Under the moonlight

Her gaze shifted back to the drawing before lurching downward to the text underneath it. The writing was done in ink, just like the drawing. The handwriting, though, was distinct.

'You don't need to be alarmed, Nikolai; I, Ophelia Viadislav, will always protect you.'

Ophelia felt her mouth turn dry. "W... what?"

A familiar dark presence suddenly filled the room and a gentle murmur followed. "I drew it, and you wrote that. However, don't be shocked because royals usually make sure their children start learning to read and write as soon as they learn to speak."

Ophelia fully sprung to her feet before turning to face Nikolai. He was dressed in a loose-fitting gray shirt and baggy slacks. He did not appear like this when he left her.

She was unsure which question to ask first. The wall, the issue he had gone to settle, the hidden room...