The Lost Crown.

chapter 10 - The lost crown.

Chapter 10: The Lost Crown

The sun had barely risen over the sprawling estate when Ishaani awoke with a start. Her heart pounded in her chest, and a cold sweat clung to her skin. The dreams were getting worse, visions of dark corridors and faint whispers that sounded all too real. She knew it wasn't just her imagination. Something was drawing her closer to the truth, closer to the one thing she had been avoiding for so long—the lost crown.

She pushed herself out of bed, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders as she made her way to the window. The vast grounds stretched endlessly, but it was the dense forest in the distance that caught her eye. It felt like it was calling her, like the trees held the answers she was seeking.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called out, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her.

The door creaked open, and Arnav stepped inside. His usually calm demeanor was tense, his sharp features softened with concern.

"Ishaani, we need to talk," he said, his voice low, almost a whisper.

She turned to face him, already knowing what was coming. They had both felt it—something had shifted in the air, and neither of them could ignore it anymore.

"I had the dream again," she confessed, crossing her arms defensively. "The crown, the shadows... it's like it's trying to show me something."

Arnav nodded, stepping closer. "I had it too. But this time, it was different. I saw... you, standing in front of the crown. You were reaching for it, but something stopped you. It was like an invisible force."

Ishaani’s heart skipped a beat. "Do you think it’s a warning?"

"Maybe," he said, his eyes locking onto hers. "Or maybe it’s time we find it before it finds us."

A heavy silence filled the room as the weight of his words sank in. They both knew that time was running out. The crown wasn't just a relic from the past—it was the key to everything. To Ishaani’s forgotten past, to her true identity, and to the fate of the kingdom that had fallen into ruin.

"We’ll need help," Ishaani said, her voice stronger now, more resolute. "We can’t do this alone."

Arnav raised an eyebrow. "And who exactly do you trust with something like this?"

Ishaani hesitated. Trust was a luxury she had never been afforded. But deep down, she knew there was one person who could help them. Someone who had been watching from the shadows, waiting for the right moment.

"There’s someone," she admitted quietly. "Raghav."

Arnav's expression darkened. "Raghav? You know he’s dangerous. He’s unpredictable."

"And so am I," she shot back, her tone sharp. "But he knows things, Arnav. He has connections to the past, to my past. If anyone can help us find the crown, it’s him."

Arnav stared at her for a moment, the tension between them palpable. But he knew better than to argue with her when she had that look in her eyes—the one that said she wasn’t backing down.

"Fine," he relented. "But we do this on our terms. If Raghav is involved, we need to be careful."

Ishaani nodded. "We leave tonight."

The plan was set in motion, and as the day dragged on, the weight of what was to come loomed over them both. The crown was close, but so were the dangers that surrounded it. Ishaani could feel it in her bones—this journey would change everything.

As night fell, Ishaani and Arnav stood at the edge of the forest, the cool breeze rustling through the trees. Raghav was supposed to meet them here, but so far, there was no sign of him.

"Are you sure about this?" Arnav asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Ishaani didn’t answer, her eyes fixed on the shadows ahead. The forest was dense, its dark secrets hidden beneath the thick canopy of leaves. She could hear the faint rustling of animals, the distant hoot of an owl, but there was something else. A presence. Watching.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, cloaked, and moving with the grace of a predator. Raghav.

"You’re late," Ishaani said, her voice steady despite the chill running down her spine.

Raghav smirked, his dark eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "I like to keep things interesting."

Arnav stiffened beside her, but Ishaani kept her gaze locked on Raghav. There was no room for doubt now. They were in too deep.

"Let’s go," she said, stepping forward into the forest. "We have a crown to find."

And with that, they disappeared into the night, the shadows closing in around them, the path ahead more dangerous than ever before.