina watched them leave with an expressionless gaze.
Once outside, Wren and Sophia strolled toward the garden, where spring was in full bloom. The Valley of Roosewood was located far away from human settlements, hidden and secluded. The entrance to the valley could not be opened by anyone unless the queen permitted it. To ensure this, every resident carried a pass—a small tablet with their name inscribed on it.
"Wren, I have to tell you something, but you must promise to keep it a secret," Sophia said, nervously fidgeting with her fingers over and over.
Wren frowned, her eyebrows scrunching in concern. "Why didn't you tell me back in the hall?"
"Because I didn't want anyone else to overhear our conversation," Sophia replied, her anxiety evident.
Wren stood up and cast a protective barrier around them. "Now no one will be able to hear us. Sit down and tell me in detail what's bothering you."
Sophia hesitated before sitting down, her voice trembling. "You know when the Crystal of Destiny was choosing between Regina and me? Something… happened."
Sophia swallowed hard, her mind flashing back to that moment. The Crystal of Destiny was a source of their power, revered by witches for centuries. It had never made a mistake in selecting a rightful successor. When the two princesses, Regina and Sophia, had touched it, the crystal lit up only at Regina's touch, signifying it had recognized her power and chosen her as queen.
But when Sophia touched it, nothing happened. The crystal remained dim. Yet, she remembered the faint warmth that spread through her body, and then—she heard a voice in her head.
"Ah, your strength was not enough to make you queen, for your power was taken by another source, leaving you unable to lead. But do not fear, for a child will be born from you—a child who will lead the witches into a new age of glory."