The cold echo of my declaration still hung in the grand hall as whispers swirled like the autumn wind outside. I felt the weight of the noble eyes upon me—some full of disdain, others tinged with curiosity. This was only the beginning of the path I had chosen.
Retreating to the quiet sanctuary of the palace library, I sought refuge in ancient tomes and dusty scrolls. The soft rustle of pages was a balm to my racing mind. There, hidden in faded writing, I uncovered secrets my family had buried deep—secrets that explained the darkness I was accused of but never fully understood.
"Evelyn," a voice whispered just behind me.
I turned sharply to see my mentor-to-be, a figure cloaked in mystery yet radiating calm authority. "You're searching for answers," they said. "But beware—some truths can change everything you thought you knew."
My heart pounded. Could unlocking these secrets bring me closer to redemption, or drag me further into ruin?
As the system's soft chime confirmed a new quest update, I knew one thing for certain: every revelation carried risks. I was ready to face them. This was no longer just survival—it was salvation through the shadows.