Alina sat by the river again, her fingers nervously tracing the small silver locket that had hung around her neck since childhood. It was the only thing she had when she ran from the castle. Inside it—just a torn piece of parchment and a symbol burned into metal: a crest she had never seen on any flag or kingdom.
Sofiya had once warned her, "That locket is more than a memory. Someday, it will open a door you may not be ready for."
Alina opened it now, pressing her thumb against the faded emblem. And for the first time, she noticed something odd—a second layer. Carefully, she slid the thin metal piece aside… and found a name etched beneath it.
Lily.
---
She stumbled back, heart pounding. Why would her locket bear someone else's name?
Unless Lily was her real mother.
"No… No, it can't be…" she whispered, her breath shaking.
Everything she had believed began to crack like glass. Raelynn had never mentioned another woman. Had never spoken of her real mother.
Why?
She ran to sofiya, holding out the locket.
Sofiya's eyes widened the moment she saw the name. She took a step back, whispering, "So it's true… The Queen lied."
"What do you mean?" Alina asked.
Sofiya hesitated, then gently took Alina's hand. "Child, it's time you knew the truth. You are not the daughter of Queen Raelynn. Your mother was Lily—the true Queen of this kingdom before Raelynn claimed it. She was betrayed and forced to leave you behind… to save your life."
Tears welled in Alina's eyes. "Then... my mother could still be alive?"
"Yes," sofiya said softly. "But if she is, she's in hiding. And the only way to reach her… is to follow the truth Raelynn buried."
Alina's fingers clenched around the locket.
She had a name now.
And a mission.
To find her real mother.
To uncover the lies.
To reclaim what was stolen.