The Awakening Of The Hidden Heart

Chapter 6:

 The Awakening of the Hidden Heart

The palace was colder that evening, though the golden torches flickered against the high walls. Mai sat in the dimly lit study, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings on the wooden desk before her. It had been another exhausting day of dealing with Prince Lilian's cruel antics.

But tonight, something felt different.

She sighed, rubbing her temples. The weight of her mission pressed heavily upon her shoulders. She had barely made any progress with Lilian. If anything, he had become even more insufferable.

The door swung open, and there he was. His black shiny hair gleamed under the candlelight, his piercing eyes filled with amusement. "Still trying to teach me manners, little commoner?" he mocked, stepping closer.

Mai clenched her fists but remained composed. "I am doing what I was called here to do, Your Highness."

He scoffed. "And failing at it."

Something in her snapped.

A rush of warmth spread through her veins, like a pulse of fire igniting in her core. The room darkened at the edges, and suddenly, she was not in the study anymore.

A vision consumed her.

She stood in an ancient hall, its walls adorned with shimmering symbols—symbols she did not recognize, yet somehow understood. They spoke of an old kingdom, one lost to time. A throne stood at the center, but it was broken, cracked as if shattered by war. A voice, soft yet commanding, whispered in her mind:

Find the mark. The humble heart will mend what was broken.

Her surroundings blurred, and suddenly, she was back in the study.

Mai gasped, gripping the desk for support. Lilian's mocking smirk had faded, replaced by a confused frown. "What the hell just happened to you?"

She looked down. Her fingertips glowed faintly, a soft golden hue before fading away. Panic clutched her chest. Did he see that?

"What did you do?" Lilian demanded, stepping forward. "What trick is this?"

Mai swallowed, shaking her head. "I... I don't know."

His gaze flickered with suspicion, but before he could push further, a servant rushed in. "Your Highness! The King requests your presence immediately."

Lilian shot Mai one last look before storming out, leaving her breathless and shaken.

That night, as she lay in her chamber, her mind raced. The vision, the voice—what did it mean? And the symbols…

As if drawn by instinct, she sat up and removed the pendant hidden beneath her dress—a simple locket she had worn since childhood, the only thing she had left of her parents.

She turned it over in her palm.

Her breath caught in her throat.

There, etched faintly on the back, was the same symbol from the vision.

Her heart pounded. Was this the key to the mystery? Who was she, really? And what did this power inside her mean?

One thing was clear—her journey had only just begun.