The castle of Elarion was quiet under the moonlight.
Torches burned softly along the walls, their flames dancing in the silence.
Inside his chamber, King Ryan sat alone at his desk. Papers lay before him, but his mind was not on them.
A sudden knock broke the silence.
"Enter," he said.
The door opened, and a young servant stepped in, holding a folded paper with shaking hands.
"Your Majesty," the boy said, bowing quickly, "this is spreading in the towns… people are talking about it."
Ryan took the paper calmly.
But as his eyes moved across the words… his expression changed.
Dark. Heavy.
He read it slowly. The bold Proclamation of Lord Varyn:
"Whoever brings to me the WOMAN BEARING THE RED DRAGON MARK BEHIND HER SHOULDER shall be rewarded with untold treasures of gold — and their life shall be protected under my rule. Anyone hiding her, or refusing to give information, will be considered an enemy of the fortress."
The room felt colder.
Ryan lowered the paper down carefully and looked at the servant.
"You may go, he said quietly. Return to your duties".
The servant bowed and hurried out, leaving the king alone with the gravity of the message.
For a moment, Ryan said nothing.
Then he stood.
"Natalie," he called.
Queen Natalie entered soon after.
She saw his face… and knew something was wrong.
"What is it?" she asked.
Ryan handed her the paper. "Read."
Her eyes moved quickly across the words.
Then she froze.
Her hands tightened slightly.
"This…" she whispered.
Ryan's voice was low and serious. "Varyn is searching for someone. He is offering gold… and threatening anyone who protects her."
Natalie looked up slowly.
Fear began to rise in her chest.
Ryan took a step closer.
"It's not just anyone," he said.
A pause.
"It's Nara."
Silence filled the room.
Natalie's face went pale.
"No…" she whispered.
"She carries the mark," Ryan continued. "The red dragon mark. She is the one he wants."
Natalie shook her head slightly, her voice breaking. "We won't let him take her."
Ryan nodded. His expression hardened.
"No. We won't."
He turned and began to give orders.
"Double the guards. Strengthen the northern borders. I want scouts watching every road. No message, no movement goes unseen."
Natalie stepped closer, placing a hand gently on his arm.
"We will protect her," she said softly. "Whatever it takes."
Ryan looked out the window, toward the dark horizon.
Far away… danger was already moving.
"I know Varyn will come for her," Ryan said quietly. "We must be careful. Every step matters now."
Natalie hesitated..
"Then… maybe we should send her away," she said. "Hide her somewhere safe. Far from here. Let Varyn search in vain."
Ryan shook his head slowly.
"No."
His voice was firm.
"Nara stays here. She's our daughter, the princess of this kingdom. This is her home."
He paused.
Then his eyes darkened slightly.
"But… I have a plan. A plan that will protect Nara".
Natalie looked at him, confused. "What kind of plan?"
Ryan did not answer right away.
Instead, he turned toward the door.
"Captain Alden," he called.
A tall guard stepped forward and bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty"
"Bring me a servant," Ryan said. "A girl from the kitchens. Her name is Mara. Bring her here… quietly. Do not tell anyone where she goes."
Alden hesitated for a second—but nodded. "As you ordered Your Majesty."
He left at once.
Queen Natalie watched the guard leave. "Mara?" she asked, surprised. "Why Mara?"
Ryan met his wife's eyes for a second and gave a small, unreadable look. He did not explain. "Just let him bring her," he said quietly.
Natalie felt uneasy.
Something about this plan… felt different.
Dangerous.
Natalie opened her mouth to ask more, but the king only shook his head. "Not now. Trust me."
Queen Natalie remained silent for a moment, worried and curious, while King Ryan returned to his seat, his face calm but his mind clearly far away.
Outside, the castle was still moving as always.
Servants worked. Guards walked their posts.
Everything looked normal.
But in the shadows…
Things were changing.
And somewhere in the kitchens…
A simple girl named Mara was about to be pulled into a plan she did not understand.