Heir of Shadows

the stone walls in shadows, and yet he couldn't bring himself to sleep. His father's death had left a hollow ache in his chest, one that no amount of rest

amount of preparation could prepar

un to unravel after his father's death. The whispers that followed in the wake of the king's passing spoke of nothing but doubt. Some claimed it was

g thought kept burrowing into the back of his mind

n had rarely entered in his youth, preferring the company of his brothers and the carefree nature of his younger years. But now, standing alo

eek, searching for answers, trying to understand what had happened to the man who had been both a father and a king. The dim light of t

d. It had always been locked, a secret even Rowan's older brothers had never ma

ick turn of the key he had found hidden in the desk's compartment, the dr

of a letter in such a hidden location felt deliberate. He carefully removed the letter, turning it over

ht. This wasn't

lded the letter, his eyes scanning

-

htful heir

r many years. The man you call your father, King Alden, is not the one who should rule this realm.

Eldor is not the eldest son of King Alden, but his daughter-Isla. She is your sister, Rowan

o would see her destroyed. She was taken far away, hidden from the palace's eyes, but

rives. Should you fail to do so, the kingdom will fall into chaos. The enemies of Eldor know

d you. The kingdom has m

And above all, be read

in t

dvisor to

-

reread the letter. Isla. His h

lding Alden-hidden the existence of a daughter from his own flesh and blood? The letter mentioned traitors in the k

lation began to sink in. He was no longer the heir. His futur

w? Was she even alive? Was she truly

a was truly the rightful heir, why had no one told him? Why had his father

lse, had the king's

uncovering the truth for himself. He had to find Isla, protect her, and ensure that the king

ut to venture beyond the palace walls. If Isla was out there, hidden somewhere, he would find her. And

-

eded to speak with the one person who might know more about the king's death: Eldric, the royal advisor. Eldric had served King Alden faith

h the castle, leading him to a small, dim

this room before. The advisor's personal life had always been as much of a mystery

, and a voice from

nt

, scribbling notes on a piece of parchment. The man was in his late fifties, his hair graying at the te

wly, his eyes flickering with a hint of surprise

e with pleasantries. "

ing for a brief moment before he spoke a

d, his voice tight with urgency. "Y

didn't move. He didn't speak. For a long moment,

"I did. I was sworn to secrecy by your father, Rowan. It was the king's decis

d? And what about the kingdom? What

Your Highness. The kingdom was in turmoil during your father's early years of rule. Enemies were at every corner, and

hat happens now that my father is

find Isla. We make sure she is r

-

thing to protect her, even if it meant risking everything he thought h

ermined to ensure that the right heir w

thought he knew about his place in the world had been a lie. He wasn't the heir. The throne had never truly belonged to hi

n declared firmly, his

ith uncertainty. "It is not as

eally expect me to simply wait around for her to appear when the kingdom is o

is discovered before she is ready-before she understands the full weight of her heritage-there are those who will not hesitate to kill her.

acies and plots against the crown, but hearing Eldric

o help her. To protect her. She has the blood of the true monarch in her veins, but she

role would be one of protector instead of king. But he couldn't afford to be selfish now. If Isla was the true

ated, more urgently this t

re. She was sent away for her own protection years ago, to a place where few can f

surge of ho

dy hand, he traced a line across the parchment. "She is hidden in the north, in a village n

winters and rugged terrain, where few dared to ventu

an asked, already preparing

the information you need, but you must go alone. There can be no indication of your true purpose. If you t

ded. "I u

But he couldn't allow his half-sister's life to be placed in danger. The kingdom would fall into

most importantly, a letter to the village's leader. It will grant you safe passage to Isla, though I urge you

gers brushing against the rou

nder the cover of morning. You will be better prepared, and you need tim

s fast as his horse could carry him. But Eldric's words made sense. He needed t

Rowan said, his voice

nding Isla. It is about ensuring the future of the kingdom. If she is to rule, she mus

impossible. He had never been trained for that role-he had only ever prepare

ugh doubt lingered in his

adness. "May the gods guide you on this path, Prince Rowan. Yo

ve, Eldric's voice sto

ce more than just physical dangers. There will be those who will test your re

his gaze steady.

but the road ahead was still shrouded in uncertainty. He had to find Isla, protect her, and prepare her to take the thr

ts drifted to his father's death-was it truly natural, as the royal physicians had claimed? Or had

rwhelming, and the uncertainty of Isla's future made it impossible to rest. He sat by the window, staring

make sure no one suspected his true intentions. There was still tim

ins, Rowan stood and gathered his belongings. His

s shoulders. And Rowan would stop at nothing to ensu