4: Hide,Survive, Escape (Hopefully)

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* Hide, Survive, Escape (Hopefully)*

Morning arrived way too early for someone possibly trapped in a fictional royal drama.

Elara—no, *Mina*—sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling as light filtered through the curtains.

"This is insane," she muttered, rubbing her face. "I fell asleep crying over life, and now I'm a forgotten side character in a book I didn't even finish reading. Great. Just great."

She got up and started pacing, waving her hands dramatically. "Okay, maybe I've gone mad. Or I'm in a coma. Maybe this is some kind of really detailed fever dream—like Jane Austen meets Avatar with royal mommy issues."

Mina groaned and flopped back onto the bed.

"But why *Elara* of all people? She wasn't even important! She didn't do anything in the plot. Barely got a name drop before dying in chapter six."

Her eyes widened.

*Wait.*

That might actually work in her favor.She sat up, eyes narrowing in fake brilliance. "If I'm not important to the plot… then maybe, just *maybe*, I can avoid everything. No spotlight. No danger. No dragons. No magical awakenings. Just survive quietly, let the story go on, and boom—maybe the universe spits me back into my body!"

She gave herself a thumbs-up in the mirror.

"Brilliant plan, Mina. Be background. Blend in. Do absolutely nothing special."

She paused. "You *are* terrible at doing nothing though."

Before she could finish overthinking, a knock came at the door.

"Elara?" Auri's gentle voice. "It's almost time. We're supposed to gather in the Grand Hall for the ritual."

Mina cleared her throat, trying to sound composed and not like someone who just had a mental breakdown five seconds ago. "Right! Coming!"

She took a deep breath and looked in the mirror again.

"Just stay calm, smile a little, and for the love of everything— don't touch anything glowing"

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Just as Mina was smoothing the last wrinkle out of her dress (which stubbornly refused to behave), the door creaked open—without a knock, of course.

"Elara," her father peeked in, his usual calm expression replaced by a lopsided, nervous grin. "Ready to be magically zapped into greatness?"

She blinked. "That's… encouraging."

He stepped in, dressed in his best formal robes—still slightly wrinkled—and gave her a quick once-over. "You look exactly like your mother would've—if she had ever learned to brush her hair without starting a war."

Mina chuckled despite herself. "Dad…"

He winked. "Just trying to ease the mood. You look lovely, really. Just… brace yourself. Don't faint. Don't insult the queen. And for the gods' sake, don't sneeze during the spell. Last year a girl sneezed during her fire awakening and burned off her eyebrows. They still haven't grown back right."

Mina raised an eyebrow. "Noted."

He lowered his voice, leaning in conspiratorially. "And remember, your dear royal mother—the queen herself—is only scary when she talks, walks, breathes, or exists in general. But I still married her. Which means you've got some bravery in your blood.""Or recklessness," Mina added.

"Same thing."

He offered her his arm with mock ceremony. "Shall we face the magic circus?"

They walked together through the palace halls, laughing softly as he whispered sarcastic commentary about everyone they passed.

By the time they reached the *Grand Hall*, Mina felt almost human again—until the doors opened.

The hall was packed.

Royals from across the realm lined the tiers in shimmering gowns, enchanted robes, glowing armor. Some floated inches off the floor. A few whispered spells just to show off—vines bloomed from sleeves, sparks danced in midair, and a woman casually turned her drink into butterflies.

And there, at the center of it all—beneath the towering crystal ceiling—stood *Queen Liora*.

Sharp. Regal. Ice in her veins, crown on her head, power radiating like fire.

Beside her stood the *Seer*, Nyra, still cloaked in silver-black. She said nothing, but her eyes met Mina's for a single, burning second.

The space pulsed with magic.

Mina's fake plan to "stay hidden" had officially exploded.

And the ritual hadn't even begun.

The Grand Hall quieted as Nyra stepped forward, her cloak trailing behind her like a shadow come to life. She raised her arms, and the torches lining the hall dimmed, casting the room in a soft, magical glow.

In the center of the floor, five glowing stones appeared, each hovering above its own pedestal. One shimmered with green vines, another flickered with fire. The third sparkled like crystal fur, the fourth pulsed like sandstorms caught in motion, and the fifth glowed with gentle golden light.

Gasps filled the hall.

Mina's breath caught. She knew what this was—the *Awakening Stones*, one for each of the queen's true daughters.

Nyra's voice rang out like bells through fog. "Let the daughters of the crown step forth and claim their fates."

One by one, the royal sisters moved forward.

The eldest touched the vine stone, and the floor burst into green life—flowers, grasses, even trees sprouting in seconds.

The second placed her hand on the flame, and fire danced like ribbons around her, not burning, only dazzling.

The third shifted mid-step, transforming into a sleek black wolf, then an owl, then back to her laughing self.The fourth raised her hand, and stone cracked across the floor, twisting marble into rough desert sand.

The fifth, sweet Auri, stepped up with a calm smile. Her touch caused golden light to spiral outward, healing the broken stone from her sister's display, mending even the scorched plants.

The queen's face glowed with pride. "My daughters," she began, rising to her feet. "You've each—"

"Not all," Nyra cut in gently, but firmly.

The entire hall fell silent.

Even the queen blinked in confusion.

Nyra slowly turned toward Mina.

"One remains," she said, voice ringing with quiet authority. "Your half-daughter. She has not yet awakened."

Mina froze.

*No. No no no. This isn't happening. This wasn't supposed to happen.*

This was where Elara's story *ended*. She was never included in the real awakening. The book had been clear—after this, she faded into the background and eventually disappeared.

She had planned for that. *Counted* on it, that she is finally done with this world but what is going on?

"Me", She placed her hand on her chest with the surprised look on her face.

Her head turned automatically, eyes scanning everywhere till her eyes landed on her father .

He was seated near the queen, mouth slightly open, eyes wide with shock. He wasn't expecting this either. He thought everything was finally going smoothly since the queen didn't remember his daughter.

"Great," Mina muttered to herself. "Just… great."

The hall was too quiet.

Too many eyes on her.

And suddenly, the story she thought she knew?

It wasn't following the story anymore or was her being here changing all of it?.