Star blinked hard, his head throbbing like someone had hit him with a rock. The room was dim, lit by a single flickering candle on a rickety table. Stone walls, damp air... smelled like an old cellar. His wrists burned from the ropes tying him to the wooden chair. The woman stood in front of him, her sharp features shadowed, long dark hair tied back. She wasn't old... maybe thirty, with eyes like steel.
"Who... who are you?" Star demanded again, twisting against the bonds. "Let me go! This is kidnapping!"
She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "Calm down, farm boy. I'm not here to hurt you. Name's Mira. I'm part of the Shadow Guild... rebels who know the truth about the throne."
"Truth? What truth?" Star's mind raced back to the garden chaos. The smoke, the grab... Elandor's shout fading. Was the king okay? Wait, why did he care? He was supposed to reject all this anyway.
Mira pulled up a stool, sitting close. Her voice dropped low, like sharing a secret in a crowded tavern. "The king... Elandor... or Eli, as you call him. He didn't tell you everything. That prophecy he mentioned? It's twisted. The real one says a consort from the people will bring down the corrupt crown, not save it."
Star stared, mouth dry. "Bring down? Like... rebellion? No way. He said it was for peace."
She laughed bitterly. "Peace on his terms. Listen, kid. The royal family has been hiding secrets for generations. Elandor's father... the old king... he wasn't killed in battle like they say. It was poison. From inside the palace."
Star's eyes widened. Poison? Like the guards joked about? "Proof? Or are you just spinning tales to mess with me?"
Mira reached into her cloak, pulling out a small, worn book. Yellowed pages, edges frayed. "This is from the ancient archives... stolen by my guild. Read it yourself." She untied one of his hands, shoving the book into it. Star flipped it open, squinting at the faded ink. Old script, but he could make out words... "The chosen from earth shall unveil the shadows... topple the false king... restore balance."
"See?" Mira pointed. "Not 'support the crown.' It's about change. Revolution. Elandor knows this... but he twisted it to keep power. He chose you because of your past... that forest meeting. Thinks he can control you, make you loyal."
Star's heart pounded. The forest... how did she know? "Were you there? Spying?"
"No," she said. "But we have eyes everywhere. Eli... young prince back then... ran away from his tutors. Met you by chance. But now? He's using it. The court is rotten... taxes crushing the poor, like your village. Nobles like Varyn hoard wealth while farmers starve."
Star thought of home. Last winter, crops failed... families went hungry. His pa worked double, but it wasn't enough. Was the king to blame? "Even if that's true... why me? I'm nobody."
"You're everything," Mira insisted. "Pure blood, no ties to nobles. The prophecy points to someone like you. Join us, Star. Help unveil the real king... the tyrant behind the smile."
Star's mind spun. Elandor's green eyes, soft touch in the garden... lonely, he said. But was it an act? "I... I don't know. He seemed genuine."
Mira stood, pacing. "That's his game. Charm you, trap you. But think... why force a consort? It's not love. It's control."
Before Star could reply, noises above... footsteps, shouts. "They're here!" someone yelled from outside.
Mira cursed, grabbing her dagger. "The guards found us. Stay put... I'll handle this."
The door burst open. Guards poured in, swords drawn. "For the king!" one bellowed. Chaos erupted... clangs of metal, grunts. Mira fought like a whirlwind, dodging and striking. Star tugged at his ropes, freeing his other hand. He grabbed the chair leg, swinging it at a guard who lunged at him.
"Star!" Elandor's voice cut through. The king rushed in, armor on, sword in hand. He sliced through a rebel, eyes locking on Star. "Are you hurt?"
Star froze, book clutched in his fist. "I... no. But what's going on?"
Elandor pulled him up, cutting the last ropes. "Later. We need to get out." He shielded Star as they backed toward the door, guards covering them.
Mira shouted, cornered but fierce. "Remember what I said, Star! Unveil the truth!" A guard knocked her down, binding her.
Outside, fresh air hit Star like a slap. They were in an underground tunnel beneath the palace. Elandor led him up stairs, into the safety of the gardens. Guards swarmed, securing the area.
In a quiet alcove, Elandor turned to him, breathing heavy. "What did she say? Those rebels... they're liars."
Star held up the book, pages shaking. "This. She said the prophecy is to topple you... not help. Is it true?"
Elandor's face paled. He took the book gently, flipping through. "It's... part of it. But incomplete. The full prophecy speaks of unity, not destruction. They twist it for their cause."
"But your father... poison?" Star pressed, searching his eyes.
Elandor sighed, sitting on a bench. "Yes... that part's true. I was young when it happened. Suspected courtiers, but no proof. It's why I'm careful... why I need someone I trust."
Star sat beside him, confusion swirling. "Me? But why not tell me all this?"
"I didn't want to scare you more," Elandor admitted. "You're already overwhelmed. But Star... that day in the forest? It was real. No twist."
The king's hand brushed his, warm again. That spark... Star didn't pull away this time. "I... believe you. Maybe. But no more secrets, okay?"
Elandor nodded, a small smile. "Deal. Now, let's get you rested. Tomorrow, we start proper... lessons, court stuff."
Back in his quarters, Star paced. The book was locked away, but words burned in his mind. Mira's warnings... Elandor's plea. Who to trust? He flopped on the bed, exhausted. As sleep came, he dreamed of the forest... Eli laughing, but shadows lurking.
Morning brought Lila with breakfast. "Heard about the attack! You okay?"
"Yeah... sort of," Star said, munching fruit. "Hey, who's Mira? The rebel."
Lila's eyes darted. "Dangerous. Leads the Shadows. They want change... but violently."
Star nodded, mind made up. He'd stay... for now. Uncover the truth himself. If Elandor was lying, he'd run. But if not... maybe this consort thing wasn't so bad.
A knock. Advisor Thorne entered, mask on. "Time for your first lesson, consort. Etiquette."
Star groaned. Bowing, forks... ugh. But as he followed Thorne, he felt eyes on him. Varyn? Rebels? The unveiling had begun... not just of the king, but of secrets buried deep.