The Prince of the Forest

For the first time in his life, Cedric felt alive. The forest was enchanting, filled with creatures and beings he had only heard of in whispered legends. He learned quickly that the Fae realm was a place of untamed magic, where the rules were different, and where he could forge his own path. He no longer had to bow and curtsy, wear stiff collars or recite formal speeches. 

Yet, the freedom he had longed for was not without its own challenges. In the Fae world, power was fluid, and there were many who sought to use it for their own ends. Cedric's first encounter with a rogue Fae prince taught him this lesson—when he nearly lost his life to a magical duel over a mystical artifact.

"Do not trust every smile here, Viscount," Lyra warned him after the duel, her eyes serious. "Even in a land of magic, power still corrupts."

Despite the dangers, Cedric felt more at home here than he ever had at Ashlorn. Yet, there were times when his heart ached for the family he had left behind—especially his mother, whom he had never truly known, and his father, whose expectations had crushed him.

Then, in a rare moment of quiet, Cedric asked Lyra, "Why are you helping me?"

Lyra's gaze softened. "I was once like you," she said. "Bound by a name, trapped by the expectations of those who claim to know what's best for you. But I found my freedom in the forest. And now, I help others find theirs."

Cedric's heart fluttered. There was something about Lyra—her strength, her kindness, and her understanding—that made him feel as though he wasn't alone in this strange new world.