CHAPTER 1
The Royal Family Dinner
Night had fallen, and one by one, the lamps along the palace walls flickered to life. Their golden glow spilled over marble corridors and carved pillars, until the entire palace seemed to breathe in quiet light.
Next to the royal council chamber lay the grand dining hall— a vast room crowned by a chandelier of crystal and silver. Its hundreds of candles shimmered like captive stars above the long, meticulously arranged table.
Lady Nyserin strode briskly down the inner corridor, her steps echoing softly against the polished stone. Spotting a few servants still setting the last of the silverware, she spoke with composed authority...
Lady Nyserin : His Majesty wishes to see the entire royal family together tonight. Be attentive— no mistakes.
The servants bowed, murmuring a quick "Yes, my lady," before hurrying to perfect every last detail.
***
After a short while, members of the royal family began arriving, one by one. The air was warm with the fragrance of roasted meats and spiced wine.
Princess Elira entered first. She paused near the doorway, her gaze sweeping across the long table before she took a quiet breath and sat. Her gown was a pale silver, sheer sleeves falling like moonlight around her arms, delicate embroidery of birds glimmering along the neckline— graceful and understated, like the princess herself.
Elira (murmuring to herself): I wonder if everyone will actually come on time tonight… there's always someone with a brand-new excuse.
Moments later, Prince Ronan walked in— dressed in light blue and white tones, elegant yet casual, a trace of playful recklessness in his step. His familiar careless smile appeared the moment he spotted Elira.
Ronan (grinning): But I made it on time, didn't I?
Elira (raising an eyebrow): You tell me exactly which time? Will we all follow your "Ronan Time"?
Ronan chuckled, realizing she was teasing. Elira smiled faintly in return.
Just then, Prince Draven entered. His black and gold tunic gleamed under the light, a royal belt cinched at his waist. He carried the quiet weight of authority in his expression. Without a word, he took his seat.
Next came Princess Elysia, her dark green gown fitted and regal, jeweled borders catching the light. Gem-studded cuffs adorned one wrist, while delicate bangles clinked faintly on the other.
Right behind her, Prince Kaelen, Princess Ariella, and Princess Liora entered together.
Ariella's gown flowed with soft chiffon and floral embroidery in pink and gold; a light scarf-like veil rested across her shoulders, small gems swaying gently from her ears. Kaelen wore a deep red tunic, the crest of the Kingdom embroidered on his cloak. His boots were light, his posture steady. Liora, meanwhile, looked stunning in dark wine-red— her dress finely embroidered in gleaming threads, a little extra kajal around her eyes giving her a poised but sharp look.
Ariella : Oh, the food smells different today… something special must have been made.
Kaelen (smiling faintly): Yes, since His Majesty said he wanted the family to dine together tonight, Lady Nyserin began preparations immediately.
Liora (grinning): And there's pigeon meat tonight! I asked for it myself.
Isolde (entering from behind): Pigeon meat? I'm glad you did— I love it too.
Liora laughed.
Prince Isolde looked striking this evening— his long black tunic contrasting perfectly with his fair complexion.
Then, the youngest, Prince Lucian, walked in. His dark blue-gray robes trailed lightly behind him as he looked around silently before taking his seat without a word.
Prince Seris arrived soon after, dressed in white and light green.
Liora (calling out cheerfully): Brother Seris! You've come too. Sit here— beside me.
Seris (glancing around): Hmm… has Sister Solryn not arrived yet?
Draven : Not yet. She'll be here soon. Sit down.
Elira : That's strange. Solryn's never this late. She was supposed to come first today.
Lucian (quietly): She was ready earlier. Someone came— wanted to meet her urgently. She went to speak with him. She'll return soon.
Seris (taking his seat): Were you with her?
Lucian : Yes. Then I went to my chamber before coming here.
The siblings' conversation flowed lightly as the hall filled with quiet laughter and chatter.
***
Soon, Concubine Ismira and Concubine Althea entered, followed by Chief Concubine Lysandra— her presence silenced the room for a moment. The queen's seat, however, remained empty.
Moments later, Queen Arwen entered. Everyone rose in respect. The Queen's eyes swept across the table; she nodded gently.
Queen Arwen : Sit down. Everyone's here tonight— that's enough for me.
As they settled, the great door opened once again.
Guard (announcing): His Excellency, King Arvid Noctaryn.
The King entered. Every member stood once more, bowing in respect. He took his seat, eyes moving across each of his children with quiet pride.
King Arvid: It's been a long time since I've seen everyone together. I hope all of you are well.
Isolde : We're all well, Father.
Draven : Yes, Father. Everything is fine.
King Arvid (smiling, then glancing around): Solryn hasn't arrived yet?
Elysia (with a snap): Oh, she must be off saving another kingdom, as usual.
