The days were growing colder as Prince Phillip prepared for the journey that lay ahead. With the council’s blessing and the weight of their hopes resting on his shoulders, he knew that failure was not an option. The secrets of the forest were dangerous, the shadows deceiving, but he had no choice but to press forward. If Lily was to be found, he was the one who had to find her.

His room was dimly lit as he packed, the faint light of dawn filtering through the small windows. Phillip sat on the edge of his bed, his coat laid out beside him. His fingers brushed over the edges of the map that lay across the table. The kingdom of the forest was vast, its boundaries unclear, and the forest itself was an enigma. But he knew one thing for sure: Queen Kharén had already made her move. If he didn’t act swiftly, Lily would be lost to her forever.

He adjusted the straps on his bag and swung it over his shoulder, the weight of his purpose settling on him. A final glance at the mirror confirmed his resolve—his emerald eyes gleamed with determination. There would be no turning back now.

---

The forest was an imposing place, its dense trees casting long shadows even in the middle of the day. Phillip had entered it with little more than his instincts guiding him, but the deeper he went, the more he felt a creeping sense of unease. The air was thick with magic, and every whisper of the wind seemed to carry secrets, old and forgotten.

As he walked, he clutched the hilt of his sword, not for protection, but as a reminder of the weight of the task ahead. The trees seemed to whisper to him, but it wasn’t the forest that unnerved him. It was the thought of Lily, alone and unaware of her true identity. The prophecy lingered in his mind, a specter of what could be. What if she refused to accept it? What if she joined her mother's side willingly, turning against the world that had once been hers?

Suddenly, the dense trees parted, and a glimmer of water caught his eye. He made his way toward it, his boots crunching against the fallen leaves. The lake was small, its surface still and shimmering with the last rays of the setting sun. Phillip knelt beside the water, his hand hovering just above the surface. The air was colder here, and he could sense the magic in the water—something ancient and powerful.

He cupped his hands and brought the water to his lips, the coolness of it refreshing his parched throat. As the water touched his tongue, the world around him seemed to fade, the sounds of the forest growing distant. His vision blurred, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw something—someone.

The image formed slowly, like mist rising from the depths of the lake, and then he saw her: Lily. She appeared to be in some kind of palace, a dimly lit chamber that looked more like a prison than a royal residence. Her eyes, wide and fearful, seemed to be looking directly at him. She was trapped, held captive by her own fear, by the very walls that should have protected her.

His heart skipped a beat.

Lily was standing in front of a mirror, her reflection blurred, but unmistakably her. She seemed to be reaching out to him, her face tense with confusion.

"Wait," he whispered to himself, his mind racing. "This... this isn’t possible. How is she here?"

Before he could think further, her lips moved, and her voice reached his ears, as if she were standing right in front of him.

“You... You’re from the forest?” she whispered, her voice soft but tinged with a mix of awe and confusion. "But how are you in my mirror?"

Phillip’s breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t understand what was happening. How could his voice be reaching her through the mirror? How could they be connected like this?

Lily tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in concentration. The reflection of the mirror shimmered, and she moved closer to it, peering into the surface as if trying to find him on the other side. The image wavered again, and she leaned forward, holding the mirror up at a slight angle.

"Is this... some kind of trick?" she murmured, almost as if she were speaking to herself. "How can you be in my mirror? Who are you?"

Phillip’s heart ached. He wanted to speak to her, to tell her that he was real—that he was out here, in the forest, looking for her. But no words left his mouth. He felt helpless, his thoughts a whirlwind of questions. He couldn’t understand why he could see her but couldn’t touch her, couldn’t reach her. She was so close, yet so far away.

Lily’s fingers brushed against the surface of the mirror, her expression one of both fear and curiosity. She didn’t understand who he was or how he had appeared before her, but the connection between them was undeniable.

“I’m trying to find you,” Phillip whispered aloud, though he knew she couldn’t hear him. “Lily, I’m coming for you. You don’t have to be afraid.”

Her reflection didn’t respond, but for a brief moment, he saw her gaze soften. She didn’t know him, but the gentleness in her eyes hinted at the possibility of trust. Maybe, just maybe, she would listen to him when the time came.

The vision of Lily began to fade, the mist in the water dissipating as if it were never there. Phillip blinked, his hand still hovering over the water, now still and quiet again. His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of his discovery settling in.

“I will find you, Lily,” he vowed softly, as if to the winds of the forest. “No matter what it takes.”

He stood up and took a deep breath, steeling himself for the journey ahead. The shadows of the forest seemed to grow darker, but Phillip knew one thing for sure: he would not stop until he had reached her. No magic, no barrier, and no witch could keep them apart.

With his resolve stronger than ever, he turned and continued deeper into the forest, the path ahead unknown, but his purpose clear.