"A determined heart finds a way even in the darkest maze."

• Streets Of Sibiah •

As Lucian made his way back toward the city, his father's valuable lessons resurfaced in his thoughts. "If one's path is blocked, seek out the hidden trail," his father's wisdom echoed, and he remembered another saying, "A determined heart finds a way even in the darkest maze.".

With a newfound determination, Lucian uttered to himself, "I must find the book at all costs. I can't give up now." He knew time was not on his side.

While pondering his quest, a sudden commotion diverted his attention. He noticed the town guards marching towards the city's announcement board, where they posted a notice.

A gathering crowd of curious onlookers soon surrounded the announcement board. Conversations buzzed among the people.

Someone in the crowd whispered, "Won't you tell your son about this?" Another voice chimed in, "This could be a golden opportunity.", Amidst the excitement, a teenage boy dashed through the crowd, shouting to his sister, "Sister! Where are you? You have to come and see this!"

Lucian's curiosity piqued, and he approached the crowd to see what had captured everyone's attention.

As he drew nearer, he read the words on the posted notice: "Seeking able-bodied individuals to serve within the palace. Those who wish to apply, orderly present yourselves at the palace gates .".

The purpose of this recruitment was not due to a shortage of staff; rather, it was in preparation for the Queen's forthcoming grand birth anniversary celebration.

She planned to invite royalties from kingdoms both great and small, requiring a substantial increase in palace staff to accommodate the forthcoming grand event.

A flicker of a smile crossed Lucian's face as he saw this as an opportunity to get into the palace. However, he realized that he could not enter the palace in his current appearance and attire, as he would be easily recognized by the sentry guards.

He immediately started thinking of ways to blend in with the crowd and approach the palace gates incognito.

Lucian's memory stirred with the awareness of a magical gift he possessed but had rarely used, for its necessity hadn't arisen. It was the art of appearance-altering magic.

Amid the growing crowd, as everyone jostled to get a better view of the poster, Lucian found himself engulfed by the multitude. He saw an opportunity to alter his appearance, and he couldn't ignore the pressing need any longer.

Navigating his way through the crowd, Lucian transformed his appearance into that of a typical Sibiah resident. He also altered his attire to blend seamlessly with the local dress, hoping this alteration would shield him from being seen or recognized.

Having successfully changed his appearance, he maneuvered his way out of the crowd without arousing any suspicions,then he began making his way towards the palace gates.

As he approached the palace gates, Lucian was once again halted by the sentry guards who had stopped him initially.

A storm of thoughts rushed through his mind, questioning why they had stopped him. "what,Can they see through my disguise?" He cautiously checked his attire, finding himself impeccably resembling a common Sibiah citizen.

He contemplated his next course of action. "What do I do now?" he thought anxiously. "This has to work."One of the guards inquired, "What business does a commoner have at the palace?".

The pressure mounted, but Lucian maintained his composure, replying, "I saw a poster seeking able-bodied individuals to serve within the palace." He hoped that his response would suffice.

The other guard confirmed, "Oh, that? Look beside you.", pointing beside Lucian and directed his gaze towards a man seated, Lucian followed the indication and spotted a man diligently recording the names of prospective servants in a long queue.

A wave of self-disappointment swept over him; his determination to enter the palace with haste had blinded him to the practical reality. Now, he had no choice but to join the line and wait for his turn. The opportunity was within reach, but the path was far from effortless.

• Royal Palace Of Sibiah •

(•Prince Theodore's Pavilion•)

Theodore stood beside the pristine fish pond adjacent to his private luxurious pavilion. With a sense of satisfaction, he gently scattered fish food into the crystal-clear water, watching the beautifully coloured koi fish swim toward it.

When the last morsel of food was cast upon the pond, he casually strolled back to his pavilion.

There, his attentive servant stood , a clean linen cloth in hand. Without a word, slightly bowing,the servant respectfully extended the cloth to Theodore, who used it to cleanse his hands with care. The cloth, now bearing the faint scent of the fish food, was soon returned to the servant.

