The past week had been a whirlwind of excitement for me. Finally, the chance to break free from the familiar walls of the Emberlyn estate and see the world, and my journey began at none other than the royal palace. My stepmother's disapproval lingered like a dark cloud, her concerns about the family's reputation echoing in my ears. Still, my father's steadfast support overrode her objections, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the opportunity he'd granted me.

Maeve, my strong and burdened sister, had confessed her relief at having me by her side. The weight of courtly expectations and the prospect of being courted by the crown prince were not burdens she bore lightly. I hoped that my presence could provide the support she needed in this unfamiliar territory.

Gwen and Arya, my enthusiastic twelve-year-old sisters, had been brimming with excitement, convinced that the royal palace was where they'd find their true loves. In my opinion, they were far too young to be thinking of love and marriage, but their innocence and eagerness were a welcome contrast to the complexities of courtly life.

Maeve, at twenty-two, was considered of suitable age for courtship, although some might argue she was past the prime age for marriage in this world. My father, however, didn't adhere to the norm of marrying his children off young. He sought proper matches, ensuring his children had a say in their destinies. Older siblings from my father's first marriage had already found their partners, like Lyanna, his firstborn, now twenty-seven and happily married to a duke from a nearby kingdom.

And there I was, at the age of twenty, in the middle of the pack of my siblings, ready to embark on a journey that promised not only a glimpse of the world but the chance to shape my own destiny. The royal palace awaited, a realm of intrigue, politics, and perhaps, unexpected romance.

Today was the day of departure, a day I had been preparing for all week. Farewells had been exchanged with my siblings and the loyal servants who had been a constant presence around the Emberlyn estate. As I navigated the familiar halls, saying my final goodbyes to the cooks and kitchen staff, I unexpectedly ran into Caius.

"Woah, Ellie, slow down. We will all be here when you return," he said, enveloping me in a comforting hug. There was a hint of concern in his eyes, a reflection of the worries that lingered beneath the surface. "I wish I could go with you guys, but promise me you will look out for yourself."

His words carried a weight of sincerity, and we began walking together outside to where the carriage awaited. Caius had always been a pillar of lightheartedness within the family, the one who ensured smiles on everyone's faces.

"I promise. I'll miss you, Caius," I replied, feeling a twinge of sadness at the prospect of leaving someone so dear behind.

As we stepped outside, I realized my sisters were already waiting by the carriage. I must have lost track of time, immersed in the bittersweet farewells. My heart skipped a beat for a moment. The day I had been waiting for, the day to break free from the comfort of home and become more than who I was, was here. And yet, with the carriage standing as a portal to the unknown, a surge of apprehension flooded through me. The familiarity of home would soon be left behind, and the journey into the world awaited.

"Sir Leif!" I exclaimed, running up to the familiar face of a dear friend. "Will you be accompanying us to the palace?" I asked with hopeful anticipation. Sir Leif, a knight of our house, had been a constant in my life since we were both children, now a figure of protection and camaraderie. His father was a knight of our house, so he had been training for this since childhood.

"Why, of course, Miss Elara. I've told you that I will always be there to look out for you. I am not breaking that promise now," he replied with a warm smile, reaffirming the bond that had endured through the years.

My brother Gareth approached, placing a hand on Sir Leif's shoulder. "He was the first to volunteer to join us on this adventure," Gareth added, a testament to the loyalty and friendship that bound us.

As I glanced around, everything seemed ready to go, and the carriage stood packed and prepared. "It is time. I trust that you have said goodbye to Father?" Gareth inquired, and I nodded in response. My father, older and not in the best health, had stayed indoors, his absence felt in the final moments before departure.

With gentle assistance, Sir Leif helped my sisters and me into the carriage, and I took one last lingering look at our family home. A silent farewell, a wish for well-being, echoed in my heart as the journey to the palace began. The anticipation of the unknown and the warmth of companionship created a poignant blend of emotions as we set forth into the adventure that awaited beyond the familiar walls of Emberlyn estate.

As the carriage departed, a peculiar energy filled the confined space. The twins were buzzing with excitement, their chatter creating a world of their own within the carriage. I, too, shared their enthusiasm, but a subtle sense of unease lingered, particularly around Maeve.

Leaning towards her, I grasped her hand, the silent gesture carrying more weight than words. "Want to talk about it?" I asked, my voice a gentle murmur. Maeve, known for her reserved nature and a tendency to hide her emotions behind a facade of strength, met my gaze with a tight-lipped smile.

"Everything is fine," she insisted, her words contradicting the subtle tension in her expression. I didn't press her to open up, understanding that she preferred to keep her struggles private. Instead, I offered a comforting squeeze to her hand, a silent assurance that I was there for her whenever she was ready.

While I yearned for significance like Maeve, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her situation. The weight of expectations, the duty to charm a prince she had never met—all part of the intricate dance that defined courtly life. I didn't doubt that our father wouldn't force her into anything she vehemently refused, but Maeve, driven by a deep sense of duty to the family, had embraced a life where personal desires took a back seat to the progression of the Emberlyn legacy.

In the quiet moments of the carriage ride, I reflected on the complexities of our individual journeys, bound by familial ties and the ever-present struggle between personal aspirations and duty. As the landscape changed beyond the carriage window, so too did the atmosphere within, a mix of anticipation and the unspoken challenges that lay ahead.

