A kingdom of Ash and Echoes

Chapter 5: Echoes of Secrets

The Royal Library, Palace of Avaranth

Lyriana slipped quietly into the royal library, her mind swirling with thoughts of her sister, the prince's impending arrival, and her secret meetings with Rowan. Since their decision to confront the barons together, she felt a newfound strength, a determination to bring about real change in Avaranth. But the weight of secrecy hung heavily over her. Each morning she met Rowan in the garden, discussing strategy and compiling a list of the barons' grievances, yet she knew that the council—or worse, her father—would never approve.

She ran her fingers over the spines of old books and manuscripts, pausing at a dusty volume bound in dark leather. A History of the Ruling Houses of Avaranth was embossed on the cover, its golden lettering faded but elegant. Something about the book called to her, and she pulled it from the shelf, letting it fall open on an aged page.

As she skimmed the chapter titles—names of families, kingdoms that had risen and fallen—a particular passage caught her eye:

"In times of unrest, the power of secrets can match that of armies. Kingdoms have been won and lost by the whispers of those in power, by alliances unseen, and by the force of hidden truths."
Lyriana traced the words with her fingers, feeling a chill. She knew Avaranth was no stranger to secrets, yet there was something different about these words—a hint of foreboding, a reminder of how fragile the kingdom's peace truly was.

"Lost in thought, are we?"

Lyriana jumped, turning to see Rowan standing behind her, a mischievous smile on his face. He leaned against a bookshelf, looking at her with a spark of something unspoken in his eyes. She realized that even in the quiet of the library, his presence could stir her heart.

"Just... researching," she replied, holding up the book as if to prove her point.

Rowan's gaze softened. "Ah, but you already know Avaranth's history better than anyone else. Perhaps you're really looking for something that isn't written in books?"

His words struck her, and she felt a strange tugging sensation deep within her chest. "Maybe," she said, closing the book and slipping it back onto the shelf. "But there's more to history than what's recorded. There are things hidden even from those who think they know everything."

Rowan nodded, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "And sometimes those secrets are more dangerous than any army. Like the ones we've started to unearth."

Lyriana felt her pulse quicken as Rowan's words mirrored her own fears. The council's dismissive attitude toward the barons, her sister's impending marriage, and the whispers of unrest—they were all pieces of a puzzle she was beginning to glimpse, though its true shape was still shrouded in mystery.

"Have you heard anything more from your contacts in the villages?" she asked, her tone hushed. They had developed a system, with Rowan's connections among the commoners helping them gather information without drawing the council's notice.

"Yes," he replied. "The barons are angrier than ever. Many of their people resent the increasing taxes, especially since they see so little improvement in their villages. They're beginning to see the crown as... distant, even uncaring."

The words stung, and Lyriana's mind flew to her father. She knew the king was strict, but she'd always believed he acted in Avaranth's best interest. Could he be so removed from the people's struggles?

"Rowan," she murmured, "if we don't find a way to speak to the barons soon, we might lose them entirely. The council will only make it worse, and when Prince Cedric arrives next summer, things will be even more complicated."

The mention of Cedric's arrival seemed to cast a shadow between them, and she felt a pang of dread at the thought. With the prince's arrival would come the final preparations for Seraphina's marriage, sealing her sister's fate—and Avaranth's future. Cedric was not a man she could trust; his reputation as a cunning and ambitious prince preceded him.

Rowan, sensing her unease, rested a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. "We have time, Lyriana. It may not be much, but we'll find a way to help Seraphina. And the barons... well, they don't know it yet, but they have an ally in you."

His words made her feel braver, and she couldn't ignore the warmth that spread through her at his touch. She looked up into his eyes, a question forming on her lips, but before she could voice it, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall.

They both tensed, instinctively stepping back from each other as a figure rounded the corner. It was one of the royal advisers, a tall, hawk-eyed man named Lord Carrick, who had always seemed suspicious of her. His gaze landed on Lyriana, and his lips curled into a thin smile.

"Ah, Princess Lyriana," he said smoothly. "It's unusual to find you here in the library at this hour."

Lyriana kept her tone neutral. "I thought it prudent to learn more about the history of Avaranth, my lord."

Lord Carrick's eyes flicked to Rowan, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "And young Rowan here, the gardener's son, is aiding you in your... studies?"

Rowan met Carrick's gaze with a calm intensity. "I was only passing through, my lord."

Carrick studied them both for a long moment, his sharp gaze lingering on Lyriana as if weighing her worth. "A noble pursuit, Your Highness," he said finally. "But I suggest you focus on your studies of courtly etiquette as well. The prince will be arriving next summer, after all, and your family will need to display the utmost unity in the presence of Avaranth's future king."

The words hung heavy in the air, and Lyriana's stomach twisted. She felt the weight of his veiled warning, and it only strengthened her resolve. She refused to be molded into a silent, obedient figure in a kingdom she was meant to protect. She would make a difference, with or without the council's approval.

Once Carrick disappeared down the hallway, Lyriana turned back to Rowan, a fierce determination in her eyes. "I won't let them dictate who I am or what I must become, Rowan. This kingdom is more than a title. It's the people, their lives, their future."

Rowan smiled, admiration in his gaze. "Then let's make a kingdom worthy of its people. One step at a time."

In that moment, Lyriana felt a surge of courage and something more—a spark that had been quietly growing between them. Here, with Rowan at her side, she wasn't just a princess; she was a girl with dreams of freedom, of a future not yet written.

"Tomorrow," she said, her voice steady. "Let's start with the barons and work our way up. And if anyone tries to stop us—"

"They'll have to go through both of us," Rowan finished, his eyes alight with determination.

As they exited the library, Lyriana's heart beat with a new rhythm, a song of defiance, of hope, and perhaps... the first stirrings of love.