33: The Hidden Library

The palace was a labyrinth of secrets, each corner and corridor whispering of stories long forgotten. As the days turned into weeks, Alina's resolve to survive and uncover the truth behind King Kael's fearsome reputation only grew stronger. To do so, she needed more than just her wits—she needed knowledge.

One evening, after yet another tense banquet where she was the subject of veiled jabs and condescending stares, Alina decided to take a risk. She slipped away from her chambers, choosing a rarely used corridor that she had noticed earlier that week. It was lined with heavy, dust-covered tapestries that muffled her footsteps. She moved cautiously, ensuring no one was following her.

The deeper she ventured into the forgotten wing, the colder and darker it became. It was clear that this part of the castle had not been used in years, perhaps even decades. Alina's heart raced as she turned a corner and found herself facing a heavy oak door, slightly ajar. A thin line of light seeped from the crack, and with her curiosity piqued, she pushed the door open.

The room beyond was an ancient library, the air thick with the scent of aged parchment and ink. Rows upon rows of bookshelves stretched to the ceiling, filled with dusty tomes that looked like they had not been touched in years. The faint light came from a single candle left burning on a reading desk in the center of the room.

Alina approached cautiously, her eyes scanning the shelves. These books were not the usual histories and religious texts she had seen in the palace's main library. These were chronicles of Castary's darker past—records of old rebellions, treaties broken, and betrayals that had shaped the kingdom's current state.

A particular book caught her eye. It was bound in worn leather, with a title embossed in faded gold: The Rise of the Blood King. Alina's fingers trembled as she pulled it from the shelf. She had heard rumors about Kael's rise to power, but here, in her hands, was a record of how he had seized the throne. The book was filled with accounts of executions, purges, and secret trials.

As she turned the pages, one name kept appearing: Lord Alistair, Kael's former mentor and the man who had supposedly betrayed him. The details were vague, but it was clear that Alistair's betrayal had been the catalyst for Kael's ruthless reign.

Just as Alina was beginning to piece together the fragments of the story, the door behind her creaked. She turned sharply, her heart leaping into her throat. But it was not Kael or one of his guards—it was the young servant girl, Mara, who had been helping her.

"Your Highness, you must leave this place," Mara whispered urgently, her eyes wide with fear. "If the king discovers you here, it will not end well."

Alina hesitated, her mind racing. She had discovered something valuable, but she couldn't risk being caught. She carefully replaced the book and nodded to Mara. Together, they slipped out of the hidden library, disappearing into the shadows just as heavy footsteps echoed down the hall.