The castle corridors were quiet, lit only by the soft glow of torches.
The silence felt heavy… like the air itself was holding its breath.
Mara, the young kitchen servant, walked slowly with the guard. Her footsteps echoed softly on the stone floor.
She kept her head low. Her hands were shaking.
She had no idea why she had been called to the royal hall.
"Don't look around," the guard muttered.
Mara nodded quickly, swallowing her fear.
Her heart beat faster with every step.
When they reached the massive doors of the royal hall, she stopped.
The doors looked too big. Too heavy.
Like they were not meant for someone like her.
She took a deep breath.
Then bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty…" she whispered. "You… you called me?"
The doors opened slowly.
A wave of light and space hit her at once.
The royal hall was huge. Tall pillars. Golden designs. Polished floors that reflected everything like a mirror.
Mara had never seen anything like it.
It felt like another world.
King Ryan stood behind his desk.
He did not look angry. He did not look cruel.
But his presence was strong… powerful… impossible to ignore.
"Come in, Mara," he said gently. "Do not be afraid. You are safe here."
Mara stepped inside slowly.
Every step felt risky, like she might do something wrong without even knowing it.
"I… I don't understand," she said softly. "Why am I here?"
Ryan studied her for a moment.
Then he gave a small nod.
"You are here because I need your help."
Mara froze.
"Help… from me?"
She was just a kitchen girl. She washed dishes. She cleaned floors. She carried food.
Nothing more.
Ryan stepped forward slightly.
"But listen carefully," he said. "Nothing here will harm you. You are under my protection."
Mara looked up at him for the first time.
His voice was calm… but firm.
It made her feel something strange.
Safe… but also nervous.
"I will tell you everything soon," he continued.
"But first, you must trust me."
Mara nodded quickly.
"I… I will try, Your Majesty."
Her voice was small. But honest.
A quiet moment passed.
Only the sound of flickering torches filled the hall.
Queen Natalie stood slightly behind the king, watching carefully. Her eyes were soft… but serious.
Something about this moment felt important.
Too important.
"Mara," King Ryan said again.
This time, his voice was different. More serious.
"Listen very carefully."
Mara's body tensed.
"Yes… Your Majesty," she whispered.
Ryan's eyes locked on hers.
"You will be the woman Lord Varyn is searching for."
Silence.
The words did not make sense at first.
Mara blinked.
Once. Twice.
"Me…?" she whispered. "But… I'm just a kitchen servant."
Her voice broke slightly.
"Why me?"
Ryan raised his hand slightly.
Not to silence her… but to steady the moment.
"You are not in danger here," he said calmly.
"And you are not alone."
Mara's breathing quickened.
Ryan continued.
"Tomorrow morning, you will receive a mark."
Mara's eyes widened.
"A mark…?"
"The red dragon mark," he said.
Everything went still again.
Even the torches seemed quieter.
Mara stepped back slightly.
Her voice shook.
"Why would I have something like that?"
Tears filled her eyes now.
"What if they find me? What if they hurt me?"
Her fear was real.
Raw.
Queen Natalie stepped forward quickly.
She gently took Mara's hand.
"You will not face this alone," she said softly.
"We will protect you."
Mara looked at her.
There was warmth in the queen's eyes.
But also fear… hidden deep inside.
"You will stay here," Natalie continued.
"Captain Alden will watch over you. The mark will be placed carefully. It will only be on your shoulder."
Mara swallowed hard.
"But… I'm just a servant…"
Ryan's voice softened slightly.
"That is exactly why we chose you," he said.
"You are responsible. You are strong in your own way."
Mara didn't answer right away.
Her heart was shaking.
But slowly… she nodded.
"I… I will do it," she whispered.
Silence followed.
The decision had been made.
Something irreversible had begun.
Ryan gave a small nod.
"Good," he said. "Tonight, you rest. Tomorrow at dawn, you will come here again."
Mara bowed her head slowly.
"Yes… Your Majesty."
Then she turned and walked out.
Her steps were heavier now.
Not just fear…
But fate.
Outside the hall, the wind moved through the castle.
Flags fluttered in the distance. Guards walked their posts as usual.
Everything looked normal.
But inside the royal hall…
A secret plan had already begun.
And a simple kitchen girl had just stepped into the middle of it.
The following day, the morning sun shone softly through the royal hall, making everything look warm and bright.
Princess Nara walked quietly to her father's desk. She was curious. On the desk, she saw a folded paper. It was a proclamation from Lord Varyn.
Carefully, she picked it up and read the bold words and seal on it. She frowned.
"Father… who is Lord Varyn?" she asked. "And why is he looking for someone with this mark?"
King Ryan looked up from his work. His face was calm, but his eyes were serious. He asked her to sit beside him.
Then he spoke in a steady voice. "Varyn is a dangerous man. He wants power and control.
He will do anything to get what he wants. The mark he is searching for is very rare. Anyone who has it could be in great danger if he finds them."
Nara's eyes widened. "A mark? What does it mean? Who has it?"
King Ryan took a moment before answering.
"You don't need to know everything yet. What matters is that people may try to use this for their own plans. You must be careful. Your mother and I are watching over the kingdom… and over you."
Nara held the paper tightly. She felt uneasy.
"So someone is in danger?" she asked softly.
"Yes," her father replied. "And we must be ready. That is why you should stay safe here and trust those who protect you. Sometimes knowing too much too soon can be harmful."
Nara placed the paper back on the desk, but her eyes stayed on it.
She still did not understand the mark or who it belonged to, but she felt something strange in her heart.
The world outside the castle suddenly felt more dangerous than before.