Royal Ties

them into the night. Their lives, already controlled by obligation and traditional family ties,

u trust the least" replayed over and over in his thoughts. He sat alone in his dim study, surrounded by ancient family portraits and paperwork that reminded him of a past riddled with mysteries

phone buzzed wi

ror. Unmask

the estate, Alexander remembered a similar indication from his childhood, a time when suggestions were placed in plain sight. With a racing heart,

sight from another world. Steeling his nerves, he stepped inside. The air was dense with dust and old secrets. Wandering through a long, deserted hall, he soon found

is phone called from an unfamiliar number. Hesitantly, he answered, "Hello?" A muffled voice said, "Time is short. Trust no one, and remember, the enemy is closer than you think." The call ended abruptly, leaving Alexander with more qu

rust no one." had led her to one of the city's oldest landmarks, a tall, rusted clock tower set apart from the bright modern streets. The rain pounded her as she made her wa

us until you know who to trust." Before she could ask any questions, sirens blasted in the distance and rapid footsteps echoed in the hall. The stranger stood in a rush. "We don't have much time," he encouraged, then fled through a concealed door in the wall. Isabella opened the envelope with shaky fingers. Inside, she found a little USB drive and a letter that said, "The first key hides in plain sight. Look for the mirror that shows not your face, but your fate." The words made her stop. What did that mean? Her head hummed w

ettling sight of the mirror burning in his head, Alexan

mirror. Find any strange b

, every sound a potential menace. Outside, the rain had lessened, but the sensation of doom still clung to him

d along dark alleyways, her head a frenzy of clues and betrayals. Who had sent her that message? Who was behind these warnings? With eve

ces of a much larger puzzle. In the quiet night, with only the sound of rain and distant sirens, the two felt that the answers t

he dark. At the same moment, Isabella, crossing a dimly lit alley, heard a soft whisper behind her: "Your fate is sealed i

dge of a secret that promised to change everything. Who could they trust when every shadow might hide an

the dark, as the city held i