A Step Towards The Unknown

Khione sat cross-legged on the cushioned bench beneath her window, the morning light spilling across her room in gentle golden hues. In her hands, she turned over a silver locket—an old trinket from her childhood—but her thoughts were far from the present.

Selene's words about the imperial academy echoed in her mind, particularly the part about mastering her magic. Time magic. The words felt heavier each time she thought them. It had been almost ten years since her awakening in the cathedral, and yet she had barely scratched the surface of her potential.

She let out a quiet sigh, running her fingers through her silver hair. It wasn't for lack of effort. Hours spent in solitude, practicing simple manipulations of time—slowing the fall of a leaf, freezing droplets of water mid-air—had yielded only incremental progress. There were no scrolls, no ancient tomes in the family's extensive library to guide her. Time magic was as elusive as it was powerful.

"Centuries," she muttered to herself. "Maybe even millennia."

No one alive could teach her. No mentors, no masters, nothing. She was fumbling in the dark, trying to master an art that might as well have been forgotten by the world. The academy felt like her last hope, a chance to find someone—anyone—who might hold a key to unlocking the full potential of her gift.

But thinking about her stagnant progress for too long only made her chest tighten. Deciding not to linger on her thoughts, Khione stood and stretched. A walk would clear her mind.

As she wandered the winding halls of the Briston Estate, Khione passed by numerous servants attending to their duties. They greeted her with bows and respectful smiles, and she returned their gestures with polite nods. Though the estate was vast and luxurious, its halls never felt lonely. The familiar faces of the staff, coupled with her family's constant presence, made the sprawling manor feel like home.

It wasn't long before she turned a corner and came face-to-face with her father.

Lorian Briston, the Duke of Briston, was every bit the noble his title demanded. He stood tall, his silver-threaded hair immaculately groomed, his emerald-green eyes sharp and observant. He was dressed in a deep blue doublet adorned with gold embroidery, his appearance elegant yet commanding.

"Father," Khione greeted, her curiosity piqued by his formal attire. "You look like you're preparing for something important."

Lorian glanced down at her, his expression softening. "Good morning, Khione. I'm heading to a meeting with the Emperor and some of the other nobles."

Khione's eyes lit up. A meeting with Emperor Thalor himself? The thought of visiting the Royal Castle excited her more than she cared to admit. "May I come with you?"

Her father raised a brow, clearly taken aback by her request. "These meetings aren't exactly entertaining," he warned. "They're long, dull, and often devolve into heated arguments. Are you sure you want to sit through that?"

Khione's lips quirked into a mischievous smile. "Wouldn't that make it all the more interesting?"

Lorian let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "Very well. I don't see why not. But if you regret it halfway through, don't say I didn't warn you."

"I won't regret it," she assured him, already imagining the grandeur of the Royal Castle.

Lorian checked the pocket watch hanging from his waistcoat. "We leave in thirty minutes. Make sure you're dressed appropriately."

Khione nodded and hurried back to her room. The excitement coursing through her was a welcome distraction from her earlier thoughts.

In her room, she sifted through her wardrobe, selecting a gown befitting the occasion. She chose a soft, pale-blue dress embroidered with silver filigree, its design both elegant and understated. It was paired with a simple pendant necklace, a small sapphire glinting at its center. She pinned her hair back in a neat braid, allowing a few strands to frame her face.

Satisfied with her appearance, Khione rejoined her father in the grand foyer. He gave her a quick once-over and nodded approvingly.

"You look the part," he said.

"Thank you," she replied, matching his steady pace as they exited the estate and entered the waiting carriage.

The ride to the Royal Castle was a short one, but Khione took the opportunity to watch the bustling streets of the imperial capital pass by. The city was alive with activity, merchants calling out their wares, children chasing each other through cobblestone alleys, and knights patrolling in gleaming armor. The towering spires of the castle grew closer with each turn of the carriage's wheels, their gold-tipped peaks glinting in the sunlight.

When the carriage finally rolled to a stop at the castle gates, Khione stepped out, her breath catching at the sight before her. The castle was even more magnificent up close, its white marble walls etched with intricate carvings of ancient heroes and magical sigils.

Lorian placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her forward. "Stay close, Khione."

She nodded, her excitement tempered by a touch of nervousness. This was the center of the empire, where decisions that shaped the fate of nations were made.

As they passed through the gates and into the castle's grand halls, Khione's gaze wandered, taking in the towering columns, the glittering chandeliers, and the intricate tapestries that lined the walls. The weight of history seemed to press down on every corner of the place.

Her father led her to a large set of ornate double doors, flanked by two armored guards. One of them stepped forward, bowing to Lorian. "The council is assembled, my lord."

Lorian inclined his head in acknowledgment, then glanced at Khione. "Remember, these meetings aren't for show. Observe, listen, and learn."

Khione nodded, her determination returning. "I will."

As the doors swung open, revealing a chamber filled with some of the most powerful figures in the empire, Khione felt a rush of anticipation. This was a glimpse into the world she would one day navigate—a world of power, politics, and endless possibilities.