Theodore then proceeded to a raised section of the pavilion overlooking the fish pond. As he gazed out at the serenity of his surroundings, Prince Theodore's personal guard, a loyal and trusted figure, approached the pavilion and respectfully bowing his head, "Your Highness," he addressed the prince.

The prince, with a sly grin tugging at the corners of his lips,asked ,An undercurrent of ominousity pulsed beneath his words. "Is everything ready?"

The trusted guard met his inquiry with a nod and affirmed, "Yes, Your Highness."

A wicked grin, laden with evil,overtook Prince Theodore's countenance.He had set in motion an evil plan.

As his countenance changed, He declared "The end of your reign is near, Rissa." He broke into a sinister and foreboding laugh, the sound echoing through the pavilion and across quiet surroundings "Hahahahahahahahahahaha."

• Adar's Chambers •

Adar remained in his chambers, reclined on the bed, where a diligent maid was carefully applying a soothing warm compress to his forehead. In the depths of his dreams, he found himself in a lush garden, the scent of blooming flowers wafting through the air.

There, standing before him, was a vision of his late mother,her presence was ethereal, and she looked as radiant as he remembered her from his childhood.

Tears welled up in Adar's closed eyes as he reached out to touch the spectral image of his mother. A single tear escaped from beneath his eyelid, rolling down his ears.

In this dreamlike state, the prince's voice broke the silence of the chamber. He whispered softly, his voice trembling with emotion, "Mother."As if guided by an invisible hand, he reached out and gently took the hand of the maid who had been carefully tending to him. She was in the midst of performing a warm compress process, her touch soothing and gentle

As he gradually opened his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of the concerned maid and Ser Tristan, who had been keeping vigil by his side.

Upon realizing that the prince had awakened, Tristan moved closer with evident worry etched on his face. "Your Highness, you're awake," he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and concern.

He dropped the maid's hand and turned his gaze to the wall on the opposite side of the bed, Adar muttered softly, "Leave." Tristan promptly instructed the maid to depart, ensuring she took with her the bowl and linen cloth she had been using.

As she left the chambers, the heavy wooden door closing behind her, Adar made a valiant but uncomfortable effort to sit up. A sharp, stinging pain emanated from the bandaged wound on the side of his head, causing him to groan softly and instinctively clutch his forehead.

Tristan, who had moved closer, gently held the young prince's shoulder and gently pressed him back onto the bed. He spoke with empathy, "You should not sit up yet, Your Highness. You are still unwell." Adar let out a sigh,remained lying on the bed, his sigh expression reflecting his discomfort and vulnerability

Tristan felt a deep sympathy for the prince, yet he could not bring himself to reveal the true reason behind Adar's predicament—the consequence of his escape. Instead, he silently carried the weight of his own remorse for being involved in the events that had led to the young prince's pain and suffering.

Ser Tristan, ready to speak and express his remorse by telling him about what had transpired that led to this ,"Your highness, I....." but was interrupted by Adar's raised hand, signifying a request for silence. The young prince softly conveyed his wish saying to Tristan "Leave,I want to be alone", his voice carrying a heavy burden.

Tristan bowed respectfully and turned to leave, his mind filled with nagging doubts. "Does he know about what happened?" he pondered. "If he knows, I doubt he'll ever forgive me. He surely hates me now." The weight of guilt pressed heavily upon him, and he retreated from the chamber, closing the doors behind him.

Alone in his chambers, Adar's pain, both physical and emotional, weighed on him. Tears welled up in his eyes and streamed down his face as he grappled with a sense of heartache and isolation. His emotions were a turbulent sea of sorrow, and he had no one with whom he could confide in.

Tristan, on the other side of the closed door, stood briefly, his ears catching the faint sound of the prince's tears and cries. A profound sense of sadness for Adar's plight washed over him, but he knew there was nothing more he could do for the poor prince at the moment.

With a heavy heart, he departed, his hope resting on the belief that the prince would eventually find a way to heal and overcome his pain.

• By The Palace Gates •

"What is your name?",the seated man asked Lucian while staring at him , waiting for a response.