Whispers Of The Unknown

Whispers of the Unknown

The grand throne room loomed over Mai as she stood before King Eric, her hands clasped tightly together to stop them from trembling. The weight of his gaze bore down on her, unyielding and filled with curiosity. Prince Lilian stood a few feet away, his sharp eyes trained on her, suspicion evident in his furrowed brow.

"What just happened back there?" the King asked, his voice steady but demanding. "You fought with a strength and speed unnatural for someone with no training. Explain yourself."

Mai opened her mouth, but no words came. Her breath hitched as an odd sensation wrapped around her, a tingling at the base of her spine. The world around her blurred, the grand hall fading into nothingness. Her body stiffened—No, not now—

And then she was gone.

---

She awoke in another realm, one unlike anything she had ever seen. The sky was a swirl of golden and violet hues, soft clouds drifting like silk curtains. The ground beneath her was warm, as though kissed by sunlight, yet there was no sun in sight.

Before her stood a woman, ethereal in beauty, clad in flowing white robes that shimmered like water under the moon. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing violet eyes held a depth of knowledge that made Mai's heart race.

Mai stumbled back. "Who... who are you?"

The woman tilted her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. "One who has waited long for your awakening."

"Awakening? What do you mean? And where am I?" Mai asked frantically, her mind spinning with questions.

The woman's smile did not waver. "You are where time does not touch, where truth whispers between realms. But heed my words, child, for they are the key to your survival. You must not tell the King what happened."

Mai blinked. "Why not?"

The woman raised a delicate hand, and suddenly, a vision unfolded before Mai's eyes. She saw herself speaking openly to the King, confessing all that she had experienced. Then—chaos. The King's eyes turned dark with unreadable emotions. Guards stormed the room. Chains. Shadows. A dungeon. Lilian standing in the distance, his face a mixture of shock and betrayal.

Mai gasped, clutching her chest. "No... No, this can't be. Why? What would happen to me?"

The woman turned away, her voice a soft whisper carried by the wind. "Not all truths are meant to be revealed too soon. When the time is right, you will tell him—the prince. And only him. Make him promise never to speak of it."

Mai felt herself drowning in confusion. "But why? What is happening to me? Who am I—"

Before she could finish, a warm, calming breeze enveloped her, lifting her off the ground. The woman's voice was the last thing she heard before everything faded.

"You will know soon enough, child. Until then, be strong."

---

Mai gasped as she was yanked back into reality. She was still standing before the King, though her body felt light as air, as if she had only been gone for a mere breath.

King Eric narrowed his eyes. "Well?"

Mai's throat was dry. Her mind spun with the knowledge of the vision. The woman's words echoed in her mind: Do not tell him.

But the King was waiting.

"Your Majesty, I... I do not know what happened," she finally said, keeping her voice as steady as she could. "Perhaps it was just a rush of adrenaline."

King Eric studied her, clearly unsatisfied with the answer. "A rush of adrenaline does not make a person move as you did."

Mai bit her lip. "I wish I had an explanation, Your Majesty, but I do not."

The King leaned back in his throne, silent for a moment. Then, his expression darkened. "Then I shall give you a choice. Either you tell me what you do know, or you shall be subjected to an evaluation by the High Council. They will not be as forgiving as I."

Mai's heart pounded. The High Council? She had no idea what that entailed, but something told her it would not be pleasant.

She swallowed, forcing herself to remain calm. "I have nothing to hide, Your Majesty. If the High Council wishes to question me, I will comply."

A flicker of something—approval?—passed through the King's eyes. But before he could speak, Lilian interjected.

"Father, do you truly believe she is lying?" the prince asked, his voice quieter than usual. "She does not seem the type to cower before truth."

Mai stiffened at his words. Was he defending her?

King Eric exhaled sharply. "Perhaps not. But there is something about her that remains unexplained, and that is what concerns me." He studied Mai a moment longer before waving his hand dismissively. "Very well. You may go. But know this, Mai—secrets have a way of revealing themselves."

Mai bowed quickly before turning to leave, her legs barely carrying her as she walked away.

As she exited the throne room, she felt Lilian's gaze burning into her back. He was watching her. Studying her.

And for the first time, she realized—she wasn't just his tutor anymore.

She was a puzzle he was determined to solve.

Prince Lilian knew something was wrong but didn't know exactly what. "If she's hiding something I'd find out sooner or later" he said to himself.