The Price Of Magic

Aria’s heart pounded in her chest as she stood in the dimly lit corridor of the castle. The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on the stone walls, and the air was thick with the scent of burning oil. She had slipped away from the grand feast, the festivities too overwhelming for her troubled mind. Tonight, she had only one goal—find the truth behind her betrothal to Prince Damien.

Whispers of a hidden chamber beneath the castle had reached her ears days ago, and Aria had spent every spare moment searching for it. She was determined to uncover whatever secrets the royal family was hiding. Her footsteps echoed softly as she made her way deeper into the castle’s lower levels, guided only by instinct and the faintest tug of magic she could feel in her veins.

Finally, she reached an ancient wooden door, half-hidden behind a tapestry. The wood was weathered, the iron handle cold to the touch. Taking a deep breath, Aria pushed it open, revealing a spiral staircase descending into darkness. Gathering her courage, she descended, her hand gripping the rough stone wall for support.

At the bottom of the stairs, she found herself in a small, circular room. The walls were lined with shelves filled with dusty scrolls and ancient books. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, and on it, a single, ornately carved box.

Aria approached the box cautiously, her breath hitching as she noticed the intricate symbols engraved into the wood—symbols that matched the strange markings she had seen in her dreams. Her fingers trembled as she reached out to open it, revealing a delicate piece of parchment inside.

Unfolding the parchment, Aria’s eyes widened as she read the words written in an elegant script. It was a contract—her betrothal agreement. But as she continued reading, her heart sank. The contract wasn’t just a simple marriage arrangement; it was a pact made between her family and the royal house of Elysium, sealed with ancient magic. The document spoke of her bloodline, her connection to a powerful lineage long forgotten, and the role she was destined to play in breaking the curse that plagued Prince Damien.

The realization hit her like a tidal wave. Her marriage to Damien wasn’t just a political alliance—it was the key to unlocking a prophecy that could either save or doom the entire kingdom.

As Aria tried to process the overwhelming information, a low voice echoed through the chamber, sending a shiver down her spine. “You weren’t supposed to find that, Aria.”

She spun around to find Prince Damien standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. His eyes, usually cold and distant, now held a flicker of something she couldn’t quite decipher—was it concern, anger, or perhaps fear?

“What does all this mean?” Aria demanded, holding up the parchment.

Damien stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “It means our fates are more intertwined than you could have ever imagined.”

Aria’s breath caught in her throat as the weight of his words settled over her. The secrets she had uncovered tonight were only the beginning. There was so much more to learn, and she realized that Damien knew far more than he had ever let on. The road ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but Aria knew one thing for sure—she couldn’t turn back now.

With the parchment still in her hand, Aria made a silent vow to uncover the full truth, no matter the cost. Her journey had only just begun.