The kingdom of Eldoria basked in the golden glow of dawn. From the towering spires of the royal palace to the cobbled streets of the capital, life stirred slowly, unaware of the secrets woven deep within the palace walls.
In the highest tower of the palace, Princess Liora gazed out from her window. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, catching the soft morning light. She wore a delicate gown embroidered with silver threads, but her regal appearance could not mask the turmoil within her.
The memories she still held were faint echoes—laughter in the gardens, lessons in the royal library, and above all, her mother's warm embrace. Queen Seraphina, the first wife of King Aldric, had been loved by all for her kindness and grace. But tragedy struck when an illness had taken her womb after Liora's birth. The news had shaken the kingdom, but none more than the queen herself.
And so came Queen Selene—the king's second wife. Beautiful, with eyes like polished jade and a smile that never quite reached them. She bore the king three children: two daughters and a son. The palace whispered that Selene's son would one day covet the throne meant for Liora.
Liora pressed her hand to the cold glass. She could still hear her mother's voice in her mind—gentle, soothing. But one memory refused to surface. A whole year of her life—gone.
And with that lost year came questions.
Why had her mother died so suddenly?
Why had she been engaged to a prince she did not know?
And why had her mother commanded the old woman, the palace's mysterious healer, to erase her memories before her death?
The door creaked open. A maid entered, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, the queen requests your presence in the throne room."
Liora turned, her face a mask of calm though her heart pounded. Queen Selene never requested anything. She commanded.
With one last glance at the sprawling kingdom, Liora drew herself up. If answers lay in the throne room, she would face them head-on.
Because somewhere in the depths of her forgotten past, a truth lay waiting—a truth worth killing for.