Chapter 12:The Unspoken Truths

*Chapter 12: The Unspoken Truths*

The following morning, Seraphina found herself walking through the Silver-Blood estate's grand halls, a sense of quiet determination in her step. She couldn't shake the conversation she'd had with Iliana the night before, and for once, it felt like the weight on her shoulders wasn't so heavy. Maybe it was the air of understanding in Iliana's words, or perhaps it was the simple fact that someone, just for a moment, had treated her like a person and not the heir of a powerful family with an uncertain future.

Despite the storm of thoughts in her head, she felt a flicker of hope for the first time in what felt like forever.

After breakfast, Seraphina found herself wandering to the edge of the garden, drawn by the quiet murmur of the estate's fountain. She wasn't sure if it was the right time to speak with Iliana again, but the thought of being alone in her thoughts seemed unbearable after their conversation.

As she reached the garden's edge, she spotted a familiar figure sitting near the fountain. Iliana was perched on the stone edge, her legs crossed and her hands resting in her lap. Her eyes were closed, as if she were meditating, and a gentle breeze tousled her dark hair.

Seraphina hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was too early to interrupt her. But then, Iliana's voice broke the silence.

"You know, you don't have to be a ghost in this house," Iliana said with a light laugh, not even opening her eyes. "It's not as suffocating as it looks."

Seraphina smiled, walking over to her. "How did you know I was here?"

Iliana finally opened her eyes, a knowing glint in them. "I can hear your footsteps. And you've been walking around in circles for the last twenty minutes. You're not very subtle, Seraphina."

Seraphina rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her lips. Iliana's easy nature was starting to rub off on her, and that was something she hadn't realized she needed.

"Okay, you got me," Seraphina said, taking a seat beside her. "I guess I was looking for someone to talk to."

Iliana smiled at her warmly. "I'm always here for that. What's on your mind?"

Seraphina paused, unsure of how to express everything swirling inside her. Her thoughts about the prophecy, about her father's cryptic warnings, about her magic that felt more like a curse than a blessing. And then, there were the bigger questions—about her purpose, about what Iliana had said the night before.

"I just…" Seraphina started, her voice uncertain. "Everything feels like it's closing in. I feel like I'm supposed to be something, but I don't know what it is. It's like I'm being pushed in all these different directions."

Iliana turned toward her, her gaze steady and understanding. "I get that," she said softly. "But you don't have to have it all figured out right now. People want you to carry everything on your own, but the truth is, there's no need to."

Seraphina bit her lip, her heart feeling lighter with every word Iliana spoke. It was so different from the way people in her family spoke to her. It was like Iliana understood the pressure, the expectations without needing to remind her of them constantly.

"You make it sound so easy," Seraphina said, a hint of awe in her voice. "Like you've got it all figured out."

Iliana's laugh was soft but full of something almost wistful. "If only. I'm not here to tell you it's easy—nothing worth having ever is. But sometimes, it's about learning to trust yourself. You'll figure it out in your own time."

Seraphina's brow furrowed. "What about you? You seem so calm and… at ease with all of this. You talk like you've had some experience with difficult things. What's your story, Iliana?"

Iliana's eyes softened, and for a brief moment, she looked away, as though gathering her thoughts. "My story? Well, I don't always talk about it. But I guess you deserve to know."

Seraphina leaned in, her curiosity piqued. She hadn't realized it before, but there was something about Iliana that felt like she was holding back. It wasn't just her ease—it was something more. Something that Seraphina wasn't yet sure of.

"I grew up in a small village, far from places like this," Iliana began, her voice taking on a more somber tone. "My family wasn't wealthy. In fact, we didn't have much of anything, except for our magic."

Seraphina blinked. "Your magic?"

Iliana nodded. "It was a gift passed down through generations. The ability to manipulate fire. I know it sounds like a gift, but in the wrong hands, it's dangerous. It can destroy everything around you if you're not careful."

A flash of understanding passed through Seraphina. She had the power of silver magic, an element even more unpredictable than fire. She knew the dangers of having such immense power.

"But that's not all," Iliana continued. "When I was younger, my family was targeted by an organization. They sought to control our magic, to use it for their own purposes. I lost my family that way."

Seraphina's heart tightened as she listened, her eyes never leaving Iliana. There was a rawness in Iliana's words that Seraphina hadn't expected. This girl, who seemed so full of life and confidence, had suffered loss and hardship in ways Seraphina couldn't imagine.

"I ran away, after that," Iliana said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I left everything behind. And I came to places like this, hoping I could learn how to control my power—and protect others from the same fate."

Seraphina was silent for a long moment, trying to process everything Iliana had just shared. The vulnerability in her story made Seraphina's own struggles seem less lonely. And it also made Iliana's presence in her life seem even more significant.

"I didn't realize… you've been through so much," Seraphina murmured.

Iliana met her gaze, her expression soft but resolute. "We all have our battles, Seraphina. You might not see it on the surface, but everyone's carrying something heavy. The question is, do you let it break you, or do you use it to make you stronger?"

Seraphina felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something about Iliana's words—her quiet strength—that felt like a revelation.

Iliana turned toward her, her eyes intense but filled with something like hope. "You don't have to do this alone. And you don't have to let the prophecy define you. You have more than just magic. You have a choice, and that's something no one can take from you."

Seraphina sat back on the stone bench, a sense of peace settling in her chest. Maybe, for the first time, she understood that her choices—her actions—were what would shape her future. Not the prophecy. Not the legacy of her family.

She turned to Iliana, a small, genuine smile forming on her lips. "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Iliana gave a playful grin, her eyes shining with warmth. "Don't thank me yet, Seraphina. The adventure's just beginning."

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