Elira shot her a warning glance, but said nothing.
Then, the door creaked open again. Princess Solryn entered— calm but clearly burdened. All eyes turned to her.
Solryn (bowing slightly): My apologies… an urgent message arrived from the northern border. It delayed me.
Elysia (Eyes widening with some annoyance): Such an important message has arrived that even the king has come, but your discussion isn't over! Wow... Didn't you tell everyone to come early today? Were you planning to talk a lot?
Solryn didn't respond immediately. Everyone knew Elysia's words, though sharp, came from frustration rather than malice.
Everyone, including Elysia, had been waiting for Solryn for a long time. Solryn said that everyone should come early today, everyone would spend a lot of time talking together... And Elysia always talk on the spot.
Kaelen (gently): Easy, Elysia. Sol didn't keep us waiting on purpose.
Ronan (Looking at Solryn): From your face, it seems like the news is not only important, but also worrying!
Solryn (smiling slightly): Nothing much, Ronan, we'll talk about that later, okay?
Ronan gently nodded.
King Arvid (in a calm, fatherly tone): Sol, sit down. Come to my chamber after dinner.
Solryn (nods): As you wish, father.
***
The aroma of rich dishes mingled with candlelight and low conversation, yet beneath it all lingered a quiet tension.
Ariella (smiling slightly): Is tonight's soup different for anyone else? The taste feels new!
She paused, letting the aroma drift between them, watching Kaelen's faint nod of agreement. The chatter softened around the table as some servants quietly adjusted plates.
Ismira (nodding): You're right. Sister Lysandra instructed the maids herself this evening.
Queen Arwen : That's good. A little change now and then refreshes the heart.
Lysandra (smiling gracefully): I'm glad you think so, my Queen. If you enjoyed it, I must've done something right.
Elysia (putting down her spoon, eyes fixed on Solryn): Your eyes say you're still thinking about that news!
Her eyes narrowed, looking like a keen observer
Draven (calmly): Elysia's right. You do look worried, Sol.
Solryn (smiling faintly): It's nothing serious. Just… a few strange movements noticed near the northern border. Likely nothing, but I wanted to be sure.
Elysia (frowning): "Nothing serious"? You don't look convinced yourself!
Solryn knew very well that Elysia did not believe her. No matter how much she insisted, "It's nothing," the truth was written all over her face. Her eyes, her expression, every subtle movement spoke louder than her words— and Elysia's keen gaze could not be deceived.
Kaelen (teasingly): Elysia, it's a rare sight for you to suddenly speak like a stateswoman!
Kaelen glanced at her, the corner of his lips twitching slightly as if amused by Elysia's dramatic reaction. Meanwhile, Elira cleared her throat gently, lifting her hand to signal for a pause.
Elysia (rolling her eyes): You're being silly Kaelen, at least what I say is true.
Elira (in a soft voice, with a faint smile): That's enough, enough. Let us speak of ourselves today, and let all other matters be set aside— for today, at least.
Her words hung in the air, creating a pause. Elysia frowned, opening her mouth to protest, but Kaelen waved a hand, letting the moment settle. The focus shifted back to casual conversation, laughter starting to fill the table again.
Queen Arwen (smiling gently): Elira's right. Let's keep the talk light.
Isolde (brightly): Then tell us, Ariella— are you reading something new these days?
Ariella (shy smile): I read a poem today… but it'd sound odd if I mention it now.
Liora (amused): You said it's about darkness, didn't you? If not now, then when?
Ronan (with a crooked smile): True. The mood is mysterious tonight.
Ronan directed his words toward Solryn, and she understood it well. Solryn allowed a faint smile to grace her lips, concealing the worry that lingered behind her composed demeanor.
Solryn (smile slightly): You all speak freely tonight— I shall remain a listener. Sometimes, that is the wiser course.
The King cast another glance her way, gently lowering his spoon. He spoke no word, yet his eyes bore a question he deliberately withheld from the assembly.
The dinner continued amidst gentle laughter and quiet conversation— a rare warmth gracing the royal household. As the meal drew to its close, trays laden with sweets were brought forth, their fragrant presence signaling the evening's final course.
Lucian, a piece of sweet between his teeth, glanced around.
Lucian (chewing thoughtfully): Did someone new prepare this dessert? Its flavor… it is unlike any I have tasted before.
Lysandra (with a faint, approving smile): Your sister made it, Lucian. Learn to appreciate such effort.
Lucian's eyes met Elira's, a playful curve on his lips.
Lucian (grinning): Well then, the praise is yours to claim.
Elira returned a soft, modest smile.
Elira (quietly): Thank you, Lucian.
Meanwhile, Solryn sat in measured silence, her gaze drifting across the table to her father. Their eyes met, and in that brief connection, a whole conversation passed without a word. She exhaled slowly, tilting her head in a subtle shake.