Being a bastard, I wasn't expected to play a role in advancing my family. My existence, in many ways, was an unspoken embarrassment. While my father would never admit it openly, I understood that his silent wish for me was to be quiet and stand aside, to fade into the background. In his eyes, I might be significant, but he didn't desire my significance in anyone else's view. He even revealed a plan to have me stay home and care for him, a prospect that felt more like a shackle than a choice.

The day in the carriage was long, the monotony broken only by Gareth's pragmatic reminder as we stopped for the night, "Don't get used to this comfort; we won't be stopping frequently." Gareth, always the one to dampen the mood with practicality. The relief that washed over me when we finally reached an inn for the night was palpable.

After a warm meal, us sisters retired to our rooms. The twins, ever the critics, complained about the quality of the inn. I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly; I loved them, but their penchant for refinement sometimes bordered on snobbishness.

Tossing and turning in my bed next to Maeve, I struggled to find sleep. The creaks of the inn, the distant murmurs from the common room, and the weight of my uncertain future kept my mind in constant motion. The comfort of the inn, a fleeting respite, couldn't silence the persistent thoughts that lingered in the quiet corners of my mind.

After what felt like an eternity, I tiptoed out of the room in my robe. The restless thoughts and the stillness of the night compelled me to seek some company, and perhaps Gareth and Leif would still be awake. There was no use lying awake in bed, contemplating an uncertain future. Besides, I had missed spending time with Leif.

He had been working tirelessly, steadily climbing the ranks of our house knights. I hardly saw him anymore, his newfound responsibilities consuming much of his time. As children, he used to seek me out after learning a new sword skill or mastering a fight stance, eager to show off his prowess. He had shared his dream of becoming the top knight of our house, and I had no doubt that he was on that path. However, his ambitious pursuit meant that I saw him far less, and truthfully, I missed my friend.

Tiptoeing down the stairs in an attempt to avoid making creaks, I heard the low murmur of voices. Relief washed over me as I recognized Leif and Gareth engaged in conversation. Good, they were still up. However, as I descended further, I noticed the serious tone underlying their words, and I hesitated.

Eavesdropping was undeniably wrong, but the perpetual sense of being excluded from important discussions drove me to find out more. Silently, I positioned myself on the stairs, hidden from their view, and strained to catch their words, my curiosity overcoming the guilt of clandestine listening.

"Shadow King is what they call him. They must stop stroking his ego. 'Malachi the Blackheart, Malachi the Stormbringer, Malachi the Bloodreaper,' it's ridiculous. I even hear some are calling him the Onyx Emperor, claiming that he will conquer the entire continent and become even more than a king, but an emperor," Leif expressed with exasperation. The intriguing revelation about this mysterious warlord held my attention. I had heard bits and pieces about him, but the conversations always changed when my presence was noticed. Society believed women were too delicate to be privy to such matters. This clandestine moment offered me a chance to learn more.

"I know the names may seem ridiculous, but they aren't entirely wrong," Gareth stated solemnly. Leif, sensing an opportunity to glean more details, probed further, and I was grateful for it.

"The Stelaran king is starting to worry as well. Apparently, he reached out to my father and other lords to ensure the loyalty of their knights should war come. It's the reason why my sister is being looked at as a marriage prospect—to ensure my father's loyalty," Gareth revealed. The revelation hit me with a wave of repulsion. The idea of Maeve being further entangled as a political pawn was nauseating. Not to mention, the prospect of war in Stelara was unsettling. It had been many years since such a dire circumstance had befallen the kingdom.

"He has already conquered Pyrithos and Hydris, and I hear rumors that Umbralis and Celesta will concede without a fight, should it come to it. Just declare his sovereignty and pledge loyalty. It is smart for the king to prepare," Gareth exclaimed, revealing the extent of the warlord's conquests. Leif's shock mirrored my own, and he confessed, "I hadn't realized it was this bad."

"That's because the Stelaran palace doesn't want people to know. They are afraid the common people may join his side," Gareth explained, shedding light on the deliberate concealment of the dire situation. Leif, seemingly in disbelief, exclaimed, "Wait, that would never happen!"

"Don't be so sure. Many in Stelara are not fond of the royal family or the leading nobility. They may embrace a change," Gareth responded, a harsh truth that hung heavy in the air. Leif, expressing his frustration, muttered, "No honor. No sense of loyalty."

"Says the knight," Gareth retorted, attempting to inject some humor into the serious discussion. "Let us hope that he doesn't come for Stelara. I am not sure that is a fight we can win," Gareth added solemnly. The weight of uncertainty lingered in his words.

Leif sighed, signaling his intention to call it a night. Panic surged through me as I heard his footsteps approaching. In a desperate attempt to retreat unnoticed, I tiptoed back upstairs as quickly as possible. Each creak of the stairs felt like an echo in the silent night, and I cringed with every step, hoping against hope that my clandestine eavesdropping would go unnoticed.

As I stealthily maneuvered back to my bed and tucked myself in, I released a sigh of relief. I didn't get caught. However, my mind was now filled with worry. Was war truly upon us? Was our kingdom in danger? Were we in danger? The weight of uncertainty pressed down on me.

If war came, Leif and many of my brothers would undoubtedly join the fight. What would happen to them then? The world suddenly felt vast and daunting, and I couldn't shake the feeling of smallness in the face of impending turmoil. I wanted to be significant, to make a difference, but what good could I do if war befell us?

Anxiety gripped me as I worried for my family, for the people of this kingdom, and for myself. I fervently prayed that war would not come. With these troubling thoughts swirling through my mind, I finally succumbed to the embrace of sleep, hoping that the morning would bring clarity and perhaps a reprieve from the ominous shadows that loomed over our world.