Silent Longing

Eighteen years since the last time magic walked this land.

He had thought it was over. Thought it had been buried with the past. But now, the storm was returning.

The room held its breath as King Manova finally spoke. "This cannot be allowed to spiral into chaos." His voice, calm yet commanding, cut through the tension like a blade. "The last time such rumors spread, it nearly tore the kingdom apart."

His gaze locked onto David. "You will take command of my elite knights and keep watch over my daughters. Their safety is now your highest duty. Stand guard at their chambers and let no harm come to them."

David's jaw tightened. He did not fully understand the king's urgency, but he did not question his orders. He bowed. "I swear on my life, Your Majesty. No harm will come to them."

As David turned and strode from the chamber, the doors closing behind him with a resonant thud, the king turned back to his council.

"Now," King Manova Christopher said, his voice ironclad, "we must ensure that the past does not repeat itself."

The ministers nodded, but beneath their composed exteriors, a creeping dread took hold. For they all knew that whatever had happened eighteen years ago had nearly consumed the kingdom.

And now, it had returned.

David Zechariah stood still, his mind churning beneath the weight of the king's words. Eighteen years ago. The way the ministers had tensed, the flicker of unease in the king's eyes—it was as if they were staring into the mouth of a ghost from the past. But he? He saw only shadows where answers should be.

He must have been a child back then, barely old enough to understand the world. Yet, no stories had reached his ears. No whispers in the corridors. No fireside tales from his parents. It was as if that chapter of history had been erased, sealed away behind locked doors.

But why?

The question clawed at his thoughts. If the king feared this so greatly, if the ministers sat frozen in its wake, then whatever had happened eighteen years ago had changed everything. And now, it was happening again.

A slow resolve settled in his chest. He had to know. Not just for the kingdom, not just for his duty—but for himself. Because whatever truth lay buried in the past… it had been kept from him.

The corridor outside the royal chambers was unusually tense that night. David Zechariah stood firm, his posture rigid, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. His knights flanked either side of the heavy wooden doors, their armor gleaming under the dim torchlight.

Then, the door to Princess Alexandria's chamber opened with a quiet creak.

She stepped out, her silk nightgown flowing like a whisper against the marble floor. Her golden curls cascaded over her shoulders, catching the warm glow of the torches. Her emerald eyes swept across the scene—guards at her door, David standing watch, his expression unreadable.

She hesitated before turning toward Starlet's room.

David's voice, deep and composed, stopped her mid-step.

"Princess, where are you going?"

Alexandria lifted her chin, her tone carrying the poise of royalty. "I am going to my sister's chamber. Surely, you do not intend to stop me?"

David didn't waver. "Forgive me, Princess, but the king has given strict orders for your protection. Your safety is our highest duty. If you see anything unusual, you must inform us immediately."

Her brows furrowed ever so slightly. "My safety? Commander Zechariah, I have never seen such precautions before. Tell me, has something happened?"

David hesitated for a brief moment, then lowered his gaze. "It is not my place to say, Your Highness. My orders are clear."

Alexandria sighed softly, a flicker of frustration in her eyes, but she did not press him further. Instead, she merely inclined her head. "Very well."

David Zechariah led Princess Alexandria to Starlet's chamber, his movements precise and deliberate. The flickering torches cast shifting shadows across the stone walls, the air thick with tension. He reached the heavy wooden door and, as per his duty, pushed it open cautiously, his sharp gaze scanning the room for any sign of danger.

"Your Highness," he said, stepping aside. "You may enter."

Alexandria hesitated for a brief moment before nodding and slipping inside.

But as David turned his gaze toward Starlet, something unexpected happened.

He froze.

So did she.

David had seen countless warriors and nobles, kings and generals, but there was something unsettling in the way Starlet stared at him.

For a brief moment, silence stretched between them.

Then, as though breaking free from an unseen force, David straightened. He bowed slightly, his voice measured. "Princess Starlet, I will be standing guard outside. If anything is amiss, you must inform us immediately."

Starlet didn't respond right away. She studied him—just for a second longer—before giving the smallest nod.

David hesitated no further. With a firm grip, he pulled the door shut and positioned himself in front of it. Yet, even as he resumed his post, his mind lingered on that moment.

He had met Starlet before. Had seen her in the halls of the palace, at court gatherings. And yet—why did it feel as if this was the first time they had truly looked at one another?

Inside the chamber, Starlet exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around the edge of her book.

For some reason, she felt as if something had shifted. And she didn't know why

To be Continued ....