King Arvid's expression did not change, yet his eyes spoke volumes. Whatever weight Solryn carried, it was not to be shared at this table.
Just then, the great door opened again...
A guard stepped forward, bowing low.
Guard (respectfully): pardon my intrusion, Your Majesty. An envoy has come from the northern mountains. He says that some unknown travelers have been seen crossing the northern border of the kingdom, who do not know the kingdom and do not speak the language. The northern border guards have detained them. If you allow, the envoy will inform you in detail.
The moment the guard's words reached their ears, the entire chamber seemed to startle as if time itself had paused for a heartbeat.
Draven, his voice low and edged with disbelief: Foreigners? At a time such as this?
King Arvid's gaze sharpened, eyes narrowing with measured authority: Where have they been detained?
Guard : At a small outpost below the northern hill, under watch. They seem calm but can't communicate clearly.
King Arvid : Ensure the envoy keeps them securely guarded. Summon Grand Chancellor Soren Calder at once— he will accompany Princes Seris and Isolde to Frostwyn immediately. They are to investigate without delay.
The guard bowed deeply and withdrew, his footsteps echoing softly as the chamber settled into tense silence.
King Arvid (firmly): Seris, Isolde— ready yourselves and depart immediately. It is unwise to bring these strangers to the capital. Speak to them directly, enlist linguists if necessary. Discover who they are, from where they came, and their intent. Chancellor Calder will accompany you.
Seris (bowing deeply): As you command, Father. (His gaze met Isolde's) We shall depart at once.
With that, the two princes exited the chamber, their footsteps echoing down the marble hall.
***
The hall settled into silence once more.
Solryn (in a quiet, measured voice): That… was the very news that reached me. I had a hunch something like this might occur.
Elysia (pressing her lips together, eyes sharp): Then why keep it from everyone?
Solryn (letting out a slow breath): I wasn't certain at the time. I didn't wish to trouble anyone without cause… but now, the matter can no longer be hidden.
To calm the tense atmosphere, the Queen spoke up—
Queen Arwen (softly, with quiet authority): That is enough for tonight. Let everyone retire and rest. (Her gaze lingered briefly on the King, steady and reassuring)
King Arvid : There's no reason to worry ahead of time. Tomorrow morning, we'll discuss it in council. For now, go rest. Good night.
The King rose and left.
Queen Arwen (soothingly, with a gentle smile): By the morning light, all will be made clear. Go now, each of you. Lysandra, Ismira, Althea— you as well.
One by one, they rose from their seats. Soft murmurs drifted through the hall, uncertain glances exchanged, and the earlier smiles gradually dissolved into a heavy silence.
Ronan (as he passed Solryn, muttering under his breath): It's always like this, Sol… and somehow, you're always caught in the middle. Father isn't pleased this time.
Solryn lowered her gaze, saying nothing.
Elira lingered for a moment, giving her sister a long, understanding look, before quietly departing. One by one, the hall emptied of its occupants.
Elysia paused at the doorway, shaking her head slightly.
Elysia : You either keep everything inside or say it all at once— this half-shadow of yours only breeds more trouble.
Solryn (quietly): If I had revealed everything tonight, Elysia… no one would have slept.
Without another word, Elysia left, her presence fading into the corridor. Solryn followed, her steps measured, leaving the hall silent in her wake.
***
Later that night, instead of going to her chamber, Solryn walked toward the King's chamber.
A knock echoed softly.
King Arvid (from inside): Come in.
Guard: Your Majesty, Princess Solryn has arrived.
King Arvid : Let her in.
(Time skips— night deepens through the palace.)
***
Queen Arwen sat before her mirror, a maid gently untying her hair. Her face looked weary, though her eyes gleamed with quiet thought.
Queen Arwen (softly): The North again… strangers across the border. After all these years, that land stirs once more.
***
Draven, polishing his sword, muttered under his breath—
Draven : A foreign arrival is never coincidence.
***
Ronan reclined in his chair, eyes half-closed, letting out a long, weary sigh.
Ronan : There's always some mystery in this family… never a single night of peace.
***
Elira stood by the window, the soft glow of starlight falling across her face, her gaze fixed on the heavens, silent and contemplative.
***
Elysia, tossing aside an open book with a sharp flick of her hand, furrowed her brow.
Elysia : A peaceful royal evening? Impossible. Sol… you may have stayed quiet tonight, but tomorrow, you won't have the luxury of silence.
***
In her chamber, Solryn stood by the window, glass of water in hand. The candle beside her flickered in the night breeze.
Solryn (to herself): It's impossible to hide anything from them… but tonight wasn't the time. Some truths can't be told before their moment— they'd only be misunderstood.
***
To be continued...