The black rose lay on Kael’s palm.
Its petals were unnaturally cold.
Almost frozen.
Every warrior in the courtyard waited in silence.
“My King…” Rowan said quietly.
“What does it say?” Kael didn’t answer.
Instead, he unfolded the parchment with steady hands.
His golden eyes scanned the words once.
Then again.
His expression hardened.
Aria stepped closer.
“Tell me.” Kael slowly folded the letter.
“You don’t need to know.” Her heart sank.
“There you go again.” His eyes met hers.
“I’m trying to protect you.” A bitter smile touched her lips.
“That’s exactly what everyone keeps saying.” “My parents.” “My guardians.” “The elders.” “They all wanted to protect me.” “And all they gave me were lies.” Her words struck Kael harder than any blade.
He lowered his gaze.
She was right.
Before he could speak, Aria reached for the letter.
“I deserve the truth.” For a brief moment…
He considered refusing.
Then he placed the parchment in her hand.
“If we’re going to fight this together…” He said softly, “…there can be no more secrets between us.” Aria unfolded the letter.
The ink was written in dark crimson.
Kael, You have guarded what was never yours.
The Moon Princess belongs to the blood that created her.
Return her before the next full moon…
Or watch the last people she calls family die.
There was no signature.
Only a symbol.
A black wolf surrounded by flames.
Aria’s fingers trembled.
“The last people I call family…” She whispered.
“My aunt and uncle.” Kael looked at Rowan.
“Send our fastest riders.” “Find them.” “Now.” Rowan didn’t hesitate.
Within seconds, warriors were racing from the castle gates.
But Kael couldn’t shake the feeling that they were already too late.
Far across the mountains…
A small cottage stood beside a quiet river.
Inside, an older couple shared breakfast in peaceful silence.
The woman suddenly froze.
She clutched her chest.
“What’s wrong?” her husband asked.
“I don’t know…” “I just…” She looked toward the window.
“I suddenly started thinking about Aria.” Before either of them could move…
The front door burst open.
Three masked figures stepped inside.
The tallest one smiled.
“Good morning.” “We’ve come for you.” Back at the castle…
Aria stood alone on the balcony.
The letter felt heavy in her hands.
“They’re in danger because of me.” “No.” Kael stepped beside her.
“They’re in danger because someone wants to use you.” She wiped away a tear.
“I’ve brought nothing but pain to everyone.” Kael gently turned her to face him.
“Look at me.” She hesitated.
Then raised her eyes.
“When I found you…” “You apologized for surviving.” His voice was calm.
“But surviving is not something you should ever apologize for.” A tear slipped down her cheek.
He carefully brushed it away with his thumb.
“You are not the cause of this darkness.” “You are the light they’re trying to extinguish.” For a long moment…
Neither of them moved.
Neither realized how close they had become.
Then— A horn echoed from the watchtower.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Rowan sprinted across the courtyard.
“My King!” Kael immediately turned.
“What happened?” “Our scouts found the cottage.” “And?” Rowan’s face turned pale.
“It was too late.” Kael’s heart sank.
“What did they find?” Rowan swallowed hard.
“The house was empty.” “There were signs of a struggle…” He lowered his head.
“…and blood.” The world seemed to stop around Aria.
The letter slipped from her fingers and drifted into the wind.
Somewhere in the forest…
A masked man watched it float to the ground.
He picked it up, smiled, and whispered, “Everything is unfolding exactly as planned.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Eva_Chimimba Please let me know your thoughts