Chapter 3: Secrets in the Storeroom

The soft morning light streamed in through the window, falling directly on Nova's face. She turned away, irritated by the brightness. With a groan, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. After getting ready, she came downstairs where everyone was already gathered for breakfast.

"Finally awake, Nova? You should've slept a little longer," Zara said teasingly.

Leo looked at Zara and shook his head. "Enough already. Nova, come sit and eat."

Nova sat beside Lyla, quietly. "Grindlefax, breakfast for Nova," Leo said.

The friendly elf like butler Grindlefax handed Nova her plate. "You look tired, Nova."

"I couldn't sleep well," Nova replied.

Solen looked up. "Why?"

"I was... reading books," she said quickly.

Solen smiled. "Trying to be like Leo, huh? In class, whenever the teacher asked a question, guess whose hand went up first?"

Leo chuckled proudly. "That's because I wasn't like you two. The whole class used to get jealous."

"Since you're done bragging, eat your food. We have to leave soon," Zara said, rolling her eyes.

Lyla turned to Leo. "Uncle, what subject did the magical mirror assign you?"

"Mystveil," Leo said proudly. "That's how I managed so many magical inventions."

Lyla then looked at the two women. "Mamma, aunty what about you?"

Zara answered, "Solburn."

Solen nodded. "Me too."

Nova beamed. "No wonder you two are best friends! But what if Lyla and I get different subjects? What if we get separated at Thornwick? So sad…"

That Night

Lyla stood by the window, staring at the moonlight. Her mind was heavy, filled with thoughts she couldn't understand or explain. Confusion, anger, sadness all mixed inside her like a storm.

She quietly walked over to her drawer and opened it. From inside, she took out a diary. Its cover read: Diary #0.

She opened the first page and began to write:

 "Today, I found out something that changed everything. Nova has a twin sister. Her name is Mona... and my dad my own dad took her away.

He raised her somewhere else.

No one ever told me.

Not mom.

Not aunty.

Not even Uncle Leo.

Why did they hide this from us?

Don't we have the right to know the truth?

If dad raised Mona, then that means Mona is my sister too.

How can they hide something so big from us?"

Her handwriting became shaky as tears rolled down her cheeks. She tried to keep writing, but the sadness inside her spilled out in the form of soft sobs.

Just then, the door creaked open. Nova stepped in and saw Lyla crying.

"Lyla…" Nova whispered and rushed to her side. She hugged her tightly. "You're not alone. I'm here. Don't cry."

Lyla sniffled. "How could they not tell us? It was our right to know. She's your twin, Nova. And if Dad raised her… she's my sister too. It hurts."

Nova sat beside her and wiped her tears gently. "I know it hurts. But maybe there's a reason. They're our elders… maybe they hid it to protect us. There must be a very big reason behind it."

Lyla looked at her. "But we need to find out the truth."

"We will," Nova said calmly. "Step by step. And maybe that black magic book can help."

Lyla nodded and reached under the bed, pulling out the mysterious book they had found earlier in the storeroom. She opened it, and to their surprise, something shiny was tucked between the pages a magical bracelet, carved with ancient runes.

Nova gasped. "Lyla… wait a minute! This bracelet… it's the same one you always wear!"

Lyla looked at it closely, stunned. "You're right…"

Nova narrowed her eyes. "If they erased everything every clue about Mona and Thorne then why didn't they take this bracelet away from you?"

Just then, Zara's voice called out from downstairs, loud and sharp.

"Nova! Come out of Lyla's room and go to sleep now! You both have to leave for Thornwick the day after tomorrow!"

Nova rolled her eyes and sighed. "Always the perfect timing."

The two girls looked at each other, knowing

deep in their hearts that the mystery had only begun—and their journey into the truth