𝑺𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑬𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒅

PREVIEW/PROLOGUE

15 YEARS AGO...

Heavy rain poured down, the trees swaying while the wind violently pushed debris around. Constant lightning lit up the grim sky, followed by booming thunder that shook the kingdom to its very core. The residents of Ekudal had long sought refuge in the warmth of their homes as the raging storm brewed outside.

In the eyes of a small five-year-old girl, her nose pressed against the large, cold glass, the scene unfolded like a spectacular show before her twinkling eyes. Dimples appeared on her cheeks each time the sky flashed in all its glory. Her gaze followed the journey of each raindrop running down the window as she traced it with her small finger, attempting to predict which drop would reach the bottom first.

"Your Highness, you need to step away from the window! It's dangerous!" A colossal cloud-to-ground lightning bolt struck with such ferocity that the woman flinched before the dark clouds swallowed the kingdom once again in darkness. The young girl tapped the window impatiently, anticipating the loud noise that always followed the lightning.

"Your Highness! I'm asking you again to step away from the window, please! I beg of you!" The girl let out a giant huff of annoyance as she finally turned to face the four governesses. She paid no heed to their warnings and jumped off the chair she'd pushed against the window.

"Your Highness, why don't you sit by the fire?" The eldest governess offered, her smile slightly crooked as she held her breath, waiting for the response.

The princess narrowed her eyes at the outstretched hand, glaring at the woman through her lashes before stomping her way to the massive fireplace.

"Your Highness, where are your shoes?" The black-haired woman's voice was ignored as the girl settled down on the thick, soft carpet in front of the roaring fire. There, she pulled her knees to her chin and watched the dancing flames, which glowed brightly in shades of orange and yellow.

The violent thunderstorm continued unabated, with the windows flashing every few seconds, followed by thunder so loud it made the flames of the candles on the walls tremble. The Kingdom of Ekudal was known for its frequent storms during the harvest season.

The young princess lifted her hand, drawing it closer to the fire to feel the rising heat before moving it away. Before she could reach for the warmth again, her wrist was firmly grasped by the grey-haired woman.

"Don't do that, your Highness! You could burn yourself!" She gave the princess a stern look before letting go. The five-year-old's cheeks flushed as she pulled herself up, glaring at her governess.

"I want to see my parents." The four women visibly tensed, their eyes darting to one another, sweat forming on their foreheads.

"Your Highness, your parents are working right now. Why don't you play with this?" One of the younger women offered her a small doll.

The young girl rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't like dolls. Dolls are stupid."

The four women stared at the small girl in despair. Although she despised dolls, she bore a striking resemblance to one. Her long, thick, dark hair flowed down her shoulders, framing the elegant soft pink dress she wore. While most children her age still had rounder features, hers were perfectly sculpted, with high cheekbones and a pointed nose. The pinkish hue of her cheeks matched the soft color of her lips, while her eyes sparkled like dazzling emeralds.

A sudden knock on the door diverted the governesses' attention as they hurried to answer it. The corner of the young girl's mouth lifted as she dashed into the next room. Grinning to herself, she spotted the bookshelf her fathers had shown her before, and she darted behind it, discovering a hidden passageway.