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Felice and Liora were almost back inside the palace when fate, of course, decided to ruin everything.
"Shhh, we're like two majestic shadows," Liora whispered, tiptoeing across the courtyard with all the grace of a one-legged goose.
"We're two very obvious majestic shadows," Felice hissed back. "Your boots literally jingle."
"They're enchanted, okay?!"
They had just reached the hallway near the servant's quarters when—
"Princess Liora?"
Both girls froze like children caught sneaking cookies.
The Queen's royal advisor—Sir Winford, a man with absolutely no humor and a nose that looked permanently offended—stood with a lantern in one hand and a judgmental glare in the other.
Behind him stood three guards, one very sleepy-looking cat, and… the King himself, holding the weird glowing crystal the cloaked stranger had left behind.
"Oh," Liora said. "Hi, Dad."
The King's eyes narrowed. "Do you two care to explain why my daughter and an incredibly powerful hybrid are sneaking through the palace in combat boots, smelling like dumplings and danger?"
Felice opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. "We… bonded?"
"We absolutely did!" Liora added, proudly. "Besties."
The Queen appeared behind the King, in a lavender robe and very fluffy slippers. Her gaze went straight to Felice—and the crystal in the King's hand.
"Where did you get that?" she asked, voice suddenly serious.
Felice frowned. "A stranger gave it to me in town. Said I was being watched. Said… my awakening had started."
The Queen stepped forward. Her face had gone pale. "That's impossible. That crystal—it belonged to Seraphina. Your mother."
Felice felt the world tilt. "My… what?"
Sir Winford coughed awkwardly. "Well, that escalated quickly."
The King sighed deeply. "We'll speak more in the morning. For now, both of you—bed. Now."
Liora huffed. "This is royal injustice."
The Queen gently touched Felice's shoulder, her voice soft. "There is so much you don't know, child. But I promise—we will tell you everything."
As Felice walked down the hallway, brain buzzing and heart pounding, she glanced at Liora.
"I can't believe we got caught."
"I can't believe your mom was besties with my mom. That makes us legacy besties. Or trauma twins."
Felice cracked a smile. "You're so weird."
"I contain multitudes," Liora grinned.
And though her world was spinning with new truths and more questions, Felice felt something she hadn't in a long time.
Hope.
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