Alina couldn't sleep that night. Every time she closed her eyes, visions of Lily haunted her—a faceless woman with kind hands, holding a baby close, whispering promises. Were those real memories? Or dreams her heart desperately wanted to believe?
By morning, her decision was made.
"I have to leave," she told sofiya as the sun rose.
Sofiya nodded without protest. "I knew this day would come. But you won't go alone."
She handed Alina a small satchel with dried herbs, food, and a dagger wrapped in cloth. "You'll need this more than anything: your courage."
Alina smiled faintly. "I learned that from you."
---
Meanwhile, in the other kingdom, King Elric was growing restless. The girl haunted his thoughts like a ghost he couldn't forget. When one of his trusted soldiers returned with word of a village healer who took in a runaway years ago, he didn't hesitate.
He mounted his horse and rode at dawn, alone.
---
As fate would have it, that same morning, Alina left the village.
They missed each other by hours.
But fate is stubborn.
And love is patient.
As Alina traveled deeper into the forest, she found herself standing before the ruins of an old temple—something about the place felt familiar. The stone walls were cracked, vines covered the altars, but a symbol caught her eye.
The same crest as her locket.
She stepped closer, brushing away the moss. Beneath it was a carving:
"Lily of the Flames – The Queen Who Sacrificed All."
Alina's heart twisted.
This wasn't just some ruin. It was a memory left behind.
And someone had wanted her to find it.
As the wind whispered through the trees, she swore she could hear a voice in the breeze.
"Find me, my child… I'm waiting."